Abstract: Methods and apparatus for lubricating suspension seals by pumping fluid to the seals using a compression or rebound action of a suspension component.

Abstract: A damper assembly with a bypass for a vehicle comprises a pressure cylinder with a piston and piston rod for limiting the flow rate of damping fluid as it passes from a first to a second side of said piston. A bypass provides fluid pathway between the first and second sides of the piston separately from the flow rate limitation. In one aspect, the bypass is remotely controllable from a passenger compartment of the vehicle. In another aspect, the bypass is remotely controllable based upon one or more variable parameters associated with the vehicle.

Abstract: A vibration damper for a chassis of a vehicle including a damper tube which is filled at least partially with damping liquid and in which a piston rod can be moved to and fro. A working piston is movable with the piston rod, by way of which working piston the interior space of the damper tube is divided into a piston rod-side working space and a working space which is remote from the piston rod. At least one additional attachment unit is connected to the damper tube in a fluid-tight manner by way of a throughflow element. The throughflow element is arranged on the damper tube in a direction which differs from the radial direction of the damper tube.

Abstract: An insulator device includes a middle cup including an exterior wall disposed at the center of the mounting hole of the main panel and joined to the rubber member, a horizontal wall of which an upper portion of the strut rod is held in the middle of the interior and a vertical wall spaced inwardly of the exterior wall, an upper cup including an upper plate covering the upper part of the rubber member and an upper wall formed between the exterior wall and the vertical wall to form an upper hydraulic chamber, and the upper cup of which a first opening is formed thereto, a first elastic member disposed within the upper hydraulic chamber, and a control unit that selectively supplies hydraulic pressure to the upper hydraulic chamber through the first opening.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for lubricating suspension seals by pumping fluid to the seals using a compression or rebound action of a suspension component.

Abstract: A shock absorber having an outer tube, an inner tube disposed coaxially in the outer tube and a piston reciprocally mounted in the inner tube. The interior of the inner tubes forms a working chamber for hydraulic oil while an annular replenishment chamber is formed between the inner and outer tubes. An improved base plate and base cage assembly facilitates fluid flow from the replenishment chamber to the working chamber during an extension cycle of the shock absorber.

Abstract: A space between an inner surface of a cover and a housing is set to be wider on a spaced-apart side from a cylinder than on a cylinder side. Therefore, the cover is generally integrated with the housing at the moment that the cylinder side abuts against the housing, which can improve stiffness. This can prevent the cover from contacting a solenoid located on the spaced-apart side of the housing that is spaced apart from the cylinder.

Abstract: A shock absorber including an inner assembly and a composite base assembly is disclosed. The inner assembly includes a pressure tube extending between first and second ends, a rod guide disposed adjacent to the first end, a compression valve disposed adjacent to the second end, a piston assembly disposed in the pressure tube between the rod guide and the compression valve, and a rod operatively attached to the piston assembly and supported by the rod guide. The composite base assembly defines a chamber for at least partially accommodating the inner assembly that terminates at a floor. The composite base assembly has a lower element disposed adjacent to the floor for at least partially engaging the second end of the pressure tube. The lower element defines at least one gap for facilitating fluid communication between the pressure tube and the chamber.

Abstract: A damper assembly includes a housing. A method of forming a damper assembly includes extruding the housing formed of aluminum. The housing defines a first chamber and a first passage spaced from each other, with a first inlet fluidly connecting the first chamber and the first passage. A piston is disposed in the first chamber and is movable in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction. A first restrictor valve is disposed in the first passage. The first restrictor valve is configured to restrict a flow of liquid into the first passage from the first chamber and the first inlet as the piston moves in one of the first and second directions which causes the liquid in the first chamber to increase a pressure applied to a first side of the piston to dampen movement of the piston.

