Thrust Member Or Piston Structure Patents (Class 188/322.22)
  • Patent number: 11835107
    Abstract: A suspension system includes a first compression chamber and a second compression chamber with a damping chamber therebetween. The compression chambers may be independently filled with a compressible fluid, and the relative pressures may govern the rebound rate of the suspension. Seals that minimize friction, an adjustment system, and a stop are also included to enhance rider joy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Eko Sport, Inc.
    Inventors: Darek C. Barefoot, Eric Prinster
  • Patent number: 11773940
    Abstract: A hydraulic damper spool valve (15) includes a pair of resilient energy storage members (47, 49) one of which is disposed between each of a valve spool (39, 41) and a valve body dividing section (27) so as to bias the valve spools (39, 41) in opposing directions to the forces generated by the operating pressures in the hydraulic fluid of the hydraulic damper (1). The valve spools (39, 41) are configured to vary the hydraulic flow restriction between the upper portion (11) and the lower portion (13) of the hydraulic damper (1). A compression hydraulic flow path is structurally separate from a rebound hydraulic flow path to prevent backflow via the other hydraulic flow path during hydraulic flow in either direction, each said flow path communicating with only the at least one shaped aperture (35, 37) adjacent the opposing end of one of the valve sleeves (23, 25).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: MULTIMATIC INC.
    Inventor: Andrew Tomlin
  • Patent number: 11719304
    Abstract: A damper assembly includes a cylinder defining a chamber. The damper assembly includes a body supported by the cylinder and having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The body defines a passage extending from the first surface to the second surface. One of the first surface or the second surface define a slope at the passage. The damper assembly includes a check disc at the slope, the check disc selectively restricting fluid flow through the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: DRiV Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Franky Montagna, Ronny Vanbrabant, Rahul Popatrao Ekatpure
  • Patent number: 11708877
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes a cylinder sealed with a working oil liquid, a piston slidably fitted in the cylinder, a piston rod connected to the piston and extended to the outside of the cylinder, and a plurality of passages through which the working oil liquid flows due to the sliding of pistons therein, and a damping force generating mechanism that is provided in a part of the passages and suppresses the flow of the working oil liquid to generate a damping force. The damping force generating mechanism includes a valve body through which the passage penetrates, an annular seat that projects from the valve body and surrounds the passage, and a disc that can be seated on the seat. A contact width at which the disc and the seat come into contact with each other is different depending on a position in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuya Matsuda, Mikio Yamashita, Daisuke Tanabe, Naofumi Harada
  • Patent number: 11602971
    Abstract: A mechanical bypass for a shock assembly is disclosed herein. The assembly has a damper chamber having a compression portion and a rebound portion. There is further an external reservoir in fluid communication with the rebound portion of the damper chamber via a flow path. A valve is coupled with the flow path, the valve to meter a flow of the working fluid through the flow path. A bypass port to the external reservoir is provided in the flow path and bypasses the valve. A mechanical relief valve is provided in the bypass port to block a fluid flow though the bypass port until a blow-off pressure that is higher than a normal operating pressure and less than a burst pressure of the damping chamber is provided thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Rick Strickland, Jeff Halper, Mike Labbe
  • Patent number: 11560932
    Abstract: A damping device (1) for a suspension (100) of a bicycle includes: a first tubular body (2) defining a first chamber (4); a second tubular body (3) defining a second chamber (5) fluidically communicating with the first chamber (4); a third tubular body (8) disposed inside the second chamber (5), the interior thereof defining a third chamber (9) fluidically communicating with the second chamber (5); a hollow stem (10) integral with the first tubular body (2), defining a through cavity (11) which establishes a fluid communication between the third chamber (9) and the first chamber (4); a first static valve (12) disposed between the second chamber (5) and the third chamber (9); a second static valve (14), connected to the stem (10), operatively disposed between the third chamber (9) and the cavity (11) of the stem (10); a dynamic valve (15) connected to the first tubular body (2) inside the first chamber (4), operatively disposed between the cavity (11) of the stem (10) and the first chamber (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: HIRIDE SUSPENSION S.R.L.
