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: Shock absorber, having a cylinder in which a piston rod is arranged as a displacer and which has a piston which subdivides a working space filled with damping medium into two working chambers. Arranged concentrically with this cylinder is an outer tube which, together with the cylinder, forms an annular space sealed off from the atmosphere by seals. The outer tube, together with the piston rod, executes a synchronous movement relative to the cylinder as a function of the reciprocating movement. At least one of the seals of the annular space is arranged in a fixed location with respect to the cylinder, and at least another one of the seals is arranged in a fixed location with respect to the outer tube, so that the annular space has a volume which varies as a function of the reciprocating position of the shock absorber. The annular space is connected via at least one flow connection to at least one of the working chambers.

Abstract: A shock absorber is provided that includes a housing having an inner wall defining a working fluid chamber and an outer wall spaced outwardly from the inner wall defining a fluid reservoir. Either a compression head or an inner cylinder head may be arranged at an end of the housing. The head extends radially from a first portion interior of the inner wall to a second portion exterior of the inner wall with the head separating the working fluid chamber and the fluid reservoir. The head includes a passageway extending between the first and second portions fluidly interconnecting the working fluid chamber and the fluid reservoir. A valve is disposed about the inner wall and is arranged in the fluid reservoir. The valve has an annular sealing portion adjacent to the second portion for obstructing fluid flow through the passageway in a closed position and spaced from the second portion in an open position. A toroidal solenoid has a central opening with the inner wall disposed within the central opening.

Abstract: A gas spring includes an outer tube; a base plate; a head plate; an inner tube mounted to extend between the head plate and the base plate; a piston/rod assembly mounted to reciprocate vertically in the inner tube between a retracted, compressed position and an extended, rest position; a valve ring coaxially mounted around the rod to reciprocate between the main piston and head plate; a primary gas chamber; a relief chamber; seals for preventing fluid flow from the primary and relief chambers; a passageway providing communication between the primary gas chamber and relief chamber; and, valve apparatus for controlling fluid flow between the primary and relief chambers. The valve apparatus operates to open and close the fluid flow as a function of the position and direction of travel of the piston/rod assembly.

Abstract: A rod guide is press-filted to an inner periphery of an outer cylinder and to an inner periphery of an inner cylinder. A rod seal is provided at an inner periphery of a cover member for covering the outer cylinder to seal between a piston rod and the cover member. Space between the rod seal and the rod guide is formed as a hydraulic fluid reservoir chamber. Further, a lip seal is integrally formed on an outer periphery of the rod seal. The lip seal is set so as to separably abut a valve seat surface of the rod guide. One side surface of the lip seal is provided with a plurality of radially extending hydraulic fluid grooves spaced from each other in a circumferential direction. With this arrangement, a valve opening pressure of the lip seal can be kept small regardless of size of interference of the lip seal. Thus, air removability is improved.

Abstract: A vibration damper, particularly a mono-tube vibration damper, has a cylinder in which a piston rod is arranged together with a piston so as to be axially movable, wherein the piston divides the cylinder into two work spaces filled with a work medium, the vibration damper having at least one deaerating device at the outer surroundings of the vibration damper for the areas filled with the work medium.

Abstract: A telescopic vibration damper, comprising a pressure tube filled with a damping medium, in which a piston rod is arranged such that it can move axially, the pressure tube being axially displaceably guided in an intermediate tube. An annular chamber between the pressure tube and the intermediate tube is likewise filled with the damping medium, there being a flow connection between the pressure tube and the annular chamber, and a compensating chamber accommodates the displaced volume of the components that can be telescoped toward one another. The annular chamber formed by the intermediate tube and the pressure tube, and the pressure tube, are hydraulically separated from the compensating chamber.

