With Valve Controlling Fluid Flow Between Chambers Or Compartments Of The Chamber Patents (Class 188/313)
  • Patent number: 8136644
    Abstract: An electronically-controlled damper arrangement includes a valve assembly. The valve assembly features a valve slide that carries at least two pistons. The first piston controls flow through two separate flow paths while the second piston controls damping provided by the valve slide. The first piston being both axially moveable and radially moveable within a valve housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Ohlins Racing AB
    Inventor: Lars Sönsteröd
  • Publication number: 20120049427
    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: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: KIND SHOCK HI-TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: JUNG YU HSU
  • Publication number: 20120051909
    Abstract: A rotary wing system with a troublesome motion when rotating about a rotation axis, including a fluid tubular damper with a damper fluid for controlling the troublesome motion. The damper has an inboard and an outboard end, the inboard end attached to a rotary wing system inboard member proximate the rotation axis and the outboard end attached to a rotary wing system outboard member. The damper is terminated with a nonelastomeric end cap and contains damper fluid in at least an inboard and an outboard variable volume nonelastomeric working chamber which is worked by a nonelastomeric damper piston and a relative motion between the rotary wing system members. The damper includes a dynamically variable elastomeric volume compensator chamber in fluid communication with the working chambers, with the communication a controlled communication with the fluid flowed through control valves towards the working chambers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventor: Dennis P. McGuire
  • Patent number: 8091695
    Abstract: A dampening element for a vibration damper and a vibration damper. The dampening element comprises a body part having flow openings, a dampening part arranged to abut against the body part, the dampening part having openings aligning with the flow openings of the body part. In addition, a cover part is arranged against the dampening part, the cover part being movable in relation to the dampening part for changing the cross-sectional flow area of the openings of the dampening part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Wärtsilä Finland Oy
    Inventor: Heikki Mikonaho
  • Publication number: 20110315494
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension damper comprises a cylinder and a piston assembly including a damping piston along with working fluid within the cylinder. A bypass permits fluid to avoid dampening resistance of the damping piston. A fluid path through the bypass is controlled by a valve that is shifted by a piston surface when the contents of at least one predetermined volume is injected against the piston surface which acts upon the valve. In one embodiment, the bypass is remotely operable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventor: John Marking
  • Publication number: 20110284333
    Abstract: Damper comprising a housing, which encloses a working chamber and a compensating chamber and has a centre longitudinal axis, a damping fluid located at least partially in the working chamber, a guide and sealing unit, which terminates the housing at a first housing end, a piston device comprising a piston rod, which, sealed by the guide and sealing unit, is guided out of the housing, and a piston fastened to the piston rod and guided in the housing along the centre longitudinal axis, wherein the piston divides the working chamber into a first part working chamber with a first working chamber end and a second part working chamber with a second working chamber end, arranged at the first working chamber end is a first closing element, with a first compensating channel, which forms a through-flow connection between the first part working chamber and the compensating chamber, arranged at the second working chamber end is a second closing element, with a second compensating channel, which forms a through-flow conne
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: SUSPA GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Krog, Roland Löscher, Andreas Strobel, Andreas Böhrer
  • Patent number: 8052128
    Abstract: A self-pumping hydropneumatic spring strut with internal leveling control, particularly for motor vehicles, has an outer tube having an oil-filled high-pressure work space in the work cylinder, which high-pressure work space is under pressure by at least one gas cushion which is arranged in a high-pressure chamber and acts as a spring, a second work space on the piston rod side, and a piston which is supported by a hollow piston rod and which is axially displaceable in the work cylinder in a sealed manner, a piston pump which is driven by the spring movement of the vehicle and pumps oil out of a low-pressure chamber into the work space connected to the high-pressure chamber and which comprises a pump rod and a pump cylinder which is formed by the hollow piston rod, and the high-pressure chamber can be connected to the atmosphere by a flow connection which is arranged in the piston rod guide and has a closing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Holger Kirchner, Hubert Beck, Thomas Meyer
  • Publication number: 20110253493
