Abstract: A damper assembly for a suspension system of an associated vehicle. The damper assembly comprises a cylindrical tube extending along an axis and defining a chamber. A piston is located in the chamber and is moveable along the axis in a compression direction and a rebound direction. The piston includes a piston rod extending from a first end to a piston head. A rebound stop is located on the piston rod between the first end and the piston head. A hydraulic rebound stop (“HRS”) piston is located in a HRS chamber. A rebound spring biasing the HRS piston towards the adaptor plate in the HRS chamber. The piston rod is slideably received within the HRS piston in the rebound direction until the rebound stop contacts the rebound head and causes the rebound spring to compress.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are active hydraulic cylinders for use in active vehicle suspension systems, and methods for assembling active hydraulic cylinders for use in an active vehicle suspension system. In particular, in certain embodiments a manifold may encircle a portion of an outer tube of a twin tube assembly. The manifold may mechanically and fluidly couple a pump assembly to the twin tube assembly. In certain embodiments, the manifold may be welded onto the outer tube.

Abstract: A hydraulic vibration damper may include inner and outer tubes filled with damping liquid, a piston rod projecting axially out of the inner tube and movable in rebound and compression directions, a sealing and guide pack that sealingly closes an end of the outer tube and guides piston rod movement, a working piston for producing damping forces that is fastened to the piston rod and is guided on an inner lateral surface of the inner tube and subdivides the interior of the inner tube into a piston rod-side and piston rod-remote working spaces. The vibration damper has rebound and compression stops. In the piston rod-remote working space, a compression stop, starting from a predetermined retraction travel of the piston rod, may produce a travel- and speed-dependent compression stop force.

Abstract: A shock absorber is provided that includes a shock body and a shaft assembly. The shock body has an inner chamber. The inner chamber is defined by a cylindrical interior surface. At least one groove is formed in the interior surface within at least one select length of the shock body. A piston of the shaft assembly is received within the inner chamber of the shock body. The piston includes valving to allow dampening matter that is received within the inner chamber to pass through the piston to allow the piston to move within the inner chamber. The at least one groove that is formed within the interior surface is configured to allow at least some of the dampening matter to bypass the valving of the piston to allow the piston to move through the at least one select length with less resistance.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hydraulic buffer energy storage device for an over-discharged hoist skip in a vertical shaft. The hydraulic buffer energy storage device for an over-discharged hoist skip in a vertical shaft comprises a vertical shaft, where a hoist skip is hung on an inner side of the vertical shaft, and a hydraulic buffer mechanism is arranged on the inner side of the vertical shaft; the hoist skip is positioned above the hydraulic buffer mechanism; the hydraulic buffer mechanism is communicated with an accumulator group, a pressure relief part and an oil replenishing part through an oil pipeline; the accumulator group is communicated with an energy storage part through an oil pipeline; the energy storage part, the pressure relief part and the oil replenishing part are respectively communicated with an oil tank through oil pipelines, the hydraulic buffer mechanism is connected with a displacement sensor.

Abstract: A vibration damper with an adjustable damping force may comprise an inner cylinder having at least one working chamber, an outer cylinder that surrounds the inner cylinder, and at least one damping valve element that in terms of flow is connected via a flow connection to the working chamber. An adapter sleeve may guide the flow connection, with the adapter sleeve being inserted in the inner cylinder on an internal circumference of the inner cylinder. The flow connection may be guided into the damping valve element by way of a flow opening that is configured in a wall of the inner cylinder.

Abstract: A bushing bypass. The bushing bypass includes a bushing having a top surface and a bottom surface. The bushing also includes an inner diameter surface extending between the top surface and the bottom surface. The bushing also includes an outer diameter surface extending between the top surface and the bottom surface. The bushing further includes a channel formed in the outer diameter surface. The channel extends from the top surface of the bushing to the bottom surface of the bushing.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a pressure tube forming a working chamber. A reserve tube is concentric with and radially outward from the pressure tube. A baffle tube is positioned radially outward from the pressure tube. A reservoir chamber is formed between the reserve tube and the baffle tube. A piston is attached to a piston rod and slidably disposed within the pressure tube. A rod guide is attached to the pressure tube and supports the piston rod. An electromechanical valve is positioned within the rod guide. A plurality of longitudinal passageways are defined by the baffle tube and at least one of the pressure tube and the reserve tube for transporting fluid between the electromechanical valve and the reservoir chamber.