    Inventors: Domenico Borgese, Fabio Noce
  • Patent number: 11536344
    Abstract: The valve includes a valve case; an annular valve body, an outer peripheral end of which is a free end movable to both sides in an axial direction with respect to the valve case; a facing portion provided in the valve case, the facing portion including an annular facing surface which is located on an outer peripheral side of the valve body and is configured to face the free end with a gap; and first and second valve stoppers which are located on both sides respectively in the axial direction of the valve body. The first and second valve stoppers, respectively, have a plurality of support portions that are configured to support different positions of the valve body in a radial direction at different heights when the valve body deflects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: KYB CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Kimishima, Takeshi Yasui
  • Patent number: 11300174
    Abstract: A damping valve device having a support with a circumferential groove in which a radially expandable annular element together with a flow surface forms a restriction, which restriction transitions from an open position to a restriction position depending on the flow velocity of a damping medium, and the maximum expansion position of the annular element is determined/limited by a stop. The annular element moves in direction of the open position with a delay when the flow velocity decreases by means of a dead time element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Jörg Rösseler, Aleksandar Knezevic
  • Patent number: 11193511
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a piston rod unit, or a shaft, in lightweight construction, with a rod which is hollowly-drilled by means of a deep bore into the rod shank, and the resulting rod opening is closed subsequently by means of a forging process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: LIEBHERR-COMPONENTS KIRCHDORF GMBH
    Inventors: Christoph Guhl, Bernhard Müller
  • Patent number: 9611915
    Abstract: Provided is a valve structure of a shock absorber which is capable of controlling respective damping forces according to a frequency in compression and rebound motions of a piston valve, thereby satisfying both the ride comfort and the control stability. The valve structure of the shock absorber, which has a cylinder filled with a working fluid and a piston rod having one end located inside the cylinder and the other end extending outward from the cylinder, includes: a main piston valve assembly installed at one end of the piston rod and configured to operate in a state that the inside of the cylinder is divided into an upper chamber and a lower chamber, and generate a damping force varying according to a moving speed; and a frequency unit configured to move together with the main piston valve assembly and generate a damping force varying according to a frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Wan Sang Park
  • Patent number: 9297439
    Abstract: A vibration isolator having a housing defining a fluid chamber, piston assembly, tuning passage, and a switchable fluid path assembly for changing the isolation frequency of the vibration isolator. The piston assembly is resiliently disposed within the housing. A vibration tuning fluid is allowed to flow within the housing. Actuation of a valve in the switchable fluid path assembly selectively controls fluid flow within the fluid path of the switchable fluid path assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Smith, Frank B. Stamps
  • Patent number: 9217486
    Abstract: A magnetorheological fluid shock absorber includes a piston slidably arranged in a cylinder in which magnetorheological fluid is sealed. The piston includes a piston core which is attached to an end part of a piston rod and on the outer periphery of which a coil is provided, a flux ring which surrounds the outer periphery of the piston core and forms a flow passage for the magnetorheological fluid between the piston core and the flux ring, a first plate which is arranged on the outer periphery of the piston rod and specifies the position of one end of the flux ring in an axial direction with respect to the piston core, a second plate which is arranged on the inner periphery of the other end of the flux ring, and a first snap ring which is fitted to the inner periphery of the flux ring and fixes the second plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: KAYABA INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keiji Saito, Kazuhisa Nakamura, Takashi Teraoka
  • Patent number: 8997953
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes a piston assembly disposed within a pressure tube. The piston assembly has a first and a second housing and a valve assembly located adjacent the first housing. The valve assembly has a valve disc which engages the first housing to close at least one of a first plurality of passages extending through the first and second housings and a biasing member for applying a load to the valve disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventor: Stefan Deferme
  • Patent number: 8997954
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Inventor: Phillip D. Rodenbeck
  • Patent number: 8991841
    Abstract: An air spring that can be used in an air suspension system includes a hollow piston, a hollow shaft and a body. The hollow piston has a hole through it. The hollow shaft has a shaft interior volume in communication with the hole in the piston. The body has a body interior volume in communication with the hole in the hollow piston. The hole in the hollow piston in communication with the shaft interior volume and the body interior volume provides a total interior volume. Wherein, the total interior volume is greater than the body interior volume thereby providing a linearized spring rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: MSI Defense Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Holden, Andrew M. Wizorek, Todd J. Holbert
  • Patent number: 8960389
    Abstract: A damper for a bicycle having a primary unit and a remote unit that, in some arrangements, is substantially entirely outside of the primary unit. The remote unit comprises a remote fluid chamber and, in some arrangements, an inertia valve within the remote unit. The inertia valve is preferably responsive to terrain-induced forces and preferably not responsive to rider-induced forces when the shock absorber is assembled to the bicycle. The inertia valve, which is configured to slidably move within the remote reservoir unit relative to a reservoir shaft, comprises a main portion and at least one protective coating or layer configured to contact the reservoir shaft. The protective coating or layer helps shield said main portion from contact with reservoir shaft, advantageously providing wear resistance, anti-friction properties, durability and other benefits to the damping system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael McAndrews
  • Patent number: 8950559
    Abstract: Shock absorber comprising a piston inside which a sleeve is present which can be operated separately from the piston. This sleeve is provided with through-flow conduits which can cooperate with apertures, which are fitted at a vertical distance, of a part of the piston in order to provide an auxiliary flow when the piston is displaced in the cylinder. Such auxiliary flow enters into a chamber which is delimited by one or more spring plates which act on a sleeve which loads the main valve against opening when it is pressed down by the spring plate. By filling the chamber with fluid, the load applied on the sleeve by the spring plate is reduced and the load on the main valve decreases, as a result of which the latter opens more readily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Koni B.V.
