Abstract: The invention relates to a damping element for a vibration damper that works with hydraulic damping fluid. The fundamental structure of the damping element includes a one-piece base body configured as a circular disk, which has a plurality of first flow-through openings, each having an entry cross-section in a first face side of the base body, as well as a plurality of second flow-through openings, each having an entry cross-section in an opposite, second face side of the base body, as well as circular valve disks on both face sides of the base body, which rest against a support surface of the base body, disposed in the center, and at least partially close off exit cross-sections of the flow-through openings. The exit cross-sections are surrounded by control edges, which form contact surfaces for the valve disks and project beyond the support surface as well as the entry cross-sections.

Abstract: A shock absorber (100) for suppressing vibration in a vehicle includes a valve disk (1) that delimits the interior of a cylinder (40) in which a working fluid is sealed; a first passage (2a), a second passage (2b) and a third passage (2c), which are disposed in series so as to connect pressure chambers (41, 42) delimited by the valve disk (1); a valve body (10) that selectively opens the first passage (2a) and the second passage (2b); a biasing member (15) that biases the valve body (10) in a direction for closing the first passage (2a) against the pressure in one of the pressure chambers (42); and a bypass passage (10a) that connects the first passage (2a) to the third passage (2c) when the valve body (10), having displaced in accordance with the pressure in the one pressure chamber (42) so as to open the first passage (2a), displaces further so as to close the second passage (2b).

Abstract: A two-stage shock absorber has a pressure tube within which a piston assembly is slidably disposed. A piston rod is attached to the piston assembly and extends out of the pressure tube. A sleeve is slidably disposed within the pressure tube and engages the piston rod. After a specified amount of movement of the piston assembly with respect to the pressure tube in an extension movement of the shock absorber, the sleeve engages a plurality of spirally positioned bores on the piston rod and reduces the fluid flow through the valve assembly to progressively switch the shock absorber from soft damping to firm damping. In another embodiment the sleeve engages a spiral groove of variable depth on the piston rod to reduce the fluid flow through the valve assembly to progressively switch the shock absorber from soft damping to firm damping.

Abstract: A variable damping valve of a shock absorber is capable of properly adjusting a damping force according to read conditions, travel conditions and the like while a vehicle is traveling, thereby improving ride comfort and control stability. A flow of oil is controlled to generate a damping force and the damping force is simultaneously adjusted according to pressure in a pilot chamber. The damping valve comprises an upper retainer communicating with a high-pressure side and a main valve installed below the upper retainer. The main valve comprises a valve body defining a pilot chamber, a disk ring installed on a top surface of the valve body, and a housing for containing the valve body and the disk ring and integrally confining the valve body and the disk ring by being curled at upper and lower ends of the housing.

Abstract: In a front fork in a two-wheeled vehicle or motor vehicle, a partition wall member sectioning an oil reservoir chamber into upper end lower sides is provided in an upper portion of a hollow pipe. A center hole and an expansion and compression common flow passage are formed in the partition wall member. The expansion and compression common flow passage is provided with a deflection valve in a state of being supported in an inner periphery, and a check valve in a state of being supported in an outer periphery, in such a manner that an outer periphery of the deflection valve and an inner periphery of the check valve are at least partially overlapped. A first spring supporting the deflection valve in a back surface and a second spring supporting the check valve in a back surface are provided. A small gap is provided in the overlapping portion between the deflection valve and the check valve.