Abstract: An efficient method of supplying a first series of suspension struts for a first vehicle and a second series of suspension struts for a second vehicle. The method includes providing a first series of pressure vessels for the first vehicle and a second series of pressure vessels for the second vehicle. Each pressure vessel defines an outer cavity with an effective fluid volume. The effective fluid volume of the pressure vessels of the first series is smaller than the effective fluid volume of the pressure vessels of the second series. The method also includes providing a series of hydraulic tubes for the first vehicle and for the second vehicle, wherein each hydraulic tube is adapted to be located within the outer cavity of the pressure vessel of the first series and alternatively within the outer cavity of the pressure vessel of the second series.

Abstract: A shock absorber having a pair of valve assemblies which include an acceleration sensitive valve which couples the working chamber of the shock absorber to the shock absorber's reservoir chamber through a fluid path to provide a soft damping characteristic for the shock when the shock absorber experiences acceleration beyond a specific amount. A compression valve assembly and a rebound valve assembly are also provided which controls the fluid flow through the piston and the base assembly, respectively, to provide a firm damping characteristic for the shock absorber during low acceleration movement.

Abstract: A flow restriction part (10) which provides a resistance to high speed oil is provided in a reservoir (R), and an air chamber (A2) which contracts according to an oil pressure is disposed underneath this flow restriction part (10). Providing such flow restriction part and air chamber in addition to an air chamber (A1), a repulsive force when the front fork contracts at high speed, such as during sudden braking, increases larger than during normal contraction while mechanical vibration caused by road unevenness during normal running is absorbed.

Abstract: The compensator consists of at least one flexible and preferably elastic braiding (8), fitted up outside onto the cylinder (1) of the shock absorber, seal-fastened with its own ends onto said cylinder by means of suitable fastening means (19, 10) and carried out in such a way as to contain a chamber with variable volume (C) occupied by oil and communicating with at least one of the inside chambers of the shock absorber, for instance with the chamber with the larger volume, by means of holes provided on said cylinder.

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: The present invention relates to a spring damper system (1) for bicycles having a first load-applying segment (20), a second load-applying segment (22), at least one spring mechanism (12) and one damping means as well as a method of spring suspension and damping of bicycles.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a pressure tube with a piston slidably disposed therein. A separate valve includes a fluid circuit for fluid low in rebound and a fluid circuit for fluid flow in compression. Each fluid circuit includes a variable orifice which allows selection between a firm rebound with a soft compression, a soft rebound with a soft compression and a soft rebound with a firm compression. Each variable orifice is in communication with a blowoff valve in such a manner that they provide a variable blowoff feature to the blowoff valves.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle spring apparatus comprising housing having fluid sealed therein. The housing comprises a cylinder with a slidably fitted piston and a piston rod connected at one end to said piston. The piston rod extends at the other end outside said cylinder and said cylinder is connected via a passage and a first valve to a first accumulator chamber comprising a springing medium. The cylinder is connected via a passage and a second valve to a second accumulator chamber comprising a springing medium, and said accumulator chambers is also connected with each other via at least one controllable pump. The invention also relates to a vehicle height adjusting system and a vehicle comprising the vehicle spring apparatus.

Abstract: A vibration damping device is mounted between two spaced portions of a vehicle for absorbing road forces exerted on the vehicle. A cylindrical housing forms an internal piston chamber and is connected at one end to one portion of the vehicle, with an outer end of the rod of a piston which is slidably mounted within the piston chamber, being connected to another portion of the vehicle. A fluid transfer duct is formed between the housing and piston and provides communication between fluid subchambers formed on opposite sides of the piston within the piston chamber. An electrode is attached to either the housing or piston for applying a voltage across the duct to affect the rheological response of an electrorheological (ER) fluid flowing therethrough to provide a controllable mechanism to modify the damping force characteristics of the device. Each end of the piston rod is slidably supported by a slide bushing assembly which is mounted within an end of the housing.

