Abstract: The invention relates to a vibration generator comprising a working piston and to a construction apparatus having a vibration generator, wherein the vibration generator is operated by a pressure fluid and comprises a control device having a control piston, which is supported in a displaceable manner inside the working piston.

Abstract: In a case that a gap is provided between a circular plate portion 152 of a rod 150 and a cap 28, when a piston 52 is pushed into a cylinder 24, a large amount of air is also discharged from the inside of the cylinder 24 through the gap, causing a noise generated in the cylinder 24 to leak to the outside. However, in this invention, since the gap between the rod 54 and the cap 28 is made as small as possible, the amount of air discharged from the inside of the cylinder 24 when the piston 52 is pushed into the cylinder 24, is also extremely small.

Abstract: Shock absorber provided with a piston and a cylinder, both secured to a part of a vehicle. A nonreturn valve is present in either the piston or the base of the cylinder. The nonreturn valve includes a valve plate and a valve seat plate, both annular. Near the center, the valve plate is arranged at a distance from the valve seat plate. At low flow velocity, elasticity of the valve plate keeps it at a distance from the valve seat plate, allowing unimpeded flow. As flow increases, the valve plate deforms elastically, gradually closing off a diametral opening in the valve seat plate. An opening remains between the valve plate and the valve seat plate at the spacer. As the pressure difference across the nonreturn valve increases, the valve plate closes off with respect to the valve seat plate over the entire circumference. This movement takes place as a wave.

Abstract: Damping valve assembly includes a first damping valve, which, in a first operating range, opens as the flow velocity of the damping medium increases, where a second operating range with a progressive damping force characteristic is influenced by a throttle in conjunction with a control slide, which can be moved into a closed position. The control slide has a pressure-actuated surface, which, as a function of the flow velocity of the damping medium, acts in the closing direction on the control slide.

Abstract: A vibration damper is disclosed which includes a damper tube filled with a damping medium; a piston rod which can move in an oscillating and reciprocal manner in the damper tube and one end of which protrudes into the damper tube and which comprises at this end a piston rod extension and a shoulder. A piston divides the interior of the damper tube into a working chamber remote from the piston rod and a piston rod-side working chamber and which is disposed coaxially with respect to the piston rod extension and comprises restrictor openings and at least one spring washer covering these restrictor openings in each working chamber. A buffer spring is disposed in the piston rod-sideworking chamber.

Abstract: Damping device (10), in particular for damping the motion of movable furniture parts of pieces of furniture, with a piston mounted in a housing (12) in a longitudinally displaceable manner which, in accordance with the displacement position thereof, forms two variable-size working chambers on opposite sides that are filled with a fluidic damping medium. Via at least one overflow-connection, a throttled transfer of the damping medium is possible between the two working chambers, wherein a piston plunger (28), fed in a sealed manner out of the assigned front-facing end of the housing (12), is connected on one side of the piston (14), and wherein via the outer end of said piston plunger (28), facing away from the piston, the motion of the furniture part to be damped is transferred to the piston (14).

Abstract: A four chamber hydraulic steering damper where a two sided rotary vane moves working fluid from one side of each vane to the adjacent side of the same vane when rotated in synchronism with the steering mechanism. The working fluid is directed through narrow passageways that may be metered and/or valved. Each chamber may have a unique or similar pressure relief area creating varying dampening through the steering rotation. The damper may be affixed to the steering shaft directly or by linkage to the steering shaft or another moving component of the steering assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling relative movement between two interconnected bodies includes a first end cap, a second end cap having an opening, a sleeve interconnecting the end caps to define a chamber between the sleeve and the end caps, a piston assembly including a piston rod extending through the opening of the second end cap, a piston connected to the piston rod, received in the chamber to define at least two fluid chambers on opposed sides of the piston, and a plurality of rollers carried by the piston for rolling engagement with the sleeve. A fluid flow path provides communication between the fluid chambers and provides a restricted fluid flow rate therethrough to control the rate of fluid transfer between the fluid chambers and permit fluid pressure to increase in a chamber into which the piston is being moved to provide a force on the piston opposing its movement.