Abstract: A damper for absorbing impact shock generated upon docking of a moving structure with a stationary structure or foundation is shown, the damper comprising a cylinder (1) connectable to the docking structure, the cylinder arranged with a cap end and a head end and having a piston (2) arranged movable in the cylinder and separating a cylinder cap volume (13) from a cylinder head volume (10). A check valve (14), a pressure relief valve (15) with adjustable opening pressure and an orifice (16; 23) of static size are respectively arranged in the cap end of the cylinder, wherein under constant load from the piston during a terminal stroke length of the damper in compression, the orifice provides a restricted flow from cylinder cap volume generating a constant pressure in the cylinder cap volume below the opening pressure of the pressure relief valve.

Abstract: A shock device for an at least partially muscle-powered two-wheeled vehicle including a damping system having a damper cylinder and a moving piston disposed therein and connected with a piston rod extending from the damper cylinder, wherein the piston acts on a first damping chamber in the damper cylinder in the compression stage as the piston rod plunges in from a retracted base position into a plunged-in position. In the damping system, as the piston rod plunges in, damping fluid is transferred from the first damping chamber to an auxiliary chamber. A flow resistance for transferring the damping fluid into the auxiliary chamber is configured travel-dependent, depending on the piston position. The flow resistance for transferring the damping fluid into the auxiliary chamber over a first travel distance of the piston including the base position is smaller than over a second travel distance that is plunged in further.

Abstract: A vibration damper for a motor vehicle may comprise a damper outer tube, a damper inner tube having a lateral surface of the damper inner tube and arranged coaxially in the damper outer tube, a separating plate arranged coaxially in a region of the lateral surface of the damper inner tube, and a sealing element arranged coaxially circumferentially on the damper inner tube on the separating plate. In a region of the separating plate arranged coaxially on the lateral surface of the damper inner tube, a groove for the separating plate may be formed on the lateral surface of the damper inner tube. The separating plate may be arranged in the groove, and the connection between the groove and the separating plate may be press fit, at least in the radial direction.

Abstract: Damping system for an endless track system, comprising: Damper operatively connectable between frame members for damping relative movement therebetween, including: cylinder and piston movable therewithin forming variable volume chamber containing liquid. Reservoir containing liquid and gas connected to chamber. Conduits connecting chamber to reservoir for allowing liquid to flow therebetween to move the piston. Gas in reservoir applying hydrostatic pressure to liquid, biasing piston toward an extended position and causing piston to move theretowards when load on endless track system is decreased, and causing piston to move toward a retracted position when load on endless track system is increased.

Abstract: A damper includes a cylinder, a piston, a piston rod, a rod-side fluid chamber, a piston-side fluid chamber, an annular fluid chamber, and a stopper mechanism. The cylinder includes an inner tube and an outer tube. The rod-side fluid chamber is defined by the piston in the inner tube on a lower end side. The piston-side fluid chamber is defined by the piston in the inner tube on an upper end side. The annular fluid chamber is between the inner and outer tubes. At least one communication hole communicates the rod-side fluid chamber with the annular fluid chamber. A communication passage communicates the rod-side fluid chamber with the annular fluid chamber. A check valve in the communication passage allows fluid to flow from the annular fluid chamber to the rod-side fluid chamber and disallows the fluid to flow from the rod-side fluid chamber to the annular fluid chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a shock absorber for a vehicle having a gas spring with first and second gas chambers, wherein the first chamber is utilized during a first travel portion of the shock absorber and the first and second chambers are both utilized during a second portion of travel. In one embodiment, a travel adjustment assembly is configured to selectively communicate a first gas chamber with a negative gas chamber.

Abstract: A shock absorber having an inner assembly, a composite base assembly formed of a composite material and a closure insert formed of a metal material is disclosed. The inner assembly includes a pressure tube extending between first and second ends, a rod guide disposed adjacent to the first end, a compression valve disposed adjacent to the second end, a piston assembly disposed between the rod guide and the compression valve, and a rod operatively attached to the piston assembly and supported by the rod guide. The metal closure insert is operatively attached to the composite base assembly adjacent the rod guide such that the metal closure insert is at least partially connected to the composite base assembly. The metal closure insert supports at least one of the pressure tube and the rod guide with respect to the composite base assembly.

