Abstract: A method and apparatus for absorbing mechanical shock is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a pressure cylinder forming a working chamber having first and second portions operable to store damping fluid. The apparatus further comprises the first valve for controlling the flow of damping fluid between the first and second portions of the working chamber during compression of the shock absorber. In addition, the apparatus further comprises a pressure chamber in fluid communication with the first portion of the working chamber and the first valve. A solenoid is also provided for regulating the flow of damping fluid between the pressure chamber and the second portion of the working chamber. A second valve is further provided for controlling the flow of damping fluid between the first and second portions of the working chamber during rebound of the shock absorber.

Abstract: A direct acting shock absorber for damping the movement of the body of an automobile is disclosed. The shock absorber comprises a pressure cylinder forming a working chamber having first and second portions operable to store damping fluid. A piston is disposed within the pressure cylinder between the first and second portions of the working chamber. The shock absorber further comprises a fluid reservoir operable to store damping fluid. The shock absorber also includes a valve for permitting damping fluid to flow from the first portion of the working chamber to the fluid reservoir during movement of the piston in a first direction. Finally, a second valve is provided for permitting damping fluid to flow from the fluid reservoir to the second portion of the working chamber during movement of the piston in a second direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for absorbing mechanical shock is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a pressure cylinder forming a working chamber having first and second portions operable to store damping fluid. The apparatus further comprises the first valve for controlling the flow of damping fluid between the first and second portions of the working chamber during compression of the shock absorber. In addition, the apparatus further comprises a pressure chamber in fluid communication with the first portion of the working chamber and the first valve. A solenoid is also provided for regulating the flow of damping fluid between the pressure chamber and the second portion of the working chamber. A second valve is further provided for controlling the flow of damping fluid between the first and second portions of the working chamber during rebound of the shock absorber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dynamically leveling the attitude of a vehicle using a low power fully active suspension system. The suspension system includes a hydraulic actuator operably connected at each corner of the vehicle between sprung and unsprung portions thereof, sensors for detecting movement of the sprung and unsprung portions of the motor vehicle and for deriving a force signal for each actuator in response thereto, and a valving arrangement for causing the hydraulic actuator to generate a desired output force in response to the force signal. The valving arrangement has a first valving that is operable for generating the output force by selectively varying the damping characteristics of the hydraulic actuator when the force signal is within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for absorbing mechanical shock is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a pressure cylinder forming a working chamber having first and second portions operable to store damping fluid. The apparatus further comprises the first valve for controlling the flow of damping fluid between the first and second portions of the working chamber during compression of the shock absorber. In addition, the apparatus further comprises a pressure chamber in fluid communication with the first portion of the working chamber and the first valve. A solenoid is also provided for regulating the flow of damping fluid between the pressure chamber and the second portion of the working chamber. A second valve is further provided for controlling the flow of damping fluid between the first and second portions of the working chamber during rebound of the shock absorber.

Abstract: A direct acting shock absorber for damping the movement of the body of an automobile is disclosed. The shock absorber comprises a pressure cylinder forming a working chamber having first and second portions operable to store damping fluid. A piston is disposed within the pressure cylinder between the first and second portions of the working chamber. The shock absorber further comprises a fluid reservoir operable to store damping fluid. The shock absorber also includes a valve for permitting damping fluid to flow from the first portion of the working chamber to the fluid reservoir during movement of the piston in a first direction. Finally, a second valve is provided for permitting damping fluid to flow from the fluid reservoir to the second portion of the working chamber during movement of the piston in a second direction.

Abstract: A hydraulic actuator including a pressure cylinder forming a working chamber having first and second portions operable to store damping fluid. The hydraulic actuator further includes a piston disposed within the pressure cylinder between the first and second portions of the working chamber, and a piston rod for supporting the piston in the pressure cylinder. In addition, the hydraulic actuator includes a reservoir for storing damping fluid as well as a pump at least partially disposed within the hydraulic actuator for pumping damping fluid from the reservoir to the working chamber.

