Damper with base line valve

A damper comprising:

• a tube extending longitudinally between a first tube end and a second tube end;
• a piston slidably disposed within the tube and defining a first working chamber and a second working chamber;
• and
• a base line valve arranged in fluid communication with at least one of the first working chamber and the second working chamber, wherein:
• the base line valve includes a valve housing, a plug positioned within the valve housing and slidably disposed along a valve axis between open and closed positions, and a spring urging the plug toward the closed position, the plug including a plug nose extending through an opening of the valve housing, the opening of the valve housing having a cylindrical wall,
• the plug nose includes a first annular surface, a second annular surface, and a third annular surface positioned axially between the first and second annular surfaces, the second annular surface is tapered in shape,
• the first annular surface of the plug nose being sealingly engaged with a seat of the valve housing to close the opening of the valve housing when the plug is in the closed position,
• the second annular surface of the plug nose being positioned outside of the valve housing when the plug is in the closed position and positioned in the opening of the valve housing when the plug is in the open position, and
• the third annular surface of the plug nose being positioned radially inward of the cylindrical wall of the opening of the valve housing when the plug is in the closed position and positioned inside the valve housing when the plug is in the open position.

A kit for a damper, comprising:

• a tube extending longitudinally between a first tube end and a second tube end;
• a piston slidably disposed within the tube and defining a first working chamber and a second working chamber;
• a first base line valve arranged in fluid communication with one of the first working chamber and the second working chamber, wherein:
• the first base line valve includes a first valve housing, a first plug positioned within the first valve housing and slidably disposed along a first valve axis between first open and first closed positions, and a first spring urging the first plug toward the first closed position, the first plug including a first plug nose extending through a first opening of the first valve housing, and
• the first plug nose including a first annular surface with a first tapered shape, the first tapered shape of the first annular surface controlling a first flow rate of fluid entering the first valve housing when a first pressure is exerted on the first plug nose;
• and
• a second base line valve arranged in fluid communication with the other of the first working chamber and a second working chamber, wherein:
• the second base line valve includes a second valve housing, a second plug positioned within the second valve housing and slidably disposed along a second valve axis between second open and second closed positions, and a second spring urging the second plug toward the closed position, the second plug including a second plug nose extending through a second opening of the second valve housing,
• the second plug nose including a second annular surface with a second tapered shape relative to the second valve axis, the second tapered shape of the second annular surface controlling a second flow rate of fluid entering the second valve housing when a second pressure is exerted on the second plug nose, and
• the second tapered shape of the second annular surface is different than the first tapered shape of the first annular surface and thereby, the second flow rate of fluid entering the second base line valve is different than the first flow rate of fluid entering the first base line valve;
• and
• wherein the damper includes one of the first base line valve and the second base line valve.