Abstract: An elevator anti-fall buffer based on flexible guidance. The anti-fall buffer is used for connecting and fixing an end part of a braking steel rope of an elevator. The anti-fall buffer has an upper support plate and a lower support plate, wherein a pulley set is provided on the upper support plate and the lower support plate, and a hydraulic damping buffer is provided at two sides of the pulley set. The anti-fall buffer uses the energy consumption principle of a hydraulic damping hole, and while protecting the braking steel rope from the force of impact created thereon by the elevator, prevents the force of impact from a spring on the elevator post-braking, improving the safety and reliability of elevator braking, thereby improving safety of an elevator, while also using a pulley set can increase the braking distance of the braking steel rope, thereby lengthening life of the steel rope.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to reduce the size of a shock absorber, and to facilitate adjusting of the damping amount of the shock absorber. The shock absorber 10 has an outer tube 11 and an inner tube 15, wherein a piston rod 14 projects from a base end of the outer tube 11, and a rotative operating part 19 provided in the inner tube 15 projects from a base end of the outer tube 11. An annular piston 27 separates a liquid accommodating chamber 16 into a shock absorbing chamber 28 and an accumulator chamber 29. A flow-rate adjusting hole 48 of the outer tube 11 is composed of a contact surface 51 and an eccentric surface 52. A bypass channel 53 communicating with a communication hole 49 is formed between the eccentric surface 52 and the inner tube 15.

Abstract: A gas spring for forming equipment. A casing includes an axially extending side wall, an open end, a transversely extending closed end wall axially spaced from the open end, and a pressure chamber established in part by the side and end walls to receive a gas under pressure. A piston rod is received at least partially in the casing for reciprocation between extended and retracted positions. A piston rod housing is received at least in part in the casing between the piston rod and the casing. An overtravel pressure relief feature includes a vent path that is disposed between the pressure chamber and the outside of the gas spring and that includes a vent passage through the side wall of the casing and a seal that sealingly interrupts the vent path, wherein displacement of the housing into the casing results in opening of the vent path.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a suction passage allowing flow only from a reservoir towards a pressure side chamber, a rectifying passage allowing flow only from the pressure side chamber towards an expansion side chamber, and a damping force variable valve allowing flow only from the expansion side chamber towards the reservoir. Large, and small and outer peripheral chambers in a bottom housing sandwich a free piston. The small chamber communicates the outer peripheral chamber with the expansion side chamber. The large chamber communicates with the pressure side chamber through first and second valves. During a contraction in which a piston moves downward, even in a uniflow-type shock absorber in which pressure in the expansion side chamber and the pressure side chamber become equal, the free piston can move downward due to a difference in pressure-receiving areas. Even if a stretching speed reaches a high range, the first and second valves are opened, and damping force is reduced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a damper. The damper comprises a fluid chamber having a piston dividing the chamber into a compression and rebound sides, a reservoir in fluid communication with the compression side of the chamber, and an isolator disposed between the compression side and the reservoir, whereby the isolator obstructs fluid flow between the compression side and the reservoir. In one embodiment, a bypass provides a fluid path between the compression side and the isolator.

Abstract: A pull shock damper for a bicycle comprising a spring device and a damper device, the spring device comprising a positive spring and a gas-operated negative chamber. The damper device comprises a first oil chamber and a second oil chamber connected therewith. The negative chamber abuts the first oil chamber via a piston. A tubular structure extends from the piston through the negative chamber interior up to the end of the negative chamber. The piston rod of the piston extends through the first oil chamber to the exterior.

Abstract: The present invention provides an anti-vibration apparatus including an anti-vibration base, a plurality of supporting mechanisms configured to support the anti-vibration base, a plurality of actuators configured to apply a force to the anti-vibration base, an obtaining unit configured to obtain vibration data which represents vibrations on the anti-vibration base, a first calculation unit configured to calculate, based on the vibration data obtained by the obtaining unit, a force to be applied to the anti-vibration base so as to reduce the vibrations on the anti-vibration base, and a distribution unit configured to distribute the force calculated by the first calculation unit to forces to be applied by the plurality of actuators to the anti-vibration base.

