Abstract: A self-pumping hydropneumatic spring strut unit includes a working cylinder filled with oil under pressure and a piston and rod unit displaceable in the cylinder so as to define two working spaces in the cylinder, and high-pressure and low pressure chambers surrounding the cylinder. The strut unit further has a piston pump operable to transport a working medium from the low-pressure chamber into the one working space which is in flow communication with the high-pressure chamber. The piston pump has a cylinder defined by the inner surface of the piston rod unit, and a hollow pump rod coupled to the working cylinder and having a flow channel in communication with the low-pressure chamber. The flow channel has a deregulating opening on the working space and a throttle in flow communication with the deregulating opening. A filter device protects the throttle from impurities carried by the oil during flow from the deregulating opening to the low pressure chamber.

Abstract: A piston connected to a piston rod is fitted into a cylinder in which a hydraulic fluid is sealably contained. A flow of the hydraulic fluid is generated in an extension-side fluid passage and a compression-side fluid passage according to a sliding motion of the piston, and this flow of the hydraulic fluid is controlled by a main disk valve, to thereby generate a damping force. A valve-opening pressure of the main disk valve is controlled by an internal pressure of a back-pressure chamber generated due to a difference in flow path area between a back-pressure chamber inlet fluid passage and a downstream-side orifice. During a reverse stroke, a check valve is opened, to thereby introduce a pressure in a downstream-side cylinder chamber into the back-pressure chamber, so that the main disk valve can be maintained in a closed position and a stable damping force can be generated.

Abstract: A shock absorber for a vehicle suspension includes a pneumatic actuator that is fluidly connected to a compressed air source in the vehicle suspension, such as a suspension air bag. The pneumatic actuator cooperates with an adjustment mechanism housed within the shock absorber to adjust damping. The shock absorber includes a main rod that supports a piston for axial movement within a cylinder body. The piston separates the cylinder body into first and second fluid chambers. The adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment rod that is received within an axial bore formed within the main rod. The adjustment rod is axially moved within the axial bore by the pneumatic actuator to uncover and cover a plurality of bores that are in fluid communication with at least one of the first and second fluid chambers. The pneumatic actuator includes a plunger having a tapered surface that engages the adjuster rod to move the adjuster rod in a desired direction to adjust damping.

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

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

Abstract: There is disclosed a damping coefficient switching-type hydraulic damper that may automatically switch a damping coefficient without needing supply of energy from the outside at all, and also may always surely exert an energy absorption capacity greater than that of a typical hydraulic damper. While a piston is moving in a direction A, a mechanical drive means composed of a straight gear and a crank mechanism allows an on-off control operation valve, that is, a flow regulating valve to be placed in a closed state, and a damping coefficient is switched to a maximum value Cmax. When a movement of the piston is turned in a direction B at a left-side maximum point of amplitude, the mechanical drive means works to once open the flow regulating valve to perform elimination of a load, so that the damping coefficient is switched to a minimum value (Cmin).

Abstract: Vibration damper comprising a piston rod, which is guided with freedom of axial movement in a damping medium-filled cylinder and which carries a piston, which divides the cylinder into two working spaces. At least one of the two working spaces has a flow connection leading to a housing, in which a separating element separates at least one chamber from one of the two working spaces, where the volume of the minimum of one chamber in the housing has a size which is variable within defined limits. The separating element executes relative motion with respect to the housing, and is located in a permanent position with respect to the piston rod, whereas the housing is movable with respect to the piston rod.

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

Abstract: A hydraulic damper used for reducing shaking of a structure, for example in an earthquake. The hydraulic damper has a cylinder, a piston movable in a reciprocating manner within the cylinder, hydraulic chambers at opposite sides of the piston, and a single on-off control valve. There is a passage for connecting both of the hydraulic chambers and is on-off controlled to change a damping coefficient. A damping coefficient switching-type hydraulic damper is provided between a piston rod and the on-off control valve. A first damping coefficient is attained when the on-off control valve is maintained in a closed state for movement of said piston in one direction, and a second damping coefficient is attained when the on-off control valve is opened. A mechanical drive for the control valve may be a straight gear operatively attached to the piston rod of the cylinder, and a crank mechanism that works with the straight gear to on-off control the control valve.

