Having Aperture In Chamber Wall Patents (Class 188/286)
  • Patent number: 12070981
    Abstract: An internal stroke sensor for an IFP shock assembly is disclosed herein. The shock assembly includes a damper chamber and a damping piston coupled to a piston shaft. The damping piston disposed in the damper chamber and axially movable relative to the damper chamber, the damping piston separating a compression portion from a rebound portion within the damper chamber. The shock assembly also includes an internal floating piston (IFP) and an IFP location sensor. The IFP location sensor to determine a position information for the IFP. A processor is configured to receive the position information for the IFP from the IFP location sensor and utilize the position information for the IFP to determine a shock stroke position of the shock assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: Connor Randall
  • Patent number: 11091001
    Abstract: A damper includes a pressure tube, a piston assembly, a piston rod, a reserve tube, and a reserve chamber. The damper also includes a base valve assembly having a valve body and a compression disc assembly. The compression disc assembly engages a first end face of the valve body to restrict flow through at least one compression passage. The base valve assembly also includes a rebound disc assembly. The rebound disc assembly engages a second end face of the valve body to restrict flow through at least one rebound passage. The rebound disc assembly includes at least one rebound bending disc that directly engages the second end face to close the at least one rebound passage. The rebound bending disc bends in response to pressure within the at least one rebound passage to permit flow through the at least one rebound passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: DRiV Automotive Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander Alvarez Cendoya
  • Patent number: 10844925
    Abstract: Provided is a rotary damper that makes it possible to adjust braking torque characteristics. A rotary damper (1) that restricts the movement of a viscous fluid (6) with which the inside of a cylindrical chamber (200) of a case (2) has been filled and thereby generates braking torque against applied rotational force. A flow path (208) is formed in a partitioning part (204) of the cylindrical chamber (200), and a check valve (3) is movably arranged inside the flow path (208). When a rotor (4) has rotated in a normal rotation direction R1, the check valve (3) moves inside the flow path (208) in a closing direction M1 and closes the flow path (208) and, when the rotor (4) has rotated in a reverse rotation direction R2, moves inside the flow path (208) in an opening direction M2 and opens the flow path (208).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: OILES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ryohei Kaneko
  • Patent number: 10054183
    Abstract: A cylinder device includes a cylinder, an outer tube, a piston, a piston rod, a rod guide, a first common passage through which working oil that is supplied/discharged to/from a rod-side chamber passes, a pipe that forms a part of the first common passage and is provided in a reservoir tank, a pipe holder that is provided between the pipe and the rod guide and holds a first end of the pipe, and a plug that is provided on a side of the pipe holder opposite from the pipe and has a throttle passage allowing the first common passage to communicate with the reservoir tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: KYB Corporation
    Inventor: Takayuki Ogawa
  • Patent number: 9874281
    Abstract: A gas cylinder actuator with overtravel safety device, comprising a tubular jacket for gas containment, which is closed hermetically at one end by a bottom provided with a gas filling valve and at the opposite end by a head portion, which is provided with a hole for the passage of a stem with a piston, the jacket, the bottom and the piston forming the gas expansion and compression chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: SPECIAL SPRINGS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Augusto Cappeller, Alessandro Cappeller, Dante Cappeller
  • Patent number: 9726287
    Abstract: A gas cylinder actuator with overtravel safety device, comprising a tubular jacket for gas containment, which is closed hermetically at one end by a bottom provided with a gas filling valve and at the opposite end by a head portion, which is provided with a hole for the passage of a stem with a piston, the jacket, the bottom and the piston forming the gas expansion and compression chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: SPECIAL SPRINGS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Augusto Cappeller, Alessandro Cappeller, Dante Cappeller
  • Patent number: 9121468
    Abstract: The rotary damper comprises: case having viscous fluid 13 filled cylindrical chamber; rotor housed in the chamber; check valve; and pressure-regulating valve. In the chamber, projecting bulkheads are formed. The rotor comprises: the rotor body and vanes. The check valve closes when the rotor rotates in the normal rotation direction, so as to restrict movement of the viscous fluid between areas 111a-111d partitioned by the bulkheads and the vanes. On the other hand, the check valve opens when the rotor rotates in the reverse rotation direction, so as to allow movement of the viscous fluid between the areas 111a-111d. The pressure-regulating valve opens when rotating force applied for rotating the rotor in the normal rotation direction is above a predetermined value, to cancel the restriction of movement of the viscous fluid between the areas 111a-111d.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: OILES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihiko Okimura, Naohiro Horita