Abstract: A damper assembly for a vehicle suspension system includes a primary damper and a secondary damper coupled to the primary damper. The secondary damper includes a housing, a piston, a conduit, and a valve. The housing includes a sidewall that defines a set of apertures and at least partially surrounds the primary damper, and the volume between the sidewall and the primary damper defines a damping chamber. The piston is positioned within the damping chamber and is slidably coupled to the sidewall. The conduit forms a flow path between the set of apertures, and the valve is disposed along the flow path. The primary damper provides a base damping force, and the secondary damper provides a supplemental damping force that varies based on the position of the piston along the housing.

Abstract: A damper assembly for a vehicle suspension system includes a primary damper and a secondary damper. The secondary damper is coupled to the primary damper and includes a housing and an annular piston. The housing includes a sidewall that partially surrounds the primary damper, and the volume between the sidewall and the primary damper defines a damping chamber. The sidewall defines a plurality of apertures. The annular piston is positioned within the damping chamber and slidably coupled to the sidewall. The primary damper provides a base damping force and the secondary damper provides a supplemental damping force that varies based on the position of the annular piston along the housing.

Abstract: A shock absorber is attached coaxially with a reciprocating rod driven by a reciprocating unit to prevent a bending moment from being applied to the reciprocating rod in absorbing an impact force. The shock absorber has a hollow rod and an outer cylindrical body mounted axially movably relatively to and outside the hollow rod. An accommodating space is formed between the hollow rod and the outer cylindrical body. The hollow rod carries an annular piston, which partitions the accommodating space into two liquid chambers. A compression spring biases the outer cylindrical body toward one end of the hollow rod. When an impact forces the outer cylindrical body toward the other end of the hollow rod, liquid flows from one of the liquid chambers to the other through a gap, so that a resistance force is applied to the annular piston.

Abstract: A damper assembly for a vehicle suspension system includes a primary damper and a secondary damper. The secondary damper is coupled to the primary damper and includes a housing and an annular piston. The housing includes a sidewall that partially surrounds the primary damper, and the volume between the sidewall and the primary damper defines a damping chamber. The sidewall defines a plurality of apertures. The annular piston is positioned within the damping chamber and slidably coupled to the sidewall. The primary damper provides a base damping force and the secondary damper provides a supplemental damping force that varies based on the position of the annular piston along the housing.

Abstract: A vibration damper including a cylinder in which a displacer carries out a translational movement. The displacer has a work piston which divides the cylinder into two work spaces. The work spaces outside the displacer for each operating movement direction of the displacer are connected to damping valves by a flow connection. Every flow connection has only one flow direction through a check valve arrangement. The flow connection has a plurality of inflow ports which are offset in axial direction starting from the work spaces and is formed by a bypass channel, and a plurality of damping valves are connected to the bypass channel and admit damping medium via the inflow ports.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for absorbing the displacement, under the influence of an external force, of at least one plunger (10,20) in a linear electrodynamic motor comprising a least an induction coil (11, 21) magnetically coupled with the plunger. Said method comprises the steps of: detecting in said induction coil a current induced (I?ind) amplified relative to the induced current. The invention can be applied to cryogenic machines on board space ships.

Abstract: A shock absorber for use in lowering a structure in a body of sea water. The shock absorber includes a cylinder with a piston arranged slidably therein, said piston having a piston rod which in use extends downwards out of the cylinder, wherein at least one chamber in the cylinder above the piston is fillable with a fluid and is provided with means for controlled exiting of the fluid from the chamber when the piston rod is subjected to an impact force which presses the piston inwards in the chamber. Said fluid is water deliverable from the body of sea water to said chamber through a valve device having a one-way function in the piston, and the piston and the piston rod alone have sufficient weight to pull the piston down and provide renewed filling of the chamber with water when the impact force has ceased.

Abstract: A shock absorber comprises a first passage (2a, 2b) and a second passage (15) connecting a first fluid chamber (41) and a second fluid chamber (42). A throttle (12, 14) narrows an inflow of fluid to the first passage (2a, 2b) according to an applied displacement pressure. The displacement pressure includes a fluid pressure in one of the two fluid chambers (41, 42) and a pressure that depends on a velocity of the fluid flow through the throttle (12, 14). A spring (25, 29) biases the throttle (12, 14) in the opposite direction to narrow the fluid flow. The second passage (15) comprises a pair of orifices (16a, 17a). By exerting a pressure between the pair of orifices (16a, 17a) on the throttle (12, 14) in the opposite direction to narrow the fluid flow, the spring load required of the spring (25, 29) is reduced.