Abstract: A damping configuration for an oscillatably mounted, electrical energy transmission device includes a supporting frame which is connected to stationary abutments through a plurality of damping elements. A group of first and second damping elements which have damping rates dimensioned so as to differ from one another and which act in parallel, connect the supporting frame to the abutments. Favorable damping of both weaker and stronger movements, for example caused by an earthquake, is ensured due to a combination of damping elements having differently dimensioned damping rates.

Abstract: A partition member (16) is provided with a whirl chamber unit (31a, 31b) that causes two liquid chambers to communicate with each other, the whirl chamber unit (31a, 31b) includes a whirl chamber (33a, 33b) that whirls a liquid flowing therein, a rectification passage (34a, 34b) that causes one liquid chamber to communicate with the whirl chamber (33a, 33b) and that is opened in the whirl chamber (33a, 33b) in a circumferential direction of the whirl chamber (33a, 33b), and a communication hole (32a, 32b) that causes the other liquid chamber to communicate with the whirl chamber (33a, 33b). The whirl chamber (33a, 33b) forms a whirl flow of a liquid depending on a flow rate of the liquid flowing from the rectification passage (34a, 34b) and causes the liquid to flow from the communication hole (32a, 32b).

Abstract: A roll-off piston is made of plastic for an air spring rolling-lobe flexible member. The roll-off piston and the air spring rolling-lobe flexible member are arranged between a sprung mass and an unsprung mass. The roll-off piston includes a first piston part; a second piston part connected to the first piston part; and, the first and second piston parts being made of a layered composite material of alternating layers of plastic and elastomeric material.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension damper includes: a cylinder and a piston assembly, wherein the piston assembly includes a piston; a working fluid within the cylinder; a bypass cylinder surrounding the cylinder and defining a cylindrical bypass channel; an adjustable bypass port fluidly coupling an interior of the cylinder and the cylindrical bypass channel; and a remotely operable bypass valve slidably disposed within the cylindrical bypass channel, the remotely operable bypass valve configured for, upon actuation of an actuator coupled with the remotely operable bypass valve, adjusting a flow of the working fluid through the adjustable bypass port.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a shock absorber having a damping fluid compensation chamber with a gas charge. In one aspect, a partition separates a first chamber portion from a second chamber portion, wherein the first portion of the chamber is at a first initial gas pressure and the second portion of the chamber is at a second initial pressure. A valve separates the first and second chamber portions and opening the valve comingles the first and second chamber portions so that the combined chamber portions are at a third pressure. In another aspect, a piston disposed through a wall is in pressure communication with the gas charge and is biased inwardly toward a pressure of the charge, whereby an indicator is movable by the piston in response to the pressure.

Abstract: A suspension element for a vehicle may comprise a damper including a cylinder, a piston in the chamber, and a rod mounted on the piston such that the piston moves with the rod. A air spring support frame may comprise a first support element movable with the cylinder, and a second support element mounted on the rod to permitting rod movement with respect to the second support element. A air spring assembly may include a first air spring mount mounted to move with the rod, a second air spring mount on the second support element, and a tubular air spring mounted on the first and second air spring mounts and defining a air spring interior to hold a quantity of air. The air spring support frame may include at least two connector elements connecting the support elements and being spaced from each other and substantially rigid to maintain a predetermined spacing between the support elements.

Abstract: A pull shock damper for a bicycle comprising a spring device and a damper device, the spring device comprising a positive spring and a gas-operated negative chamber. The damper device comprises a first oil chamber and a second oil chamber connected therewith. The negative chamber abuts the first oil chamber via a piston. A tubular structure extends from the piston through the negative chamber interior up to the end of the negative chamber. The piston rod of the piston extends through the first oil chamber to the exterior.