  • Patent number: 8893864
    Abstract: A frequency unit valve is provided. In the frequency valve, a free piston reciprocates within a housing where a sub-valve is mounted in a lower portion. Variable frequency units installed above and under the free piston provide a damping characteristic by selectively opening or closing a passage when a frequency of a piston rod is in a high-frequency region and a low-frequency region. Accordingly, the vehicle ride comfort is maximally improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Mando Corporation
    Inventor: Wan Sang Park
  • Patent number: 8887881
    Abstract: A shock-absorbing device includes a first cylinder with a first room defined therein and a room is defined in an end of the first cylinder. A second cylinder extends into the first cylinder and has a first piston so as to define a third room and a third room. Hydraulic liquid is filled in the second and third rooms. A first tube and a second tube extending through the first tube are located in the first room. A first path and a second path communicate with the recess. The first and second tubes extend into the second cylinder and are connected to the first piston. When the first and second cylinders are relative moved, the hydraulic liquid is controlled to flow or not flow between the first and second paths so as to absorb different levels of shocks, and the speed that the shock-absorbing device returns can be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Kind Shock Hi-Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jung Yu Hsu
  • Publication number: 20140224605
    Abstract: A damper for use in a suspension module comprises an inner member and an outer member. The inner member traverses axially through a fluid-tight chamber formed between the members and containing damper fluid. Inside the chamber, a piston is axially displaceable between a pair of abutment surfaces. A permanent passage allows the damper fluid to pass from one side of the piston to the other. Also, when the piston is part way between the abutment surfaces, an auxiliary passage is open through which the damper fluid can pass from one side of the piston to the other. The auxiliary passage is blocked by the piston when it abuts against one of the abutment surfaces. The damper may be used in vibration isolation mounts for a driver cabin in off-road vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: TRELLEBORG INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS USA, INC.
    Inventor: Donald M. Farbotnik
  • Patent number: 8776964
    Abstract: A gas cylinder actuator with overtravel safety device, comprising a tubular jacket which is closed by a bottom provided with a gas filling valve and at the opposite end by a head portion, which is provided with a hole for the passage of a stem with a piston; the gas cylinder actuator has, on the inner face of the jacket, in the compression chamber, a region in low relief designed to interrupt the seal provided by a gasket of the piston or the head portion, which act against the inner face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Special Springs S.r.l.
    Inventors: Augusto Cappeller, Massimo Fiorese, Daniel Fantinato
  • Patent number: 8672306
    Abstract: A vehicle shock absorber includes a plurality of communication holes axially provided side by side in a peripheral wall of the cylinder of the damper, another communication hole provided in a peripheral wall of the cylinder and located below a position of piston of the damper, and a third oil chamber provided in an outer tube and an inner tube of a fork body and outside the cylinder and communicating with only a second oil chamber via the communication holes. This configuration enables the vehicle shock absorber to make a damping force generated by the damper positional dependent, and suppresses the entering of an air bubble into the cylinder, even when a cylinder of the damper is located above an oil level in an oil reservoir within the absorber body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mikio Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 8596431
    Abstract: A self-adjusting end position damping arrangement includes a stroke space 9 which is delimited by a movable stroke element 7, 24 and a part of the pneumatic cylinder 1, with the stroke space 9 being connected via a connecting duct 14 to the working pressure P1 which acts on the cylinder piston 22 or to the ventilation pressure (P3) in the outlet duct 3 and the stroke element 7, 24 being acted on via a damping duct 16 by the damping pressure P2 in the damping volume 19, a non-return valve 12 is arranged in the connecting duct 14 upstream of the stroke space 9, which non-return valve 12 blocks in the direction of the working pressure P1 or the ventilation pressure (P3), respectively, and a ventilation duct 5 is provided, which ventilation duct 5 can be opened by means of the movable stroke element 7, 24 and which is connected to an outlet duct 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Parker Origa Holding AG
    Inventor: Christian Bruder
  • Patent number: 8448760
    Abstract: A buffering, energy absorbing, system has tapered grooves within either the inner surface of a cylindrical main body or along the sides of a piston head to allow fluid flow, where the tapered grooves increasingly or decreasingly restrict the flow of fluid between the inside of the main body and an accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Gary J. Houtsma