Abstract: A damping force variable valve includes a main valve provided between a high pressure section and a low pressure section, for allowing a flow of oil from the high pressure section into the low pressure section when the main valve is opened, the main valve being capable of being opened or closed depending on a pressure of the high pressure section, an initial preload and a pressure of a control chamber; a first variable orifice provided between the high pressure section and the control chamber, for controlling the pressure of the control chamber; a fixed orifice provided between the control chamber and the low pressure section; and a second variable orifice provided between the high pressure section and the low pressure section.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a hydraulic stop. The hydraulic stop includes two housings connected together by a spring. At the end of the stroke of the shock absorber, the piston causes the two housings to approach each other thereby causing fluid disposed between the housings to flow through a bleed passage. The size or total area of the bleed passage will determine the amount of hydraulic damping provided by the hydraulic stop.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a rebound valve assembly which performs the flexing disc function normally required for allowing the passage of fluid from one side of a piston assembly to the opposite side during the stroke of the shock absorber. The rebound valve assembly also incorporates a blow off function which increases the fluid flow through the piston when the fluid pressure being exerted upon the rebound valve assembly exceeds a specified level. The blow off feature utilizes a coil spring to protect both the shock absorber as well as the suspension system into which the shock absorber is assembled.

Abstract: A gas spring comprises a cylindrical casing, in which a piston rod is guided for displacement concentric of a central longitudinal axis. A damping piston is mounted on the piston rod, dividing the interior of the casing into two sectional casing chambers. A filling of compressed gas is provided inside the casing. A damping device is provided for velocity-dependent damping of a motion of stroke of the damping piston and another damping device is provided for path-dependent damping of a motion of stroke of the damping piston. The result is a gas spring of excellently controllable stroke behaviour.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a hydraulic stop. The hydraulic stop includes two housings connected together by a spring. At the end of the stroke of the shock absorber, the piston causes the two housings to approach each other thereby causing fluid disposed between the housings to flow through a bleed passage. The size or total area of the bleed passage will determine the amount of hydraulic damping provided by the hydraulic stop.

Abstract: In a valve structure of a hydraulic shock absorber for a vehicle structured by laminating a first leaf valve, a small-diameter leaf valve and a plurality of second leaf valves, an inner leaf valve is provided between a plurality of second leaf valves. An annular outer leaf valve having a larger thickness than that of the inner leaf valve is provided in an outer peripheral side of the inner leaf valve.

Abstract: In a piston-cylinder assembly comprising a cylinder in which a piston rod is installed with freedom of axial movement and which is filled with a blocking medium, a braking device becomes active when the piston-cylinder assembly moves faster than a defined speed and thus limits the speed to a desired extent. A valve body divides the cylinder into two working spaces, which are connected to each other by at least one flow-through opening. As soon as the defined speed is exceeded, the dynamic pressure in the working space elastically deforms a disk, which has the effect of at least partially sealing off the flow-through opening(s) in opposition to the forces trying to keep them open. The elastic deformation of the disk represents a closing movement relative to the cross section of the flow-through opening(s). The disk takes the form of a valve ring, which is installed in a valve ring groove with a certain freedom of axial movement.

Abstract: Oscillation damper with variable damping force, comprising a valve device, in which an actuator for adjusting the valve device performs a rotary motion against the spring force of a torsion spring, the position of the valve device being determined from the manipulated variable of the actuator and the reaction force of the torsion spring.

Abstract: A valve for controlling fluid flow through a passage defined by a valve body or a piston includes a valve disc which abuts the valve body or the piston. The valve body or the piston defines a first land for supporting the valve disc, a second land for supporting the valve disc located radially inward from the first land and a support surface for the valve disc located between the first and second lands. This valve disc abuts the first and second lands and a clearance is defined between the valve disc and the support surface.

Abstract: A piston for a hydraulic dashpot. The piston (1) is mounted on one end of a piston rod (3), travels back and forth inside a cylinder (2), which it divides into two chambers (4 & 5), and has a body (10) provided with axial channels (6 & 7), each of which can be opened and closed at the end by a one-way valve in the form of a cup spring or stack of cup springs (8 & 9), independently adjusting their tensions for both the compression and the suction phases. The cup springs (8 & 9) rest against and in alignment with the body, and the tension is adjusted by deforming the body resiliently or plasticly against its contact surface.