Abstract: A two-wheeled motor vehicle has a rear cushion unit that includes a damper cylinder having one end part linked to a swing arm, a sub-tank connected to the damper cylinder and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting a damping force in response to operation of the operation element is provided between a vehicle body frame and the swing arm. A cylinder body of the damper cylinder, a bottomed housing tube part housing the adjustment mechanism having on an upper end part an operation face on which the operation element is disposed, and the sub-tank are integrally and connectedly provided. The operation face is inclined obliquely upward so that the operation element that faces a region bounded by the seat frame, the pillion step holder mounted on the seat frame and the swing arm when viewed from the side can be operated from obliquely above on the outside.

Abstract: The damper assembly has a damper housing at least partially defining an interior chamber. A free piston is positioned in the damper housing to separate the interior chamber into a gas-filled chamber and a fluid-filled chamber. A piston assembly is configured to move within the fluid-filled chamber and separates the fluid-filled chamber into an extension chamber and a compression chamber. A valve assembly separates the compression chamber into a primary chamber adjacent the piston assembly and a secondary chamber adjacent the free piston. The valve assembly is configured to restrict flow from the primary chamber to the secondary chamber to cause a pressure drop during compression by the piston assembly. The free piston is configured to slide within the damper housing in response to fluid displacement caused by movement of the piston rod in the fluid-filled chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a shock absorber having a damping fluid compensation chamber with a gas charge. In one aspect, a partition separates a first chamber portion from a second chamber portion, wherein the first portion of the chamber is at a first initial gas pressure and the second portion of the chamber is at a second initial pressure. A valve separates the first and second chamber portions and opening the valve commingles the first and second chamber portions so that the combined chamber portions are at a third pressure. In another aspect, a piston disposed through a wall is in pressure communication with the gas charge and is biased inwardly toward a pressure of the charge, whereby an indicator is movable by the piston in response to the pressure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a vehicle shock absorber comprising a main damper cylinder, a first reservoir and a second reservoir. One embodiment includes a first operational mode where both reservoirs are in fluid communication with the cylinder. In a second operational mode, only one reservoir communicates with the cylinder during fluid evacuation from the cylinder. In each mode, rebound from either or both reservoirs may travel through a single, user-adjustable metering device.

Abstract: A front bicycle suspension assembly having an inertia valve is described. The front bicycle suspension assembly may include at least upper and lower telescoping tubes and include a damping tube containing an inertia valve. The inertia valve may include an inertia mass movable along the outer surface of a valve shaft as the inertia valve moves between first and second positions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for cooling damping fluid in a vehicle suspension damper unit. A damping unit includes a piston mounted in a fluid cylinder. A bypass fluid circuit having an integrated cooling assembly disposed therein is fluidly coupled to the fluid cylinder at axial locations that, at least at one point in the piston stroke, are located on opposite sides of the piston. The cooling assembly may include a cylinder having cooling fins thermally coupled to an exterior surface of the cylinder and made of a thermally conductive material. The bypass channel may include a check valve that permits fluid flow in only one direction through the bypass channel. The check valve may be remotely operated, either manually or automatically by an electronic controller. A vehicle suspension system may implement one or more damper units throughout the vehicle, controlled separately or collectively, automatically or manually.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydro-pneumatic piston accumulator (1), particularly for vehicle suspension systems, consisting of an accumulator housing (2) and a separating piston (6), which is disposed free-floating inside the accumulator housing in a displaceable manner in the direction of the movement axis (4). The separating piston separates an accumulator area (8) for a hydraulic medium from a pressure area (10) that is filled or is to be filled with a compressible medium, and is guided with an interior guide opening (30) on an elongated guide element (32), which is axially fixed within the accumulator housing (2).

Abstract: A self-regulating suspension includes a first suspension member movable relative to a second suspension member, a fluid reservoir having a volume, the volume variable in response to a relative movement between the first and second suspension members, and a fluid flow circuit having a first end in fluidic communication with the fluid reservoir and a second end in fluidic communication with an isolated suspension location, the fluid flow circuit comprising a first valve, a second valve and a third valve, wherein said first and third valves are in parallel with each other and the second valve is in series with each of the first and third valves.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system and a method of control. The system may include an air cylinder, an air spring piston, and an air spring. The air spring piston may be positioned with respect to the air spring with the air cylinder.