    Inventor: Paul de Kock
  • Patent number: 8931603
    Abstract: A damper for damping a movement along a middle-longitudinal-axis, in particular for damping a seat in a vehicle, includes an outer housing extending along the middle-longitudinal-axis, a guiding and sealing unit closing a first housing end, a piston rod sealed by the guiding and sealing unit guided, an inner housing, which surrounds a working chamber, a damping fluid, a second housing end opposite the first housing end and a piston guided in the inner housing along the middle-longitudinal-axis and secured to the piston rod. The piston divides the working chamber into a first part-working chamber and a second part-working chamber. The piston includes at least one throughflow channel for connecting the chambers, an equalizing chamber arranged between the inner housing and the outer housing and a throttling channel integrated into the guiding and sealing unit. The throttling channel has a cross-sectional area comprising a length and an internal width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: SUSPA GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Böhrer, Roland Löscher, Andreas Krog
  • Patent number: 8881877
    Abstract: A vibration damper includes a cylinder in which a piston fastened to a piston rod executes a translational and a rotational movement relative to the cylinder. The piston is fixed to the piston rod by an axial fastener, and a device for preventing rotation by positive engagement is formed between the piston and the piston rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Anton Krawczyk, Guido Holtmann, Heinz Sydekum, Uwe Herrmann, Rudolf Schulte, Jörg Rösseler, Ingo Gelhausen, Volker-Oliver Hupperich
  • Patent number: 8882091
    Abstract: A vibration isolator includes a housing having an upper fluid chamber, a lower fluid chamber, a piston, a tuning passage, and a linear inductance motor assembly for changing the isolation frequency of the vibration isolator. The piston is resiliently disposed within the housing. A vibration tuning fluid is located in the upper fluid chamber, the lower fluid chamber, and the tuning passage. The linear inductance motor assembly includes a magnet member and an inductance coil at least partially surrounding the magnet member. A control system is configured to selectively actuate the magnet member; wherein selective actuation of the magnet member selectively imparts a pumping force on the tuning fluid, thereby changing the isolation frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Taeoh Lee, Michael R. Smith, Frank B. Stamps, David E. Heverly, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8857579
    Abstract: A shock absorber comprises a tubular housing (10), a cover (14), and a piston (34) defining within the tubular housing (10) a working chamber (W) 34g 34h and an accumulator chamber (A). A first fluid pathway (34p, 42, 34g) and a second fluid pathway (46, T, 34f) arranged in parallel connect the working chamber (W) to the accumulator chamber (A). The first fluid pathway establishes a permanent fluid communication between the working chamber (W) and the accumulator chamber (A). A valve assembly comprises an obturating element (44) arranged around the piston (34) and slidable along an axial length of the piston (34). The second fluid pathway comprises a first pathway section (34f) formed through the piston and a second pathway section (46, T) formed between the piston (34) and the obturating element (44). The second fluid pathway is able to selectively assume an open configuration and a closed configuration, and it has a lower fluid resistance than the fluid resistance of the first fluid pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Cultraro Automazione Engineering S.R.L.
