Abstract: A damper assembly includes a housing. A method of forming a damper assembly includes extruding the housing formed of aluminum. The housing defines a first chamber and a first passage spaced from each other, with a first inlet fluidly connecting the first chamber and the first passage. A piston is disposed in the first chamber and is movable in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction. A first restrictor valve is disposed in the first passage. The first restrictor valve is configured to restrict a flow of liquid into the first passage from the first chamber and the first inlet as the piston moves in one of the first and second directions which causes the liquid in the first chamber to increase a pressure applied to a first side of the piston to dampen movement of the piston.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system enables active control of pre-load, spring rate, and ride height by using a fluid damper housing defining an interior chamber containing an incompressible fluid and a hollow rod supporting a piston extending into the interior chamber. The housing is movable relative to the hollow rod such that fluid volume in the interior chamber varies. A multi-chambered manifold is operatively connected to the hollow rod and has a first gas chamber in fluid communication with a second gas chamber. A first plunger, a second plunger, and a third plunger are supported by the manifold. A first actuator is operable to move the third plunger to vary a volume of the first gas chamber between the first and third plungers. A second actuator is operable to move the second plunger to vary a volume of the second gas chamber in communication with the first gas chamber.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system enables active control of pre-load, spring rate, and ride height by using a fluid damper housing defining an interior chamber containing an incompressible fluid and a hollow rod supporting a piston extending into the interior chamber. The housing is movable relative to the hollow rod such that fluid volume in the interior chamber varies. A multi-chambered manifold is operatively connected to the hollow rod and has a first gas chamber in fluid communication with a second gas chamber. A first plunger, a second plunger, and a third plunger are supported by the manifold. A first actuator is operable to move the third plunger to vary a volume of the first gas chamber between the first and third plungers. A second actuator is operable to move the second plunger to vary a volume of the second gas chamber in communication with the first gas chamber.

Abstract: The damper assembly has a damper housing at least partially defining an interior chamber. A free piston is positioned in the damper housing to separate the interior chamber into a gas-filled chamber and a fluid-filled chamber. A piston assembly is configured to move within the fluid-filled chamber and separates the fluid-filled chamber into an extension chamber and a compression chamber. A valve assembly separates the compression chamber into a primary chamber adjacent the piston assembly and a secondary chamber adjacent the free piston. The valve assembly is configured to restrict flow from the primary chamber to the secondary chamber to cause a pressure drop during compression by the piston assembly. The free piston is configured to slide within the damper housing in response to fluid displacement caused by movement of the piston rod in the fluid-filled chamber.

Abstract: The damper assembly has a damper housing at least partially defining an interior chamber. A free piston is positioned in the damper housing to separate the interior chamber into a gas-filled chamber and a fluid-filled chamber. A piston assembly is configured to move within the fluid-filled chamber and separates the fluid-filled chamber into an extension chamber and a compression chamber. A valve assembly separates the compression chamber into a primary chamber adjacent the piston assembly and a secondary chamber adjacent the free piston. The valve assembly is configured to restrict flow from the primary chamber to the secondary chamber to cause a pressure drop during compression by the piston assembly. The free piston is configured to slide within the damper housing in response to fluid displacement caused by movement of the piston rod in the fluid-filled chamber.