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 damper includes an outer tube elongated along an axis, a cylinder elongated along the axis within the outer tube, a piston disposed in the cylinder and movable along the axis, an intermediate tube attached concentrically around the cylinder, a ring press-fitted around an outer diameter of the intermediate tube, and a valve attached to the outer tube. The intermediate tube and the cylinder define an intermediate chamber radially between the cylinder and the intermediate tube. The valve is in fluid communication with the intermediate chamber. The intermediate tube includes an intermediate-tube opening extending radially through the intermediate tube. The ring includes a ring opening extending radially through the ring. The ring opening is aligned with the intermediate-tube opening. The valve is in fluid communication with the intermediate chamber through the ring opening and the intermediate-tube opening.

Abstract: A damper including inner and outer tubes is provided. A piston is slidably disposed within the inner tube. An intermediate tube is positioned radially between the inner and outer tubes. An intermediate channel is disposed radially between the intermediate and inner tubes. A slanted elliptical seal is positioned at an oblique angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the inner tube and divides the intermediate channel into first and second intermediate channel portions. A first control valve is in fluid communication with the second intermediate channel portion via a first intermediate tube opening. A second control valve is in fluid communication with the first intermediate channel portion via a second intermediate tube opening.

Abstract: A damper including inner and outer tubes is provided. A piston is slidably disposed within the inner tube. An intermediate tube is positioned radially between the inner and outer tubes. The intermediate tube extends between first and second intermediate tube ends. An intermediate channel is disposed radially between the intermediate and inner tubes. A slanted elliptical seal is positioned inside the intermediate channel and divides the intermediate channel into first and second intermediate channel portions. A first control valve is in fluid communication with the second intermediate channel portion via a first intermediate tube opening. A second control valve is in fluid communication with the first intermediate channel portion via a second intermediate tube opening. The slanted elliptical seal abuts the intermediate tube between the first intermediate tube opening and the first intermediate tube end and between the second intermediate tube opening and the second intermediate tube end.

Abstract: A damper with a pressure tube and an outer tube, a piston rod extending between first and second piston rod ends, and a piston mounted to the second piston rod end. The piston is disposed within the pressure tube to define rebound and compression chambers. A reservoir chamber is positioned between the pressure tube and the outer tube and an intake valve assembly, abutting one end of the pressure tube inside the outer tube, defines at least one intermediate chamber that is arranged in fluid communication with at least one externally mounted, electro-mechanical control valve. A rebound chamber pressure relief valve, in the form of a poppet positioned inside the piston and piston rod end, releases excess fluid pressure in the rebound chamber. A compression chamber pressure relief valve, in the form of a poppet positioned inside the intake valve assembly, releases excess fluid pressure in the compression chamber.

Abstract: A damper assembly includes a damper with a pressure tube and a piston slidably disposed within the pressure tube. A first working chamber is defined on one side of the piston and a second working chamber is defined on an opposite side of the piston such that a volume of the second working chamber decreases during a compression stroke of the piston and the volume of the second working chamber increases during a rebound stroke of the piston. A bellow accumulator assembly is included and in fluid communication with the second working chamber. The bellow accumulator assembly includes a housing, a bellow accumulator disposed within the housing, a pressurized gas chamber defined between the housing and the bellow accumulator and an accumulator chamber defined between the bellow accumulator and the second working chamber.

Abstract: A continuously variable damper is disclosed. The damper includes an elongate outer tube and inner tube with a piston in the inner tube. The piston defines a rebound working chamber and compression working chamber. An active rebound valve is in fluid communication with the rebound working chamber through a rebound down tube, and an active compression valve is in fluid communication with the compression working chamber through a compression down tube. An intake compression valve is in fluid communication with the rebound working chamber through the rebound down tube, and an intake rebound valve is in fluid communication with the compression working chamber through the compression down tube. The opposite position of the intake valves balance the active rebound and compression valves to avoid asymmetric/bending loads on the inner tube in the damper.

Abstract: A damper with inner and outer tubes, a piston rod extending between first and second piston rod ends, and a piston mounted to the second piston rod end. The piston is disposed within the pressure tube to define rebound and compression chambers. A fluid transport chamber is positioned between the inner and outer tubes and an intake valve assembly, abutting one end of the pressure tube inside the outer tube, and defines at least one intermediate chamber that is arranged in fluid communication with at least one externally mounted, electro-mechanical control valve. A rebound chamber pressure relief valve, mounted inside the piston and piston rod end, releases excess fluid pressure in the rebound chamber. A compression chamber pressure relief valve, mounted inside the intake valve assembly, releases excess fluid pressure in the compression chamber.

Abstract: A damper including inner and outer tubes is provided. A piston is slidably disposed within the inner tube. An intermediate tube is positioned radially between the inner and outer tubes. The intermediate tube extends between first and second intermediate tube ends. An intermediate channel is disposed radially between the intermediate and inner tubes. A slanted elliptical seal is positioned inside the intermediate channel and divides the intermediate channel into first and second intermediate channel portions. A first control valve is in fluid communication with the second intermediate channel portion via a first intermediate tube opening. A second control valve is in fluid communication with the first intermediate channel portion via a second intermediate tube opening. The slanted elliptical seal abuts the intermediate tube between the first intermediate tube opening and the first intermediate tube end and between the second intermediate tube opening and the second intermediate tube end.