    Inventor: Antonino Cultraro
  • Patent number: 8840094
    Abstract: A self-pumping suspension strut with internal level regulation, for example for motor vehicles having a fluid-filled working cylinder pressurized with the pressure of the fluid acting as a spring. A hollow piston rod is guided, in a sealed manner, within the working space, into which projects a pump piston attached to the working cylinder. During relative movements between the working cylinder and the piston rod, fluid is delivered from the working space into a pressure chamber in which a pressure is higher than the pressure of the working space. Flow connections between the pressure chamber and the working space selective set a specifiable dynamic level, determined by the extension length of the piston rod, such that the piston rod can be rotated, by a rotating device, for selective cooperation of the axially and the circumferentially spaced flow connections to control flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Markus Renninger
  • Patent number: 8807302
    Abstract: A shock absorber comprising a damping cylinder is divided into a first damping chamber and a second damping chamber by a main piston device. The main piston device comprises a first main piston and a second main piston. The main pistons comprise continuous ducts that are delimited in a direction of flow by first and second flow limiters. The main pistons are mounted on a piston rod. The piston rod has an axially extending and continuous cavity through which damping medium can flow between a pressurized chamber and a respective damping chamber. The damping medium flows via an interspace delimited by the first main piston and the second main piston out into the damping chambers via pressurization ducts delimited by the first flow limiters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Ohlins Racing AB
    Inventors: Nils Göran Nygren, Johan Jarl
  • Patent number: 8776962
    Abstract: An electromagnetic suspension system uses a linear motor having coils disposed around the outer periphery of a stator and permanent magnets disposed along the inner periphery of a mover. Wiring is routed through a gap between a first rod and a second rod. Thus, contact between the wiring and the second rod is avoided, and the wiring is protected. Consequently, it is possible to ensure reliability for the electric system of the electromagnetic suspension system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Lee, Noriyuki Utsumi, Hiroshi Yoshikura
  • Patent number: 8752682
    Abstract: Provided is a piston assembly of a shock absorber, which is simple in structure and is easy to fabricate. The piston assembly of the shock absorber includes: a piston body in which a piston rod reciprocating within a cylinder penetrates a central portion thereof, and a plurality of compression passages and a plurality of rebound passages alternately penetrating the piston body are formed around the piston rod; a compression retainer placed over the piston body, in which a plurality of connection holes corresponding to the compression passages penetrate the compression retainer; and a rebound retainer placed under the piston body, in which a plurality of connection holes corresponding to the rebound passages penetrate the rebound retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Mando Corporation
    Inventors: Wan Sang Park, Jun Sik Shin
  • Patent number: 8731743
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Seifert, Frank Bradley Stamps, Michael R. Smith, David E. Heverly
  • Patent number: 8714320
    Abstract: A shock absorber has a compression valve assembly which functions during a compression stroke, a rebound valve assembly which functions during a rebound stroke and a velocity sensitive valve which is in series with one or both of the compression valve assembly and the rebound valve assembly. The compression valve assembly, the rebound valve assembly and the velocity sensitive valve can be incorporated into a piston assembly, a base valve assembly or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Bombrys, Darrell Breese, Gary Groves, Karl Kazmirski, Daniel Keil, Matthew Roessle, Ben Schaller, Matthew Schelosky, Jim Szymusiak
  • Patent number: 8668063
    Abstract: A damping shaft mechanism has a spiral shaft, spiral guide bush, a shell and blade. An external spiral structure is arranged at one end of the spiral shaft, and its core has a cone segment. An internal spiral structure is arranged in the spiral guide bush, which cooperates rotationally with the external spiral structure so that it can move along the axis relative to the spiral shaft when the spiral shaft is rotating. The two cavities change size by moving the spiral guide bush driven by the spiral shaft in the shell, and the taper on the spiral shaft makes the fit clearance between the spiral shaft and the spiral guide bush changed from maximum to minimum gradually in the damping process, so that the oil-flowing section between the two cavities changes from big to small.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Inventors: XiangJi Wang, WenCheng Chen
  • Patent number: 8668061
    Abstract: A shock absorber has a compression valve assembly which functions during a compression stroke, a rebound valve assembly which functions during a rebound stroke and a velocity sensitive valve which is in series with one or both of the compression valve assembly and the rebound valve assembly. The compression valve assembly, the rebound valve assembly and the velocity sensitive valve can be incorporated into a piston assembly, a base valve assembly or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Bombrys, Darrell Breese, Gary Groves, Karl Kazmirski, Daniel Keil, Matthew Roessle, Ben Schaller, Matthew Schelosky, Jim Szymusiak
