Abstract:
A damper (10) includes a piston (22) that carries a relatively compact control valve (26) for controlling fluid flow through the piston. The control valve provides a variable amount of damping by regulating damper fluid flow between the extension chamber (18) and the compression chamber (20) of the damper during extension and compression strokes. Pressure regulation across the piston is controlled through a flow path (38) as determined by the control valve. The damping force of the damper varies depending upon the loading conditions of the vehicle. The control valve is air pressure actuated to adjust the damping force and control the flow of fluid in the flow path. The piston and rod assembly include unique features such as a seal plate (142a) design, and spring retainer (158) that aid in the efficient and reliable assembly in a commercial production setting.
Abstract:
A suspension damper includes a reservoir housing with a piston slidably mounted therein and including a piston rod extending from the reservoir housing and attached to the vehicle by a mount assembly. An air chamber is defined by a sleeve cirucmscribing the piston rod and connected to the reservoir housing by a flexible portion. The mount assembly includes a pumping chamber which expands and contracts in response to normal road undulations to inflate the air chamber. A valve controlled by the flexible portion of the sleeve controls communication from the air chamber to ambient atmosphere to thereby control inflation of the air chamber and thereby controlling ride height.
Abstract:
A damper (10) includes a piston (22) that carries a relatively compact control valve (26) for controlling fluid flow through the piston. The control valve provides a variable amount of damping by regulating damper fluid flow between the extension chamber (18) and the compression chamber (20) of the damper during extension and compression strokes. Pressure regulation across the piston is controlled through a flow path (38) as determined by the control valve. The damping force of the damper varies depending upon the loading conditions of the vehicle. The control valve is air pressure actuated to adjust the damping force and control the flow of fluid in the flow path. The piston and rod assembly include unique features such as a seal plate (142a) design, and spring retainer (158) that aid in the efficient and reliable assembly in a commercial production setting.
Abstract:
The problem of flow induced instability in a control valve for a vehicle damper is solved by a generally tubular shaped valve spool having an open, bridged, flow-through end (34), rather than side flow openings. The flow-through end of the spool has a narrow flat edge oriented perpendicularly to the axis of the spool, with an inside surface (56) of the spool forming a 55 to 90 degree angle with the flat edge, and meeting the flat edge in a sharp corner.
Abstract:
A suspension damper includes a reservoir housing with a piston slidably mounted therein and including a piston rod extending from the reservoir housing and attached to the vehicle by a mount assembly. An air chamber is defined by a sleeve cirucmscribing the piston rod and connected to the reservoir housing by a flexible portion. The mount assembly includes a pumping chamber which expands and contracts in response to normal road undulations to inflate the air chamber. A valve controlled by the flexible portion of the sleeve controls communication from the air chamber to ambient atmosphere to thereby control inflation of the air chamber and thereby controlling ride height.
Abstract:
The problem of flow induced instability in a control valve for a vehicle damper is solved by a generally tubular shaped valve spool having an open, bridged, flow-through end (34), rather than side flow openings. The flow-through end of the spool has a narrow flat edge oriented perpendicularly to the axis of the spool, with an inside surface (56) of the spool forming a 55 to 90 degree angle with the flat edge, and meeting the flat edge in a sharp corner.