  • Patent number: 8205729
    Abstract: A cylinder chamber filled with a liquid, a piston disposed inside the cylinder chamber, a piston rod connected to the piston, and an accumulator allowing the piston rod to generate a damping force by receiving the liquid from a compression side of the cylinder chamber are included, and on an internal periphery of the cylinder chamber, one line of a helical damping groove is formed within a stroke range of the piston, a groove width of the damping groove is constant over the entire length of the damping groove, a depth of the damping groove gradually decreases along a spiral toward the direction in which the piston rod is pushed in, and a length of the piston in a direction along the axis line is smaller than a pitch of the damping groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: SMC Corporation
    Inventors: Eiko Miyasato, Soichi Sato
  • Patent number: 8157064
    Abstract: Disclosed is a shock absorber for a drawer. The shock absorber includes a body filled with fluid, a piston member inserted into the body while being coupled with a rod, and a buffering member installed in the body to prevent the body from being broken by receiving pressure change of fluid when the piston member moves forward and backward. According to the shock absorber, high impact force generated when the drawer is closed can be absorbed and efficiently distributed, so that the drawer can be silently operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Moonju Hardware Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jaehong Kim
  • Patent number: 8123006
    Abstract: A lightweight gas spring with a volume compensator, which is incorporated into a fork leg of a two-wheel vehicle fork. The fork leg includes a housing having an upper inner telescoping hollow rod with a closed top and bottom end which is partially inserted into a lower outer telescoping rod having a closed bottom end. The inner upper telescoping rod inside includes a stationary volume compensator, a reciprocating piston, a first expandable and contractible gas chamber between the volume compensator and the piston which functions as a positive gas spring, and a second expandable and contractible gas chamber between the piston and the bottom end which can function as a negative gas spring, an air bypass channel which is longitudinally positioned on the inner surface of the inner telescoping rod may open to the first and second gas chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Hayes Bicycle Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Brady Matthew Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20110233014
    Abstract: A suspension apparatus for providing a progressively dampened motion, said apparatus comprising a housing (14) defining a first chamber (12) having a first end (26) with said first chamber (12) containing a volume of liquid (52). The apparatus further comprises at least one plunger (6) defining a second chamber (8) with the plunger (6) being slidably movable within said housing (14) and containing a volume of gas (56). A fluid communication path (80) provides for fluid communication between the first and second chambers allowing the transferal of liquid (52) between the first and second chambers. Transfer of liquid (52) into the second chamber (8) compresses the gas (56) whereby the fluid communication path (80) becomes progressively constricted as the plunger (6) is motivated toward said first end (26) of said first chamber (12) by a load applied or transmitted to said plunger (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventor: Nick Horlock
  • Patent number: 7690618
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a position adjustment mechanism, comprising two cylindrical portions, a first one of the portions being slidably disposed inside a second one of the portions. One of the portions has at least three detents and the other portion has at least three members for engaging in respective the detents to hold the portions in a first position, the members being removable from the detents to allow the portions to move into a second position; wherein the detents and members are equi-spaced around the first and second portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Inventor: Roger Geoffrey Halstead
  • Patent number: 7690667
    Abstract: A bicycle shock absorber and methods for differentiating between rider-induced forces and terrain-induced forces includes a first fluid chamber having fluid contained therein, a piston for compressing the fluid within the fluid chamber, a second fluid chamber coupled to the first fluid chamber by a fluid communication hose, and an inertial valve disposed within the second fluid chamber. The inertial valve opens in response to terrain-induced forces and provides communication of fluid compressed by the piston from the first fluid chamber to the second fluid chamber. The inertial valve does not open in response to rider-induced forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael McAndrews
  • Patent number: 7309063
