Abstract: A damper includes an inner tube elongated along an axis, a piston slidably disposed in the inner tube, and an outer tube surrounding the inner tube. The inner tube and outer tube define a fluid chamber therebetween. The damper includes and intake assembly in the fluid chamber. The intake assembly includes a unitary support ring and pair of fulcrum spacers, a support post fixed to and extending along the axis away from the unitary support ring and pair of fulcrum spacers, and a valve ring supported by the support post. The valve ring defines an orifice. A valve disc is supported by the support post between the valve ring and the unitary support ring and pair of fulcrum spacers. The valve disc covers the orifice of the valve ring.

Abstract: A damper comprises an inner tube having a longitudinal axis with a piston slidably disposed in the inner tube. An outer tube surrounds the inner tube and defines a fluid chamber therebetween. A first valve assembly includes a first valve ring and a first valve disc fixed to the first valve ring. The first valve disc covers a first passageway to restrict flow therethrough in a first direction and allow flow in an opposite second direction. A second valve assembly includes a second valve ring and a second valve disc fixed to the second valve ring. The second valve disc covers a second passageway through the second valve ring to restrict flow therethrough in the second direction and allow flow in the first direction. The first valve assembly is axially spaced apart from the second valve assembly.

Abstract: A system for use in a vehicle, the system includes at least two hydraulic damper assemblies. The system includes a syringe pump in fluid communication with the hydraulic damper assemblies. The syringe pump includes a barrel having an opening. The syringe pump includes a plunger slidable within the barrel in a first direction that moves hydraulic fluid into the barrel via the opening and in a second direction that moves hydraulic out of the barrel via the opening. The system includes an actuator supported within the barrel and operatively coupled to the plunger.

Abstract: A damper including a pressure tube, a piston, and a reserve tube is provided. The piston is arranged inside the pressure tube and divides the pressure tube into first and second working chambers. The reserve tube extends about the pressure tube to define a reserve tube chamber between the pressure tube and the reserve tube. A first damper port is arranged in communication with the second working chamber and a second damper port is arranged in communication with the reserve tube chamber. A remote valve assembly is spaced from the damper. The remote valve assembly includes a first electromagnetic valve that is arranged in communication with the first damper port by a first hydraulic line and a second electromagnetic valve that is arranged in communication with the second damper port by a second hydraulic line. An accumulator is arranged in communication with the first and second electromagnetic valves.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a piston disposed within a pressure tube. A valve assembly is attached to the piston. The valve assembly defines a first fluid flow through an always open fluid passage; a second fluid flow due to elastic deformation of a valve disc of the piston assembly; and a third fluid flow due to movement of the entire valve disc away from the piston. In one embodiment, the valve assembly is designed to be pre-assembled at an off-line and/or off-site location.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a piston disposed within a pressure tube. A valve assembly is attached to the piston. The valve assembly defines a first fluid flow through an always open fluid passage; a second fluid flow due to elastic deformation of a valve disc of the piston assembly; and a third fluid flow due to movement of the entire valve disc away from the piston. In one embodiment, the valve assembly is designed to be pre-assembled at an off-line and/or off-site location.

Abstract: A shock absorber has a first pressure tube and a second pressure tube. A first piston is disposed within the first pressure tube and a second piston is disposed within the second pressure tube. Movement of the first and second pistons within their respective pressure tubes control both damping characteristics for the shock absorber and stiffness for the shock absorber. Valving in the pistons and/or external valving associated with each pressure tube generates both the damping characteristics and the stiffness.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes an external control valve which controls the damping characteristics of the shock absorber. The external control valve controls the flow of fluid between the lower working chamber of the shock absorber and the reservoir chamber and between the upper working chamber of the shock absorber. The damping characteristics are dependent on the amount of current being applied to a solenoid valve which controls a fluid valve assembly. A soft fluid valve assembly is disposed in series with the fluid valve assembly to allow for the tuning of the damping forces at low current levels provided to the solenoid valve.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes an external control valve which controls the damping characteristics of the shock absorber. The external control valve controls the flow of fluid between the lower working chamber of the shock absorber and the reservoir chamber and between the upper working chamber of the shock absorber. The damping characteristics are dependent on the amount of current being applied to a solenoid valve which controls a fluid valve assembly. A soft fluid valve assembly is disposed in series with the fluid valve assembly to allow for the tuning of the damping forces at low current levels provided to the solenoid valve.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes an external control valve which controls the damping characteristics of the shock absorber. The external control valve controls the flow of fluid between the lower working chamber of the shock absorber and the reservoir chamber and between the upper working chamber of the shock absorber. The damping characteristics are dependent on the amount of current being applied to a solenoid valve which controls a fluid valve assembly. A soft fluid valve assembly is disposed in series with the fluid valve assembly to allow for the tuning of the damping forces at low current levels provided to the solenoid valve.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes an external control valve which controls the damping characteristics of the shock absorber. The external control valve controls the flow of fluid between the lower working chamber of the shock absorber and the reservoir chamber and between the upper working chamber of the shock absorber. The damping characteristics are dependent on the amount of current being applied to a solenoid valve which controls a fluid valve assembly. A soft fluid valve assembly is disposed in series with the fluid valve assembly to allow for the tuning of the damping forces at low current levels provided to the solenoid valve.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes an external control valve which controls the damping characteristics of the shock absorber. The external control valve controls the flow of fluid between the lower working chamber of the shock absorber and the reservoir chamber and between the upper working chamber of the shock absorber. The damping characteristics are dependent on the amount of current being applied to a solenoid valve which controls a fluid valve assembly. A soft fluid valve assembly is disposed in series with the fluid valve assembly to allow for the tuning of the damping forces at low current levels provided to the solenoid valve.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes an external control valve which controls the damping characteristics of the shock absorber. The external control valve controls the flow of fluid between the lower working chamber of the shock absorber and the reservoir chamber and between the upper working chamber of the shock absorber. The damping characteristics are dependent on the amount of current being applied to a solenoid valve which controls a fluid valve assembly. A soft fluid valve assembly is disposed in series with the fluid valve assembly to allow for the tuning of the damping forces at low current levels provided to the solenoid valve.

Abstract: A shock absorber has a tube which is closed at one end with a base cup. The base cup defines an attachment bore within which the tube is located. A clearance is formed between the bottom of the tube located within the attachment bore and the bottom of the bore. This clearance improves the high load durability of the shock absorber by eliminating and/or reducing the notch effect.

Abstract: A valve for controlling fluid flow through a passage defined by a valve body or a piston includes a valve disc which abuts the valve body or the piston. The valve body or the piston defines a first land for supporting the valve disc, a second land for supporting the valve disc located radially inward from the first land and a support surface for the valve disc located between the first and second lands. This valve disc abuts the first and second lands and a clearance is defined between the valve disc and the support surface.

Abstract: A valve for controlling fluid flow through a passage defined by a valve body or a piston includes a valve disc which abuts the valve body or the piston. The valve body or the piston defines a first land for supporting the valve disc, a second land for supporting the valve disc located radially inward from the first land and a support surface for the valve disc located between the first and second lands. This valve disc abuts the first and second lands and a clearance is defined between the valve disc and the support surface.