Fluid circuit device

A fluid circuit system comprising:

• a fluid circuit device integrated into an energy absorption apparatus, wherein the fluid circuit device comprises
• at least one first fluid volume and at least one second fluid volume, and,
• at least one pressure balancing valve in a valve housing,
• wherein the fluid circuit device is used about a piston,
• wherein when the piston moves in the cylinder a pressure change occurs with fluid on one side of the piston having a higher pressure than fluid on the opposing side of the piston,
• wherein the at least one pressure balancing valve is located across opposing sides of the piston between the at least one first fluid volume and at least one second fluid volume such that flow of fluid from either side of the piston is directed by the at least one pressure balancing valve, and
• wherein the at least one first fluid volume and at least one second fluid volume are on either side of the at least one pressure balancing valve operatively linked via a pressure varying relationship, wherein the at least one pressure balancing valve fluidly links the at least one first fluid volume and the at least one second fluid volume with a common third fluid volume;
• in use, when there is a pressure difference between the at least one first fluid volume and the at least one second fluid volume caused by piston movement of the piston, the at least one pressure balancing valve changes position in the valve housing to:
• provide a fluid flow path between the common third fluid volume and the lower pressure of either the at least one first fluid volume or the at least one second fluid volume;
• restricts or closes a fluid flow path between the common third fluid volume and the higher pressure of either the at least one first fluid volume or the at least one second fluid volume;
• wherein, in the event of a low or no pressure gradient between the at least one first fluid volume and the at least one second fluid volume, the at least one pressure balancing valve permits connection between the at least one first fluid volume and the at least one second fluid volume via the common third fluid volume, thereby allowing equilibration of pressure across all volumes in the fluid circuit device;
• wherein the fluid circuit device is a closed circuit;
• and
• wherein the at least one pressure balancing valve comprises an elongated pin element located in said valve housing and, in the event of a pressure differential between the at least one first fluid volume and the at least one second fluid volume, the elongated pin element travels within the housing to either end of the housing causing the pin end to contact a first seal and a second seal located at either end of the housing, the first seal being in fluid communication with the at least one first fluid volume and the second seal being in fluid communication with the at least one second fluid volume thereby opening access between the at least one first or at least one second fluid volume and the common third fluid volume and, approximately in unison, restricting or closing fluid communication between the alternate at least one first or at least one second fluid volume and the common third fluid volume.

A fluid circuit system comprising:

• a fluid circuit device integrated into an energy absorption apparatus, wherein the fluid circuit device comprises
• at least one first fluid volume and at least one second fluid volume, and,
• at least one pressure balancing valve in a valve housing,
• wherein the fluid circuit device is used about a piston,
• wherein when the piston moves in the cylinder a pressure change occurs with fluid on one side of the piston having a higher pressure than fluid on the opposing side of the piston,
• wherein the at least one pressure balancing valve is located across opposing sides of the piston between the at least one first fluid volume and at least one second fluid volume such that flow of fluid from either side of the piston is directed by the at least one pressure balancing valve, and
• wherein the at least one first fluid volume and at least one second fluid volume are on either side of the at least one pressure balancing valve operatively linked via a pressure varying relationship, wherein the at least one pressure balancing valve fluidly links the at least one first fluid volume and the at least one second fluid volume with a common third fluid volume;
• in use, when there is a pressure difference between the at least one first fluid volume and the at least one second fluid volume caused by piston movement of the piston, the at least one pressure balancing valve changes position in the valve housing to:
• provide a fluid flow path between the common third fluid volume and the lower pressure of either the at least one first fluid volume or the at least one second fluid volume;
• restricts or closes a fluid flow path between the common third fluid volume and the higher pressure of either the at least one first fluid volume or the at least one second fluid volume;
• wherein, in the event of a low or no pressure gradient between the at least one first fluid volume and the at least one second fluid volume, the at least one pressure balancing valve permits connection between the at least one first fluid volume and the at least one second fluid volume via the common third fluid volume, thereby allowing equilibration of pressure across all volumes in the fluid circuit device;
• wherein the fluid circuit device is a closed circuit;
• and
• wherein the at least one pressure balancing valve comprises a single pressure balancing valve, wherein the single pressure balancing valve comprises an elongated pin element, and wherein either pin end of said elongated pin element contacts a seal that restricts or closes the fluid flow path.