    Abstract: A one-way hydraulic or pneumatic damper (1) of the invention comprising a cylindrical housing (2) closed at one end, in which a piston rod (3) is arranged in direction of the longitudinal axis, said piston rod (3) protruding through a cover (5) closing the second end of said housing and having on its other end that reaches into said housing a piston (4), and between the closed end of said housing (1) and said piston (4) there is a compression spring (9), wherein said piston (4) having an opening (12) running transversally to the longitudinal axis of said damper (1) is separated into a piston portion (13) and a valve portion (14), wherein said valve portion (14) of said piston (4) has a central hole (15), into which said piston rod (3) engages, the surface of the cross-section of said piston rod (3) being smaller than the surface of the cross-section of said hole (15) of said valve portion (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventors: Valter Svara, Daniel Kozlovic, David Pecar
  • Publication number: 20110214956
    Abstract: A damper assembly with a bypass for a vehicle comprises a pressure cylinder with a piston and piston rod for limiting the flow rate of damping fluid as it passes from a first to a second side of said piston. A bypass provides fluid pathway between the first and second sides of the piston separately from the flow rate limitation. In one aspect, the bypass is remotely controllable from a passenger compartment of the vehicle. In another aspect, the bypass is remotely controllable based upon one or more variable parameters associated with the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventor: John Marking
  • Publication number: 20110214354
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an actuator (1), comprising an output member (6); a resilient element (8) connected to said output member (6) so as to urge it in a first direction; and an hydraulic rotation damper (5) with a closed cylinder cavity, a rotational damper shaft which extends into the cylinder cavity, and a piston dividing the cylinder cavity into a first side and a second side. Within the rotation damper (5), the rotational movement of the damper shaft is converted into a translational movement of the piston along a longitudinal axis of the shaft. A restricted fluid passage communicates said first and second sides. The damper shaft is connected over a gearing (10, 15, 17) to the output member (6) and resilient element (8) of the actuator for damping movement of said output member (6) in said first direction. The present invention relates to both rotational and linear actuators as well as to a closing mechanisms for hinged members, such as doors, gates, or windows, comprising such actuators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventor: Joseph Talpe
  • Patent number: 7954609
    Abstract: A damping valve (10) resists a flow of fluid from a first fluid chamber (41) to a second fluid chamber (42) which are separated by a piston (1). A partitioning member (24, 27-29, 52) partitions an inflow space (A, B) of a passage (2) in the first fluid chamber (41). A spool (17, 31, 51) decreases a flow cross-sectional area of a flow path from the first fluid chamber (41) into the inflow space (A, B) according to a differential pressure between the fluid chambers. By ensuring a gap between the outer circumference of the valve disk (1) and the partitioning member (24, 27-29, 52) which permanently allows fluid to flow from the first chamber (41) into the inflow space (A, B), the damping force characteristic in a high speed region of piston displacement can be set independently of the damping force characteristic in other regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Kayaba Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Chikamatsu, Kouichi Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20110101579
    Abstract: A multi-stage shock absorber with closed ends has a plurality of tubular shock bodies telescopically interconnected together, and includes a piston arrangement slidably mounted within certain of the shock bodies to define a number of chambers variously containing damping and/or spring elements for enabling damping of shock forces applied to the shock absorber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: Great Lakes Sound & Vibration, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen E. Polakowski, Christian Michael Muehlfeld, Steven Mattson, David Labyak
  • Publication number: 20110056783
    Abstract: A shock absorbing device includes a cylinder. A partition wall member is inserted into the cylinder to be free to slide and partitions an interior of the cylinder into two operating chambers. A passage connects the two operating chambers. A free piston is inserted into a pressure chamber to be free to slide and partitions the pressure chamber into one chamber that communicates with one operating chamber via a one side flow passage and another chamber that communicates with the other operating chamber via another side flow passage. A spring element generates a biasing force for suppressing displacement of the free piston relative to the pressure chamber. One or both of a bypass flow passage that connects the other chamber and the one operating chamber and a bypass flow passage that connects the one chamber and the other operating chamber is provided. A relief valve is provided in the bypass flow passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: Kayaba Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Teraoka, Tatsuya Masamura
  • Publication number: 20100307876
    Abstract: A body-side cushion structural body attached to a body and a piston-side cushion structural body integrally moving with a piston are disposed outside the body, a cushion rod is disposed on either one of the cushion structural bodies, while a rod fitting hole is disposed in the other cushion structural body, a cushion packing is disposed at a spout portion of the rod fitting hole, and moreover, a throttle valve that discharges air in the rod fitting hole to the outside with flow-rate adjustment is disposed so as to configure an air cushion mechanism that stops the piston in a buffering manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: SMC Corporation