  • Publication number: 20140027220
    Abstract: A separating piston for hydropneumatic units, separating a cylinder interior which is filled with liquid in a cylinder from a gas-filled compensation chamber or spring space in a sealing manner and which is formed of two parts and has a radially circumferential seal groove in which is arranged an annular seal which can tightly contact the inner wall of the cylinder. One of the two separating piston parts is a guide part which has characteristics conducive to sliding and which slides at the inner wall of the cylinder, and the other separating piston part is a retaining part which is connected to the guide part. The guide part is a stamped and/or bent sheet metal part which is coated with a guide or running layer at least on its guide area sliding along the inner wall of the cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventors: Günther HANDKE, Thomas Thein, Hassan Asadi
  • Publication number: 20130333993
    Abstract: A piston assembly of a shock absorber is provided. A compression retainer and a rebound retainer are disposed above and under a piston body. A blow-off reducing unit is disposed between the compression retainer and an auxiliary valve and on a bottom surface of the auxiliary valve to form a plurality of blow-off points, so that a rapid variation in a damping force can be considerably reduced even in a low-speed and middle-speed transition period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Chun Sung YU
  • Patent number: 8590678
    Abstract: A shock absorber has a compression valve assembly which functions during a compression stroke, a rebound valve assembly which functions during a rebound stroke and a velocity sensitive valve which is in series with one or both of the compression valve assembly and the rebound valve assembly. The compression valve assembly, the rebound valve assembly and the velocity sensitive valve can be incorporated into a piston assembly, a base valve assembly or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Bombrys, Darrell Breese, Gary Groves, Karl Kazmirski, Daniel Keil, Matthew Roessle, Ben Schaller, Matthew Schelosky, Jim Szymusiak
  • Patent number: 8590680
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes a first passage and a second passage to which a working fluid flows out from one chamber in a cylinder by movement of a piston, a damping valve installed on the first passage and configured to regulate a flow of the working fluid caused by sliding of the piston to generate a damping force, a back pressure chamber applying an internal pressure to the damping valve in a closing direction of the damping valve, a back pressure chamber inflow oil passage introducing the working fluid from one chamber into the back pressure chamber, a pressure chamber provided in-between on the second passage, and a free piston installed in the pressure chamber so as to freely slide in the pressure chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Maeda, Masaru Kouyama, Mikio Yamashita, Fumiyuki Yamaoka
  • Patent number: 8550223
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Cox, Everet Owen Ericksen, Wesley E. Allinger
  • Patent number: 8544621
    Abstract: A shock absorber which facilitates an insertion/fixation operation. The shock absorber includes a spring-force application unit (84) for applying a force in a valve-closing direction to a disc valve while allowing the fixed shaft to be inserted therethrough; and a cylindrical member (47) for allowing the fixed shaft (21) to be inserted therethrough. The disc valve includes a plurality of valve discs (53) to (58). The cylindrical member is inserted into each of the valve discs (53) to (58) and the spring-force application unit (84), in which: the cylindrical member (47) is provided so as to have a radially extending gap on an inner side of the inner seat (31) of the valve main body (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Satsuki Yamamoto, Shinichi Kagawa
  • Patent number: 8511446
    Abstract: A shock absorber has a compression valve assembly which functions during a compression stroke, a rebound valve assembly which functions during a rebound stroke and a velocity sensitive valve which is in series with one or both of the compression valve assembly and the rebound valve assembly. The compression valve assembly, the rebound valve assembly and the velocity sensitive valve can be incorporated into a piston assembly, a base valve assembly or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Bombrys, Darrell Breese, Gary Groves, Karl Kazmirski, Daniel Keil, Matthew Roessle, Ben Schaller, Matthew Schelosky, Jim Szymusiak
  • Patent number: 8479895
    Abstract: A vibration damper with stroke-dependent damping force includes a cylinder in which a piston rod with a piston is axially movable. The piston divides the cylinder into two work spaces filled with damping medium. A bypass between the work spaces is opened or closed depending on the piston position. The piston has a damping valve for at least one through-flow direction formed by a valve body that partially covers a through-flow channel in the damping valve. The valve body has first and second pressure-actuated surfaces on opposite sides of the valve body. The action of the second pressure-actuated surface depends on the position of the piston in relation to the bypass. The first pressure-actuated surface exerts a lifting force and the second pressure-actuated surface exerts a closing force on the valve disk. The second pressure-actuated surface is connected to a control space and a connection channel that overlaps with the bypass depending on the stroke position of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Steffen Heyn, Bernd Zeissner