Abstract: A shock absorber with a possible minimum peak value of the impact acceleration during a collision. The shock absorber includes a tubular cylinder part with an opening at one end and the other end closed, a seal part configured to seal the internal space of this cylinder part at a part closer to this one end inside this cylinder part, fluid filled in the enclosed space formed by this seal part inside this cylinder part, a slidable piston part inside this enclosed space, and a rod part that slidably penetrates this seal part concentrically and is connected to this piston part at one end while projecting out to the other side. This cylinder part has a tapered inner surface inside this enclosed space, reducing its internal diameter from the one end to the other end, and the rate of this taper is within the range from 1/50 to 1/130.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a casing that is filled-in with a working fluid, a cylinder body that is housed in the casing and that forms chambers inside and outside the cylinder body, a sliding shaft that passes through the cylinder body and forms a flow path between the sliding shaft and the cylinder body and engages a movable contact, and a piston that is fixed to the sliding shaft and that is housed inside the cylinder body. An outer diameter of the piston is larger than a diameter of the sliding shaft. The piston can be slid in an inner peripheral surface of the cylinder body while ensuring waterproofing and causes the working fluid to move inside and outside the cylinder body and receives, due to a flow resistance at the time of the working fluid passing through the flow path, a braking force.

Abstract: A dashpot featuring amplitude-dependent shock absorption, especially intended for the wheel of a vehicle and including a hydraulically parallel cylindrical pressure-compensation chamber (8). The pressure-compensation chamber is partitioned by an axially displaceable floating piston (10). At least one face (25) of the floating piston is provided with a resilient bumper (18). The object is a dashpot with a floating piston that arrives more gently at its limit inside the pressure-compensation chamber (8). The bumper is accordingly accommodated in an axial hollow (17) that extends through the body (15) of the floating piston.

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

Abstract: A piston connected with a piston rod is fitted in a cylinder having a hydraulic fluid sealed therein. A damping force is generated through extension and compression disk valves and an orifice. Vehicle height adjustment is performed with a self-leveling mechanism by transferring the hydraulic fluid between the cylinder and a hydraulic fluid tank. A bladder of the hydraulic fluid tank is clamped between an outer flange portion of a partition member and a casing. Because the hydraulic fluid tank is formed without welding, it is possible to avoid contamination of the hydraulic fluid by welding sputter and thermal deformation. Provision of an O-ring on the outer flange portion can reduce the pressure acting from a reservoir on the clamped portion of the bladder and hence prevent dislodging of the bladder.

Abstract: Shock absorber containing a flow channel (16), provided with a valve assembly, made in the piston section. This valve assembly is designed to be actuated hydraulically. To this end there is an auxiliary chamber (22, 42) which on one side is eliminated by a movable valve body (18). This valve body is provided with an inlet for oil from the flow channel to the auxiliary chamber. There is an outlet (21, 41) (that can be closed off). The surface area of the valve body acting on the valve seat (19) is less than the surface area of the valve body in the auxiliary chamber, so that fluid flowing through the inlet of the valve body results in an increase in the volume of the auxiliary chamber and thus in closing movement of the valve body. Because filing of the auxiliary chamber takes some time, a frequenncy-dependend closing characteristic of the flow channel is obtained.

Abstract: In an inverted type front fork in a two-wheeled motor vehicle or the like, a stopper plate having a through hole formed in a center portion is fitted to an inner periphery of an upper end portion of an inner tube. A rod attached to an outer tube is inserted into the inner tube via the through hole of the stopper plate. A spring seat supporting an upper end portion of a suspension spring is provided in a end portion of the rod. A rebound spring is interposed between the spring seat and the stopper plate. A plurality of connecting holes connecting upper and lower air chambers locating above and below the stopper plate are formed in an outer peripheral portion of the stopper plate, and a flow path connecting the upper and lower air chambers locating above and below the stopper plate is formed within the rod.

Abstract: A telescoping fluid cylinder having an inner rod and outer rod moving between extended and retracted positions. A first piston and second piston move the outer rod and inner rod through the cylinder in which a valve of the first piston provides for independent movement of the inner rod and outer rod.