    Inventors: Kouichirou ISHIBASHI, Seiji Takanashi, Motohiro Sato
  • Publication number: 20100263974
    Abstract: An integrated and self-contained suspension assembly having a gas spring integrated with a shock absorber (damper) is described. The rigid gas cylinder of the air spring is divided into a first gas chamber and a second gas chamber. A flow port connects the first and second gas chambers, and can be manually opened or closed by valve and a simple one-quarter turn rotation of an external knob to instantly switch the gas spring between two different spring rates. The different spring rates are functions of the separate or combined volumes of the two. gas chambers. The integrated suspension assembly is compactly packaged and self-contained, i.e., does not require any externalities, such as gas sources or electricity, to operate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventor: Robert C. Fox
  • Publication number: 20100263973
    Abstract: A twin-tube shock absorber comprising an outer tube which houses an inner tube. The inner tube forms an annulus area between the outer tube and the inner tube, and includes a check valve for allowing a fluid to flow unidirectionally from the annulus area to the interior volume of the inner tube. The shock absorber includes a piston which is slidably disposed within the inner tube and divides the interior volume into a rod side chamber and a cap side chamber. The piston includes a check valve allowing the fluid to flow unidirectionally from the cap side chamber to the rod side chamber. A flow regulator is disposed about the inner tube for allowing the unidirectional flow of fluid from the rod side chamber to the annulus area, wherein the flow regulator provides a resistance against the flow of the fluid from the rod side chamber to the annulus area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventor: Everett A. Hall
  • Publication number: 20100244340
    Abstract: Pressure-sensitive vales are incorporated within a dampening system to permit user-adjustable tuning of a shock absorber. In one embodiment, a pressure-sensitive valve includes an isolated gas chamber having a pressure therein that is settable by a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Dennis K. Wootten, Robert C. Fox, Josh Yablon, David M. Haugen
  • Patent number: 7779974
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension spring system for a vehicle wheel station includes a hydraulic cylinder or strut having a piston which divides the cylinder volume into a main oil volume and an annular oil volume. The main oil volume communicates via a first oil passage with a first accumulator having a main gas volume. The annular oil volume communicates via a second oil passage with a second accumulator having an auxiliary gas volume. The oil in each accumulator is separated from the gas by a separator piston or diaphragm. A third oil passage with an isolating valve interconnects said first and second oil passages. Operation of the isolating valve is regulated by a controller. At least one sensor for sensing a parameter associated with vehicle attitude is connected to the controller. The controller is operable for switching the isolating valve between open and closed positions for altering spring stiffness of the strut in response to said sensed vehicle attitude parameter when the vehicle is in motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Technology Investments Limited
    Inventors: Sean Timoney, John Holland
  • Patent number: 7770983
    Abstract: A damping force control valve, which includes a high pressure region in communication with a tension chamber of a cylinder and a low pressure region in communication with a reservoir chamber, and controls a damping force by adjusting pressure of a pilot chamber by first and second variable orifices, the first and second variable orifices having channels controlled to open or close by a spool. The damping force control valve comprises a main valve opened or closed according to pressure of the high pressure region, initial preload and pressure of the pilot chamber, the main valve allowing working fluid to flow from the high pressure region to the low pressure region when being opened; a first fixed orifice formed between the high pressure region and the first variable orifice; and a back pressure forming channel for making the first fixed orifice and the pilot chamber communicate with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Mando Corporation
    Inventor: Kyu Shik Park
  • Patent number: 7766137
    Abstract: Shock absorber provided with a piston and a cylinder, both secured to a part of a vehicle. A nonreturn valve is present in either the piston or the base of the cylinder. The nonreturn valve includes a valve plate and a valve seat plate, both annular. Near the center, the valve plate is arranged at a distance from the valve seat plate. At low flow velocity, elasticity of the valve plate keeps it at a distance from the valve seat plate, allowing unimpeded flow. As flow increases, the valve plate deforms elastically, gradually closing off a diametral opening in the valve seat plate. An opening remains between the valve plate and the valve seat plate at the spacer. As the pressure difference across the nonreturn valve increases, the valve plate closes off with respect to the valve seat plate over the entire circumference. This movement takes place as a wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Koni B.V.
