Abstract: The subject inventive steering damper assembly includes a rotor sleeve having open first and second ends and a drive plate disposed in the open second end. A core is co-axially disposed in the rotor sleeve closing the open first end of the rotor sleeve and defining a magnetic fluid chamber with the sleeve. A Magneto-Rheological fluid is disposed in the magnetic fluid chamber. The drive plate is flexible to provide manufacturing and operational tolerance, and is securely attached to the open second end of the rotor sleeve. Flexibility is derived from at least one aperture disposed in the drive plate. The aperture may be formed in a variety of shapes including elongated, round and oval shaped apertures.

Abstract: An adjustable vehicle suspension strut configured to be arranged between a wheel assembly and a body of a vehicle, the adjustable strut including a tube. A piston is slidably carried in the tube on a piston rod. A coil is carried on the piston adjacent a first flow passageway in the piston to produce a magnetic field thereacross and a control valve is carried on the piston controlling fluid flow through a second flow passageway in the piston. The control valve is positioned at the distal end of the rod upstream of the first flow passageway.

Abstract: The invention provides a vehicle damper assembly and a method for modulating fluid flow through the same. The assembly includes a housing including a fluid carried therein. A piston is slidably carried in the housing and includes a ring and a core. At least one gap to allow fluid flow is formed between the ring and core. A rod is operably attached to the piston. The ring moves axially with respect to the core to vary the gap size and modulate fluid flow during operation of the assembly. The method includes axially moving a ring with respect to a core during assembly operation. At least one gap size is varied based on the axial movement, wherein the gap is formed between the ring and core.

Abstract: A damper for dampening vibrations of a rotatable steering shaft of a motor vehicle comprises a rotor and means for rotating the rotor at a rate proportional to and greater than rotation of the steering shaft. Magnetorheological fluid is disposed at least partially around the rotor, and has a viscosity variable to vary a load on the rotor.

Abstract: The invention provides a damper assembly (10) comprising a housing (12) defining an inner chamber (22, 24) having a damping fluid disposed therein. A piston rod (14) is slidably retained by the housing (12), and at least partially extends into, the chamber (22, 24). A piston (18) is disposed at a first distal end (21) of the piston rod (14) and strokes inside the housing (12). The piston (18) defines a first chamber (22) and a second chamber (24) within the housing (12) and includes at least one aperture (26) for allowing damping fluid to flow between the first (22) and second (24) chambers. An actuator (30) is disposed within the piston (18) for varying the flow of damping fluid through the aperture (26) between the first (22) and second (24) chambers within the housing (12). The piston rod (14) includes an inner bore (16) that receives pressurized air from an external source for communicating pneumatic control signals to the actuator (30).

Abstract: A rotary damper for use in motor vehicle suspensions comprising a rotor disposed within damping fluid in a fluid chamber of a casing to form inner fluid volume and outer fluid volume, with first valve and second valve for controlling flow between the inner fluid volume and the outer fluid volume, and an accumulator using closed cell foam as a compressible material for fluid fill variation and thermal expansion. First valve controls flow from the outer fluid volume to the inner fluid volume for one direction of rotation of the rotor, while second valve controls flow from the inner fluid volume to the outer fluid volume for the opposite rotation of the rotor. Thus, the valves are configured to provide independent control of damping for each direction of rotation. A valve holder supporting the valves and providing flow passages is designed for powdered metallurgy fabrication.

Abstract: The problem of flow induced instability in a control valve for a vehicle damper is solved by a generally tubular shaped valve spool having an open, bridged, flow-through end, rather than side flow openings. The flow-through end of the spool has a narrow flat edge oriented perpendicularly to the axis of the spool, with an inside surface of the spool forming a 55 to 90 degree angle with the flat edge, and meeting the flat edge in a sharp corner.

Abstract: The invention provides a vehicle damper assembly and a method for modulating fluid flow through the same. The assembly includes a housing including a fluid carried therein. A piston is slidably carried in the housing and includes a ring and a core. At least one gap to allow fluid flow is formed between the ring and core. A rod is operably attached to the piston. The ring moves axially with respect to the core to vary the gap size and modulate fluid flow during operation of the assembly. The method includes axially moving a ring with respect to a core during assembly operation. At least one gap size is varied based on the axial movement, wherein the gap is formed between the ring and core.

Abstract: The invention provides a vehicle damper assembly including a housing including a fluid carried therein, a piston slidably carried in the housing, and a rod operably attached to the piston. The piston includes a curved portion positioned adjacent a housing inner surface. The invention further provides a vehicle damper assembly including housing means for carrying a fluid, piston means from reducing binding contact with the housing means, and rod means for moving the piston means. The invention further provides a method of reducing binding contact in a vehicle damper assembly. A longitudinal radius is determined for a piston based on a housing inner surface. The piston is formed with a curved portion based on the longitudinal radius. The curved portion is positioned adjacent the housing inner surface.

Abstract: A valve spool for a suspension damper comprises a body portion and a bridge connected to the body portion. The body portion has an upper edge, and the bridge extends at least partially beyond the upper edge of the body portion.

Abstract: A damper for a vehicle rack and pinion-type power steering system reduces or eliminates high frequency and low amplitude vibrations commonly associated with high-speed steering wheel shake. The damper includes a hydraulically actuated clutch that is energized by a spring in the damper. The damper locks or inhibits rotation of a steering shaft coupled to the rack and pinion assembly while the vehicle is traveling straight down the road to absorb the input energy and cancel any vibration from the wheels, suspension or road. The clutch is released when there is any steering wheel input from the operator. Increased pressure from the power steering pump as a result of steering wheel input increases the pressure in the damper to compress a spring and release the multi-disk clutch. This allows the steering system to behave in an acceptable manner by not adding any friction or extra force requirements to the driver and providing acceptable feel and return to center characteristics for the steering system.

