Abstract: Techniques and methodologies for servicing a shock strut are provided that account for the variability in gas solubility of the shock strut while in-service. These examples incorporate knowledge of the shock strut's stoke history in order to estimate/predict the amount of gas in solution, its percentage saturation, etc. This may permit a more refined knowledge of the true servicing state of the shock strut.

Abstract: Suspension systems for recreational vehicles are disclosed. The suspension systems may include at least one adjustable member coupling a sway bar to respective suspensions. The suspension systems may include a torque actuator associated with a sway bar.

Abstract: An aircraft comprises an aircraft component, a sensor, and a multiple frequency vibration absorber (absorber). The sensor is operable to detect a frequency of a vibration of the aircraft component. The absorber is coupled to the aircraft component and configured to absorb the vibration. The absorber comprises a beam element, a fluidic flexible matrix composite (FFMC) tube, a valve, and a controller. The beam element is attached to the aircraft component. The fluidic flexible matrix composite (FFMC) tube is coupled to the beam element and is operable to absorb the vibration based on a stiffness of the FFMC tube. The valve is fluidically coupled to the FFMC tube and is to control the stiffness of the FFMC tube based on regulating a flow of a liquid through the FFMC tube. The controller can actively control absorption of the vibration via the FFMC tube based on opening and/or closing the valve.

Abstract: An apparatus, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a cylinder defining an internal volume and having a first end and a second end. A piston is received within the cylinder, a rod is coupled to the piston and extends outwardly of the first end, and a cap encloses the second end. The cap is selectively movable relative to the cylinder to vary the internal volume. A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, selectively moving an end cap relative to a cylinder body to vary internal volume.

Abstract: A chain tensioner includes an oil supply passage for supplying hydraulic oil into a pressure chamber defined by a cylinder and a plunger, and a check valve provided at the end of the oil supply passage. A leak gap is defined between the sliding surfaces of the cylinder and the plunger. The plunger is biased by a return spring in the direction in which the plunger protrudes out of the cylinder. A plug is press-fitted in a cylindrical inner periphery of a through hole formed in the plunger to extend from a protruding end surface of the plunger to the pressure chamber to define an air vent passage. It is possible to change the hydraulic damper force simply by replacing the plug with another different type of plug to define a different air vent passage.

Abstract: A seal useful in sealing slide out rooms used in recreational vehicles. The seal may be used singularly or in pairs to straddle a wall through which the opening is located. A bulb is attached to the base in a cantilevered manner over the base. The bulb has an outer arcuate portion that is integrally joined to opposing sidewall portions. The sidewall portions extend into an inner wall that defines an enclosed space within the bulb portion. The bulb portion may also have a protrusion that can touch the base. A wiper extends from the base substantially co-linearly to the base and opposite the offsetting member. A locating leg extending from the base is movable between a first position and a second position. The first position has the locating leg perpendicular to the base and the second position places the locating leg parallel to the base.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension damper is described. The vehicle suspension damper includes: a pilot valve assembly; a primary valve; and an adjuster, wherein the pilot valve assembly meters fluid to the primary valve, and the adjuster moves the primary valve.

Abstract: A seal useful in sealing slide out rooms used in recreational vehicles. The seal may be used singularly or in pairs to straddle a wall through which the opening is located. A bulb is attached to the base in a cantilevered manner over the base. The bulb has an outer arcuate portion that is integrally joined to opposing sidewall portions. The sidewall portions extend into an inner wall that defines an enclosed space within the bulb portion. The bulb portion may also have a protrusion that can touch the base. A wiper extends from the base substantially co-linearly to the base and opposite the offsetting member. A locating leg extending from the base is movable between a first position and a second position. The first position has the locating leg perpendicular to the base and the second position places the locating leg parallel to the base.

Abstract: A visco-elastic damping assembly includes a mount housing having first and second ends and a hollow interior. A piston assembly disposed within the mount housing includes axially opposed first and second piston rod ends in which the first piston rod end is defined by a first diameter and the second piston rod end is defined by a second diameter substantially larger than the first diameter. A high pressure hydraulic reservoir is defined within the mount housing wherein an applied load component acting on the second piston rod end causes corresponding movement of the piston assembly against fluid retained in the hydraulic reservoir, enabling a first static spring rate as well as a second higher dynamic spring rate.