    Inventor: Paul De Kock
  • Patent number: 7721856
    Abstract: A vibration damper having a sensitive response behavior at very low amplitudes comprises a separating piston being disposed inside a bypass so as to move axially freely. The separating piston divides the bypass into two chambers mutually sealed from one another. Two valves are disposed in the bypass. The first valve acts in a compression stage as a pressure limiting valve and as a non return valve in an extension stage. The second valve acts as a pressure limiting valve in the extension stage and as a non return valve in the compression stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Bilstein Suspension GmbH
    Inventors: Ole Goetz, Kais Saadeddin, Claus Weimann, Thomas Brendecke
  • Patent number: 7717669
    Abstract: A load absorption arrangement 40 for absorbing loads in a variable stator vane positioning system of a gas turbine engine includes a valve 42 which has a first operating condition to enable the load absorption arrangement 40 to transmit load, and a second operating condition, which is operable above a predetermined load, in which the valve 42 can release to enable the load absorption arrangement 40 to absorb the load thereon. The arrangement 40 is particularly suitable for absorbing shock loads which may arise under engine surge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Sheath, Paul S. McCabe
  • Publication number: 20100044173
    Abstract: Automotive self-adjustable shock absorber with self-correcting damping characteristic, having curved, cylindrical and planar filling valves has single or double guide, seal by removable joint (57), or seal member (11) applied on the outer lid (52), rebound stopper bumper QO) with limiting casing (21), on the piston (4), or stopper bumper (20) in cup hanger (22), fastened on the piston rod (V), through the safety ring (61). It filling on compression with the inner curved, cylindrical (32), planar valves, placed directly in the inner cylinder, or on simple or cast inner annular body inside inner cylinder, or on simple outer valves or using outer valves with cast annular body, placed on the upper side of the inner cylinder (V).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2007
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventor: Adiran loan Niculescu
  • Patent number: 7654370
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes a dust tube that surrounds a shock body. The shock body is movable relative to the dust tube in response to road load inputs. A plurality of magnets is mounted to one of the dust tube and shock body, and a module is mounted to the other of the dust tube and shock body. The module interacts with the plurality of magnets to determine a position of the dust tube relative to a position of the shock body. This position information can be used to adjust suspension ride height as needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Arvin Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Cubalchini, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20100012451
    Abstract: An amplitude selective shock absorber includes a cylinder, a piston rod axially movable within the cylinder, a stationary piston valve fixedly mounted on the piston rod to divide a space of the cylinder into a rebound chamber and a compression chamber, a floating piston valve mounted on the piston rod to be movable in an axial direction in the rebound chamber, a stopper secured to the piston rod above the floating piston valve, and frustoconical leaf springs disposed between the floating piston valve and the stationary piston valve and between the floating piston valve and the stopper, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: Mando Corporation
    Inventors: Young Chun Ji, Kyung Won Park
  • Patent number: 7628258
    Abstract: A four chamber hydraulic steering damper where a two sided rotary vane moves working fluid from one side of each vane to the adjacent side of the same vane when rotated in synchronism with the steering mechanism. The working fluid is directed through narrow passageways that may be metered and/or valved. Each chamber may have a unique or similar pressure relief area creating varying dampening through the steering rotation. The damper may be affixed to the steering shaft directly or by linkage to the steering shaft or another moving component of the steering assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Inventor: George John Athanasiou
  • Patent number: 7621383
    Abstract: A double tube hydraulic shock absorber comprises: an outer tube; an inner tube; a base valve which is fitted and fixed to a base end of the inner tube; a lower cap provided so as to contact a leg portion of the base valve and seal a base end of the outer tube in an oil tight fashion; a piston rod inserted into the inner tube so as to be capable of an axial reciprocation; and a guide member attached to a top side of the outer tube and the inner tube so as to support the piston rod and apply an axial force on the inner tube. In this double tube hydraulic shock absorber, the leg portion of the base valve and the lower cap contact each other on a line of action of the axial force that is applied toward the base end of the inner tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Kayaba Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomoharu Murakami
  • Patent number: 7621382
    Abstract: A dampening mechanism is described having a pressure tube defining a working chamber between a rod guide proximate a first end and an end cap proximate a second end. A piston is disposed within the pressure tube and divides the working chamber into an upper working chamber and a lower working chamber. A piston rod is secured to the piston. A reservoir tube surrounds the pressure tube defining a reservoir chamber between the reservoir tube and the pressure tube. At least one passage is disposed through the pressure tube between the reservoir chamber and the working chamber and a bypass valve is disposed between the piston and the at least one passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc.