    Abstract: A gas-filled spring (1) operates using gas (13, 14) and may be intended for a motor cycle. The gas-filled spring comprises a cylinder (2) and a piston (4), said cylinder comprising a compression chamber and a return chamber (8, 9). An arrangement maintains the necessary quantities of gas and gas pressure settings or differential pressures in the chambers despite any gas leakage and temperature variations occurring. Arranged between the chambers is a passage (12), which is open only in a predetermined position of the cylinder and the piston relative to one another. In the open position gas transfer between the chambers and/or pressure equalization in or differential pressure adjustment of the gas pressures in the chambers are permitted. The invention also relates to a valve for counteracting rapid changes in leakage and temperature. The desired spring characteristic of the gas-filled spring can in this way be maintained despite leakage and temperature variations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Ohlins Racing AB
    Inventor: Johan Söderdahl
  • Patent number: 7299907
    Abstract: A hydraulic shock absorber has an outer body with a central bore. A first piston is telescopingly received in the central bore adjacent a closed end thereof, and has a generally annular shape with an inner surface defining a central piston bore, and an outer surface disposed adjacent the sidewall of the central body bore to define a first annularly-shaped metering aperture. A second piston is telescopingly received in the central bore of the first piston, and has an outer surface disposed adjacent to the inner surface of the first piston to define a second annularly-shaped metering aperture therebetween. Hydraulic fluid is disposed in the central body bore between the closed end thereof and the pistons, such that inwardly directed impact forces on the pistons displace the hydraulic fluid through the metering apertures to progressively dampen the impact forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Ace Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael A. Ferkany
  • Patent number: 6966412
    Abstract: A position-sensitive shock absorbing device with a single cast body construction is provided. The device has a tubular member, a moveable piston within the tubular member, a first hydraulic fluid chamber defined by an interior volume of the tubular member, a bypass member attached to an outside area of the tubular member. The bypass member surrounds a portion of the tubular member and a second hydraulic fluid chamber is defined by a volume between the tubular member and the bypass member. A first and a second opening in a side of the tubular member are arranged such that the openings are fluidly connected with each other and with both the first and second hydraulic fluid chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas K. Braswell, Del R. Nelson, Brian W. Dick
  • Patent number: 6951267
    Abstract: A damping force-variable shock absorber comprises a cylinder and a piston rod inside the cylinder. The piston rod is linearly moveable relative to the cylinder. An orifice valve plate having a plurality of valve holes is configured and mounted so as to form a circle about the piston rod. A rotary valve plate having a plurality of radially-protruding projections is mounted about the piston rod and is rotatable with respect to the piston rod and the orifice valve plate. The rotary valve plate has a first and at least a second rotating state with respect to the orifice valve plate, wherein the plurality of valve holes respectively define a first opening and at least a second opening. A guide means for rotating the rotary valve plate between the first and the at least second rotating states is located between the rotary valve plate and the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jin-Hyuck Heo
  • Patent number: 6945372
    Abstract: A powerful high frequency shock absorber/accelerator uses compressed air but maintains a substantially uniform level of force throughout retraction and extension strokes. A piston moving in an inner chamber compresses gas in the chamber. Initially, an aperture allows compressed gas to be pushed to an outer storage chamber surrounding the inner chamber. As the piston moves further, sealing structure seals gas coming through the aperture thereby isolating the compressed air in the outer chamber from the inner chamber. At the end of the retraction stroke the small amount of remaining air is vented to outside and the piston faces a small counterforce-generating member. When the extension stroke is initiated the counterforce-generating member moves the piston a small distance until the seal is broken. The force of the compressed air rushing back into the inner chamber drives the extension stroke. Additional embodiments include replacing outer chamber with external source of gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Inventor: Yevgeny Antonovsky
  • Patent number: 6899206
    Abstract: High frequency shock absorber/accelerator built in at any or both end of conventional air cylinder that includes piston moving axially inside cylinder body and sealed against inner surface of body by sealing structure. Cylinder piston rod protrudes outside thru cylinder front-end block Shock absorber/accelerator comprises piston with sealing structures moving axially in inner chamber, which communicates with outer chamber thru aperture(s). Air cylinder piston meets the protruded rod of the shock absorber/accelerator piston and starts to move it thus pushing volume of compressed air through provided aperture from inner chamber to outer chamber. Piston sealing structures seal air coming through the aperture thereby isolating compressed air in the outer chamber from the inner chamber. Compressed air coming through the open venting valve forces pistons to move in opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Inventor: Yevgeny Antonovsky
  • Publication number: 20040211631