Abstract: A piston having a piston rod connected thereto is slidably fitted in a cylinder in which a hydraulic fluid is sealably contained. Extension-stroke and compression-stroke pilot type damping force control mechanisms are provided in the piston. Check valves are provided at inlet openings of back-pressure chambers (pilot chambers). Relief valves provided in the pilot chambers include orifice passages. When the direction of stroke of the piston rod is reversed, the pressures in the back-pressure chambers are maintained due to the check valves, and the back-pressure chambers are pressurized to a satisfactory level through the orifice passages.

Abstract: A vibration damper with variable damping force, includes a cylinder filled with damping medium and in which a piston fastened to a piston rod axially moveably therein. The piston divides the working cylinder into two working spaces. The damping force for the directions of rebound and compression are influenced by nonreturn valves acting in the respective directions. A damping valve of variable damping action is additionally provided in series with each of the nonreturn valves so that the damping valve is active in both the rebound and compression directions.

Abstract: A fluid damper, in particular for moving furniture parts, includes a cylinder and a piston linearly displaceable within the cylinder. The piston has at least one opening for a damping fluid provided in the cylinder, and the fluid damper further includes at least one movable ring disk in the area of the opening(s). The at least one ring disk (8, 9, 10, 11) is arranged such that it at least partially covers the opening(s) (15) of the piston (3) during the damping stroke of the piston (3).

Abstract: A damping force generating valve of a hydraulic shock absorber is provided with: a piston portion (6) in a hydraulic shock absorber; an extension side port and a pressure side port drilled in the piston portion (6); and a plurality of leaf valves (5a, 5b, 12, and 15) which are seated so at to be capable of opening and closing one of the extension side port and the pressure side port, which are disposed in the piston portion (6) in a stacked state, and which are fixed to an inner circumferential side. At least one leaf valve (12) of the plurality of leaf valves (5a, 5b, 12, and 15) has a thin sheet valve body (19) and a thick portion (16) provided along a circumferential direction in an intermediate portion of the thin sheet valve body (19), or in an outer edge side of the thin sheet valve body (19), contacting adjacent leaf valves (5a and 15).

Abstract: A piston for a piston-cylinder arrangement, in particular a shock absorber piston exhibiting a piston body (6) provided with one peripheral web (12) protruding from the peripheral surface, disposed on said peripheral surface in both areas, each of which defining one end of the piston. Supporting connector elements (10), which extend longitudinally in the direction of the other end of the piston, are arranged successively at a distance from each other in a parallel manner contiguous to the peripheral web, whereby each two adjacent supporting connector elements (10) define a groove-shaped recess (11) and are provided with a collar-shaped seal (9) made of a thermoformable sealing material, which is formed on the piston body (6) in such a way that the peripheral webs (12) as well as the supporting connector elements (10) are incorporated into the material of the collar-shaped seal (9) over only a portion of their height.

Abstract: A brake system for garage doors including a piston assembly movable within a longitudinal housing assembly and including a central through opening and a threaded bushing rigidly mounted to the piston assembly. A threaded axle is cooperatively received by the threaded bushing so that the rotation of the axle causes the piston assembly to move at a predetermined speed longitudinally within the housing assembly. Longitudinal connecting apertures permit the flow of fluid adjacent to the ends of the piston assembly to flow through. A flapper valve assembly is mounted to one of the ends of the piston assembly by a separating spring member. When the movement of the piston assembly exceeds a predetermined magnitude, the spring member is compressed eliminating the clearance and closing the connecting apertures. This prevents any additional flow and rotational movement of the threaded axle, which in turn is mechanically connected to the counterbalance axle of an opening and closing mechanism for garage doors.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a valve assembly with a low speed oil flow circuit and a mid/high speed oil flow circuit. Both circuits control fluid flow through the valve assembly in the same direction. The low speed oil flow circuit is tunable in order to provide low speed damping to improve both the vehicle control and handling. The tuning of the low speed oil flow circuit is accomplished by supporting a low speed valve disc at a position radially inward of its outer edge to control the rate at which the low speed oil flow circuit opens. The valve assembly of the present invention can be located within either a base valve assembly or a piston valve assembly.

