Thrust Member Or Piston Structure Patents (Class 188/322.22)
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Patent number: 12181018Abstract: Provided is a shock absorber in which a check valve seated on a seat portion (second seat portion) having an annular shape is quickly opened during a reverse stroke. As a result, a working fluid in a chamber on a downstream side can be quickly introduced into a back-pressure chamber. Hence, a delay in response of a damping force, which may be caused by sticking of the check valve to a relief valve, can be suppressed.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2020Date of Patent: December 31, 2024Assignee: HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD.Inventors: Osamu Yuno, Takao Nakadate, Shunsuke Mori, Yu Ishimaru
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Patent number: 12140200Abstract: A shock absorber is provided. The shock absorber of the present invention includes a shock absorber main body, a damping passage, a primary damping force generation component, and a secondary damping force generation component. The shock absorber main body has an outer tube and a rod and is stretchable. The damping passage communicates operating chambers with each other provided in the shock absorber main body. The primary and secondary damping force generation components are provided in series with the damping passage. The secondary damping force generation component includes a secondary valve, an annular facing portion, and a valve stopper. The annular facing portion faces the secondary valve with an annular gap between the annular facing portion and the secondary valve. The valve stopper has elasticity to allow bending, and when the secondary valve bends and comes in contact with the valve stopper, restricts the secondary valve from bending.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2022Date of Patent: November 12, 2024Assignee: KYB CorporationInventors: Takeshi Yasui, Masaki Koyama, Naoki Yamamoto
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Patent number: 12077242Abstract: A shock absorber includes a first damping force generating portion, and a second damping force generating portion. The second damping force generating portion includes a first flow path, an opening and closing member, an adjustment unit which adjusts a position of the opening and closing member in the axial direction, a second flow path which is located at a different position from the first flow path and passes through the piston in the axial direction, and a second valve which is disposed at an end portion of the second flow path at a side of a second end portion which is an end portion at an opposite side to the first end portion in the axial direction, and which opens and closes the second flow path.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2021Date of Patent: September 3, 2024Assignee: Hitachi Astemo, Ltd.Inventor: Daisuke Ikeda
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Patent number: 11835107Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 23, 2020Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: Eko Sport, Inc.Inventors: Darek C. Barefoot, Eric Prinster
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Patent number: 11773940Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 3, 2021Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: MULTIMATIC INC.Inventor: Andrew Tomlin
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Patent number: 11719304Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 26, 2021Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: DRiV Automotive Inc.Inventors: Franky Montagna, Ronny Vanbrabant, Rahul Popatrao Ekatpure
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Patent number: 11708877Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 9, 2019Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD.Inventors: Kazuya Matsuda, Mikio Yamashita, Daisuke Tanabe, Naofumi Harada
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Patent number: 11602971Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 21, 2020Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.Inventors: Rick Strickland, Jeff Halper, Mike Labbe
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Patent number: 11560932Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 18, 2019Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignee: HIRIDE SUSPENSION S.R.L.Inventors: Domenico Borgese, Fabio Noce
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Patent number: 11536344Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 2, 2019Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: KYB CORPORATIONInventors: Kazuyuki Kimishima, Takeshi Yasui
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Patent number: 11300174Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 7, 2020Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Jörg Rösseler, Aleksandar Knezevic
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Patent number: 11193511Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 21, 2017Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: LIEBHERR-COMPONENTS KIRCHDORF GMBHInventors: Christoph Guhl, Bernhard Müller
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Patent number: 9611915Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 2, 2015Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: MANDO CORPORATIONInventor: Wan Sang Park
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Patent number: 9297439Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 12, 2009Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Michael R. Smith, Frank B. Stamps
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Patent number: 9217486Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 18, 2013Date of Patent: December 22, 2015Assignee: KAYABA INDUSTRY CO., LTD.Inventors: Keiji Saito, Kazuhisa Nakamura, Takashi Teraoka
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Patent number: 8997954Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 14, 2011Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Inventor: Phillip D. Rodenbeck
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Patent number: 8997953Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 30, 2007Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.Inventor: Stefan Deferme
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Patent number: 8991841Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 3, 2013Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: MSI Defense Solutions, LLCInventors: David J. Holden, Andrew M. Wizorek, Todd J. Holbert
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Patent number: 8960389Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 18, 2009Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventor: Michael McAndrews
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Patent number: 8950559Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 27, 2010Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: Koni B.V.Inventor: Paul de Kock
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Patent number: 8931603Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 14, 2012Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: SUSPA GmbHInventors: Andreas Böhrer, Roland Löscher, Andreas Krog
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Patent number: 8882091Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 11, 2011Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Taeoh Lee, Michael R. Smith, Frank B. Stamps, David E. Heverly, Jr.