    Abstract: A cylinder and piston assembly having damping orifices disposed on a wall of the cylinder is used for impact energy and force reduction. The damping orifices may be of any shape and, therefore, a cylinder and piston may produce variable damping forces and variable resistive forces. A damping orifice may be positioned at any point or location along the length of the cylinder bore. The damping coefficient of the system begins to change at the location of a damping orifice in the cylinder bore. A desired system response, e.g., progressive, regressive, varying, or any combination thereof, etc., may be advantageously obtained by designing the damping orifices to produce falling-rate and/or rising-rate damping coefficients.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventor: William W. Hsu
  • Publication number: 20040182662
    Abstract: An adjustable shock absorber for applying a force to a moving member so as to decelerate the member. The present invention provides a cylindrical outer tube having a plurality of circular, angular grooves formed in the inner surface of the tube. A cylindrical inner tube is rotatably disposed within the outer tube. A piston is slidably disposed within the inner tube and is engageable with the moving member. The piston moves between a compressed position and an extended position. The inner tube has a plurality of apertures extending therethrough and fluidly communicatable with the grooves in the outer tube. A screw thread is formed in the outer surface of the inner tube and is fluidly communicatable with the grooves in the outer tube. The inner tube and the outer tube rotate with respect to each other to adjust the level of fluid communication between the rearward end and the forward end of the shock absorber to adjust the level of force applied to the moving member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventor: Robert Heideman
  • Publication number: 20040163905
    Abstract: A position-sensitive shock absorbing device with a single cast body construction is provided. The device has a tubular member, a moveable piston within the tubular member, a first hydraulic fluid chamber defined by an interior volume of the tubular member, a bypass member attached to an outside area of the tubular member. The bypass member surrounds a portion of the tubular member and a second hydraulic fluid chamber is defined by a volume between the tubular member and the bypass member. A first and a second opening in a side of the tubular member are arranged such that the openings are fluidly connected with each other and with both the first and second hydraulic fluid chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventors: Douglas K. Braswell, Del R. Nelson, Brian W. Dick
  • Patent number: 6739609
    Abstract: The production of sharp shocks is prevented by increasing resilient gas characteristics in response to the compression stroke acting on a front fork. The front fork comprises a tube 1 connected to the vehicle body and a tube 2 connected to the vehicle wheels and engaging to slide freely with respect to the tube 1. A damper 3 and a suspension spring 7 which is biased in a direction in which the tubes 1, 2 are extended are provided in an interior space between the vehicle-body tube 1 and the vehicle-wheels tube 2. A first gas chamber 4 and an oil chamber 5 into which oil is introduced from the damper 3 are formed in the interior space. A second gas chamber 9 is provided which is connected to the first gas chamber 4 through a orifice 10. A space A which is provided between the outer periphery of the suspension spring 7 and the inner periphery of the vehicle-body tube 1 and is closed by entry of the tip 2a of the vehicle-wheel tube 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Kayaba Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuya Miyabe
  • Patent number: 6698559
    Abstract: A hydraulic damping device has a cylinder, a rod, a piston, a first biasing member, a seal and a second biasing member. The rod moveably extends into the cylinder. The piston is securely attached to the rod to divide the cylinder into two chambers. The piston has multiple first channels and multiple second channels communicating with the chambers, wherein each first channel has a diameter larger than that of each second channel. The first biasing member is connected to the rod to provide a recoil force to the rod. The seal is moveably mounted on the rod and abuts against the piston to close the first channels in the piston. The second biasing member is mounted on the rod to provide a force to push the seal. Accordingly, the hydraulic damping device has a capability of adjusting the damping effect and has a simplified structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Inventors: Wen-Guey Liou, Chao-Hsuan Liu, Yu-Chih Liu, Chieh-Feng Liu
  • Publication number: 20040020729
    Abstract: A shock absorber (1) includes a compression chamber (2) in which a piston (3) moves along a path of travel from a near end to a far end. The chamber includes a constant force mode bleed orifice (10) adjacent the far end and a series of progressive force bleed orifices (9a-9e) at spaced intervals between the near and far ends. An adjustment cylinder (12) has sloping arcuate apertures (13a-13e). As the cylinder (12) is rotated, one of the arcuate apertures aligns with the constant force orifice or the apertures align with the progressive force orifices in full or in part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Michel Bertrand, Jean-Pierre Perret
  • Patent number: 6648310