Abstract: A ride control system includes a shock absorber having a movable piston that divides the shock absorber into a lower and an upper volume and a center check valve that allows fluid to flow from the upper to the lower volume. A back pressure actuator provides a selectable back pressure to the lower volume. Three two way valves and a check valve allow the lower and upper volumes to be selectively coupled to either the selectable back pressure or a shock absorber fluid reservoir to provide passive, semi-active, or active ride control. The back pressure actuator pressurizes a hydraulic accumulator when shock absorber fluid flows into the back pressure actuator to provide energy recovery.

Abstract: A shock absorber having an elongated pressure tube and a piston slidably mounted in the pressure tube which divides the pressure tube into a first and second working chamber. An elongated piston rod is attached to the piston and moves in unison with the piston in both an extended and a compression direction. Movement of the rod in a compression direction decreases the volume of the first working chamber and increases the volume of the second working chamber, and vice versa. A control orifice and adaptive valve are fluidly connected in series between the first working chamber and a reservoir. A check valve is fluidly connected between the control orifice and the adaptive valve which opens only upon movement of the rod in a compression direction.

Abstract: A piston (8) of a fluid pressure shock absorber (D, D1) partitions a first fluid chamber (R1) and a second fluid chamber (R2) in a cylinder (5) filled with a fluid. A pipe member (3) inserted into a housing (2, 30) has a connection to one of the first fluid chamber (R1) and the second fluid chamber (R2). The housing (2, 30) and the pipe member (3) form a space (4) there-between that connects the other of the first fluid chamber (R1) and the second fluid chamber (R2) to the pipe member (3). The pipe member (3) and the space (4) form a long fluid path between the first fluid chamber (R1) and the second fluid chamber (R2). The shock absorber (D, D1) thereby generates a damping force proportional to the stroke speed of the piston (8).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for position sensitive dampening. In one aspect a fluid damper is provided comprising a damper chamber divided by a piston into a primary compression and a primary rebound chamber; a secondary compression chamber in fluid communication with the damper chamber; and an adjustable fluid meter controlling fluid flow out of the secondary compression chamber.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides improved linkage assemblies for use with drilling rig and mobile well servicing rig braking systems, and braking systems comprising such improved linkage assemblies. The disclosed improved linkage braking assemblies effectively decouple the emergency brake actuation cylinder shaft and the brake lever upon activation of the emergency brake actuation cylinder, thereby preventing the brake lever from rapid and forceful downward movement, which could injure the operator.

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: The vibration damper with an adjustable damping force includes a cylinder filled with a damping medium, a piston rod axially movable in the cylinder and carrying a piston which divides the cylinder into a first working space on the piston rod side and a second working space on the side away from the piston rod, a first adjustable damping valve which is connected to at least one of the two working spaces by means of a fluid connection, at least one second valve which is connected hydraulically in parallel to the first adjustable damping valve, and a third damping valve arranged in series to and upstream from both the first and second valves, the third damping valve moving in a closing direction as a function of a flow velocity of the damping medium through the third damping valve.

Abstract: A modern suspension damper, for example, a shock absorber or a suspension fork, including an inertia valve and a pressure-relief feature is disclosed. The pressure-relief feature includes a rotatable adjustment knob that allows the pressure-relief threshold to be externally adjusted by the rider “on-the-fly” and without the use of tools.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes an external control valve which controls the damping characteristics of the shock absorber. The external control valve controls the flow of fluid between the lower working chamber of the shock absorber and the reservoir chamber and between the upper working chamber of the shock absorber. The damping characteristics are dependent on the amount of current being applied to a solenoid valve which controls a fluid valve assembly. A soft fluid valve assembly is disposed in series with the fluid valve assembly to allow for the tuning of the damping forces at low current levels provided to the solenoid valve.