Abstract: A dashpot with an inner cylinder (3) accommodated in an outer cylinder (1), and a piston (6) traveling back and forth inside on the end of a piston rod (5) and separating the inner cylinder into two chambers (7 & 8). The piston rod enters the cylinders through a hole at one end that seals it off and positions it. The outer cylinder is provided with a base (4) at the end opposite the end with the hole. The inner cylinder is centered along the axis of the outer cylinder at each end. The cylindrical gap (2) between the two cylinders is provided with a fluid-accommodating compartment (11) and, toward the base, a port (13) opening into the adjacent chamber (8). The chamber accommodates, preferably above the port, a vent (12). The mutually contacting ends of the cylinders are hot or cold welded together at the base end or at the end remote from the base.

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 telescopic vibration damper, comprising a pressure tube filled with a damping medium, in which a piston rod is arranged such that it can move axially, the pressure tube being axially displaceably guided in an intermediate tube. An annular chamber between the pressure tube and the intermediate tube is likewise filled with the damping medium, there being a flow connection between the pressure tube and the annular chamber, and a compensating chamber accommodates the displaced volume of the components that can be telescoped toward one another. The annular chamber formed by the intermediate tube and the pressure tube, and the pressure tube, are hydraulically separated from the compensating chamber.

Abstract: A rod guide is press-fitted to the inner periphery of an outer cylinder and to the inner periphery of an inner cylinder. A rod seal is provided at the inner periphery of a cover member for covering the outer cylinder to seal between a piston rod and the cover member. The space between the rod seal and the rod guide is formed as a hydraulic fluid reservoir chamber. Further, a lip seal is integrally formed on the outer periphery of the rod seal. The lip seal is set so as to separably abut on a valve seat surface of the rod guide. One side surface of the lip seal is provided with a plurality of hydraulic fluid grooves radially extending apart from each other in the circumferential direction. With this arrangement, the valve opening pressure of the lip seal can be kept small regardless of the size of interference of the lip seal. Thus, air removability is improved.

Abstract: A springing system for a vehicle has a hydraulic actuator and a storage element which holds hydraulic fluid. The system is constructed as a gas accumulator with a holding chamber for the hydraulic fluid and a separate gas chamber, and communicates with the actuator via a connecting line. In order to construct a hydropneumatic springing system for vehicles with a largely linear spring behavior up to complete relief of the load, a further storage element is connected to the actuator via a connecting line and is constructed as an elastomeric accumulator.

Abstract: A suspension damper assembly capable of adjusting the height of an automobile includes a cylinder tube defining a pumping chamber aligned concentrically within a reservoir tube. A fluid reservoir is defined between the reservoir tube and the cylinder tube. A piston is slideably disposed within the cylinder tube. A gas cup is slideably disposed within the assembly and separates a fluid chamber within the cylinder tube from a gas chamber. The gas cup includes a cup conduit connecting the pumping chamber to the reservoir chamber whereby stroking the gas cup pumps fluid into the pumping chamber increasing the outward force of the piston for raising the height of the vehicle. A piston shaft guide includes a shaft valve allowing fluid to pass from the pumping chamber to the reservoir chamber for reducing the outward force of the piston and lowering the height of the vehicle.

Abstract: The housing of a shock absorber is constructed to include an inner chamber surrounded by an outer chamber. The inner chamber is divided by the piston to which the piston rod is connected into two portions. One of these portion has a number of orifices that fluidly connect that portion to the outer chamber. A piston slidably and movably fitted along the length of the outer chamber divides the outer chamber into two compartments, one of which is in fluid communication with the portion of the inner chamber to which it is connected by means of the orifices. An incompressible fluid is provided in the fluidly interconnected compartment and portion. A biasing force acts against the piston in the outer chamber by means of a pressurized gas provided in the other compartment of the outer chamber. With the shock absorber thus constructed, when the piston rod moves, the piston to which it is connected would force an exchange of fluid between the inner chamber and the outer chamber, which acts as a reservoir.