Abstract: Vibration damper, containing a damping medium-filled cylinder, in which a piston rod with a piston is installed with freedom of axial movement, where, as a function of the stroke of the piston, a bypass connects a working space on the piston rod side to a working space on the side away from the piston rod, the two spaces being separated from each other by the piston, where the piston has at least one through-channel for at least one flow direction, the outlet side this channel being at least partially covered by at least one valve disk, so that a surface is present on the valve disk upon which pressure can act in the opening direction of the disk, where, in addition to the said pressure-actuated surface, the valve disk also has a second pressure-actuated surface, which is separated from the first when the valve disk is closed and which can be put into action by the bypass, so that the effects of the two pressure-actuated surfaces are added to each other.

Abstract: A compact temperature compensating gas spring including a gas filled hollow cylinder and a piston assembly slidably received in the gas filled hollow cylinder. The piston assembly includes a piston head and a piston rod. The piston rod includes a temperature compensation chamber. The piston head includes an aperture formed therein in communication with the temperature compensation chamber. A temperature activated valve is operably connected to the aperture to control gas flow between the cylinder and the temperature compensation chamber.

Abstract: A gas shock absorber has a pressure tube which defines a working chamber. A piston divides the working chamber into an upper working chamber and a lower working chamber. A flow path extends through the piston to provide fluid communication between the upper and lower working chambers. A valve body is attached to the pressure tube. The valve body defines a flow path between the working chamber and a fluid chamber. The fluid chamber is in communication with either the upper working chamber or the lower working chamber. The fluid chamber can be defined within the pressure tube, between the pressure tube and a chamber tube or it can be defined by an air spring assembly.

Abstract: A hydraulic dashpot for motor vehicles, with a cylinder and a primary piston. The cylinder (1) is charged with shock-absorption fluid. The primary piston (2) is mounted on the lower end of a piston rod (8) and partitions the cylinder into two chambers (3 & 4). The piston rod travels axially into and out of the cylinder. The primary piston is provided with breaches, with shock absorption valves (5) that can vary the cross-section of the breaches, and with a bypass system comprising at least two mutually dependently controlled bypasses between the two compartments. The object of the present invention is to improve a hydraulic dashpot of the aforesaid genus to the extent that the at least two bypass channels, although they can be opened and closed mutually dependently, need not be opened and closed sequentially.

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

Abstract: An artificial knee joint connects a prosthetic lower leg to a residual thigh of a prosthesis wearer, and includes a knee-extending oil passage and a knee-flexing oil passage that is provided with a throttle valve. When the lower leg is pressed against the ground by the thigh, a controlling element activates the throttle valve to close the knee flexing oil passage so as to fix the thigh relative to the lower leg. Upon fast walking of the wearer, an air valve unit activates the throttle valve to reduce flow rate of oil flowing through the knee-flexing oil passage so that the lower leg can support the thigh effectively.

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.

Abstract: A damper includes an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder. The inner cylinder is disposed inside the outer cylinder and contains a rod and valve to define an upper working chamber and a lower working chamber. An adjustable valve portion fluidly communicates the upper working chamber with a reserve chamber. The adjustable valve portion is positioned inside the outer cylinder and coaxially aligned with the axis of the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder. As a result, the adjustable valve portion does not extend radially from the damper to potentially obstruct other vehicle elements or cause damage to the adjustable valve portion.

Abstract: The hydraulic cylinder or shock absorber arrangement has a cylinder unit limiting an inner space in which a medium in the form of a gas or a liquid is intended to be placed. A forwardly and backwardly movable piston unit is placed such that it can slide within the space that is defined by the piston into a first chamber and a second chamber. An inlet/outlet is defined in the respective chambers of the cylinder unit for the addition to and removal of medium from the chambers together with devices that co-acts in order to determine the relative position of the piston within the cylinder unit.