Abstract: A shock absorber for a motor vehicle includes a compression valve having one or more deflectable discs mounted on the piston on the rebound chamber side. It also includes a rebound stroke valve having one or more deflectable discs mounted on the piston on the compression chamber side. The deflectable discs of the compression stroke valve have fluid flow apertures aligned with the rebound flow passage. The compression stroke valve also has an annular stop member and an annular orientation disc positioned between the stop member and the deflectable discs on the side of the deflectable discs remote from the piston. The stop member and the orientation disc have fluid flow apertures aligned with fluid flow apertures in the deflectable discs. An orientation disc has a pin folded therefrom and extending in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, the pin extending through corresponding apertures formed in the deflectable discs into a corresponding slot formed in the piston.

Abstract: A vehicular damper includes a cylinder, a piston rod in the cylinder having a hollow end defining an axial rod passage and a cylindrical piston affixed to the end of the rod dividing the cylinder into a compression chamber and a rebound chamber. A valve plate on the rod adjacent the piston has a plurality of soft channels extending from an outer end at the rebound chamber to an inner end at the axial rod passage and a solenoid actuated cylinder in the rod passage is movable to open and close the inner ends of the soft channels. A bi-directional working disc contacts with the soft channels' outer ends to provide damping in rebound and compression when the solenoid valve is open.

Abstract: A vehicle damper includes a valve having of an imperforate, deflectable variable orifice disk with an outer periphery that is only partially clamped against a valve seat, during low velocity operation of the damper, by a variable orifice support disk having an outer periphery that is not coextensive with the outer periphery of the variable orifice disk. The portion of the outer periphery of the variable orifice disk that is not clamped against the valve seat deflects away from the valve seat during low velocity operation of the damper, in response to force on the variable orifice plate generated by pressure of fluid in flow apertures closed off by the variable orifice plate, to provide a variable orifice for fluid flow through the valve and digressive performance of the damper. The valve may take the form of a compression or rebound valve on the piston of the vehicle damper, or a base valve in a dual tube damper.

Abstract: A vehicular damper includes a cylinder, a piston rod in the cylinder having a hollow end defining an axial rod passage and a cylindrical piston affixed to the end of the rod dividing the cylinder into a compression chamber and a rebound chamber. A valve plate on the rod adjacent the piston has a plurality of soft channels extending from an outer end at the rebound chamber to an inner end at the axial rod passage and a solenoid actuated cylinder in the rod passage is movable to open and close the inner ends of the soft channels. A bi-directional working disc contacts with the soft channels' outer ends to provide damping in rebound and compression when the solenoid valve is open.

Abstract: A piston having a piston rod connected thereto is slidably fitted in a cylinder in which a hydraulic fluid is sealably contained. Extension-stroke and compression-stroke pilot type damping force control mechanisms are provided in the piston. Check valves are provided at inlet openings of back-pressure chambers (pilot chambers). Relief valves provided in the pilot chambers include orifice passages. When the direction of stroke of the piston rod is reversed, the pressures in the back-pressure chambers are maintained due to the check valves, and the back-pressure chambers are pressurized to a satisfactory level through the orifice passages.

Abstract: A device for attenuating the amplitudes of impacts, especially against the wheel of a vehicle. At least one piston is accommodated in a housing and divides it into two attenuating spaces. The piston is attached to a piston rod and operates in conjunction with a component that handles smaller amplitudes. This component is either a diaphragm or a displaceable rigid disk that divides a space and communicates hydraulically with either the upper or with the lower attenuating space.