    Inventor: David T. Zdeb
  • Publication number: 20090255768
    Abstract: A bicycle suspension including a stroke adjustment unit, a suspension damper, and a damper adjustment unit. The stroke adjustment unit is configured to adjust a stroke of the bicycle suspension, which is configured to expand and contract within the stroke. The suspension damper is configured to apply damping force to the bicycle suspension, and the damper adjustment unit is configured to adjust the damping force applied by the suspension damper in accordance with the stroke adjusted by the stroke adjustment unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: SHIMANO, INC.
    Inventor: Jun INOUE
  • Publication number: 20090250893
    Abstract: A steering damper includes a cylinder housing, a piston, a piston rod, and a valve member. The cylinder housing includes an inner surface and the inner surface defines an inner area. The piston is at least partially disposed within the inner area and is movably engaged with the inner surface of the cylinder housing. The piston and the inner surface of the cylinder housing cooperate to define a first chamber and a second chamber disposed upon opposite sides of the piston. The piston rod is attached to the piston. At least one of the piston and the piston rod at least partially defines a passageway extending between the first chamber and the second chamber. The valve member is associated with the passageway and is movable to adjust restriction of fluid flow through the passageway between the first chamber and the second chamber. A vehicle is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventors: Mark T. Kohls, James E. Kerker
  • Patent number: 7575110
    Abstract: A both-side rod type damper (11) is arranged in a storage chamber (40) formed inside an inner tube (2) and an outer tube (3), rods (31) and (32) of the damper (11) are coupled so as to move by the same quantity in accordance with the extending or retracting operation of a front fork, a bearing (5) for slidably supporting the rod (32) is provided at a cylinder end, the bearing (5) is movable by a predetermined quantity in a radius direction and an axial direction of the rod relative to the cylinder, and the bearing (5) moves toward the inside of the cylinder to communicate the oil chamber R2 with the storage chamber (40) when the pressure of the storage chamber (40) is higher than the pressure of the oil chamber R2 in the damper (11), and the communication is shut down when the movement is made to the opposite side thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Kayaba Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsutomu Yoshimoto
  • Patent number: 7568562
    Abstract: A self-pumping hydropneumatic spring strut includes an oil-filled working cylinder which is divided into two working spaces by a working piston carried by a hollow piston rod. Two high-pressure chambers connectable to the cylinder in such that the piston rod is selectively supported in both directions of movement either on a gas cushion provided by the first high-pressure chamber, the second high-pressure chamber, or both high-pressure chambers. Further, the spring strut includes a piston pump driven by the movements of the piston rod and for conveying oil from a low-pressure chamber to the working space which is connected to at least one of the high-pressure chambers. Moreover, a control channel connects the working space, which is connected to at least one of the high-pressure chambers, to the low-pressure chamber via a control opening, which can be closed as a function of the position of the working piston in the working cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Hubert Beck
  • Publication number: 20090107783
    Abstract: A single cylinder type hydraulic shock absorber for a vehicle (100) includes a cylinder (1), a free piston (2) that is inserted slidably into the cylinder (1) and delimits a fluid chamber (7) and a gas chamber (8) in the cylinder (1), a piston (3) that is inserted slidably into the cylinder (1) and delimits the fluid chamber (7) into two pressure chambers (7a, 7b), a rod (4), one end of which is connected to the piston (3), and an elastic member (9) that is accommodated in the gas chamber (8) and biases the free piston (2) in the direction of the fluid chamber (7). The elastic member (9) is set such that a spring constant thereof increases during contraction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: KAYABA INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Akihisa Ota
  • Publication number: 20090107784
    Abstract: The hydro-pneumatic spring damping device in particular for wheeled vehicles or tracked vehicles includes at least one hydro-pneumatic element (1) having a gas chamber (1h) wherein the hydro-pneumatic element (1) includes a heat exchanger (1i) which is arranged such that it influences the temperature of the gas in the gas chamber (1h) and wherein a heat exchanger (1i) can be connected to a cooling device (21) via a coolant circuit (21).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: CURTISS WRIGHT ANTRIEBSTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan Gabriel, Michael Kleiber, Volker Triebs, Roland Zullig
  • Patent number: 7520372
    Abstract: A damper including an inertia valve movable between an open position and a closed position to selectively alter the compression damping rate of the shock absorber is disclosed. In these embodiments, the damper has at least one chamber that at least partially surrounds two other chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Fox