Abstract: A flow regulator for a gas shock absorber is connected between the primary cylinder and the secondary cylinder. The flow regulator allows a user to adjust the rate of flow of fluid from the primary cylinder to the secondary cylinder thereby varying the damping properties of the shock absorber. The adjustment is effected by rotating one of a plurality of orifices of different sizes into the fluid flow path.

Abstract: A suspension damper comprises a cylinder tube and a control partition. The cylinder tube is disposed within a reservoir tube to define a fluid reservoir, and has at least one first hole. The control partition is disposed in the fluid reservoir, and communicates with the at least one hole.

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

Abstract: A hydraulic dashpot for motor vehicles, with a cylinder and a primary piston. The cylinder (1) is charged with shock-absorption fluid. The primary piston (2) is mounted on the lower end of a piston rod (8) and partitions the cylinder into two chambers (3 & 4). The piston rod travels axially into and out of the cylinder. The primary piston is provided with breaches, with shock absorption valves (5) that can vary the cross-section of the breaches, and with a bypass system comprising at least two mutually dependently controlled bypasses between the two compartments.

Abstract: A piston having a piston rod connected thereto is slidably fitted in a cylinder in which a hydraulic fluid is sealably contained. Extension-stroke and compression-stroke pilot type damping force control mechanisms are provided in the piston. A pilot control valve of the extension-stroke pilot type damping force control mechanism is formed by a pressure control valve having a valve seat, a valve body and a pressure-receiving portion. A pilot control valve of the compression-stroke pilot type damping force control mechanism is formed by a flow rate control valve having a spool. A slider having the valve body of the pressure control valve and the spool of the flow rate control valve is operated by a proportional solenoid, to thereby control a damping force for an extension stroke and a damping force for a compression stroke.

Abstract: A passive force element on the basis of electrorheological liquids includes a piston with a piston rod guided in a cylindrical housing, and a force introduction element connected with the piston rod. The piston forms, in the cylindrical housing, two variable-volume working chambers, which are filled with electrorheological liquids, and which are connected by a fluid connection including a valve arrangement with an electrorheological liquid valve for controlling the throughflow characteristic. A regulated damping characteristic can be adjustedly set and force peaks are avoided, because the force introduction is achieved via the force introduction element, and the piston is coupled onto the force introduction element via an elastic element.

Abstract: A dampening cylinder is provided. The dampening cylinder includes a cylindrical housing defining a cavity for receiving a fluid therein. A piston slidably extends through the cavity in the housing and includes a flange projecting radially therefrom. The flange is positioned within the cavity so as to divide the cavity in the housing into first and second portions. First and second flow control valves control the rate of flow of fluid between the first and second portions of the cavity in the housing, and hence, the rate at which the piston slides through the housing. An emergency stop valve is positioned in fluid communication with the fluid flowing between the first and second portions of the cavity in the housing. The stop valve is movable between a first open position for allowing the flow of fluid between the first and second portions of the cavity in the housing and a closed position for preventing the flow of fluid between the first and second portions of the cavity in the housing.

Abstract: In a tube structure of a hydraulic damper, an outer tube and an inner tube are separately formed by extrusion, and using this outer tube or inner tube, as it has ribs integrally formed on an inside wall of the outer tube or outside wall of the inner tube, the inner tube is inserted into the outer tube, and the outer tube is forced to be reduced in diameter so that the outer tube is compression-joined onto the inner tube, whereby the outer and inner tubes and are integrally joined

Abstract: A damper mechanism installed on an opening and closing device that has an arcuate plunger with the same radius of curvature of the cylinder it slidably mates with. A torsion coil spring causes the sliding action of the plunger into the cylinder in one direction.

