Abstract: A shock absorber damper assembly is provided that includes a working cylinder filled with fluid. A piston and rod are disposed in the working cylinder and move along an axis to provide dampening during a compression stroke. For a twin tube arrangement, a reservoir surrounds the working cylinder and may include a gas cell to accommodate the volume of the rod. A recoil valve controls flow of the fluid from the working cylinder to the reservoir during a recoil stroke. The recoil valve has an opening force controlling damping during the recoil stroke. A fluid passageway, which may be located in the reservoir, connects the working cylinder and the recoil valve. A check valve is disposed in the fluid passageway and opens to receive the fluid during the compression stroke. The check valve closes during the recoil stroke to retain the fluid against the recoil valve at a pressure and adjust the opening force of the recoil valve.

Abstract: A variable spring member includes a containment housing defining an inner chamber with alternating layers of compressible medium and electro-reactive medium. Adjacent each layer of electro-reactive medium is a coil assembly controlled by a controller. A sealed plate disposed between alternating layers of compressible medium and electro-reactive medium disperses a load exerted on the variable spring member assembly and prevents intermixing of compressible medium with the electro-reactive medium. Actuation of the coil assembly changes physical characteristics and compressibility of the layer of electro-reactive medium to vary spring rate and stiffness.

Abstract: A variable spring member includes a containment housing defining an inner chamber with alternating layers of compressible medium and electro-reactive medium. Adjacent each layer of electro-reactive medium is a coil assembly controlled by a controller. A sealed plate disposed between alternating layers of compressible medium and electro-reactive medium disperses a load exerted on the variable spring member assembly and prevents intermixing of compressible medium with the electro-reactive medium. Actuation of the coil assembly changes physical characteristics and compressibility of the layer of electro-reactive medium to vary spring rate and stiffness.

Abstract: A shock absorber damper assembly is provided that includes a working cylinder filled with fluid. A piston and rod are disposed in the working cylinder and move along an axis to provide dampening during a compression stroke. For a twin tube arrangement, a reservoir surrounds the working cylinder and may include a gas cell to accommodate the volume of the rod. A recoil valve controls flow of the fluid from the working cylinder to the reservoir during a recoil stroke. The recoil valve has an opening force controlling damping during the recoil stroke. A fluid passageway, which may be located in the reservoir, connects the working cylinder and the recoil valve. A check valve is disposed in the fluid passageway and opens to receive the fluid during the compression stroke. The check valve closes during the recoil stroke to retain the fluid against the recoil valve at a pressure and adjust the opening force of the recoil valve.

Abstract: A coil spring over shock absorber assembly includes a dampening mechanism for varying a dampening rate. The coil spring mounted to the outside of the shock absorber includes an adjustable support to change spring preload in order to adjust for vehicle load and maintain vehicle ride height. A load sensor is positioned on one of the coil spring supports and communicates changes in the coil spring preload to a controller. The controller in turn adjusts a dampening mechanism disposed within the shock absorber to optimize the dampening rate of the shock absorber relative to the coil spring preload.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension assembly includes a shock absorber that provides variable damping dependent on the load conditions of the vehicle. A central rod of the shock absorber includes a central bore that is fluidly coupled with air pressure within air springs of the suspension assembly. As the vehicle load increases and the pressure within the air springs increases, a damping adjustment assembly within the shock absorber increases the stiffness or damping of the shock absorber. In one example, a plunger moves within the central bore in the rod between a first position where less damping is provided and a second position where increased damping is achieved. A unique adapter member facilitates using a rod of appropriate size to achieve the desired air pressure conditions within the rod, while at the same time supporting conventional piston and disc valve components and providing enough material strength to withstand the tensile loads experienced under full extension.

Abstract: A suspension assembly is provided that includes a shock absorber having a housing filled with hydraulic fluid. An air spring is supported on the shock absorber, and the air spring includes a bladder filled with air. A valve assembly is surrounded by the fluid housing and the bladder. The valve assembly is in fluid communication with the hydraulic fluid and air. The air manipulates the valve and adjusts flow of hydraulic fluid through the shock absorber to adjust damping based upon vehicle load experienced at the air spring. Preferably the valve assembly is located within the inner cylinder head arranged between the piston rod and the outer cylindrical wall of the shock absorber. The valve assembly may include a teeter-totter valve that cooperates with other valves plungers and springs to provide variable damping throughout the vehicle load experienced by the inner spring.