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Patent number: 8881877Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 25, 2011Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Anton Krawczyk, Guido Holtmann, Heinz Sydekum, Uwe Herrmann, Rudolf Schulte, Jörg Rösseler, Ingo Gelhausen, Volker-Oliver Hupperich
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Patent number: 8857579Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 13, 2010Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: Cultraro Automazione Engineering S.R.L.Inventor: Antonino Cultraro
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Patent number: 8840094Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 4, 2011Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventor: Markus Renninger
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Patent number: 8807302Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 17, 2008Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: Ohlins Racing ABInventors: Nils Göran Nygren, Johan Jarl
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Patent number: 8776962Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 26, 2012Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.Inventors: Tomoyuki Lee, Noriyuki Utsumi, Hiroshi Yoshikura
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Patent number: 8752682Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 16, 2012Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignee: Mando CorporationInventors: Wan Sang Park, Jun Sik Shin
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Patent number: 8731743Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 11, 2012Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Michael Seifert, Frank Bradley Stamps, Michael R. Smith, David E. Heverly
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Patent number: 8714320Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 2, 2012Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.Inventors: Timothy Bombrys, Darrell Breese, Gary Groves, Karl Kazmirski, Daniel Keil, Matthew Roessle, Ben Schaller, Matthew Schelosky, Jim Szymusiak
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Patent number: 8668061Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 2, 2012Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.Inventors: Timothy Bombrys, Darrell Breese, Gary Groves, Karl Kazmirski, Daniel Keil, Matthew Roessle, Ben Schaller, Matthew Schelosky, Jim Szymusiak
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Patent number: 8668063Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 21, 2012Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Inventors: XiangJi Wang, WenCheng Chen
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Publication number: 20140027220Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2013Publication date: January 30, 2014Inventors: Günther HANDKE, Thomas Thein, Hassan Asadi
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Publication number: 20130333993Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2013Publication date: December 19, 2013Applicant: MANDO CORPORATIONInventor: Chun Sung YU
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Patent number: 8590680Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 28, 2011Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.Inventors: Atsushi Maeda, Masaru Kouyama, Mikio Yamashita, Fumiyuki Yamaoka
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Patent number: 8590678Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 2, 2012Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.Inventors: Timothy Bombrys, Darrell Breese, Gary Groves, Karl Kazmirski, Daniel Keil, Matthew Roessle, Ben Schaller, Matthew Schelosky, Jim Szymusiak
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Patent number: 8550223Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 11, 2009Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Paul Cox, Everet Owen Ericksen, Wesley E. Allinger
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Patent number: 8544621Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 20, 2010Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.Inventors: Satsuki Yamamoto, Shinichi Kagawa
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Patent number: 8511446Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 2, 2012Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.Inventors: Timothy Bombrys, Darrell Breese, Gary Groves, Karl Kazmirski, Daniel Keil, Matthew Roessle, Ben Schaller, Matthew Schelosky, Jim Szymusiak
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Patent number: 8479895Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 16, 2011Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Steffen Heyn, Bernd Zeissner
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Publication number: 20130168195Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2012Publication date: July 4, 2013Applicant: MANDO CORPORATIONInventors: Wan Sang PARK, Tae Ju KIM
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Patent number: 8448761Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 17, 2006Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventors: Christopher Shipman, John Cheever, Michael Nono
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Patent number: 8443947Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 18, 2011Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: National Taipei University of TechnologyInventors: Yaojung Shiao, Yao-Kuan Huang
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Patent number: 8439173Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 25, 2008Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: William Golpe, Chandra S. Namuduri, Walter B. Cwycyshyn, Nikolai K. Moshchuk
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Patent number: 8418820Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 10, 2010Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: Mando CorporationInventor: Eun Joong Kim
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Patent number: 8413774Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 9, 2010Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.Inventor: Hiroshi Murakami
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Publication number: 20130043100Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2012Publication date: February 21, 2013Inventors: XiangJi WANG, WenCheng CHEN
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Patent number: 8322500Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 18, 2010Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: Progress-Werk Oberkirch AGInventor: Johannes Obrecht
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Patent number: 8297418Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 5, 2008Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.Inventors: Timothy Bombrys, Darrell Breese, Gary Groves, Karl Kazmirski, Daniel Keil, Matthew Roessle, Ben Schaller, Matthew Schelosky, Jim Szymusiak
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Patent number: 8245823Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 18, 2006Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: 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