    Abstract: Shock absorber, having a cylinder in which a piston rod is arranged as a displacer and which has a piston which subdivides a working space filled with damping medium into two working chambers. Arranged concentrically with this cylinder is an outer tube which, together with the cylinder, forms an annular space sealed off from the atmosphere by seals. The outer tube, together with the piston rod, executes a synchronous movement relative to the cylinder as a function of the reciprocating movement. At least one of the seals of the annular space is arranged in a fixed location with respect to the cylinder, and at least another one of the seals is arranged in a fixed location with respect to the outer tube, so that the annular space has a volume which varies as a function of the reciprocating position of the shock absorber. The annular space is connected via at least one flow connection to at least one of the working chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Sachs Race Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Theo Rottenberger, Markus Reinhart
  • Patent number: 6634250
    Abstract: A steering column damper for a power-driven vehicle comprises a jacket tube with a central longitudinal axis; a sliding tube displaceably guided in the jacket tube; a steering shaft, which is mounted for pivotability about the central longitudinal axis relative to the sliding tube and/or the jacket tube and guided through the jacket tube and the sliding tube; at least one working area, which is disposed between the jacket tube and the sliding tube and filled with a damping medium; at least one working-area-volume reduction unit, which is connected with the sliding tube, reducing the volume of the at least one working area upon insertion of the sliding tube into the jacket tube; at least one aperture which opens the at least one working area to ambience for discharge of the damping medium from the respective working area; a closing element for blocking the at least one aperture; and a triggering unit for controllable release of the respective closing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignees: Suspa Holding GmbH, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft, Willi Elbe Gelenkwellen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Frank Schröter, Edgar Prottengeier, Wolfgang Nagl, Jens Scharf, Jörg Hauhoff, Lothar Meyle
  • Patent number: 6615960
    Abstract: A fluid damped shock absorber comprises an outer tube having a closed end and an open end, and a damper tube disposed within the outer tube. An inner tube is axially slideable within the outer tube and has a closed end and an open end. A sealing piston is attached to the inner tube to provide a seal between the inside of the outer tube and the outside of the damper tube. A sealing device is attached near the open end of the outer tube to provide a seal between the outside of the inner tube and the outer tube. A regulation valve is fixed to the damper tube in a sealed arrangement with the outer tube. The regulation valve is located between the closed end of the outer tube and the sealing piston. The regulation valve is configured to regulate fluid flow of a damping fluid between the outer tube and the damper tube upon axial movement of the inner tube within the outer tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Maverick American LLC
    Inventor: Paul H. Turner
  • Patent number: 6612410
    Abstract: A powerful high frequency shock absorber/accelerator uses compressed air but maintains a substantially uniform level of force throughout retraction and extension strokes. A piston moving in an inner chamber compresses gas in the chamber. Initially, an aperture allows compressed gas to be pushed to an outer storage chamber surrounding the inner chamber. As the piston moves further, sealing structure seals gas coming through the aperture thereby isolating the compressed air in the outer chamber from the inner chamber. At the end of the retraction stroke the small amount of remaining air is vented to outside and the piston faces a small counterforce-generating member. When the extension stroke is initiated the counterforce-generating member moves the piston a small distance until the seal is broken. The force of the compressed air rushing back into the inner chamber drives the extension stroke. Additional embodiments include replacing outer chamber with external source of gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Inventor: Yevgeny Antonovsky
  • Patent number: 6588555
    Abstract: A piston-cylinder unit including a cylinder in which a piston is guided so as to be displaceable axially, wherein the piston separates the cylinder into two work spaces which communicate via at least one bypass groove in the cylinder depending on the stroke position of the piston, wherein the cylinder is formed of multiple parts and a portion of the cylinder with the at least one bypass groove is displaceable axially relative to at least one further portion of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Sachs Race Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Theo Rottenberger, Markus Reinhart, Alexander Schwarz, Steffen Gail
  • Patent number: 6557674
    Abstract: The compensator consists of at least one flexible and preferably elastic braiding (8), fitted up outside onto the cylinder (1) of the shock absorber, seal-fastened with its own ends onto said cylinder by means of suitable fastening means (19, 10) and carried out in such a way as to contain a chamber with variable volume (C) occupied by oil and communicating with at least one of the inside chambers of the shock absorber, for instance with the chamber with the larger volume, by means of holes provided on said cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Marzocchi S.p.A.