  • Publication number: 20090065315
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: KAYABA INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Satoshi Chikamatsu
  • Publication number: 20090057080
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes a piston assembly disposed within a pressure tube. The piston assembly has a first and a second housing and a valve assembly located adjacent the first housing. The valve assembly has a valve disc which engages the first housing to close at least one of a first plurality of passages extending through the first and second housings and a biasing member for applying a load to the valve disc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: Tenneco Automotive operating Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Stefan Deferme
  • Publication number: 20090057079
    Abstract: A disc valve assembly for a shock absorber opens due to axial movement of a valve disc. The valve disc is biased against a valve body by a valve spring. The valve spring is designed to provide a circumferentially asymmetrical load biasing the valve disc against the valve body. The disc valve assembly can be used as a piston rebound valve assembly, a piston compression valve assembly, a base valve compression valve assembly or a base valve rebound valve assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronny Vanbrabant
  • Patent number: 7497452
    Abstract: A suspension system dampens motion between two components of a vehicle, such as the wheels and the chassis. An assembly of a cylinder and a piston is connected to both components. The piston defines first and second chambers in the cylinder and has a shaft with an end surface exposed to pressure within a third chamber of the cylinder. A first accumulator is connected to the first chamber by a first accumulator valve and a second accumulator valve connects a second accumulator to the second chamber. A damping valve alternately connects the third chamber to either the second chamber or a fluid tank wherein that connection defines the stiffness of the suspension system and is made in response to force acting on the suspension system. A load leveling circuit also is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Husco International, Inc.
    Inventor: David James Schedgick
  • Publication number: 20090014266
    Abstract: The present invention is an adjustable fluid friction valve. It is comprised of a left cap, a casing, a right cap, a fluid reservoir, a rotated-member, a stem, and an adjustment grip. The adjustment grip is turned by the user's hand and connects to and turns the central stem that connects to and turns the rotated-member. The rotated-member communicates fluid flow to different cross-sections of an annular passage that is disposed in the left cap where it is used for variable flow restriction. It is a groove having a varying cross-sectional area along its length with a smaller beginning terminal and a larger concluding terminal. The smaller beginning terminal is blind and the larger concluding terminal communicates with the mid passage of the left cap. The mid passage communicates with the fluid reservoir. The annular passage receives fluid flow from the rotated-member at a cross-section of its length. A smaller cross-section is accompanied by a longer length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventor: Donald Clifton Maser
  • Patent number: 7458448
    Abstract: A hydraulic shock absorber in which the flow of hydraulic fluid induced in each of extension and compression hydraulic fluid passages, by sliding movement of a piston, is controlled by a main disk valve to generate damping force. The valve opening pressure of the main disk valve is adjusted by the pressure in a back-pressure chamber. In a low piston speed region, the main disk valve closes a back-pressure chamber inlet passage. Therefore, the pressure in the backpressure chamber will not rise, and sufficiently small damping force is obtained. When the main disk valve opens, the backpressure chamber inlet passage opens simultaneously. Consequently, the pressure in the backpressure chamber rises, and the damping force increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hajime Katou, Hikaru Nakajima, Takao Nakadate
  • Publication number: 20080277217
    Abstract: A vehicle damper of variable damping force including a cylinder, a piston and valves is disclosed. The valves have opening/closing parts and supporting parts. The opening/closing parts and the supporting parts are positioned separately so that a sufficient distance is obtained. Lengthening the distance from the supporting parts to the opening/closing parts makes it possible to reduce the opening and closing force of the opening/closing parts and to obtain highly responsive valves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Nakajima, Tatsuhiro Tomari, Toru Sukigara
  • Patent number: 7448638
    Abstract: A front bicycle suspension assembly having an inertia valve is described. The front bicycle suspension assembly may include at least upper and lower telescoping tubes defining an interior volume in which a damping tube containing an inertia valve is positioned. During compression, a piston rod of the bicycle suspension assembly occupies a successively greater portion of the damping tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Fox
  • Publication number: 20080250836