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 suspension damper includes a housing bounding a main chamber. A hydraulic fluid is disposed within the main chamber. A piston rod is selectively movable between an advanced position wherein a portion of the piston rod is advanced into the main chamber and a retracted position wherein the portion of the piston rod is retracted from the main chamber, wherein as the piston rod is moved a fluid pressure of the hydraulic fluid within the main chamber progressively increases and a portion of the hydraulic fluid passes through a passage within the housing. A control valve is at least partially disposed within the main chamber, the control valve being moved by the fluid pressure of the hydraulic fluid so as to progressively restrict the flow of the hydraulic fluid through the passage as the fluid pressure of the hydraulic fluid within the main chamber progressively increases.

Abstract: A damper including a valve movable between an open position and a closed position to selectively alter the compression damping rate of the shock absorber. The valve may include a groove feature at the location of the openings in the valve shaft which operates to accumulate the flow of hydraulic fluid through the openings and to equalize the pressure exerted by the fluid on the other components of the valve.

Abstract: A steering damper system and method of regulating the fluid pressure of such a system are provided. The system can comprise a piston rod, a cylinder, a passage, and a damper portion. The damper portion can comprise a damper cavity, an outer piston, an inner piston, and a biasing component. The damper cavity can be in fluid communication with the passage. The outer piston can be slidably disposed in the damper cavity and define a chamber and a duct that is in fluid communication with the chamber and the passage. The inner piston can be slidably disposed in the chamber of the outer piston. The biasing component can exert an axial biasing force against the inner piston for regulating the pressure of fluid disposed in the system passing intermediate the passage, the damper cavity, and the chamber of the outer piston.

Abstract: A gas spring capable of having long and short travel modes is described. The gas spring uses liquid in combination with pressurized air to affect the travel length. Unlike conventional gas springs, the gas spring according to the invention may have its travel reduced more than, for example, by 50%.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes an external control valve which controls the damping characteristics of the shock absorber. The external control valve controls the flow of fluid between the lower working chamber of the shock absorber and the reservoir chamber and between the upper working chamber of the shock absorber. The damping characteristics are dependent on the amount of current being applied to a solenoid valve which controls a fluid valve assembly. A soft fluid valve assembly is disposed in series with the fluid valve assembly to allow for the tuning of the damping forces at low current levels provided to the solenoid valve.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shock absorber for an aircraft undercarriage, the shock absorber comprising a main cylinder in which a rod is mounted to slide telescopically, the shock absorber having one or more pneumatic chambers filled with gas, a supply of hydraulic fluid, and throttle means for throttling the hydraulic fluid such that when the shock absorber is shortened, the gas in the pneumatic chamber(s) is compressed and the hydraulic fluid is throttled, in which the pneumatic chamber(s) is/are fully contained in one or more auxiliary cylinders external to the main cylinder, and in each of which a sealed piston is slidably mounted to separate a pneumatic chamber contained in said external auxiliary cylinder from a fluid chamber in fluid flow communication with the main cylinder. According to the invention, the throttle means are disposed at the inlet of a fluid flow connection between the main cylinder and the auxiliary cylinder(s).

Abstract: In a front fork in which a partition wall member is provided in an inner periphery of an inner tube, a working fluid chamber is comparted under the partition wall member and an oil reservoir chamber is comparted over the partition wall member, a main suspension spring is interposed between an upper spring bearing in a piston rod side attached to an outer tube side and a lower spring bearing in a bottom portion side of the inner tube, within the working fluid chamber of the inner tube, and a sub suspension spring is interposed between an upper spring bearing in an upper end portion side of the outer tube side and a lower spring bearing in the partition wall member provided in an inner periphery of the inner tube, within the oil reservoir chamber of the inner tube.