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

Abstract: The hydraulic cylinder or shock absorber arrangement has a cylinder unit limiting an inner space in which a medium in the form of a gas or a liquid is intended to be placed. A forwardly and backwardly movable piston unit is placed such that it can slide within the space that is defined by the piston into a first chamber and a second chamber. An inlet/outlet is defined in the respective chambers of the cylinder unit for the addition to and removal of medium from the chambers together with devices that co-acts in order to determine the relative position of the piston within the cylinder unit.

Abstract: An impact damper as a connecting member between a bumper and a chassis of a motor vehicle for the purpose of damping the shock loading during a collision between this motor vehicle and an obstacle through hydraulic damping forces and gas-spring forces. This impact damper includes an inner tube which can be displaced telescopically inside an outer tube, thereby changing the volume of a pressurized gas space, which interact by means of a separating piston with a first liquid space, which communicates hydraulically via a restriction orifice with a second liquid space, which is bounded by a deformation element. The separating piston is arranged in a floating manner in the inner tube and thereby brings about a static equilibrium by pressure compensation in the liquid spaces and in the gas space.

Abstract: A dampening cylinder is provided. The dampening cylinder includes a cylindrical housing defining a cavity for receiving a fluid therein. A piston slidably extends through the cavity in the housing and includes a flange projecting radially therefrom. The flange is positioned within the cavity so as to divide the cavity in the housing into first and second portions. First and second flow control valves control the rate of flow of fluid between the first and second portions of the cavity in the housing, and hence, the rate at which the piston slides through the housing. An emergency stop valve is positioned in fluid communication with the fluid flowing between the first and second portions of the cavity in the housing. The stop valve is movable between a first open position for allowing the flow of fluid between the first and second portions of the cavity in the housing and a closed position for preventing the flow of fluid between the first and second portions of the cavity in the housing.

Abstract: There is provided an air-cylinder apparatus for use in a prosthetic limb capable of effectively adjusting the pressure characteristics over a wide range of walking speed. A second chamber 82 defined by a piston 113 is increased in pressure by air confined therein in accordance with the bending motion of the knee. Air is restricted from flowing out of the second chamber 82 by a constant throttle valve 140. In addition, the second chamber 82 is divided into plural chambers 821, 822 in accordance with increase in bending angle of the knee and air is restricted from flowing out of the newly divided chambers 821, 822 by throttle valves corresponding thereto. The division of the second chamber 82 is achieved by mutual engagement between a projection 1140b on the piston side and a recess 1127 on the bottom part of a cylinder body.

Abstract: A transfer mechanism is provided for transferring a load between an upper conveyor extending along a first axis and a lower conveyor extending along a second axis, vertically displaced from the first axis. The transfer mechanism includes first and second spaced, generally parallel rails having first ends pivotably mounted to the upper conveyor and opposite second ends. The rails are movable between a first position wherein the rails are generally co-planar with the upper conveyor and a second position wherein the rails extend from the upper conveyor at a predetermined angle. A transfer conveyor has a first end pivotably mounted to the second ends of the rails and a second opposite end.

Abstract: A seat post for a cycle has inner and outer members that are slidably mounted together forming a variable volume chamber. The variable volume chamber communicates with a fixed volume chamber in the inner member through orifices and a check valve. Slots are formed in the inner member, and a pin extends from the outer member through the slots. A cushion at one end of the slots prevents hard top-out.

Abstract: An impact damper as a connecting member between a bumper and a chassis of a motor vehicle for the purpose of damping the shock loading during a collision between this motor vehicle and an obstacle through hydraulic damping forces and gas-spring forces. This impact damper includes an inner tube which can be displaced telescopically inside an outer tube, thereby changing the volume of a pressurized gas space, which interact by means of a separating piston with a first liquid space, which communicates hydraulically via a restriction orifice with a second liquid space, which is bounded by a deformation element. The separating piston is arranged in a floating manner in the inner tube and thereby brings about a static equilibrium by pressure compensation in the liquid spaces and in the gas space.