Abstract: A damper (1) is provided with a body (2) which surrounds an annular compression chamber (3), the damper (1) being furnished with at least one pneumatic compensation chamber (30, 40) and a control piston (4) that can move relative to the body (2), the control piston (4) having a rod (5) which protrudes from the body (2) and a head (6) which slides in the compression chamber (3). The damper is notable in that, the compression chamber (3) comprising a variable-section radial opening (8), the damper (1) is provided with a hydraulic compensation chamber (10) which receives a first fluid expelled from the annular compression chamber (3) via the variable-section radial opening (8) when the control piston (4) moves.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a damper. The damper comprises a fluid chamber having a piston dividing the chamber into a compression and rebound sides, a reservoir in fluid communication with the compression side of the chamber, and an isolator disposed between the compression side and the reservoir, whereby the isolator obstructs fluid flow between the compression side and the reservoir. In one embodiment, a bypass provides a fluid path between the compression side and the isolator.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a shock absorber for damping vibration transmitted to a vehicle according to a road state. The shock absorber includes a cylinder and a piston valve disposed within the cylinder and connected to a piston rod to divide the cylinder into a first chamber and a second chamber. The shock absorber further includes a hollow chamber formed within the piston rod, a floating piston disposed within the hollow chamber to move up and down and to divide the hollow chamber into upper and lower chambers, first and second orifices formed in upper and lower ends of the hollow chamber and connected to the first and second chambers, respectively, and a resistance changing mechanism configured to cooperate with the floating piston and change a fluid resistance with respect to the floating piston where the resistance changing mechanism cooperates therewith.

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).

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.

Abstract: A damper (1) is provided with a body (2) which surrounds an annular compression chamber (3), the damper (1) being furnished with at least one pneumatic compensation chamber (30, 40) and a control piston (4) that can move relative to the body (2), the control piston (4) having a rod (5) which protrudes from the body (2) and a head (6) which slides in the compression chamber (3). The damper is notable in that, the compression chamber (3) comprising a variable-section radial opening (8), the damper (1) is provided with a hydraulic compensation chamber (10) which receives a first fluid expelled from the annular compression chamber (3) via the variable-section radial opening (8) when the control piston (4) moves.

Abstract: A shock absorber with a shock absorber body having a cylinder. A piston is moveably guided in a receiving space of the cylinder. When the piston is moved, an air pressure generated in the receiving space exerts a braking force that acts on the piston. For air pressure reduction, the receiving space has at least one opening that produces an air-carrying connection between the receiving space and the environment. The shock absorber body has a simple design if the piston or the cylinder contains a receptacle into which an insert piece is inserted in a frictionally engaging fashion and if the opening is positioned between the insert piece and the wall of the receptacle that is touched by the insert piece.

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

Abstract: A shock absorber that combines both the suspension function and the shock absorbing function in one unit. It has an elongated shock body filled with hydraulic fluid and a piston mounted on a piston rod that reciprocally travels within the shock body. The shock body is telescopically received in a bypass cylinder body having a greater diameter that produces an annular chamber between the outer surface of the shock body and the inner surface of the bypass cylinder body. A coil spring is mounted on the outside surface of the bypass cylinder body to provide a suspension function by the shock absorber. A plurality of bypass tubes are associated with longitudinally spaced ports in the shock body. Adjuster rods are telescopically received inside the respective bypass tubes for controlling whether the individual ports are closed, partially open, or fully open. These adjuster rods would be manipulated externally of the shock absorber assembly.

Abstract: A shock and vibration isolation system for mounting equipment to a base wall uses a semi-active damper in parallel with a spring arrangement to provide optimum isolation with respect to both shock and vibration. The system comprises a load plate configured for attachment of the equipment thereto and a base plate configured for attachment to the base wall. The base plate is substantially parallel to the load plate. The system further comprises a spring arrangement disposed intermediate the load plate and the base plate. The spring arrangement engages the load plate and the base plate to bias the load plate and the base plate in a separated relationship. A semi-active damper is also disposed intermediate the load plate and the base plate. The a semi-active damper is adapted for providing a selectively variable reaction force to the load plate and the base plate responsive to a relative displacement of the load plate with respect to the base plate.

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.