Abstract: A damper for dampening vibrations of a rotatable steering shaft of a motor vehicle comprises a rotor and means for rotating the rotor at a rate proportional to and greater than rotation of the steering shaft. Magnetorheological fluid is disposed at least partially around the rotor, and has a viscosity variable to vary a load on the rotor.

Abstract: The subject inventive steering damper assembly includes a rotor sleeve having open first and second ends and a drive plate disposed in the open second end. A core is co-axially disposed in the rotor sleeve closing the open first end of the rotor sleeve and defining a magnetic fluid chamber with the sleeve. A Magneto-Rheological fluid is disposed in the magnetic fluid chamber. The drive plate is flexible to provide manufacturing and operational tolerance, and is securely attached to the open second end of the rotor sleeve. Flexibility is derived from at least one aperture disposed in the drive plate. The aperture may be formed in a variety of shapes including elongated, round and oval shaped apertures.

Abstract: A rotary damper for use in motor vehicle suspensions comprising a rotor disposed within damping fluid in a fluid chamber of a case to form fluid volumes, with valves for flow control and an accumulator for fluid fill variation and thermal expansion mounted internal to the rotor. A first check valve and first control valve mounted in a first flow passage within the rotor allow flow from second fluid volume to first fluid volume, but restrict flow from the first fluid volume to the second fluid volume. Similarly, a second check valve and a second control valve mounted in a second flow passage within the rotor allow flow from the first fluid volume to the second fluid volume, but restrict flow from the second fluid volume to the first fluid volume. Thus, the valves are configured to provide independent control of damping for each direction of rotation.

Abstract: A vibration damper for a vehicle suspension system includes a pumping cylinder concentrically aligned inside a housing defining a pumping chamber having a piston stroking therein for reducing the level of vehicle vibration. An intermediate cylinder defines an intermediate chamber with the pumping cylinder and an outer chamber with the housing. Suspension fluid flows throughout each of the chambers. A valve is operably connected to an air supply of a suspension system having an air pressure relative to a mass loaded on the vehicle. The controls the distribution of fluid between the chambers relative to the pressure of the air supply and controls the amount of vibration damping inside the pumping chamber relative to the mass loaded on the vehicle.

Abstract: An adjustable vehicle suspension strut configured to be arranged between a wheel assembly and a body of a vehicle, the adjustable strut including a tube. A piston is slidably carried in the tube on a piston rod. A coil is carried on the piston adjacent a first flow passageway in the piston to produce a magnetic field thereacross and a control valve is carried on the piston controlling fluid flow through a second flow passageway in the piston. The control valve is positioned at the distal end of the rod upstream of the first flow passageway.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle sway bar assembly includes two opposed sway bar members interconnected by a hydraulically actuated latch operable to effectively decouple the sway bar members. Alternatively, the sway bar assembly may include an integral center section interconnecting the opposed sway bar members and the latch is operable to modify the effective stiffness of the assembly. The latch includes a housing with two opposed latch members axially moveable relative to each other between fully engaged positions for transmitting torque from one sway bar member to the other or partially disengaged to effectively decouple the sway bar members from each other. An anti-backlash lock member is engageable with one sway bar latch member to reduce backlash created by a splined connection when the latch members are fully engaged with each other.

Abstract: A vehicle steering system includes a steering wheel and a steering shaft coupled between the steering wheel and wheels of the vehicle. The shaft is operable for rotating when the steering wheel is turned to thereby turn the vehicle wheels. A vibration damping system for absorbing vibrations in the steering wheel and shaft includes a rotor coupled to the steering shaft to rotate with the shaft and a case surrounding the rotor and a clutch surface proximate the rotor. A magnetic circuit generates a magnetic flux in the rotor. The rotor is operable to engage the clutch surface and thereby vibrationally couple the steering shaft to the case to absorb vibrations in the shaft, and when a magnetic flux is generated therein, to disengage the clutch surface so that the steering shaft may more freely rotate.

Abstract: A vehicle steering system includes a steering wheel and a steering shaft coupled between the steering wheel and wheels of the vehicle. The shaft is operable for rotating when the steering wheel is turned to thereby turn the vehicle wheels. A vibration damping system for absorbing vibrations in the steering wheel and shaft includes a rotor coupled to the steering shaft to rotate with the shaft and a case surrounding the rotor and a clutch surface proximate the rotor. A magnetic circuit generates a magnetic flux in the rotor. The rotor is operable to engage the clutch surface and thereby vibrationally couple the steering shaft to the case to absorb vibrations in the shaft, and when a magnetic flux is generated therein, to disengage the clutch surface so that the steering shaft may more freely rotate.

Abstract: A magneto-rheological damping device comprises a core element capable of acting as a magnetic circuit which carries a magnetic flux, and a case element surrounding a portion of the core element. A passage exists between the case element and core element, and an amount of magneto-rheological fluid is positioned between the core element and case element to flow within the passage. A magnetic flux generator is positioned adjacent a portion of the core element and is operable to generate a magnetic flux which acts upon the magneto-rheological fluid in the passage to affect the flow of fluid in the passage. The core element comprises a plurality of stacked laminations, which form a series of individual magnetic poles with gaps therebetween. The magnetic flux generator is operable to generate a magnetic flux in the poles and case element and across the gaps to affect the fluid flow in the passage.