Load dependent damper for a vehicle suspension system
AssigneeOshkosh Defense, LLC
InventorsJason J. Zuleger, Robert K. Sollenskog
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A valve assembly includes a valve body defining an inner volume, a flow controller positioned within the inner volume, a plug positioned within the inner volume, and a biasing element. The plug is spaced from the flow controller such that an intermediate chamber is defined between the plug and the flow controller. The biasing element is positioned in the intermediate chamber between the plug and the flow controller. The plug is repositionable within the inner volume and, as the plug moves within the inner volume, the plug interacts with the biasing element such that the biasing element provides a biasing force to the flow controller. The flow controller defines a passage having a varying size profile that varies in size based on the biasing force.
Claims16
A valve assembly for a vehicle suspension system, the valve assembly comprising:
- a valve body defining an inner volume;
- a flow controller positioned within the inner volume;
- a plug positioned within the inner volume, wherein the plug is spaced from the flow controller such that an intermediate chamber is defined between the plug and the flow controller;
- and
- a biasing element positioned in the intermediate chamber between the plug and the flow controller, wherein the biasing element includes gas;
- wherein, the plug is repositionable within the inner volume and, as the plug moves within the inner volume, the plug interacts with the biasing element such that the biasing element provides a biasing force to the flow controller;
- and
- wherein the flow controller defines a passage having a varying size profile that varies in size based on the biasing force.
A valve assembly for a vehicle suspension system, the valve assembly comprising:
- a valve body defining an inner volume;
- a flow controller positioned within the inner volume;
- and
- a plug repositionable within the inner volume;
- wherein the plug is spaced from the flow controller such that an intermediate chamber is defined between the plug and the flow controller;
- wherein the plug separates the intermediate chamber from a spring chamber;
- wherein a position of the plug is repositionable based on a pressure within the spring chamber;
- wherein the intermediate chamber is filled with a gas;
- wherein, as the plug moves within the inner volume, the plug interacts with the gas such that the gas provides a biasing force to the flow controller;
- and
- wherein a flow rate of a fluid through the flow controller varies based on the biasing force.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.