  • Publication number: 20130168195
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a piston assembly of a shock absorber which ensures easy and prompt connection of components in the correct positions in assembling the piston assembly of a shock absorber by forming a seating unit between a piston body and a compression retainer and between the piston body and a tension retainer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wan Sang PARK, Tae Ju KIM
  • Patent number: 8448761
    Abstract: A valve mechanism for a gas spring suspension system that equalizes the gas between positive and negative gas chambers when the pressure in the negative gas chamber exceeds the pressure in the positive gas chamber. The suspension system includes a tube, a piston assembly slidably displaceable along the tube and a valve mechanism. The piston assembly separates the tube into the positive gas chamber and the negative gas chamber. The valve mechanism is configured to permit gas flow between the positive and negative gas chambers when the gas pressure in the negative gas chamber exceeds the gas pressure in the positive gas chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Shipman, John Cheever, Michael Nono
  • Patent number: 8443947
    Abstract: A magneto-rheological fluid damper includes a housing, a magnetically permeable body, a spindle, and a magneto-rheological fluid. Given a plurality of multi-pole two-way magnetic poles and a plurality of multi-pole coils, magnetic lines pass through the magneto-rheological fluid mostly in a direction perpendicular to a gap, such that the magneto-rheological fluid features an enhanced chaining force. Accordingly, the magneto-rheological fluid damper enables an increase in a magnetically permeable area of the magneto-rheological fluid subjected to an applied magnetic field and enhancement of damping force, and is free from a complete system failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: National Taipei University of Technology
    Inventors: Yaojung Shiao, Yao-Kuan Huang
  • Patent number: 8439173
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: William Golpe, Chandra S. Namuduri, Walter B. Cwycyshyn, Nikolai K. Moshchuk
  • Patent number: 8418820
    Abstract: Disclosed is a hydraulic stopper of a shock absorber. The shock absorber includes a cylinder and a piston rod having a piston valve. The stopper includes a closing member at one side of the piston rod to protect the piston valve, a free piston movable between the closing member and the rod guide to define a fluid passage with the piston rod, a sealing member between the free piston and the cylinder, and a rebound spring between the free piston and the rod guide to elastically support the free piston such that the free piston comes into close contact with the closing member to block the fluid passage when the piston rod moves excessively upward. The stopper may generate buffering effect using oil pressure without being restricted by the length of a rod guide, applied to a general shock absorber, and permit components thereof to be shared with the general shock absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Mando Corporation
    Inventor: Eun Joong Kim
  • Patent number: 8413774
    Abstract: The flow of hydraulic fluid induced by sliding movement of a piston in a cylinder is controlled by a pilot-type main valve and a pilot valve to generate damping force. The valve opening of the main valve is controlled by adjusting the pressure in a pilot chamber through the pilot valve. A volume compensating chamber is defined by a flexible disk member so as to face the pilot chamber. The volume compensating chamber is communicated with a reservoir through communicating passages. When the disk valve opens, the volumetric capacity of the pilot chamber reduces. At this time, the flexible disk member deflects toward the volume compensating chamber, thereby suppressing an excessive rise in pressure in the pilot chamber and preventing an unstable operation of the pilot valve and the main valve to obtain a stable damping force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Murakami
  • Publication number: 20130043100
    Abstract: A damping shaft mechanism has a spiral shaft, spiral guide bush, a shell and blade. An external spiral structure is arranged at one end of the spiral shaft, and its core has a cone segment. An internal spiral structure is arranged in the spiral guide bush, which cooperates rotationally with the external spiral structure so that it can move along the axis relative to the spiral shaft when the spiral shaft is rotating. The two cavities change size by moving the spiral guide bush driven by the spiral shaft in the shell, and the taper on the spiral shaft makes the fit clearance between the spiral shaft and the spiral guide bush changed from maximum to minimum gradually in the damping process, so that the oil-flowing section between the two cavities changes from big to small.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Inventors: XiangJi WANG, WenCheng CHEN
  • Patent number: 8322500