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.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a body having an outer cylinder which rotates relative to an inner cylinder to provide an adjustable damping force through fluid bypass. A plurality of ports are formed through the inner cylinder to provide the fluid bypass when a passageway within an inner surface of the outer cylinder is aligned therewith. Predetermined patterns of ports selectively adjust the dampening force of the shock absorber. When the passageway is rotated out of alignment with all the ports, no adjustment to the dampening force results as the inner surface of the outer cylinder seals the outer surface of the inner cylinder. When the passageway is rotated to be aligned with a pattern of the ports, the peak damping force is reduced during a longitudinal bypass zone of the stroke as defined by the port pattern. By locating a check valve within the passageway, bypass fluid flow will only occur in one direction.

Abstract: A two-stage piston has a twin piston design where one piston produces a high damping force and the second piston produces a low damping force. At specified positions along the pressure tube, by-pass passages are formed to allow fluid flow around the high damping force piston to provide a low damping force or a soft ride. In the areas of the pressure tube where there are no by-pass passages, the high damping force piston provides a high damping force or a firm ride. In the area of the pressure tube where there are no by-pass passages, the high damping force piston and the low damping force piston both contribute to the high damping force.

Abstract: A bidirectional self-contained end-of stroke snubbing device (20) includes a housing (21), a rod (22) movable relative to the housing, a single fluid-filled variable-volume chamber (23) communicating with a fluid sump (24) through an orifice (65), and a lost-motion mechanism for selectively reducing the volume of the chamber proximate either end of the stroke of the rod-like member. The mechanism will force fluid from the chamber through the orifice to decelerate and cushion movement of the rod-like member relative to the housing proximate either end of its stroke.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a body having an outer cylinder which rotates relative to an inner cylinder to provide an adjustable damping force through fluid bypass. A plurality of ports are formed through the inner cylinder to provide the fluid bypass when a passageway within an inner surface of the outer cylinder is aligned therewith. Predetermined patterns of ports selectively adjust the dampening force of the shock absorber. When the passageway is rotated out of alignment with all the ports, no adjustment to the dampening force results as the inner surface of the outer cylinder seals the outer surface of the inner cylinder. When the passageway is rotated to be aligned with a pattern of the ports, the peak damping force is reduced during a longitudinal bypass zone of the stroke as defined by the port pattern. By locating a check valve within the passageway, bypass fluid flow will only occur in one direction.

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.

Abstract: A bidirectional self-contained end-of stroke snubbing device (20) includes a housing (21), a rod (22) movable relative to the housing, a single fluid-filled variable-volume chamber (23) communicating with a fluid sump (24) through an orifice (65), and a lost-motion mechanism for selectively reducing the volume of the chamber proximate either end of the stroke of the rod-like member. The mechanism will force fluid from the chamber through the orifice to decelerate and cushion movement of the rod-like member relative to the housing proximate either end of its stroke.

Abstract: A shock absorber assembly includes a damping adjustment mechanism that can easily be incorporated into a twin cylinder design. The shock absorber includes an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder mounted within the outer cylinder. The inner cylinder is spaced apart from the outer cylinder to define a gap. A piston is mounted within a fluid filled chamber formed within the inner cylinder to dampen vibrations. Holes are drilled into the wall of the inner cylinder to provide fluid ports that can communicate with the gap to form a bi-directional fluid path as the piston moves back and forth within the chamber to dampen vibrations. To provide variable damping, the outer cylinder includes an eccentric inner diameter to outer diameter profile that allows damping adjustment between high and low damping forces. The damping force is adjusted by rotating the outer cylinder relative to the inner cylinder to vary the size of the gap with respect to the ports.

Abstract: A shock absorber assembly includes a damping adjustment mechanism that can easily be incorporated into a twin cylinder design. The shock absorber includes an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder mounted within the outer cylinder. The inner cylinder is spaced apart from the outer cylinder to define a gap. A piston is mounted within a fluid filled chamber formed within the inner cylinder to dampen vibrations. Holes are drilled into the wall of the inner cylinder to provide fluid ports that can communicate with the gap to form a bi-directional fluid path as the piston moves back and forth within the chamber to dampen vibrations. To provide variable damping, the outer cylinder includes an eccentric inner diameter to outer diameter profile that allows damping adjustment between high and low damping forces. The damping force is adjusted by rotating the outer cylinder relative to the inner cylinder to vary the size of the gap with respect to the ports.