Abstract: The hydraulic cylinder or shock absorber arrangement has a cylinder unit limiting an inner space in which a medium in the form of a gas or a liquid is intended to be placed. A forwardly and backwardly movable piston unit is placed such that it can slide within the space that is defined by the piston into a first chamber and a second chamber. An inlet/outlet is defined in the respective chambers of the cylinder unit for the addition to and removal of medium from the chambers together with devices which co-act in order to determine the relative position of the piston within the cylinder unit, an active first part of which is attached to the cylinder unit and arranged stretching into a recess that is arranged in the piston unit.

Abstract: A suspension damper includes a reservoir housing with a piston slidably mounted therein and including a piston rod extending from the reservoir housing and attached to the vehicle by a mount assembly. An air chamber is defined by a sleeve cirucmscribing the piston rod and connected to the reservoir housing by a flexible portion. The mount assembly includes a pumping chamber which expands and contracts in response to normal road undulations to inflate the air chamber. A valve controlled by the flexible portion of the sleeve controls communication from the air chamber to ambient atmosphere to thereby control inflation of the air chamber and thereby controlling ride height.

Abstract: Controllable shock absorber with a damping valve controllable within a passage or bypass located between the lower working space and the upper working space, such that in the push and pull stage control of the damping force is possible, in which the controllable damping valve is designed so that during one piston stroke in the push or pull stage, a flow through the passage that is variable over the duration of the piston stroke can be controlled by means of a variation in the flow cross section at a minimum of one point of the passage.

Abstract: A free piston defines a gas chamber in a cylinder, an interior of which is divided into a rod-side chamber and a bottom-side chamber by a piston. An accumulator having a gas chamber is connected to the rod-side chamber by a first oil line, midway of which is provided a damping-force generating unit. Also, the bottom-side chamber and the first oil line are communicated to each other by a communication line, midway of which is provided a spring-constant switchover valve for communication and shut-off of the communication line. Accordingly, when the spring-constant switchover valve puts the communication line in communication, the two gas chambers are compressed to make a spring constant small, thereby making comfort in a vehicle favorable. Meanwhile, the spring-constant switchover valve shuts off the communication line, only one of the gas chambers is compressed to make the spring constant large, thereby limiting a contracting displacement of a piston rod and suppressing rolling of the vehicle.

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

Abstract: A gas shock absorber has a pressure tube which defines a working chamber. A piston divides the working chamber into an upper working chamber and a lower working chamber. A flow path extends through the piston to provide fluid communication between the upper and lower working chambers. A valve body is attached to the pressure tube. The valve body defines a flow path between the working chamber and a fluid chamber. The fluid chamber is in communication with either the upper working chamber or the lower working chamber. The fluid chamber can be defined within the pressure tube, between the pressure tube and a chamber tube or it can be defined by an air spring assembly.

Abstract: A shock absorber for damping shock energy generated by downhole perforating guns or stimulation devices is described. The shock absorber includes a spring assembly including at least a first spring and a second spring, the first spring having a tension greater than the second spring; a damper assembly; and a housing retaining the spring assembly and the damper assembly and including ends adapted for connection into a casing perforation assembly. The provision of springs of increasing stiffness permits the force generated by the perforating gun to be absorbed gradually and smoothly.

Abstract: A shock absorber is made with a bleed function and preferably a non-return valve function associated with the bleed function. The shock absorber has a cylinder (3) and, working in the latter in working medium and arranged on a piston rod (4), a piston arrangement. The latter comprises at least two first and second pistons (5, 6) arranged at a distance from one another on the piston rod. At least one piston (5) can, in connection with an end position, be introduced into a first space so as, depending on its position in or at the space, to bring about a modified or varied damping force relative to when the piston is located outside the space. The piston rod (4) is provided with an inner second space (15) which is arranged so as to contain said bleed and/or non-return valve function. Additionally or alternatively, the piston (6) working outside the first space is provided with a member performing a bleed function and with any associated non-return valve function.

