Abstract: A suspension damper includes a piston that is reciprocally carried in a circular cylindrical cylinder tube. The piston is attached to a piston rod that extends out from the cylinder tube and is adapted for connection to one of the sprung or unsprung masses of an associated vehicle. The circular cylindrical cylinder tube is carried in a reservoir tube that is adapted for connection to the other of the sprung and unsprung masses. The reservoir tube includes a section with a polygonal cross section and includes an open end with a circular cross section. The open end is closed by a rod guide assembly that engages the reservoir tube and the cylinder tube. The reservoir tube includes a closed end opposite the open end that is optionally polygonal or circular in configuration.

Abstract: A monotube damper valve is provided which is capable of operating with a higher degree of preloading and a greater extent of disc deflection due to the provision of compression and extension stop surfaces which uniformly support the disc in its naturally deflected state at both limits of deflection travel.

Abstract: A suspension damper of the monotube gas charged shock type includes mating piston and rod guide assemblies and mating piston and gas cup assemblies wherein the extension and compression travel of the damper is maximized. The piston includes an annular skirt with a lower rebound cutoff element. The rod guide assembly includes twin spaced apart bushing assemblies providing lateral support to the piston rod, a lower annular leg and an upper rebound cutoff element. When the damper is in a fully extended position, the lower annular leg is received within the upper rebound cutoff element and the upper rebound cutoff element is received within the annular skirt of the piston assembly.

Abstract: A gas charged monotube strut carries the accumulator outside the damper's cylinder tube and within the strut mount. A substantially direct flow path is provided between the damper and the accumulator through the damper's piston rod. Air to oil separation is maintained by a gas cup and a low profile of packaging is provided.

Abstract: A suspension damper includes an integral one-piece reservoir tube arrangement which provides a self-centering feature for the internal components of the damper, supports the loading on those internal components for proper functioning of the twin-tube type damper and applies for a preload force through the internal components.