    Inventors: Loris Vignocchi, Sandro Musiani
  • Patent number: 6481546
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Oliver, William C. Kruckemeyer
  • Patent number: 6454061
    Abstract: A powerful high frequency shock absorber/accelerator uses compressed air but maintains a substantially uniform level of force throughout retraction and extension strokes. A piston moving in an inner chamber compresses gas in the chamber. Initially, an aperture allows compressed gas to be pushed to an outer storage chamber surrounding the inner chamber. As the piston moves further, sealing structure seals gas coming through the aperture thereby isolating the compressed air in the outer chamber from the inner chamber. At the end of the retraction stroke the small amount of remaining air is vented to outside and the piston faces a small counterforce-generating member. When the extension stroke is initiated the counterforce-generating member moves the piston a small distance until the seal is broken. The force of the compressed air rushing back into the inner chamber drives the extension stroke. Additional embodiments include replacing outer chamber with external source of gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Inventor: Yevgeny Antonovsky
  • Patent number: 6446944
    Abstract: A suspension strut having a piston tube containing a floating piston, slidable within a cylinder tube. A collar is fixed to the inner surface of the cylinder tube and contains a tapered wear ring. As the strut expands by extending the piston tube relative to the cylinder tube, the tapered wear band slides over valve orifices in the outer surface of the piston tube, gradually cutting off fluid flow from the annular space between the two tubes into an end cavity of the strut, thus increasing damping and reducing the likelihood of metal to metal contact at full strut extension. This reduces shock loads on the strut for smoother vehicle operation and increased component life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: General Kinetics Engineering Corporation
    Inventor: Michael C. Ward
  • Patent number: 6443272
    Abstract: A vibration damper with adjustable damping force, having a cylinder in which a piston is guided with a piston rod so as to be axially movable. The piston divides the cylinder into a first and a second work space. At least one damping valve is arranged in a flow connection of one of the two work spaces and is adjustable via an external adjusting device. The damping valve has a sleeve-shaped housing in which a valve body is arranged so as to be movable. The housing of the damping valve is closed at the end by a cover which has, on the outer side, an engagement for the adjusting device which can be mounted separate from the damping valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Sachs Race Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Theo Rottenberger, Rolf Münz
  • Patent number: 6443271
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes a housing, a piston slidable in the housing, a piston rod extending outwardly from the piston, a cup-shaped stop cap secured to the free end of the piston rod, and an adjusting ring which protrudes from the end of the housing and can be rotated to adjust the damping coefficient by adjusting the open cross-section of throttle openings through which a hydraulic fluid is displaced by the piston. When a load pushes against the stop cap, the maximum travel is limited by the stop cap bearing directly against a rigid end ring of the housing. The load forces are introduced directly from the stop cap into the housing, without applying any loads onto the adjusting ring or other components. The adjusting ring and a return spring coaxially on the piston rod are accommodated within the stop cap in the fully retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Weforma GmbH
    Inventor: Armin Schmidt
  • Patent number: 6431332
    Abstract: The invention relates to a compressible-fluid device such as a gas spring, including a compression chamber (3) and a piston (4) that is movable in said chamber. It includes a safety member (21) disposed so as to be struck by the piston (4) in the event of the stroke of said piston being greater than a predetermined nominal stroke. The safety member (21) is arranged so as to cause the compression chamber (3) to be drained when said safety member is struck by the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Orflam Industries
    Inventor: Jacques Phelizot
  • Patent number: 6425467
    Abstract: An actuation arrangement for movable components on vehicles, particularly for trunk lids or hoods, doors, vehicle tops and top covers, including at least one hydraulic cylinder (1) pivotably coupled to a cylindrical pivot pin (11) on the vehicle and/or on the movable vehicle component, and having at least one line (1) for the pressure medium in at least one working chamber (6, 9) of the hydraulic cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Hoerbiger Hydraulik GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Huber, Klaus Schweiger