Abstract: A damper assembly is disclosed that includes a tubular member, a rod, a primary piston, a secondary piston, and a seal. The tubular member includes a sidewall and a cap positioned at an end of the sidewall. The sidewall and the cap defining an inner volume. The rod extends within the inner volume of the tubular member. The primary piston defines a contact surface and is positioned within the inner volume and coupled to an end of the rod. The secondary piston defines a central aperture and a channel. Engagement of the primary piston and the secondary piston forms a flow conduit between the channel and the contact surface. The seal is disposed between an outer surface of the secondary piston and the sidewall such that a flow path is formed through the central aperture and the flow conduit.

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

Abstract: A hydraulic energy conversion device includes a main body being an annular member having a central hole, an output shaft mounted in the central hole of the main body with a centerline extended perpendicular to the central hole; a fixing plate located at an end of the main body and provided with a plurality of passage holes; an outer cover located at another end of the main body opposite to the fixing plate and having a central opening for the output shaft to outwardly extended through the outer cover; and a plurality of vanes circumferentially spaced on the output shaft to locate in a space defined between the main body, the fixing plate and the outer cover. The hydraulic energy conversion device is mounted in a hydraulic shock absorber to convert hydraulic energy into mechanical energy and output the same without hindering the hydraulic shock absorber from normal operation.

Abstract: A damper includes a pressure-sensitive damping control circuit that selectively permits fluid flow from a first chamber to a second chamber. A piston varies a volume of the first chamber. A blow-off piston is movable between a closed position, wherein fluid flow through the control circuit is substantially prevented, and an open position, wherein fluid flow through the control circuit is permitted. The damper also includes a first source of pressure. A fluid pressure created by compression of the damper applies an opening force to the blow-off piston moving the blow-off piston in a direction toward the open position against a resistance force provided by the first source of pressure. The resistance force exceeds the opening force until the pressure created by forces tending to insert the piston rod into the first fluid chamber exceeds the pressure in the first source of pressure by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A variable semi-active damping assembly comprising a shock body defining a fluid-filled chamber; a piston tube having a first end slidably disposed within the shock body; an inner rod slidably disposed within the piston tube and the shock body, the inner rod having a first end connected to a lower piston mount and a second end extending outward from the piston tube and engaging an adjustment mechanism that is configured to move the inner rod with respect to the shock body; an upper piston mount slidably disposed within the shock body and connected to the piston tube; and a deformable member disposed between the lower piston mount and the upper piston mount, the deformable member being configured to transition between a compressed state and a non-compressed state in response to movement by the lower piston mount.

Abstract: A spring (1) with fluid (2) including a containment body (3) having an inner chamber (4) in which the fluid (2) is inserted, a compression unit (8) slidably mounted on the containment body (3) and a sealing gasket (11) for the fluid (2) interposed between the containment body (3) and the compression unit (8) for preventing escape of the fluid (2) from the inner chamber (4); the spring (1) includes at least one closed loop (13) surrounding the compression unit (8), connected to the containment body (3) and in contact with the sealing gasket (11) so as to limit the deformation of the latter.

Abstract: A control assembly for controlling a component, such as a bicycle shock absorber including a first actuator carried by the shock absorber. The first actuator has a fulcrum body supported in the shock absorber and a control arm displacing the fulcrum body. The first actuator pivots on the fulcrum body to operatively control a first characteristic of the shock absorber.

Abstract: A shock strut for an aircraft landing gear is disclosed. The shock strut may include a piston with a piston inner surface and a piston outer surface. A telescoping component may be coaxially aligned and slidably engagable with the piston. At least one of the piston and the telescoping component may be a titanium material. A groove defined by an upper lip and a lower lip may be coupled to at least one of the piston or the telescoping component. A piston ring may be in direct contact with the titanium material. The piston ring may be non-metallic and provide sliding engagement with the titanium material to seal a radial space between the piston and the telescoping component. The piston ring may be at least partially held within the groove, and the groove may limit axial movement of the piston ring.

Abstract: A progressive damping device for furniture is designed to prevent impacts between the mobile parts of furniture provided with self-closing systems, and provides progressive closure according to the speed and energy acquired in the closure. The damping device generally includes a cylinder in which a dynamic fluid circulates, and in the interior of which there is displaced a piston which has a rod provided with an elastoplastic valve, which delimits respective compression and expansion chambers.

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.

Abstract: A rotor hub and method to dampen a force exerted on a rotor hub by a rotor blade during flight. The rotor hub including a central member rotatably coupled to a rotor mast, a blade grip rigidly attached to a blade and movably coupled to the central member, and an adjustable damper operably associated with the blade grip. The method includes damping the force exerted on the rotor hub with the adjustable damper and selectively adjusting the adjustable damper between a first spring rate and a second spring rate.