Abstract: A suspension assembly is provided that includes a shock absorber having a housing filled with hydraulic fluid. An air spring is supported on the shock absorber, and the air spring includes a bladder filled with air. A valve assembly is surrounded by the fluid housing and the bladder. The valve assembly is in fluid communication with the hydraulic fluid and air. The air manipulates the valve and adjusts flow of hydraulic fluid through the shock absorber to adjust damping based upon vehicle load experienced at the air spring. Preferably the valve assembly is located within the inner cylinder head arranged between the piston rod and the outer cylindrical wall of the shock absorber. The valve assembly may include a teeter-totter valve that cooperates with other valves plungers and springs to provide variable damping throughout the vehicle load experienced by the inner spring.

Abstract: A shock absorber is provided that includes a housing having an inner wall defining a working fluid chamber and an outer wall spaced outwardly from the inner wall defining a fluid reservoir. Either a compression head or an inner cylinder head may be arranged at an end of the housing. The head extends radially from a first portion interior of the inner wall to a second portion exterior of the inner wall with the head separating the working fluid chamber and the fluid reservoir. The head includes a passageway extending between the first and second portions fluidly interconnecting the working fluid chamber and the fluid reservoir. A valve is disposed about the inner wall and is arranged in the fluid reservoir. The valve has an annular sealing portion adjacent to the second portion for obstructing fluid flow through the passageway in a closed position and spaced from the second portion in an open position. A toroidal solenoid has a central opening with the inner wall disposed within the central opening.

Abstract: An adjustable shock absorber is provided that includes a body defining a cavity. A member such as a piston is disposed in the body and at least partially separates the cavity in two first and second fluid chambers. A port extends through the piston and fluidly connects the first and second chambers during damping. A deflection disc, typically several, are arranged adjacent to the piston and one of the chambers to at least partially obstruct the port. A flange member such as a washer is arranged in proximity to the deflection disc with the deflection disc arranged between the washer and the piston. The deflection disc bends about the washer, which acts as a fulcrum, to unobstruct the port. The washer has a first portion with a first radial width defining a first rate of damping and a second portion with a second radial width different than the first radial width defining a second rate of damping different than the first rate of damping.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension assembly includes a shock absorber that provides variable damping dependent on the load conditions of the vehicle. A central rod of the shock absorber includes a central bore that is fluidly coupled with air pressure within air springs of the suspension assembly. As the vehicle load increases and the pressure within the air springs increases, a damping adjustment assembly within the shock absorber increases the stiffness or damping of the shock absorber. In one example, a plunger moves within the central bore in the rod between a first position where less damping is provided and a second position where increased damping is achieved. A unique adapter member facilitates using a rod of appropriate size to achieve the desired air pressure conditions within the rod, while at the same time supporting conventional piston and disc valve components and providing enough material strength to withstand the tensile loads experienced under full extension.

Abstract: A shock absorber cartridge for use in a shock absorber assembly. The shock absorber cartridge includes a cartridge containment member having an inner cavity, an opening, and a lip about the opening. The shock absorber cartridge also includes an inner shock assembly disposed substantially in the inner cavity of the cartridge containment member. The inner shock assembly includes an inner shock cylinder. The lip of the cartridge containment member engages-the outer surface of the inner shock assembly, preferably at the outer surface of the inner shock cylinder.

Abstract: The motor vehicle shock absorber selectively enables the selective realtime adjustments to the shock absorber damping based on driving conditions and desired driving characteristics. The adjustments are achieved by using a solenoid assembly to exert a valve closing force, which is selectively adjustable, on the compression valve and so as to control the damping characterization of a shock absorber. The design and construction of the compression head assembly and end cap assembly of the shock absorber permit these assemblies to be manufactured as subassemblies and then brought together and expeditiously assembled so as to minimize the cost of manufacturing the shock absorber.

