Abstract: A vehicular damper includes a cylinder, a piston rod in the cylinder having a hollow end defining an axial rod passage and a cylindrical piston affixed to the end of the rod dividing the cylinder into a compression chamber and a rebound chamber. A valve plate on the rod adjacent the piston has a plurality of soft channels extending from an outer end at the rebound chamber to an inner end at the axial rod passage and a solenoid actuated cylinder in the rod passage is movable to open and close the inner ends of the soft channels. A bi-directional working disc contacts with the soft channels' outer ends to provide damping in rebound and compression when the solenoid valve is open.

Abstract: A vehicular damper includes a cylinder, a piston rod in the cylinder having a hollow end defining an axial rod passage and a cylindrical piston affixed to the end of the rod dividing the cylinder into a compression chamber and a rebound chamber. A valve plate on the rod adjacent the piston has a plurality of soft channels extending from an outer end at the rebound chamber to an inner end at the axial rod passage and a solenoid actuated cylinder in the rod passage is movable to open and close the inner ends of the soft channels. A bi-directional working disc contacts with the soft channels' outer ends to provide damping in rebound and compression when the solenoid valve is open.

Abstract: A modular blow-off base valve is provided for a vehicle twin tube damper in which a valve body is inserted into the end of an inner damper tube. The valve body has a central opening into which is inserted a valve cage assembly. The valve cage assembly includes a valve cage tubular member having a blow-off valve opening which is pressed into the central opening. A valve stem forming a valve seat with the blow-off valve opening is biased into a closed position by a helical spring seated against the underside of the valve stem at one end and a spring retainer fastened to the bottom of the valve cage at its other end. An annular bleed disc, intake disc and washer disc fit over the tubular member and cover rebound openings in the valve body. When the valve cage assembly is placed into the valve body's central opening, the washer disc biases the intake disc into sealing engagement with the rebound openings in the valve body.

Abstract: A modular blow-off base valve is provided for a vehicle twin tube damper in which a valve body is inserted into the end of an inner damper tube. The valve body has a central opening into which is inserted a valve cage assembly. The valve cage assembly includes a valve cage tubular member having a blow-off valve opening which is pressed into the central opening. A valve stem forming a valve seat with the blow-off valve opening is biased into a closed position by a helical spring seated against the underside of the valve stem at one end and a spring retainer fastened to the bottom of the valve cage at its other end. An annular bleed disc, intake disc and washer disc fit over the tubular member and cover rebound openings in the valve body. When the valve cage assembly is placed into the valve body's central opening, the washer disc biases the intake disc into sealing engagement with the rebound openings in the valve body.

Abstract: A piston valve assembly for regulating the flow of fluid through a mono-tube fluid vehicle damper is provided. The assembly includes a piston rod and a piston end having opposing first and second surfaces secured to the piston rod by a connector. A first outer annular seat is spaced radially from the piston rod and extends from the first surface. At least one first fluid passageway connects a first opening between the piston rod and the first outer annular seat and the second surface for providing fluid communication therebetween. A first blow-off valve has a hollow cylindrical portion with a first flange extending transversely from an end thereof with the first flange adjacent to the first outer annular seat when the first blow-off valve is in a closed position. The piston rod and connector secure the blow-off valve to the piston end. The first blow-off valve is movable to an open position away from the first surface.

Abstract: A base valve assembly fore regulating the flow of fluid through a twin tube fluid vehicle damper is provided. The base valve assembly has opposing compression and rebound surfaces. Inner and outer annular seats extend from the compression surface and define an annular channel therebetween. At least one fluid passageway connects the annular channel and the rebound surface for providing fluid communication therebetween. A connector secures a blow-off valve to the cylinder end. The blow-off valve has a hollow cylindrical portion with a flange extending transversely from an end thereof. The flange is adjacent the annular seats when the blow-off valve is in a closed position. The blow-off valve is movable from the closed position to an open position away from the compression surface. A helical spring is interposed between the connector and the blow-off valve for biasing the blow-off valve to the closed position.

Abstract: A valve assembly for a fluid vehicle damper having a cylinder with a valve body is provided. The valve body has an outer surface adjacent to an interior wall of the cylinder and includes first and second opposing surfaces. The valve body defines first and second fluid chambers within the damper, which are adjacent to the first and second surfaces, respectively. Inner and outer annular seats extend from the first surface and define an annular channel therebetween. At least one fluid passageway is connects the annular channel and second surface for providing fluid communication therebetween. A high speed bypass valve assembly is attached to the valve body and is movable between an open position and a closed position adjacent to the annular seats. An orifice disc is interposed between the annular seats and the high speed bypass valve assembly for providing low speed bypass of fluid from the second chamber to the first chamber when the high speed bypass valve assembly is in the closed position.

Abstract: A digressive valve for a vehicle damper provides rebound performance with a relatively high damping rate for low velocity inputs and a relatively low flow restriction operation for high velocity inputs so that a relatively firm ride with reduced impact harshness is achieved. A piston has a set of compression openings and a set of rebound openings extending through the piston from one surface, to another surface having a cavity, with an annular seat formed in the cavity. A compression valve is positioned adjacent the piston and normally substantially closes the set of compression orifices. During compression, fluid flow out from the set of compression orifices is restricted by the compression valve. Positioned in the cavity is a rebound valve with a blow-off valve having an annular surface that tightly seals against the annular seat. A spring is biased against the blow-off valve, forcing the annular surface against the annular seat under a preload.