Abstract: A double-tube shock absorber includes an outer cylinder having a first working chamber, an inner cylinder located inside the first working chamber and having a second working chamber, a first piston movably inserted into the first working chamber and a second piston having a coil and movably inserted into the second working chamber. The first and the second working chamber are filled with a hydraulic fluid and a magnetorheological (MR) fluid, respectively. The first and the second piston have one or more orifices, respectively. The double-tube shock absorber further includes one or more first piston rods for leading the first piston in a reciprocating motion and a second piston rod for leading the second piston in a reciprocating motion. The double-tube shock absorber can sensitively respond to the impulse applied thereto by using the hydraulic fluid having relatively low viscosity and, at the same time, can modulate the damping force by using the MR fluid having changeable viscosity.

Abstract: A self-positioning cushioning device adapted to be mounted in the end of a rail car sill includes a hydraulic cylinder and yoke. A piston rod extends from the cylinder and is joined to one end of a yoke. The other end of the yoke is joined to a rail car coupler through a drawbar. A preloaded stack of elastomer pads is confined in a pocket in the yoke between a pair of stop plates which extend laterally of the yoke to engage stops during movement of the yoke, rod and piston in response to buff and draft impacts. The cylinder is filled with pressurized hydraulic fluid which maintains the piston in a central neutral position with the stop plate adjacent to coupler held against stops on the rail car sill. Buff impacts are cushioned first by the cylinder and at the end of the stroke by both the cylinder and the spring. Draft impacts are cushioned by both the cylinder and the spring.

Abstract: A vibration damping device is mounted between two spaced portions of a vehicle for absorbing road forces exerted on the vehicle. A cylindrical housing forms an internal piston chamber and is connected at one end to one portion of the vehicle, with an outer end of the rod of a piston which is slidably mounted within the piston chamber, being connected to another portion of the vehicle. A fluid transfer duct is formed between the housing and piston and provides communication between fluid subchambers formed on opposite sides of the piston within the piston chamber. An electrode is attached to either the housing or piston for applying a voltage across the duct to affect the rheological response of an electrorheological (ER) fluid flowing therethrough to provide a controllable mechanism to modify the damping force characteristics of the device. Each end of the piston rod is slidably supported by a slide bushing assembly which is mounted within an end of the housing.

Abstract: A hydraulic damper including an inner cylinder, an outer cylinder, a space between the inner and outer cylinders, first and second end walls in the inner cylinder, a piston rod extending only through the first end wall and supported therein by a ball bearing assembly, a first portion of the piston on one side of the first end wall and within the inner cylinder, a second portion of the piston on the opposite side of the first end wall and external to the inner cylinder, a piston head on the first portion of the piston rod within the inner cylinder, a first chamber in the inner cylinder between the piston head and the first end wall, a second chamber in the inner cylinder between the piston head and the second end wall, an accumulator in communication with the second chamber, a fluid-containing seal between the first end wall and the second portion of the piston rod, and a closed fluid circuit between the accumulator and the fluid-containing seal through the space between the inner and outer cylinders.

Abstract: The motor vehicle shock absorber selectively enables the selective realtime adjustments to the shock absorber damping based on driving conditions and desired driving characteristics. The adjustments are achieved by using a solenoid assembly to exert a valve closing force, which is selectively adjustable, on the compression valve and so as to control the damping characterization of a shock absorber. The design and construction of the compression head assembly and end cap assembly of the shock absorber permit these assemblies to be manufactured as subassemblies and then brought together and expeditiously assembled so as to minimize the cost of manufacturing the shock absorber.

Abstract: A vibration damping device is mounted between two spaced portions of a vehicle for absorbing road forces exerted on the vehicle. A cylindrical housing forms an internal piston chamber and is connected at one end to one portion of the vehicle, with an outer end of the rod of a piston which is slidably mounted within the piston chamber, being connected to another portion of the vehicle. A fluid transfer duct is formed between the housing and piston and provides communication between fluid subchambers formed on opposite sides of the piston within the piston chamber. An electrode is attached to either the housing or piston for applying a voltage across the duct to affect the rheological response of an electrorheological (ER) fluid flowing therethrough to provide a controllable mechanism to modify the damping force characteristics of the device. Each end of the piston rod is slidably supported by a slide bushing assembly which is mounted within an end of the housing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to shock absorbers, including position-sensitive shock absorbers (2) in which the position-sensitive damping can be different during compression and rebound strokes, and shock absorbers (60) with damping adjusters (80, 118) which vary the damping provided during compression and rebound strokes. The position-sensitive shock absorber includes a cylinder (4) within which a piston (122) is movably mounted for movement between the first and second ends of the cylinder. Bypass openings (24-32) open into the cylinder interior (6) at axially spaced-apart positions. The bypass openings are coupled by a bypass channel (38). A flow valve (40, 42) may be positioned along the bypass channel permitting fluid flow from the first opening to the second opening and restricting fluid flow from the second opening to the first opening.