Abstract: A shock absorber for a vehicle, having a bellows piston, bellows, and a fluid as the damping medium. The shock absorber has a first partition wall, which is situated on the bellows piston, and is implemented to separate a volume area of the bellows piston from a volume area of the bellows. The first partition wall has a first opening, which is implemented to limit a fluid flow between the volume area of the bellows piston and the volume area of the bellows. The shock absorber further has a sprung mass, which is situated inside the shock absorber to influence the fluid flow inside the shock absorber.

Abstract: A shock absorber is attached coaxially with a reciprocating rod driven by a reciprocating unit for absorbing an impact force without bending the reciprocating rod. The shock absorber has a hollow rod provided with a through hole. The hollow rod is mounted within an outer cylindrical body. An accommodating space is formed between the hollow rod and the outer cylindrical body. A spring force toward one end portion side of the hollow rod is applied to the outer cylindrical body by a compression coil spring. An annular piston provided in the hollow rod partitions the accommodating space into two liquid chambers. When the impact force is applied to the hollow rod, the liquid flows from one liquid chamber to another liquid chamber through a gap, whereby a resistance force is applied to the hollow rod.

Abstract: A hydropneumatic suspension unit for a vehicle that includes an outer sleeve which defines a first chamber, and a damping piston which is arranged for sliding displacement in the first chamber. The first chamber contains gas mainly for providing spring action and liquid mainly for providing damping action. The gas is in direct contact with the liquid.

Abstract: A shock absorber has an inclined surface that is inclined to a moving direction of the free piston in at least one of a free piston contact surface of a free piston with which an elastic body is in contact and a housing contact surface of a housing with which the elastic body is in contact. A shortest distance between the free piston contact surface and the housing contact surface is changed by movement of the free piston.

Abstract: A valve assembly for a shock absorber includes a valve body defining a fluid passage. A valve disc engages the valve body to close the fluid passage. A fulcrum disc engages the valve disc at a first position and a second position radially outward from the first position. The fulcrum disc is designed such that the second position is closer to the valve body. In one embodiment, the fulcrum disc is concave with respect to the valve body.

Abstract: A system and method to isolate vibrations from a vibrating structure. The system includes an adjustable vibration isolator that creates a reacting force matching the vibratory force of the vibrating structure. The method includes continuously monitoring the reacting force and vibratory force with a sensor system operably associated with a control unit having an algorithm to determine if adjustment of the vibration isolator is required. If required, the control unit commands a driver to selectively adjust the vibration isolator.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rotary damper in which both yields and braking characteristics can be enhanced. The rotary damper of the invention includes a valve mechanism which comprises an operating chamber 7 through which fluid can pass, a valve body 8 which forwardly moves from a natural state position when the valve body 8 receives fluid pressure and which can forwardly moves in the operating chamber 7, and a first spring 9 capable of giving a resistance to the forward movement of the valve body 8. The valve mechanism can reduce a flow rate of fluid which passes through the operating chamber 7 by a flow path 14 formed between the valve body 8 and a peripheral wall 7a of the operating chamber 7. A reducing amount of fluid can be increased as a moving distance of the valve body 8 which forwardly moves in the operating chamber 7 is increased.

Abstract: An adjustable vehicle seat includes a seat track, a seat base, a backrest, and a remote damping system. The remote damping system includes a housing and a damping element disposed within the housing. A traction cable has a sheath with a first end and a second end, and a wire with a first end and a second end. The first end of the sheath is fixed with respect to the housing and the first end of the cable is coupled to the damping element.

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

Abstract: An active suspension system for a vehicle including at least one fluid operated ram having a cylinder and a main piston mounted therein for reciprocating movement, control means for controlling an equilibrium position of the piston in the ram in response to lateral acceleration of the vehicle in order to counter the effects of body roll of the vehicle, and wherein the ram includes shock absorbing means for permitting rapid movement of the piston from the equilibrium position when operating fluid in the ram is subjected to transient increases in pressure.

Abstract: A tunable vibration isolator with active tuning elements having a housing, fluid chamber, and at least one tuning port. A piston is resiliently disposed within the housing. A vibration isolation fluid is disposed within the fluid chambers and the tuning ports. The tunable vibration isolator may employ either a solid tuning mass approach or a liquid tuning mass approach. The active vibration elements are preferably solid-state actuators.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a method for estimating the suspension stroke of a vehicle comprising the steps consisting of: a) determining a variability law (10) that associates the stroke of the suspension with the pressure inside a shock absorber of the same, based on experimental data; b) estimating the suspension stroke value related to a measured pressure value, based on the variability law (10) identified in step (a); c) detecting/obtaining the longitudinal vehicle dynamics; d) recalibrating (30) the variability law (10) identified in step a), based on the longitudinal vehicle dynamics detected/obtained in step c). The present invention also refers to an apparatus for implementing the estimation method of the suspension stroke of a vehicle according to the invention.