Abstract: A shock absorber has an outer tube, an inner tub, a piston rod, a piston and a damping device. The inner tube is slidably inserted into the outer tube and has an inner space with an inner diameter. The piston is securely mounted on the piston rod, is slidably held inside the inner tube to divide the inner space of the inner tube into two segments and has at least one channel. The damping device has a plug and a sleeve. The plug is securely attached to the piston and has a diameter. The sleeve is securely mounted in the inner tube and has an inner diameter. The diameter of the plug is smaller than the inner diameters of the inner tube and the sleeve. The inner diameter of the sleeve is smaller than that of the inner tube.

Abstract: A device for absorbing shocks, in particular for two-wheeled vehicles, having at least a chamber filled with a fluid medium; at least a piston means (20) movable in the longitudinal direction of the chamber which divides the chamber at least into a first subchamber (21) and at least a second subchamber (22); at least a valve positioned between the first subchamber (21) and the second subchamber (22) which can be brought into at least two different positions, wherein at least in a, first valve position with the piston means applying a force relative to the chamber substantially no medium flow occurs at least in a first direction from the second subchamber (22) into the first subchamber (21); wherein at least in a second position of the valve (28), with the piston, means applying a force relative to the chamber, medium flow occurs at least in the first direction from the second subchamber (22) into the first subchamber (21).

Abstract: Apparatus for lifting a hatch which can pivot around a pivot axis, especially a hatch of a motor vehicle, by means of a piston-cylinder unit. The piston-cylinder unit has a closed cylinder filled with a pressurized fluid, the interior of the cylinder 6 being divided by a piston into a first working chamber and a second working chamber. A piston rod passes through the second working chamber and is guided to the outside through a seal at the end of the cylinder and then hinged to the hatch, whereas the other end of the cylinder is hinged to a stationary component. A through-opening leading from the first working chamber to the second working chamber, is provided in the piston. The through-opening can be opened by an electrically actuated valve.

Abstract: Shock absorber components, such as a radial bypass damper, an anti-cavitation valve (ACV) and an incremental flow metering valve IFMV. The damper is of a continuous, unitary construction with a main hole and auxiliary holes interconnected by passageways. The ACV has openings that angle obliquely relative to entry surfaces of valving shims and extend at an incline continuously through the valving shims. The metering valve linearly regulates flow, substantially independent of piston displacement.

Abstract: A front fork for a vehicle includes an upper front fork tube, a lower front fork tube movably coupled to the upper front fork tube, a fluid contained in the upper and lower front fork tubes, and a damper fixedly sealedly mounted inside the upper front fork tube. The damper has a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a through hole in communication with the fluid inlet, and a blocking member movably mounted in the fluid inlet for regulating upward flowing rate of the fluid from the lower front fork tube into the upper front fork tube through the fluid inlet and the through hole upon movement of the upper front fork tube relative to the lower front fork tube.

Abstract: A dampening means for a tool, the dampening means controlling pivoting of the tool with respect to a support means of a support structure.

Abstract: A drag damper for use on a rotary-wing aircraft rotor comprises a body defining two variable volume chambers linked by a piston. The chambers filled with fluid in the damper are connected by a restrictor port in the piston or between the latter and the body, and via a channel of great length and small cross-section compared with the cross-section of the body, in which elastic means bear against and load the piston-rod assembly towards a neutral position, the anti-resonance frequency of the damper being matched substantially to the nominal rotation frequency of the rotor, and the restrictor port providing effective damping at the natural frequency (??) of the blades in drag, differing by construction from the rotor frequency (?).

Abstract: A damper assembly includes a reservoir chamber for supplying hydraulic fluid to a main damper chamber. The reservoir chamber is in fluid communication with damper chamber through an internal fluid passage formed by openings in the damper housing and the reservoir housing. Mating features align the reservoir and damper housing relative to each other.