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 base valve assembly fore regulating the flow of fluid through a twin tube fluid vehicle damper is provided. The base valve assembly has opposing compression and rebound surfaces. Inner and outer annular seats extend from the compression surface and define an annular channel therebetween. At least one fluid passageway connects the annular channel and the rebound surface for providing fluid communication therebetween. A connector secures a blow-off valve to the cylinder end. The blow-off valve has a hollow cylindrical portion with a flange extending transversely from an end thereof. The flange is adjacent the annular seats when the blow-off valve is in a closed position. The blow-off valve is movable from the closed position to an open position away from the compression surface. A helical spring is interposed between the connector and the blow-off valve for biasing the blow-off valve to the closed position.

Abstract: A dashpot with an inner cylinder (3) accommodated in an outer cylinder (1), and a piston (6) traveling back and forth inside on the end of a piston rod (5) and separating the inner cylinder into two chambers (7 & 8). The piston rod enters the cylinders through a hole at one end that seals it off and positions it. The outer cylinder is provided with a base (4) at the end opposite the end with the hole. The inner cylinder is centered along the axis of the outer cylinder at each end. The cylindrical gap (2) between the two cylinders is provided with a fluid-accommodating compartment (11) and, toward the base, a port (13) opening into the adjacent chamber (8). The chamber accommodates, preferably above the port, a vent (12). The mutually contacting ends of the cylinders are hot or cold welded together at the base end or at the end remote from the base.

Abstract: Double-acting shock absorber, comprising a piston-cylinder shock absorber which is known from the prior art. During the reciprocating movement of the piston, which is provided on one side with a piston rod which extends to outside the cylinder, an interplay of forces of different magnitudes is generated in the different directions of movement. This is caused by the fact that the surface area on which the liquid situated in the shock absorber acts is smaller on that side of the piston rod which has the surface of the piston rod than on the other side of the piston. According to the invention, these forces are made substantially equal by connecting said other side of the piston to a compensation chamber of variable volume which essentially corresponds to the instantaneous volume displaced by the piston rod in the cylinder.

Abstract: A cushioning device for a railcar coupling that operates at a very high impedance when subjected to low level forces to thereby reduce the effect of slack between railcars while still providing an effective cushion for absorbing high levels of shock between the railcars. The cushioning device includes a cylinder containing a fluid of liquid and a gas under pressure for absorbing shock due to buff and draft movement and a piston carried in the cylinder. The gas pressure urges the piston toward the draft end of the cylinder while restoring from a buff shock. An internal positioning spring stops further restoring movement of the piston toward the draft end of the cylinder at a selected neutral position spaced from the draft end of the cylinder. The internal positioning spring allows the piston to move from the neutral position toward the draft end of the cylinder if a draft shock occurs of sufficient magnitude while the piston is in the neutral position.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method and apparatus for controlling and making real-time adjustments to damping in a shock absorber based on driving conditions and desired driving characteristics. The shock absorber has a reservoir compartment and a fluid-filled internal chamber divided into a compression compartment and a rebound compartment by a movable piston. A piston rod is connected to the piston and extends through a seal in the rebound end of the internal chamber. The shock absorber contains flow passages connecting, and normally allowing fluid to flow between, the reservoir compartment, the compression compartment and the rebound compartment. Fluid flow in the flow passages, which is directly related to the relative motion between the shock main body and the piston rod assembly, is controlled by providing a variable valve closing force.