    Abstract: The invention relates to a damping method and device for a roll stand to reduce the sensitivity to chatter thereof. In the method of the invention the absorption is conducted by a chatter mass (8) situated above each post (2) forming the roll stand (1) and the vibration energy is dissipated in a mattress (83) of an incompressible fluid forming a direct link between each post (2) and the chatter mass (8) According to the invention the fluid mattress is kept in a steady flow by supply means (91) and exhaust means of adjustable caliber (92). The frequency response of the system and its damping coefficient are set by the dimensioning of the chatter mass (8), the control of the thickness (h) of the fluid mattress and its flow rate via the calibrated orifice (92).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventors: Stephane Gouttebroze, Yves Leclercq
  • Publication number: 20080245631
    Abstract: A piston/cylinder unit includes a closed cylinder filled with a fluid under pressure, a piston dividing the cylinder into a first working chamber and a second working chamber, and a piston rod extending through the second working chamber. A passage through the piston connects the first working chamber to the second working chamber, and a valve closing member is movable between an open position and a closed position wherein the member closes the passage. A solenoid includes a coil, a coil core, and an armature in the piston, the armature driving the valve closing member between the closed position and the open position in response to a magnetic field produced by a current applied to the coil, the cylinder forming a magnetic field guide tube. The coil is supplied with current by a power line in the piston rod, and may be grounded to the piston rod or the cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Marian Bochen, Thomas Ehre, Rainer Massmann, Rolf Mintgen
  • Patent number: 7431135
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventor: Ronny Vanbrabant
  • Publication number: 20080236968
    Abstract: A hydraulic buffering apparatus in which an impact from the road surface is alleviated even when the impact due to high-frequency vibrations are generated, so that the ride quality of a vehicle is improved. A piston is provided in a cylinder for partitioning the interior of the cylinder into a rod-side oil chamber on the side of a piston rod and a counter-rod-side oil chamber. The two oil chambers are in communication with each other via a pair of ports provided on the piston. Damping valves are respectively provided at exit ends of the pair of ports respectively so as to be openable and closable. A supporting member holds the piston and the damping valves. The supporting member is slidably arranged on a shaft of the piston rod and is held between stoppers provided on the shaft of the piston rod via resilient members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventor: Akimi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7428953
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas spring with end position damping having a piston-cylinder unit which is provided with two identically configured pistons arranged in a mirror-like image. Each piston has two axially extending parts defining an annular groove therebetween. The groove is configured to receive an annular sealing ring operative to axially move within the groove. The groove, the pistons and cylinder are configured with an arrangement of flow passages providing damping at the end of the push-in and push-out strokes of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Kneip, Mark Rössner
  • Patent number: 7395907
    Abstract: Shock absorber containing a flow channel (16), provided with a valve assembly, made in the piston section. This valve assembly is designed to be actuated hydraulically. To this end there is an auxiliary chamber (22, 42) which on one side is eliminated by a movable valve body (18). This valve body is provided with an inlet for oil from the flow channel to the auxiliary chamber. There is an outlet (21, 41) (that can be closed off). The surface area of the valve body acting on the valve seat (19) is less than the surface area of the valve body in the auxiliary chamber, so that fluid flowing through the inlet of the valve body results in an increase in the volume of the auxiliary chamber and thus in closing movement of the valve body. Because filing of the auxiliary chamber takes some time, a frequenncy-dependend closing characteristic of the flow channel is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Koni B.V.
    Inventors: Paul de Kock, Adrianus Antonius Wilhelmus de Ruiter
  • Publication number: 20080149438
    Abstract: A damping valve (10) resists a flow of fluid from a first fluid chamber (41) to a second fluid chamber (42) which are separated by a piston (1). A partitioning member (24, 27-29, 52) partitions an inflow space. (A, B) of a passage (2) in the first fluid chamber (41). A spool (17, 31, 51) decreases a flow cross-sectional area of a flow path from the first fluid chamber (41) into the inflow space (A, B) according to a differential pressure between the fluid chambers. By ensuring a gap between the outer circumference of the valve disk (1) and the partitioning member (24, 27-29, 52) which permanently allows fluid to flow from the first chamber (41) into the inflow space (A, B), the damping force characteristic in a high speed region of piston displacement can be set independently of the damping force characteristic in other regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: KAYABA INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Chikamatsu, Kouichi Watanabe