Abstract: A hydraulic dashpot with a cylinder (1), a piston (4), and a bypass. The cylinder is charged with fluid. The piston partitions the cylinder into two compartments (7& 8), travels back and forth therein on the end of a piston rod (2), and is provided with breaches and valves. The open cross-section of the bypass can be expanded and contracted and fixed in accordance with the direction the piston is traveling in, depending on whether the dashpot is in the compression or in the suction phase. The bypass is provided with an axially displaceable control component. One end of the control component comes to rest against a valve, its displacement being limited by stops. The bypass is accommodated in an axial bore through the piston rod. The bypass operates in conjunction with various outlets that open into the compartments. The control component is provided with at least one lateral flange and travels back and forth in at least one tube. The object is a smooth performance curve and low wear.

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

Abstract: A hydraulic shock absorber includes a cylindrical housing within which a piston assembly is slidably received. The piston assembly includes a piston element connected to a piston rod and adapted to divide the interior of the housing into compression and rebound chambers. The piston element has compression and rebound passages to provide fluid communication between the compression and rebound chambers. A valve assembly includes a first valve disc positioned on the lower side of the piston element, and a second valve disc retained on the first valve disc. The second valve disc includes apertures arranged in a circumferentially spaced relationship and selectively opened and closed by the first valve disc. A third valve disc is retained on the second valve disc and has notches arranged in a circumferentially spaced relationship. The notches cooperate with the apertures to collectively form ports. The ports are communicated with the compression chamber.

Abstract: In a cylinder apparatus such as a hydraulic shock absorber, a piston to which a piston rod is connected slidably is inserted into a cylinder which contains liquid oil. A rebound spring is wound around the piston rod with one end of the piston rod fixed to the piston rod using a spring holder. The rebound spring is slidably guided along the piston rod by means of another spring holder. A rebound stopper is fixed to the piston rod at a position between the spring holders. The rebound spring exerts a spring force opposite to the extension of the piston rod, thereby to moderate shock at the end of the stroke of the piston. Because the spring holder comes into contact with the rebound stopper, contact of adjacent linear portions of the rebound spring with each other due to excessive compression of the rebound spring can be prevented, and also occurrence of strange noise and damage of the rebound spring can be prevented.

Abstract: A vibration damper with a hydraulic-mechanical pressure stop includes a cylinder filled with damping medium; a piston rod movable in and out of the cylinder, a first piston fixed to the piston rod with freedom of axial movement, a second piston spaced from the first piston, a transfer spring in the second working space for moving the second piston toward the third working space in response to movement of the first piston toward the second working space; and a disk valve which allows damping medium to flow from the third working space through the second piston to the second working space as the second piston moves toward the third working space. The first piston divides the cylinder into a first and a second working space where the piston rod extends through the first working space. The second piston separates the second working space from a third working space.

Abstract: In a hydraulic shock absorber in which a piston is slidably in contact with an inner periphery of an inner tube, a cross sectional area S1 of an annular oil chamber which is sectioned by an inner periphery of an outer tube and an outer periphery of the inner tube is formed larger than a cross sectional area of a piston rod. A check valve which inhibits a flow from an oil chamber to an oil storage chamber at a time of an expansion side stroke is provided in a partition member which is provided in an inner periphery of the inner tube, and a micro flow passage which communicates the oil chamber with the oil storage chamber is provided in the partition member.

Abstract: A hydraulic dashpot with a cylinder, a piston, a piston rod, and a bypass. The cylinder is charged with hydraulic fluid. The piston divides the cylinder into two chambers, travels up and down inside the cylinder on the inner end of the piston rod as the latter moves in and out of the cylinder, and is provided with ports and valves. The bypass parallels the piston and can be more or less opened and closed. The object is a hydraulic dashpot for vans and station wagons that will be simpler in design and easier to operate with the vehicle either loaded or unloaded and with no detriment to safe driving. The bypass accordingly extends through the piston rod (2), is provided with one exit above the piston (3) and with another exit below it, and the bypass can be more or less opened or closed by a flow-control component fastened to the cylinder (1).

Abstract: A motor vehicle shock absorber (12) that has an additional or further spring biased fluid control valve (96) that disposed between the blow-off valve (46) and the compression chamber (34) of the shock absorber (12) and that provides enhanced damping performance characteristics during relatively low velocity movements of the piston assembly (24) in the recoil stroke direction, that is, at velocities lower than those which cause the blow-off valve (46) of the shock absorber (12) to open. The further spring biased fluid control valve (96) affords the shock absorber (12) a firmness vis-a-vis roll stability to the vehicle steering yet provides the consumer a desired “boulevard”or soft cushioned ride.