Abstract: A gas spring shock absorber (10A) includes a damping fluid cylinder (14A) telescopically housed within an air cylinder (12A). A shaft (16A) connects a sealable, outer end (18A) of the air cylinder with a vented piston (32A) movably mounted within the damping fluid cylinder. A first fluid seal (60) extends from the gas cylinder and contacts the outer surface (38A) of the damping cylinder while a second fluid seal (34A) extends from the damping cylinder and contacts the inner surface (36A) of the gas cylinder. The fluid seals create a sealed variable-volume air chamber (40A) which is divided into air positive and air negative spring chambers (62,64). The air negative spring chamber is defined between the two fluid seals and automatically balances the force on the damping unit from the pressurized gas in the first air chamber portion.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a spring strut for motor vehicles comprising a hydropneumatic vibration damper and a supporting spring. The vibration damper has a piston rod connected with a piston and is axially guided in a piston rod guide at the end of a container. The piston rod is outwardly sealed by a piston rod seal. The piston rod guide comprises a damping valve acted upon by external forces, such as the force of the supporting spring arranged between a structural component part connected with the vehicle and a spring carrier surrounding the container of the spring strut. The spring carrier acts on the damping valve with a contact surface. The supporting spring and/or the spring carrier cooperates with at least one auxiliary device exerting a force. The auxiliary device is supported at the container by a structural component part that is fixed with respect to the container or at a vehicle part which is connected with the container.

Abstract: In a first type, there is provided, inside an inner tube of a twin-tube type of damper, a pressurizing chamber to be defined by a free piston which is slidably fit onto an outer surface of a rod. A fluid pressure from an outside pressure source is supplied to the pressurizing chamber to push down a damper piston via the free piston to thereby forcibly contract the damper. In a second type, there is provided inside an inner tube a cylinder which is slidably fit onto an outer surface of a rod, and a piston mounted on the rod is inserted into the cylinder. A fluid pressure from the pressure source is supplied to the pressurizing chamber inside the cylinder to push down the rod via the piston to thereby forcibly contract the damper. In a third type, a rod is slidably inserted into a partition wall in an intermediate portion of a damper main body of a mono-tube type of damper.

Abstract: A shock absorber formed of an inner tubular element telescopingly slidable within an outer tubular element. A piston is mounted on the inner tubular element and is provided with valving that permits adjustability of compression damping separate from rebound damping. Preferably, the piston slides within a glide tube substantially concentrically mounted within the outer tubular and having a highly finished surface along which the piston slides. A first chamber is formed within the glide tube a second chamber is formed between the outer tubular element and the glide tube. Valves are positioned between these first and second chambers to control compression flow and rebound flow separately and independently. A main compression spring is positioned external to and between the inner and outer tubular elements of the shock absorber, and acts to bias the tubular elements away from each other.

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

Abstract: A suspension damper includes a piston that is reciprocally carried in a circular cylindrical cylinder tube. The piston is attached to a piston rod that extends out from the cylinder tube and is adapted for connection to one of the sprung or unsprung masses of an associated vehicle. The circular cylindrical cylinder tube is carried in a reservoir tube that is adapted for connection to the other of the sprung and unsprung masses. The reservoir tube includes a section with a polygonal cross section and includes an open end with a circular cross section. The open end is closed by a rod guide assembly that engages the reservoir tube and the cylinder tube. The reservoir tube includes a closed end opposite the open end that is optionally polygonal or circular in configuration.

Abstract: A shock absorber having variable damping characteristics for damping the movement of the body of an automobile is disclosed. The shock absorber includes a variable flow control valve which modulates the rate of fluid flow between the upper portion of the shock absorber working chamber and the shock absorber reservoir. The valve is variably controlled in accordance with the vehicle load so that the shock absorber damping characteristic is stiffened during high vehicle load and softened during low vehicle load, thereby varying the damping characteristic to improve vehicle ride and handling.