Abstract: A shock absorber for damping the movement of the body of an automobile. The shock absorber includes a pressure cylinder forming a working chamber with a piston disposed therein. The piston has a plurality of flow passages extending therethrough. A first valve disk is located on one surface of the piston, while the second valve disk is located on the second surface of the piston. Finally, an electromechanical transducer is disposed adjacent to the first valve disk so as to permit control of flow of damping fluid through the piston.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for absorbing mechanical shock is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a pressure cylinder forming a working chamber having first and second portions operable to store damping fluid. The apparatus further comprises the first valve for controlling the flow of damping fluid between the first and second portions of the working chamber during compression of the shock absorber. In addition, the apparatus further comprises a pressure chamber in fluid communication with the first portion of the working chamber and the first valve. A solenoid is also provided for regulating the flow of damping fluid between the pressure chamber and the second portion of the working chamber. A second valve is further provided for controlling the flow of damping fluid between the first and second portions of the working chamber during rebound of the shock absorber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dynamically leveling the attitude of a vehicle using a low power fully active suspension system. The apparatus connects the suspension and body of the vehicle and includes a hydraulic damper having a pressure cylinder forming a working chamber in which a piston and rod assembly is movably disposed. The apparatus further comprises a flow control device fluidly communicating with the working chamber on one side of the piston for adding and exhausting damping fluid therefrom to a central pressure source, and an accumulator fluidly communicating with the working chamber on the opposite side of the piston. The apparatus having flow restriction valving for selectively controlling the flow of fluid with said working chamber. The flow restriction valving located between the flow control device and the accumulator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for absorbing mechanical shock is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a pressure cylinder forming a working chamber having first and second portions operable to store damping fluid. The apparatus further comprises the first valve for controlling the flow of damping fluid between the first and second portions of the working chamber during compression of the shock absorber. In addition, the apparatus further comprises a pressure chamber in fluid communication with the first portion of the working chamber and the first valve. A solenoid is also provided for regulating the flow of damping fluid between the pressure chamber and the second portion of said working chamber. A second valve is further provided for controlling the flow of damping fluid between the first and second portions of the working chamber during rebound of the shock absorber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for absorbing mechanical shock is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a pressure cylinder forming a working chamber having first and second portions operable to store damping fluid. The apparatus further comprises a first sensor for generating a first electrical signal in response to the difference in pressure between the damping fluid in the first and second portions of the working chamber. A second sensor is also provided which is able to generate a second electrical signal in response to the movement of the body of the automobile. A computer is used for generating an electrical control signal in response to the first and second electrical signals. Finally, the apparatus further comprises a solenoid for regulating the flow of damping fluid between the first and second portions of the working chamber in response to the output of the computer.

Abstract: A direct acting shock absorber for damping the movement of the body of an automobile is disclosed. The shock absorber comprises a pressure cylinder forming a working chamber having first and second portions operable to store damping fluid. A piston is disposed within the pressure cylinder between the first and second portions of the working chamber. The shock absorber further comprises a fluid reservoir operable to store damping fluid. The shock absorber also includes a valve for permitting damping fluid to flow from the first portion of the working chamber to the fluid reservoir during movement of the piston in a first direction. Finally, a second valve is provided for permitting damping fluid to flow from the fluid reservoir to the second portion of the working chamber during movement of the piston in a second direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for absorbing mechanical shock is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a pressure cylinder forming a working chamber having first and second portions operable to store damping fluid. The apparatus further comprises the first valve for controlling the flow of damping fluid between the first and second portions of the working chamber during compression of the shock absorber. In addition, the apparatus further comprises a pressure chamber in fluid communication with the first portion of the working chamber and the first valve. A solenoid is also provided for regulating the flow of damping fluid between the pressure chamber and the second portion of said working chamber. A second valve is further provided for controlling the flow of damping fluid between the first and second portions of the working chamber during rebound of the shock absorber.