  • Publication number: 20020079177
    Abstract: An reusable impact energy absorbing device utilized a liquid filled piston and cylinder assembly whereby upon application of an impact to the piston the piston will move along the length of the cylinder and discharge the liquid outwardly through a sequence of valves into an elastic balloon structure secured to the piston and cylinder assembly to capture the fluid. The valves may be two-way valves which will allow the return of the fluid from the elastic balloon to the cylinder due to the creation of a partial vacuum in the cylinder upon upward movement of the piston when the impact force is removed. Upon discharge of the fluid from the cylinder through each valve, the fluid is forced to travel through a restricted labyrinth to further dissipate the impact energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventor: Osman Akad
  • Patent number: 5522486
    Abstract: A shock absorber comprising an outer tube; an inner tube positioned inside the outer tube; a rod guide closing one end of the inner tube and the outer tube; a compensation valve assembly closing the other end of the inner tube; the other end of the outer tube being closed; a piston assembly slidably sealably positioned inside the inner tube and dividing the inner tube into a rebound chamber and a compression chamber; a piston rod connected to the piston assembly and extending through the rebound chamber and the rod guide; a compensation chamber formed between the inner tube and the outer tube; and a damping valve covering an aperture through the inner tube from the compression chamber, the damping valve being actuable by differential pressure above a predetermined level to allow flow of fluid in one direction only from the compression chamber through the aperture to the compensation chamber. Improved damping characteristics at slow speed damping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: Delphi France Automotive Systems
    Inventors: Gary C. Fulks, Thierry Annequin
  • Patent number: 5503258
    Abstract: A hydraulic shock absorber having discrete damping levels in the rebound direction includes a piston that reciprocates within a pressure tube and divides the pressure tube into rebound and pressure chambers. A passage extends through the piston for establishing fluid communication between the rebound and pressure chambers. A one-way, pressure responsive valve normally closing the passage opens in response to fluid pressure of a predetermined magnitude in the rebound chamber when the piston moves in the rebound direction. The side wall of the pressure tube has bleed holes that lead to a bypass channel that is controlled by an electronically controlled or actuated solenoid valve that opens and closes the outlet of the bypass channel to change the damping characteristics in the rebound and jounce directions in response to suspension conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignees: Ford Motor Co., Sachs Automotive of America
    Inventors: William H. Clarke, Ray A. Sackett, Matthias Raulf, Rolf Wengenroth
  • Patent number: 5069317
    Abstract: A pneumatic shock absorber has a piston rod extending out of its cylinder whose pressure space adjacent to the piston is connected via an inlet check valve. An outlet valve to let off compressed air during damping motion of the piston has a valve piston running in a valve chamber which it divides into two chamber parts. The first chamber part connects a duct leading to the pressure space with an outlet valve. This connection may be interrupted by the end face of the valve piston acted on at least in part by the pressure in the pressure space of the absorber and cooperating with a valve seat. The second chamber part is connected with the pressure space or with the pressure source. There is a spring urging the valve piston towards the valve seat. As a result there are not losses in pressure in the two abutment positions and the damping effect is very even and continuous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1991
    Inventors: Kurt Stoll, Herbert Halama
  • Patent number: 5052528
    Abstract: A limited stroke hydraulic actuator which may be located in the structure of a steered axle in a shallow blind bore. The piston which may be slidably received in the bore is displaced by an adjustable protrusion secured to the steering system. Displacement of the piston causes hydraulic fluid to flow through an orifice from one side to the other. Resistance to flow of fluid through the orifice damps the motion of the piston and consequently the steering system. A spring returns the piston to an initial position when the steering system is removed from end of travel position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventor: James L. Sullivan