Abstract: In a hydraulic shock absorber in which a piston is slidably in contact with an inner periphery of an inner tube, a cross sectional area S1 of an annular oil chamber which is sectioned by an inner periphery of an outer tube and an outer periphery of the inner tube is formed larger than a cross sectional area of a piston rod. A check valve which inhibits a flow from an oil chamber to an oil storage chamber at a time of an expansion side stroke is provided in a partition member which is provided in an inner periphery of the inner tube, and a micro flow passage which communicates the oil chamber with the oil storage chamber is provided in the partition member.

Abstract: A front suspension fork for cycles includes an inverted U-shaped reversed arch having downwardly extending legs that are integral with the upper ends of the outer sections of the telescopic fork, thereby to define a rigid unitary slider component fork. The reversed arch is inclined rearwardly at an acute angle relative to the vertical plane of the fork. Strengthening mass portions extend forwardly from the lower ends of the arch between the inner fork sections, thereby to increase the rigidity of the slider component without interfering with brake operation.

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 tuned mass damper is adjusted by turning a screw inside the damper that engages coils on a spring, reducing or increasing spring stiffness without displacing the spring.

Abstract: A piston connected with a piston rod is slidably fitted in a cylinder having a hydraulic fluid sealed therein. First and second poppet valves having different valve opening characteristics are provided in first and second extension main passages, respectively. A pilot control valve is provided in a sub-passage. The control pressure of the pilot control valve is adjusted by a proportional solenoid, thereby controlling damping force. At the same time, the pressure at the upstream side of the pilot control valve is introduced into back-pressure chambers to adjust the valve opening pressures of the first and second poppet valves. Because the first and second poppet valves are sequentially opened or closed, damping force can be controlled stepwisely, and ideal damping force characteristics can be obtained.

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. Check valves are provided at inlet openings of back-pressure chambers (pilot chambers). Relief valves provided in the pilot chambers include orifice passages. When the direction of stroke of the piston rod is reversed, the pressures in the back-pressure chambers are maintained due to the check valves, and the back-pressure chambers are pressurized to a satisfactory level through the orifice passages.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a shock rod, a shock body is disposed around a first end of the shock rod. A piston is disposed on the first end of the shock rod in sealing engagement with the shock body. The piston having at least one channel therethrough in communication with a fluid chamber within the shock body. The piston separating the shock body fluid chamber into a compression fluid chamber and a rebound fluid chamber. A reservoir comprising a gas chamber and a movable sealing surface separates the reservoir gas chamber from the shock body rebound fluid chamber, with which the reservoir is in fluid communication.

Abstract: A device for attenuating the amplitudes of impacts, especially against the wheel of a vehicle. At least one piston is accommodated in a housing and divides it into two attenuating spaces. The piston is attached to a piston rod and operates in conjunction with a component that handles smaller amplitudes. This component is either a diaphragm or a displaceable rigid disk that divides a space and communicates hydraulically with either the upper or with the lower attenuating space.

Abstract: A regulable hydraulic dashpot for motor vehicles and including a cylinder (1) filled with hydraulic fluid and a piston (2) that is attached to the end of a piston rod (7), travels back and forth inside the cylinder, and divides it into two chambers (3 & 4) that communicate through at least one bypass. The bypass's cross-section can be varied in size by a component that is, preferably continuously, controlled by a motor or magnet. To facilitate adjusting the dashpot, the cross-section varying component is a plate-shaped slide (23) provided with one or more breaches (25) and traveling from side to side, preferably in a slot (24), with its flat surface (27) subjected to fluid from each cylinder chamber alternately by way of channels (14, 15, & 16).