Abstract: A cushion device includes a shock absorber and an accumulator. As a piston moves in a certain direction in a cylinder so that the shock absorber is compressed, oil in an oil chamber is discharged to the accumulator through an oil hose. The compression operation of the piston allows a slide member to slide and the capacity of an oil chamber is reduced. The oil in the oil chamber is discharged to a regulation unit through an oil hose. The regulation unit controls a valve by the pressure of the oil coming in from the oil chamber and applies resistance to the oil discharged from an oil chamber to an oil chamber.

Abstract: A damper device is provided with a cylinder body and a piston body, and provides braking for movement or relative movement of an object to be braked by attaching at least either the cylinder body or the piston body to the object to be braked. The piston body is provided with a seal ring for sealing between the piston body and the cylinder body. When a pressure difference between an inner space, located between the piston body and a deep inner section of the cylinder body, and the outside becomes a predetermined volume or above due to the movement or the relative movement of the piston body, one part of the seal ring is deflected and deformed so as to open a path for interconnecting the inner space and the outside.

Abstract: A buffering, energy absorbing, system has tapered grooves within either the inner surface of a cylindrical main body or along the sides of a piston head to allow fluid flow, where the tapered grooves increasingly or decreasingly restrict the flow of fluid between the inside of the main body and an accumulator.

Abstract: In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, an active suspension system having a regenerative actuator is provided for an electric or hybrid electric vehicle. The system comprises a drive system including a battery mounted to a chassis and a controller coupled to the drive system. The controller also couples to a suspension system between the chassis and at least one wheel of the vehicle. The suspension system includes an actuator having an electric motor providing energy by converting linear movement of a ball screw into rotational movement of a rotor having a hollow core permitting at least a portion of the ball screw to translate within the rotor during operation of the actuator.

Abstract: A suspension component achieves progressive resistance via a secondary bleed valve, which functions as a support for the primary compression valve at higher displacements, in conjunction with a secondary nonlinear spring element configured to alter the force on the piston at high displacements.

Abstract: Described is a spring (1) with fluid (2) comprising a containment body (3) having an inner chamber (4) in which the fluid (2) is inserted, a compression unit (8) slidably mounted on the containment body (3) and a sealing gasket (11) for the fluid (2) interposed between the containment body (3) and the compression unit (8) for preventing escape of the fluid (2) from the inner chamber (4). According to this invention, the spring (1) comprises at least one closed loop (13) surrounding the compression unit (8) and connected to the containment body (3). The closed loop (13) is positioned, at least during the sliding of the compression unit (8), in contact with the sealing gasket (11) so as to limit the deformation of the latter.

Abstract: Regenerative shock absorber. A piston is disposed for reciprocating motion within a cylinder as a vehicle's suspension system deflects. Hydraulic fluid passes through an hydraulic motor to turn its shaft. The hydraulic motor shaft is connected to an electric generator to generate electricity. Flow characteristics of hydraulic circuits are selected to provide suspension system damping for appropriate wheel control.

Abstract: A hydraulic shock absorber that can reduce outflow amount of oil by maximally removing an oil film attached to an outer periphery of a rod and that can achieve securement of high slidability between the rod and a rod packing and prevention of wear of the rod packing. A rod packing interposed between an outer periphery of a rod and an inner periphery of a rod-side end wall includes a first lip for scrapping off an oil film attached to the outer periphery of the rod, and a ring-shaped grease holding member for supplying holding grease to the outer periphery of the rod. The grease holding member is in contact with the outer periphery of the rod at a position closer to a rod distal end than the first lip.