Abstract: Damping-valve body, in particular for a piston-cylinder unit filled with damping fluid, having separate passages for two directions of flow, at least some of the passages having an outlet opening that is at least partially covered by at least one valve disk. Each passage has a rib that extends radially, relative to a first direction of flow of the damping fluid, from a boundary wall of the passage and bears a valve support surface for the at least one valve disk.

Abstract: Oscillation damper with variable damping force, comprising a valve device, in which an actuator for adjusting the valve device performs a rotary motion against the spring force of a torsion spring, the position of the valve device being determined from the manipulated variable of the actuator and the reaction force of the torsion spring.

Abstract: Damping valve comprising a damping valve body with at least one flow-through channel, the outlet of which is covered at least by an elastic valve disk, which is pretensioned against the damping valve body at least indirectly by a spring, where at least one support disk of smaller diameter is provided on the elastic valve disk, facing the spring, this support disk not executing any elastic movement, the spring exerting its force in the area radially outside the support disk.

Abstract: A damper assembly includes a piston assembly which has a piston body which is designed to be manufactured from a powdered metal process. In one embodiment, the compression and extension passages are generally S-shaped with their inlets being disposed radially outward from their outlets. In this manner, compression and extension check valves can be designed to only extend radially to cover the outlets and not affect the inlets. In another embodiment, the compression and extension passages are straight and the compression and extension sealing lands wind around between the inlets and the outlets so only the outlets are sealed and the inlets are not affected.

Abstract: A damper includes a piston that carries a relatively compact control valve for controlling fluid flow through the piston. The control valve provides a variable amount of damping by regulating damper fluid flow between the extension chamber and the compression chamber of the damper during extension and compression strokes. Pressure regulation across the piston is controlled through a flow path as determined by the control valve. The damping force of the damper varies depending upon the loading conditions of the vehicle. The control valve is air pressure actuated to adjust the damping force and control the flow of fluid in the flow path.

Abstract: A piston for a hydraulic dashpot. The piston (1) is mounted on one end of a piston rod (3), travels back and forth inside a cylinder (2), which it divides into two chambers (4 & 5), and has a body (10) provided with axial channels (6 & 7), each of which can be opened and closed at the end by a one-way valve in the form of a cup spring or stack of cup springs (8 & 9), independently adjusting their tensions for both the compression and the suction phases. The cup springs (8 & 9) rest against and in alignment with the body, and the tension is adjusted by deforming the body resiliently or plasticly against its contact surface.

Abstract: A suspension damper or shock absorber for a vehicle suspension system includes a piston assembly across which damping fluid is metered to control relative movement between the vehicle body and chassis. The piston assembly includes a piston plate in which a first set of openings are provided for fluid communication during the rebound stroke of the piston assembly and a second set of openings for communication of damping fluid during the opposite compression stroke. A wall circumscribes the first set of openings to define a recess receiving damping fluid from the first set of openings. A valve disc engages the wall and opens at a predetermined pressure differential. At pressure differentials less than the predetermined pressure differential, highly restricted flow is permitted through a bypass passage formed by a coined depression in the rim of the wall having a continuously curved, preferably semicircular cross section, to provide damping for low level inputs.

Abstract: A gas shock absorber has a pressure tube which defines a working chamber. A piston divides the working chamber into an upper working chamber and a lower working chamber. A series of extension passages extend through the piston and are opened and closed by an extension valve assembly. A first and a second series of compression passages extend through the piston and are opened and closed by a first and a second compression valve assembly, respectively. A rod guide assembly is located between the pressure tube and a piston rod. The rod guide assembly includes an oil chamber for sealing and lubricating the piston rod.

Abstract: A damping valve comprising a one-piece damping-valve body with axial through-passages for each direction of flow, at least one side of the damping-valve body having arranged on it at least one valve disk that at least partially covers an outlet opening of a through-passage, the damping-valve body having a radial inflow opening to the through-passages. The outlet openings of the through-passages for a first direction of flow on one side of the damping-valve body have a trapezoidal cross section, and the outlet openings of the through-passages for a second direction of flow on the other side of the damping-valve body open into a common encircling annular channel. The through-passages with outlet openings with the trapezoidal cross section are arranged on a larger pitch circle than the through-passages that open into the annular channel.