Abstract: A leak-proof damper with a self-diagnostic feature. An auxiliary oil reservoir body is disposed externally with respect to the damper cylinder and generally adjacent the rod seal, wherein the auxiliary oil reservoir body is concealed by an end cap. The maximum volume of oil retainable by the auxiliary oil reservoir body is predetermined to coincide with a volume of oil which may be lost from the interior of the damper cylinder and yet the damper will still function properly. The auxiliary oil reservoir body may be a seal body having an internal cavity providing an oil retention volume or an absorbent body having an absorbency capacity that provides an oil retention volume.

Abstract: A damper including a valve movable between an open position and a closed position to selectively alter the compression damping rate of the shock absorber. The valve may include a groove feature at the location of the openings in the valve shaft which operates to accumulate the flow of hydraulic fluid through the openings and to equalize the pressure exerted by the fluid on the other components of the valve.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension spring system for a vehicle wheel station includes a hydraulic cylinder or strut having a piston which divides the cylinder volume into a main oil volume and an annular oil volume. The main oil volume communicates via a first oil passage with a first accumulator having a main gas volume. The annular oil volume communicates via a second oil passage with a second accumulator having an auxiliary gas volume. The oil in each accumulator is separated from the gas by a separator piston or diaphragm. A third oil passage with an isolating valve interconnects said first and second oil passages. Operation of the isolating valve is regulated by a controller. At least one sensor for sensing a parameter associated with vehicle attitude is connected to the controller. The controller is operable for switching the isolating valve between open and closed positions for altering spring stiffness of the strut in response to said sensed vehicle attitude parameter when the vehicle is in motion.

Abstract: A front bicycle suspension assembly having an inertia valve is described. The front bicycle suspension assembly may include at least upper and lower telescoping tubes and include a damping tube containing an inertia valve. The inertia valve may include an inertia mass movable along the outer surface of a valve shaft as the inertia valve moves between first and second positions.

Abstract: A linear impelled module damper includes a hollow cylinder having an inner body, an outer body, and a channel between the inner and outer body. The hollow cylinder has a sealed first end and a sealed second end. A piston movable within the hollow cylinder divides the hollow cylinder into a compression chamber and a rebound chamber. The channel communicates with the rebound chamber through at least one hole in the rebound chamber. A compression extension cylinder is rigidly fixed to the hollow cylinder approximate to the sealed second end on one end, and having a compression mount attached to the other end. The compression extension cylinder including an air valve being adapted to allow a piston rod to move in and out of the compression extension cylinder. The piston rod including a rebound mount on one end and extending into the compression extension cylinder on the other.

Abstract: A load absorption arrangement 40 for absorbing loads in a variable stator vane positioning system of a gas turbine engine includes a valve 42 which has a first operating condition to enable the load absorption arrangement 40 to transmit load, and a second operating condition, which is operable above a predetermined load, in which the valve 42 can release to enable the load absorption arrangement 40 to absorb the load thereon. The arrangement 40 is particularly suitable for absorbing shock loads which may arise under engine surge.

Abstract: A modern suspension damper, for example, a shock absorber or a suspension fork, including an inertia valve and a pressure-relief feature is disclosed. The pressure-relief feature includes a rotatable adjustment knob that allows the pressure-relief threshold to be externally adjusted by the rider “on-the-fly” and without the use of tools.

Abstract: A shock absorber assembly includes a motion damping means that is filled with a fluid in operation and has a pair of relatively moveable parts (12, 14) and valve means (26) permitting flow of the fluid between the parts. The parts comprise a first part (12) and a second part (14) in which the first part is receivable whereby the parts are arranged for relative retracting and extending movement during which fluid is forced through the valve means (26) at respective predetermined controlled flow rates so as to dampen the movement. The relatively moveable parts contain respective primary chambers (24, 29) for the fluid. The first part is substantially smaller in cross-section than the second part to define an intermediate chamber (52) about the first part within the second part. Lateral port means (56) communicates the intermediate chamber (52) and the primary chamber (24) of first part (12).