Abstract: A shock absorber is attached coaxially with a reciprocating rod driven by a reciprocating unit to prevent a bending moment from being applied to the reciprocating rod in absorbing an impact force. The shock absorber has a hollow rod provided with a through hole and an outer cylindrical body mounted outside the hollow rod so as to be movable axially relatively and attached to the reciprocating unit. An accommodating space is formed between the hollow rod and the outer cylindrical body. A spring force in a direction of being relatively directed to one end portion side of the hollow rod is applied to the outer cylindrical body by a compression coil spring. An annular piston for partitioning an accommodating space into two liquid chambers is provided in the hollow rod. When the impact force is applied to the hollow rod so as to be slid to the hollow rod, the liquid flows from one liquid chamber to another liquid chamber through a gap, whereby a resistance force is applied to the annular piston.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for providing a pneumatic damper for use with incompressible media herein described. The invention is useful as the pneumatic damper provides a range of effectively being decoupled from a system. Also disclosed is an apparatus for providing in-line, three-state, dual flow metering, high pressure relief, for use in a system utilizing compressible or incompressible media, which includes a centrally disposed magnetically homed ball with opposing axially aligned ball mating valve seats, with a high pressure relief spring deployed to control the pressure necessary to trigger high pressure relief.

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

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

Abstract: A progressive damping device for furniture is designed to prevent impacts between the mobile parts of furniture provided with self-closing systems, and provides progressive closure according to the speed and energy acquired in the closure. The damping device generally includes a cylinder in which a dynamic fluid circulates, and in the interior of which there is displaced a piston which has a rod provided with an elastoplastic valve, which delimits respective compression and expansion chambers.

Abstract: Damper which is, in particular, stiff during the inward stroke thereof and can be used, for example, as a railway damper. The piston which divides the cylinder into two chambers is provided with non-return valves which operate in both directions and are configured as characteristic. A sleeve extends from the bottom of the cylinder which is displaceable in the interior of the piston/piston rod and one end of which is connected to a reservoir and the other end of which may be connected to one of the chambers. In addition, a bottom valve is present in the cylinder. The combination of sleeve/bottom valve is fitted in such a manner that when the piston moves inwards in the cylinder, the liquid volume which has to be displaced is moved by additional rod volume which enters the cylinder via the sleeve in the reservoir. During the outward movement, the liquid is replenished from the reservoir via the bottom valve.

Abstract: A damping force variable shock absorber is provided, which is configured to prevent a ring disc of a damping force variable valve from being excessively bent without increasing the thickness of the ring disc. The damping force variable shock absorber includes a damping force variable valve controlled in a pilot control manner by operating a solenoid. The damping force variable valve includes a disc valve and a pilot chamber provided in a housing to vary damping force. The disc valve includes a main disc, a pilot disc-S provided adjacent to the main disc in the rear thereof, and a ring disc having an outer periphery supported on a supporting portion of the housing. A spacer disc is inserted between the main disc and the pilot disc-S, the spacer disc having an outer diameter smaller than an outer diameter of an arc-shaped slot of the ring disc.

Abstract: A compensation device for a shock absorber comprising a hydraulic volume formed by two chambers separated by a removable wall of a piston and including at least one cartridge defining a shock-absorber body and a rod attached to the mobile wall of the piston. The hydraulic shock absorber includes an outer tube defining a cartridge in which said shock body is provided. The inner wall of the outer tube being capable of sliding against the outer wall of the shock absorber body so as to compensate, at the hydraulic chamber in which the piston rod is inserted, for the volume of the portion of the piston rod inserted into the hydraulic chamber upon a compression phase.

Abstract: Dampers for vehicle suspensions include a housing comprising a tube attached to a wheel axle of a vehicle and a piston rod extending from a piston within the tube and attached to the vehicle body. The piston divides the tube into first and second chambers. In order to damp responses when minor smooth road imperfections impart low force excitations to the wheel of the vehicle, a fluid bypass passageway in the form of a sleeve is positioned around the tube and overlies the piston. This provides second stage quasi-ideal damping at low force excitations to the wheels and thus to the wheel axles of the vehicle. The sleeve communicates with the first and second chambers through metered orifices or valves. As low force excitations from smooth road imperfections displace fluid within the tube through the metered orifices or valves, the orifices damp responses to the low force excitations, thereby smoothing the ride of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vibration damper includes a cylinder within which a piston is slidably received thereby defining compression and rebound chambers. The piston has a bore with a valve seat through which fluid flows between those chambers. A poppet selectively engages the valve seat and forms a pilot chamber an opposite side of the poppet from the valve seat. The greater pressure within the compression or rebound chambers is applied by a first logic arrangement to the pilot chamber and a pilot spool control a fluid flow between the pilot chamber and a pressure cavity in the piston body. A second logic arrangement connects the pressure cavity to either the compression and rebound chamber which has the lesser pressure. A solenoid that moves the pilot valve element to control pressure in the pilot chamber and thus the amount that the poppet moves to allow fluid flow through the piston.