Abstract: A shock absorber has a base valve assembly which includes a compression valve assembly and an acceleration valve assembly. The compression valve assembly controls a fluid path through the base assembly to provide a firm damping characteristic for the shock absorber during low acceleration movement. The acceleration valve assembly controls a second fluid path through the base assembly to provide a soft damping characteristic for the shock when the shock absorber experiences acceleration beyond a specified amount.

Abstract: A piston for a piston/cylinder assembly is fastened to a piston rod and axially movably arranged in a working cylinder filled with damping medium. The piston having damping valves for the tension and compression movements of the piston in the cylinder and having a first and second group of passage ducts respectively for the tension and compression directions. The outlet sides of each of the first and second passage ducts open into a control edge covered by valve disks. The first and second passage ducts run axially parallel over at least part of their length, wherein the inlet and outlet regions of each of the first and second passage ducts being arranged axially one behind the other and one of the first and second groups of passage ducts emerges on the end face and the other of the first and second groups of passage ducts emerges radially outward on each side of the working piston.

Abstract: A hydraulic shock absorber having an improved shim arrangement for controlling the damping curve of the shock absorber. This shim element is configured so that it does not extend beyond the peripheral edges of the apertures which it controls and which diameter can be selected.

Abstract: A continuously variable single-tube shock absorber operating according to the skyhook principle and having bidirectional control valves comprising a working cylinder, a piston with piston rod which is movable therein, openings cut out in the piston, spring-loaded shock absorber valves, fitted on either side of the piston, in order to shut off the openings until a certain fluid pressure has been reached, exciting chambers fitted on either side of the piston and each bounded by a stationary disc, a piston skirt which can be slid around such a disc, and a spring-loaded shock absorber valve. The exciting chambers are in communication with a bore in which the pressure is controlled by a control mechanism. Bores through which fluid can flow into the exciting chambers are provided in the stationary discs.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to front suspension fork assemblies for bicycles, and provides an improved suspension fork comprising an adjustable compression system for quick and easy adaptation to various types of terrain. The front suspension fork of the present invention comprises a pair of rigidly connected parallel fork legs, with each fork leg having at its bottom end a dropout for connection to the axle of a wheel. Each fork leg further comprises a shock absorber positioned therein and comprising a helical coil spring to urge expansion of the sliding tubes, flow dampers, and damping fluid within the cavities of the sliding tubes to dampen the movement of the sliding tubes in compression and expansion. Each flow damper comprises a flexible shim which opens in compression or expansion to increase the flow of damping fluid. Varying the flexibility of the shims also varies the damping effect of the shock absorber.

Abstract: The piston with a valve for a hydraulic damper tube, comprises a piston body (116) having a fluid passage (112) interacting with a floating valve element (115) for controlling in both directions the amount of fluid flowing through the passage. The floating valve element includes a spring washer (115), the deflection (f) of which in the free state is between approximately 0.1 times and approximately 2 times the thickness (e) of the washer.

Abstract: A dampener for a shock absorber of a vehicle, such as a bicycle, is mounted within a telescoping front fork including a stanchion tube and a coaxial slide tube. The dampener includes an internally received hydraulic fluid sleeve that defines a hydraulic chamber in which a piston assembly is disposed. Movement of the piston assembly through hydraulic fluid within the hydraulic chamber is selectively adjusted by metering the flow of bypass hydraulic fluid to the back side of the piston assembly by adjusting a fluid bypass assembly disposed longitudinally within the stanchion tube. The responsive valve assembly includes outlet and inlet ports, and biased bypass valves that move between open and closed positions. In response to sensed velocity and/or displacement of the piston assembly, thereby adjusting the damping of the shock absorber.