Abstract: A suspension system with a shock absorber having a manually adjustable lock-out valve and a blow-off valve for controlling damping characteristics suitable for a wide variety of large, medium, and small bumps, and rider induced suspension action, while selectively providing a stiff suspension for increased drive line efficiency. The shock absorber includes a damper containing a non-compressible fluid. A piston dividing the chamber into two portions has a primary channel and a secondary channel. A lock-out valve is coupled to the primary channel and is manually movable from an open position to a closed position. In the closed position, the hydraulic fluid is blocked from flowing through the primary channel to provide stiffened damping characteristics of the damper. In the open position, the hydraulic fluid can flow through the primary channel to provide softened damping characteristics.

Abstract: A vibration damping system for absorbing shock loads includes a hydraulic damper containing a piston slidably reciprocating within an oil filled chamber and dividing the chamber into a pair of subchambers. A hydraulic motor is in fluid communication with and located between the subchambers and is controlled by a field responsive fluid, such as an electrorheological (ER) actuated device. The hydraulic motor transforms fluid motion into rotating motion by a pair of meshing gears. The ER device is a flow cell and is connected to a shaft of one or both of the meshing gears. The magnitude of an electric field applied to the ER fluid controls the flow rate of the hydraulic fluid passing through the hydraulic motor by controlling the resistive force to the rotary motion of the gears. A plurality of check valves controls the direction of flow of the hydraulic fluid between the hydraulic motor and the subchambers.

Abstract: An automatic damper for an automobile automatic damper system which provides a compression valve operable to vary compressive damping characteristics of a damper, as well as a rebound valve operable to vary rebound damping characteristics of the damper. Use of the invention in cooperation with presently available electronic control modules and sensing algorithms provides a damper with either discrete valves or continuously variable valves for independently setting the rebound and compression damping characteristics of the damper.

Abstract: A suspension unit for mounting an axle to the body of an automobile or a handle-bar to the fork of a bicycle or motorcycle. A pair of pistons (15, 29) operate in tandem in separate chambers (17, 31) having a compressible gas in spaces (21, 35) on one side of the piston and an uncompressible hydraulic fluid in spaces (19, 31) on the other side of the piston. One of the pistons (15) responds to external disturbances (caused by e.g. road bumps) to drive the other piston (29) against the compressible gas which responds resiliently to return the pistons to normal intermediate placements, thereby maintaining or recovering proper height of the automobile or′cycle parts. The hydraulic fluid spaces are communicated via constrictor passage to provide suitable dynamic dampening.

Abstract: A fluid regulating device includes a valve housing formed with a piston receiving chamber that has a piston member slidingly and sealingly disposed therein to divide the piston receiving chamber into a volume-variable gas compartment filled with pressurized gas and a volume-variable fluid compartment. A regulator receiving chamber has a large-diameter rod receiving section, and a small-diameter fluid channel with a rate control section that is aligned with and that extends from the rod receiving section. The fluid channel interconects fluidly the rod receiving section and the fluid compartment.

Abstract: A damping device with variable damping force, including a cylinder, in which a piston rod is arranged axially movably, and an adjustable damping valve which is activated as a function of the compression travel of an axle part. The adjustable damping valve is activated by a generator device. The generator device includes an equidirectional device which causes an equidirectional regulating variable to take effect on the adjustable damping valve independently of the compression direction.

Abstract: A bicycle suspension fork for use on a bicycle, and preferably a road bicycle. The suspension fork has a preload adjuster that is designed and formed such that it is readily usable in the front fork of a bicycle without adding undue weight to the bicycle. The preload adjuster has interengaging preload elements that, instead of having a bulky adjustment mechanism typically provided for preload adjustment. Preferably, the preload elements have interengaging ribs and grooves, the relative position of which are adjustable to adjust preload on the suspension biasing element in the fork. Additionally, a lockout mechanism is provided for adjusting the compressibility of the suspension fork by rotating no more than about 60° during use of the bicycle. The lockout mechanism preferably has first and second fluid chambers in fluid communication and a fluid circulation control unit. Fluid flows between the chambers during compression and expansion of the suspension fork.