Abstract: A sudden change in the repulsive force of a piston rod and the resulting excessive increase of the vehicular height are to be suppressed.A small-diameter portion 10A and a large-diameter portion 10B are formed in the inner periphery of a pump cylinder 10, and a valve cover 21 is provided at the lower end of a pump rod 9 so as to accommodate an inlet valve 6 therein. The valve cover 21 has a discharge port 6a which when positioned within the small-diameter portion 10A is closed and which when positioned within the large-diameter portion 10B is opened to a pump chamber 12.

Abstract: An adjustable rebound damping shock absorber (10) has an inner cylinder (14) disposed within and spaced radially from an outer cylinder (13) to form a reservoir (20) therebetween, a piston assembly (15) slidably disposed within the inner cylinder, a piston rod (16) extending from the piston assembly through a first end (11) of the inner and outer cylinders, and a closure (17). The closure has a fluid flow path providing fluid communication between a rebound chamber (36) and the reservoir. The fluid flow path has a variable jet (88), a variable orifice (85) and a variable spring (86) actuated damping valve (87) for controlling fluid flow from the rebound chamber and the reservoir. The jet, the orifice, the spring rate and damping valve are simultaneously adjustable by an adjusting pin (73). The variable spring has a tapered portion which varies in outside diameter from one end of the portion to the other end of the portion, creating a variable spring rate.

Abstract: A double-acting hydraulic cylinder for use in an exercising apparatus to provide a resistance to a user of the exercising apparatus is disclosed.

Abstract: A hydraulic shock absorber has a case that includes an oil chamber, a cylinder and a reservoir chamber inside the case. A piston connected to a piston rod is fitted into the cylinder. A pump rod is fitted into a pump tube located inside the piston rod for forming a pump chamber. The pump chamber is communicated with an oil chamber through an oil passage and with a cylinder upper chamber through another oil passage. The motion of the pump rod caused by extension and retraction of the piston rod allows oil to flow from the oil chamber to the pump chamber and then to the cylinder upper chamber for extending the piston rod. When a vehicle height is increased to a normal height, cut-outs formed in the pump rod serve to communicate the pump chamber with the cylinder upper chamber for stopping the extension of the piston rod. When it becomes higher than the normal height, an orifice passage serves to relieve oil of the cylinder upper chamber to the oil chamber for lowering the vehicle height.

Abstract: A control cylinder unit for varying a spring constant of a vehicular stabilizer includes a cylindrical fluid chamber divided into upper and lower liquid chambers by a slidably inserted piston. The upper and lower liquid chambers are communicated with each other through a controlled rotary valve installed in a piston rod connected to the piston. A reservoir chamber is formed around the liquid chamber and is communicated with the upper and lower liquid chambers through first and second check valves installed at upper and lower ends of the liquid chamber. The first and second check valves function to allow fluid from the reservoir chamber into the upper and lower liquid chambers. Further, a hole for communicating the liquid chamber and the reservoir chamber is formed at a center portion of a cylindrical wall of the fluid chamber.

Abstract: A vibration damper having a pressure tube in which a piston with a piston rod is located so that the piston can move axially. The pressure tube is divided into upper and lower working chambers. The upper working chamber is connected by a hydraulic connection to the oil sump of an equalization chamber. The vibration damper also has at least one damping valve in the piston at least for the direction of flow from the upper working chamber to the lower working chamber, a port valve between a connection opening in the upper working chamber and the oil sump, a non-return valve in a bottom valve body which connects the lower working chamber with the equalization chamber and at least one additional damping valve in addition to the piston valve(s). In the insertion direction, the additional damping valve produces a damping which occurs as a function of the volume flow distribution.

Abstract: A shock absorber has a biasing member located between the base cup of a reserve tube and a cylinder end at the bottom of a pressure tube. The biasing member urges the pressure tube away from the base cup of the reserve tube and provides for movement between the lower ends of the two members without affecting the seating or sealing of the components within the shock absorber. The movement between the pressure tube and the reserve tube provides axial compliance for accommodating tubes materials having different materials with different coefficients of thermal expansion.