Abstract: A vehicle damper includes a valve having of an imperforate, deflectable variable orifice disk with an outer periphery that is only partially clamped against a valve seat, during low velocity operation of the damper, by a variable orifice support disk having an outer periphery that is not coextensive with the outer periphery of the variable orifice disk. The portion of the outer periphery of the variable orifice disk that is not clamped against the valve seat deflects away from the valve seat during low velocity operation of the damper, in response to force on the variable orifice plate generated by pressure of fluid in flow apertures closed off by the variable orifice plate, to provide a variable orifice for fluid flow through the valve and digressive performance of the damper. The valve may take the form of a compression or rebound valve on the piston of the vehicle damper, or a base valve in a dual tube damper.

Abstract: A regulable dashpot with shock-absorption force controls, especially intended for motor vehicles, with at least one flow-regulating system including one or more shock-absorption components for the compression phase and/or for the decompression phase. The object is to allow the dashpot to shift continuously between the hard and soft phases, whereby the valve-adjustment intervals can be varied at intervals that are not unnecessarily short or even unattainable. At least one valve assembly is accordingly supplied with variable flow impedance by a regulating valve (5 or 6).

Abstract: A shock and acoustic mount for reducing transmission of forces between two relatively moveable members such as a mounted component and a supporting structure, providing a compressible fluid spring with large allowable relative movement of the mounted component and support structure. The mount comprises a casing, a piston shell with one end disposed in the casing and another end extending outside of the casing, and a piston housed in the piston shell, all relatively moveable in response to external axial forces. In one embodiment, the mount is filled with a compressible fluid, such as air, providing an air spring. The piston is sealingly bonded to the inner surface of the piston shell, the bond accommodating acoustic and vibration forces by deformation of the bond material. An annular seal between the piston shell and the casing accommodates large and shock forces.

Abstract: A device for attenuating the amplitudes of impacts, especially against the wheel of a vehicle. At least one piston is accommodated in a housing and divides it into two attenuating spaces. The piston is attached to a piston rod and operates in conjunction with a component that handles smaller amplitudes. This component is either a diaphragm or a displaceable rigid disk that divides a space and communicates hydraulically with either the upper or with the lower attenuating space.

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: The present invention relates generally to front suspension fork assemblies for bicycles, and provides an improved suspension fork comprising an adjustable compression system for quick and easy adaptation to various types of terrain. The front suspension fork of the present invention comprises a pair of rigidly connected parallel fork legs, with each fork leg having at its bottom end a dropout for connection to the axle of a wheel. Each fork leg further comprises a shock absorber positioned therein and comprising a helical coil spring to urge expansion of the sliding tubes, flow dampers, and damping fluid within the cavities of the sliding tubes to dampen the movement of the sliding tubes in compression and expansion. Each flow damper comprises a flexible shim which opens in compression or expansion to increase the flow of damping fluid. Varying the flexibility of the shims also varies the damping effect of the shock absorber.

Abstract: A dampener for a shock absorber of a vehicle, such as a bicycle, is mounted within a telescoping front fork including a stanchion tube and a coaxial slide tube. The dampener includes an internally received hydraulic fluid sleeve that defines a hydraulic chamber in which a piston assembly is disposed. Movement of the piston assembly through hydraulic fluid within the hydraulic chamber is selectively adjusted by metering the flow of bypass hydraulic fluid to the back side of the piston assembly by adjusting a fluid bypass assembly disposed longitudinally within the stanchion tube. The responsive valve assembly includes outlet and inlet ports, and biased bypass valves that move between open and closed positions. In response to sensed velocity and/or displacement of the piston assembly, thereby adjusting the damping of the shock absorber.

Abstract: A hydropneumatic spring, which is preferably articulately arranged between a vehicle body and a wheel guiding part in motor vehicles, has a fluid-filled cylinder which is entered by an outwardly sealed piston rod having a piston connected at the internal end. For altering spring force-deflection progressivity characteristic, a first working chamber of the cylinder is in constant hydraulic connection with a first spring energy store device and a second working chamber of the cylinder is in constant hydraulic connection with a second spring energy store device via a second valve device via a first valve device. In a mid spring deflection range, a second spring energy store device is connected via a second valve device and a bypass to the first spring energy store device. The bypass includes an axially extending channel arranged between the first working chamber and the second working chamber.