Abstract: A damper with inner and outer tubes and a piston disposed within the inner tube to define first and second working chambers. A fluid transport chamber is positioned between the inner and outer tubes. A collector chamber is positioned outside the outer tube. An intake valve assembly, abutting one end of the inner tube, is positioned inside the outer tube to define a first intermediate chamber that is arranged in fluid communication with the collector chamber. The intake valve assembly includes a central passage that is arranged in fluid communication with the second working chamber and one or more intake valves that control fluid flow through the intake valve assembly between the first intermediate chamber and the central passage and between the first intermediate chamber and the fluid transport chamber.

Abstract: A method for assembling a damper assembly includes securing a damper interface to an external surface of a pressure tube. The method includes securing an accumulator interface to an external surface of an accumulator tube. The method includes, after the damper interface is secured to the pressure tube and the accumulator interface is secured to the accumulator tube, securing the pressure tube to the accumulator tube by press fitting the damper interface to the accumulator interface.

Abstract: A damper assembly includes a damper, an accumulator, and a tube mount. The damper includes a tube having an outer surface. The tube defines a central axis and a first cavity in the outer surface. The accumulator has an end defining a second cavity. The accumulator defines a longitudinal axis. The tube mount is attached to the outer surface of the tube around the first cavity. The tube includes a damper fluid. The end of the accumulator is supported by the tube mount to allow the damper fluid to flow from the tube through the first cavity and into the accumulator through the second cavity. The longitudinal axis of the accumulator is transverse to the central axis of the tube.

Abstract: A damper includes an inner tube. The damper includes a piston slidably disposed within the inner tube. The piston defines a first working chamber and a second working chamber within the inner tube. The damper also includes an outer tube disposed around the inner tube. The outer tube defines an outer chamber between the inner tube and the outer tube. The damper further includes a cover member mounted on an outer surface of the outer tube. The cover member defines a collector chamber between the outer tube and the cover member. The damper includes a first control valve mounted on the cover member. The damper also includes a second control valve mounted on the cover member and spaced apart from the first control valve.

Abstract: A damper assembly includes an outer tube and an inner tube disposed in the outer tube defining a fluid space therebetween. The inner tube defines an inner volume. A piston is slidably disposed in the inner tube and divides the inner volume into a rebound working chamber and a compression working chamber. An active rebound valve is fluidly connected to the rebound working chamber and the fluid chamber, and an active compression valve is fluidly connected to the reserve chamber and the compression working chamber. An intake assembly is positioned in the fluid chamber to control the fluid flow through the active rebound valve and into the compression working chamber during a rebound stroke and to control fluid flow from the compression working chamber through the active compression valve and into the rebound working chamber during a compression stroke.

Abstract: A damper assembly includes a damper with a pressure tube and a piston slidably disposed within the pressure tube. A first working chamber is defined on one side of the piston and a second working chamber is defined on an opposite side of the piston such that a volume of the second working chamber decreases during a compression stroke of the piston and the volume of the second working chamber increases during a rebound stroke of the piston. A bellow accumulator assembly is included and in fluid communication with the second working chamber. The bellow accumulator assembly includes a housing, a bellow accumulator disposed within the housing, a pressurized gas chamber defined between the housing and the bellow accumulator and an accumulator chamber defined between the bellow accumulator and the second working chamber.

Abstract: An accumulator for a damper is provided. The accumulator includes a housing defining a longitudinal axis, a fluid connector and a bag. The bag includes a plurality of annular discs disposed adjacent to each other. Each annular disc includes an inner diameter defining a through aperture and an outer diameter. The plurality of annular discs includes a first end disc, a second end disc and one or more intermediate discs. Each intermediate disc is disposed between two adjacent annular discs. The inner diameter of the first end disc is connected to the fluid connector. The inner diameter of each intermediate disc is connected to the inner diameter of one adjacent annular disc. The outer diameter of each intermediate disc is connected to the outer diameter of the other adjacent annular disc. A solid cover disc is connected to the outer diameter of the second end disc.

Abstract: An accumulator includes a housing, a flexible bladder and a support. The housing includes a chamber having a defined volume and a passage extending through the housing. The flexible bladder is positioned within the chamber and contains a compressible gas. The bladder being operable in an expanded condition and a partially collapsed condition. The support is positioned in the chamber and engages the flexible bladder when the flexible bladder is in the expanded condition. Liquid is positioned in the chamber and in contact with the flexible bladder. A volume of the liquid within the chamber is at a minimum when the flexible bladder is in the expanded condition. The volume of liquid within the chamber increases as a pressure of the liquid increases to compress the gas and operate the flexible bladder in the partially collapsed condition.

Abstract: A damper assembly includes a damper, an accumulator, and a tube mount. The damper includes a tube having an outer surface. The tube defines a central axis and a first cavity in the outer surface. The accumulator has an end defining a second cavity. The accumulator defines a longitudinal axis. The tube mount is attached to the outer surface of the tube around the first cavity. The tube includes a damper fluid. The end of the accumulator is supported by the tube mount to allow the damper fluid to flow from the tube through the first cavity and into the accumulator through the second cavity. The longitudinal axis of the accumulator is transverse to the central axis of the tube.

Abstract: A damper assembly includes an outer tube and an inner tube disposed in the outer tube defining a fluid space therebetween. The inner tube defines an inner volume. A piston is slidably disposed in the inner tube and divides the inner volume into a rebound working chamber and a compression working chamber. An active rebound valve is fluidly connected to the rebound working chamber and the fluid chamber, and an active compression valve is fluidly connected to the reserve chamber and the compression working chamber. An intake assembly is positioned in the fluid chamber to control the fluid flow through the active rebound valve and into the compression working chamber during a rebound stroke and to control fluid flow from the compression working chamber through the active compression valve and into the rebound working chamber during a compression stroke.