    Abstract: A shock absorber housing for a shock absorber of a vehicle comprises a tube, which has a tubular wall, and an attaching element joined onto the tubular wall, the attaching element determining a critical force introduction area of an introduction of a force into the tubular wall, the tube in a longitudinal direction being built up from a first tube section having a first tubular wall and at least a second tube section having a second tubular wall, the first tube section and the second tube section being joined together by their ends facing one another. The first tube section and the second tube section are joined together with a tubular wall overlap of the first and second tubular wall, which overlap extends in a longitudinal direction, the tubular wall overlap being situated in the critical force introduction area of the attaching element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Progress-Werk Oberkirch AG
    Inventor: Johannes Obrecht
  • Patent number: 8297418
    Abstract: A shock absorber has a compression valve assembly which functions during a compression stroke, a rebound valve assembly which functions during a rebound stroke and a velocity sensitive valve which is in series with one or both of the compression valve assembly and the rebound valve assembly. The compression valve assembly, the rebound valve assembly and the velocity sensitive valve can be incorporated into a piston assembly, a base valve assembly or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Bombrys, Darrell Breese, Gary Groves, Karl Kazmirski, Daniel Keil, Matthew Roessle, Ben Schaller, Matthew Schelosky, Jim Szymusiak
  • Patent number: 8245823
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vibration damper comprising a cylinder in which a piston rod is guided in an axially movable manner. A first piston is mounted stationarily on the piston rod while a second piston that is equipped with at least one valve disk biased by a spring assembly is mounted on the piston rod so as to be axially movable counter to a force of at least one support spring. The spring assembly is provided with at least one spring plate on which the spring assembly rests. The second piston is retained by a fixing sleeve which supports the at least one spring plate. The structural unit encompassing the fixing sleeve and the at least one spring plate is fitted with an axially effective separating joint for a locking connection inside the structural unit. The entire structural unit can be axially displaced towards the at least one support spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Bernd Zeissner, Andreas Foerster, Frank Gundermann, Steffen Heyn, Anton Krawczyk, Uwe Boecker, Thomas Thein, Wolfgang Breun, Herbert Bies, Holger Beyer, Ludwig Gampl, Heinz-Joachim Gilsdorf, Klaus Sauer
  • Patent number: 8240642
    Abstract: A monotube shock absorber assembly includes a housing (20), a gas cup (32) slidably disposed in the interior (28) of the housing (20), and a piston (42) slidably disposed in the interior (28) of the housing (20) to define an oil compression chamber (48) between the piston (42) and the gas cup (32). A cushion (58) engages one of the piston (42) and the gas cup (32) and extends axially into the oil compression chamber (48) for intermittent contact with the other of the piston (42) and the gas cup (32). The cushion (58) is a resilient material and deforms in response to the cushion (58) contacting the other of the piston (42) and the gas cup (32). In a preferred embodiment, the cushion (58) defines a central opening (60) for decreasing the axial stiffness of the cushion (58) and engages the gas cup (32) for intermittent contact with the piston (42).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: BWI Company Limited S.A.
    Inventors: James P. Hamberg, Michael W. Hurtt
  • Patent number: 8235188
    Abstract: The invention relates to a damping element for a vibration damper that works with hydraulic damping fluid. The fundamental structure of the damping element includes a one-piece base body configured as a circular disk, which has a plurality of first flow-through openings, each having an entry cross-section in a first face side of the base body, as well as a plurality of second flow-through openings, each having an entry cross-section in an opposite, second face side of the base body, as well as circular valve disks on both face sides of the base body, which rest against a support surface of the base body, disposed in the center, and at least partially close off exit cross-sections of the flow-through openings. The exit cross-sections are surrounded by control edges, which form contact surfaces for the valve disks and project beyond the support surface as well as the entry cross-sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Bilstein Suspension GmbH
    Inventor: Saadeddin Kais
  • Patent number: 8172052
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rapid recovery shock absorber system with hydraulic end stop, comprising a stem (3) and a body (1), in which a piston (8, 9, 10, 11) runs which is fixed to a tube (71) and which defines at least one upper chamber (S) and one lower chamber (I) in the body (1). A body (32, 32a) in the stem (3) comprises a housing (321), in which a piston (33, 33a) runs which is connected to a rod (7) which slides in the tube (71). A clamp (31), for fixing the shock absorber system to the vehicle, tensioning means (35, 37, 39), exerting a force which tends to displace the piston (33, 33a), sliding in the stem body (32, 32a), driving the displacement of the rod (7) which results in the opening or closing of a section of an oil passage in the lower chamber (I) towards the upper chamber (S) are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Amortisseur Donerre
    Inventor: Pierre De Frenne