Controlled damper with proportional valve and cross-flow bypass sleeve

A damper assembly comprising:

• a tube defining a fluid compartment;
• and
• a piston slidably disposed in the tube and dividing the fluid compartment into a rebound chamber and a compression chamber, the piston defines a cross-flow passage and includes a housing having a tubular shape containing a proportional valve configured to regulate fluid flow between the cross-flow passage and an outlet passage based on an electrical control signal, wherein fluid flow is directed through the proportional valve in a same direction during each of a compression stroke and a rebound stroke,
• wherein the housing of the piston defines a rebound flow passage therethrough providing fluid communication between the rebound chamber and an interior space of the housing to allow fluid flow therethrough during each of a compression stroke and a rebound stroke,
• wherein the piston further includes:
• a rebound valve assembly configured to regulate fluid flow from the cross-flow passage into the compression chamber during a rebound stroke;
• and a compression valve assembly configured to regulate fluid flow from the cross-flow passage into the rebound chamber during a compression stroke, wherein the housing further contains said rebound valve assembly, and said compression valve assembly,
• wherein the damper assembly further comprises:
• a crossflow bypass member including a flange portion located within the interior space of the housing between the compression valve assembly and the proportional valve, and a tubular portion extending from the flange portion away from the proportional valve and through at least one of the rebound valve assembly and the compression valve assembly,
• wherein the damper assembly further comprises:
• an end cap having a ring shape configured to fit within the interior space of the housing adjacent to an end thereof in fluid communication with the compression chamber;
• and
• a check valve body having a tubular shape extending through a central bore of the end cap and containing a check valve allowing fluid flow into the compression chamber while blocking fluid flow in an opposite direction;
• and
• wherein the crossflow bypass member further includes a second tubular portion extending from the tubular portion further away from the proportional valve and into the check valve body.