Abstract: A vehicular suspension strut or shock absorber of the type which is connected to a wheel spindle by means of a mounting bracket and which operates in conjunction with a helical coil spring is disclosed. The suspension strut includes a strut body that has upper and lower increased diameter portions or dimples which form lands for receiving the spring seat assembly and the lower mounting bracket, respectively. The spring seat assembly is adapted to be mounted on and held in place by the upper increased diameter portion or dimples, and the lower mounting bracket is adapted to be mounted on the lower increased diameter portion or dimples, which advantageously avoids having to separately weld the spring seat assembly and mounting bracket to the strut body.

Abstract: The motor vehicle shock absorber selectively enables the selective real-time adjustments to the shock absorber damping based on driving conditions and desired driving characteristics. The adjustments are achieved by using a solenoid assembly to exert a valve closing force, which is selectively adjustable, on the compression valve and so as to control the damping characterization of a shock absorber. The design and construction of the compression head assembly and end cap assembly of the shock absorber permit these assemblies to be manufactured as subassemblies and then brought together and expeditiously assembled so as to minimize the cost of manufacturing the shock absorber.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method and apparatus for controlling damping in a shock absorber based on the relative acceleration between the shock main body and the piston rod extended from the shock main body. The shock absorber has a reservoir compartment and a fluid-filled internal chamber divided into a compression compartment and a rebound compartment by a movable piston. A piston rod is connected to the piston and extends through a seal in the rebound end of the internal chamber. The shock absorber contains flow passages connecting, and normally allowing fluid to flow between, the reservoir compartment, the compression compartment and the rebound compartment. Fluid flow in the flow passages, which is directly related to the relative motion between the shock main body and the piston rod assembly, is allowed or inhibited based on the relative acceleration between shock absorber components.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method and apparatus for controlling and making real-time adjustments to damping in a shock absorber based on driving conditions and desired driving characteristics. The shock absorber has a reservoir compartment and a fluid-filled internal chamber divided into a compression compartment and a rebound compartment by a movable piston. A piston rod is connected to the piston and extends through a seal in the rebound end of the internal chamber. The shock absorber contains flow passages connecting, and normally allowing fluid to flow between, the reservoir compartment, the compression compartment and the rebound compartment. Fluid flow in the flow passages, which is directly related to the relative motion between the shock main body and the piston rod assembly, is controlled by providing a variable valve closing force.

Abstract: An annular nut cooperates with threaded sectors, which are formed on the reservoir tube of a shock absorber having a coil over spring preload, to provide for adjustment of the preload. The threaded sectors are equispaced angularly about the longitudinal axis of the reservoir tube of the shock absorber, and the threads of the threaded sectors are disposed in the planes that are substantially traverse to the longitudinal axis of the reservoir tube. The annular nut abuts the adjacent end of the coil over spring and the spring end is attached to the nut so that the spring and annular nut rotate together.

Abstract: A compression adjustment mechanism for a shock absorber includes a screw cam which is screwed into a bore in the endcap of the shock absorber and which abuts the spring seat for the compression or blow off valve spring. Tightening or loosening the screw cam, relative to the endcap, causes the preload of the compression valve spring to increase or decrease, thereby increasing or decreasing, respectively, the compression forces in the shock absorber. The compression adjustment mechanism can act on the spring seat from any direction, thereby eliminating the need to selectively orient the working cylinder and compression head assembly to the outer cylinder and endcap assembly during assembly of the shock absorber.

Abstract: An improved piston compression valve mechanism for a shock absorber includes a seal carrier member carried by the shock absorber piston and having a radially extending flange portion and a downwardly extending cylindrical portion, an o-ring seal mounted between upper and lower radially extending arms on the flange portion, and a coil spring mounted on the piston above the seal carrier member. The lower arm of the flange portion has an inner downwardly facing surface adapted to engage an upwardly facing valve seat on the piston, and the upper arm of the flange portion has an upwardly facing surface in force transmitting contact with the lower end of the coil spring. The cylindrical portion of the seal carrier member is provided with a plurality of flow openings spaced about its circumference and along its axial length which are normally in a closed position against the piston.