Method and apparatus for an adjustable damper
AssigneeFox Factory, Inc.
InventorsWilliam M. Becker, Wesley E. Allinger, William O. Brown, IV
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An air bleed system for a suspension fork or shock absorber includes: a fluid passage between an interior of the suspension and an exterior of the suspension; and an automatic air bleed assembly having a material with oleophobic and hydrophobic properties to allow the fluid passage to remain open while limiting the introduction of external fluid into the interior of the suspension and limiting the escape of internal fluid out of the interior of the suspension.
Claims25
A front fork assembly comprising:
- an inner fork tube and an outer fork tube, wherein the inner fork tube and outer fork tube are configured to engage telescopically, and further wherein the outer fork tube contains an oil bath lubrication within an area thereof;
- a seal configured for closing a gap between the inner fork tube and the outer fork tube when they are telescopically engaged, such that the oil bath lubrication within the outer fork tube is prevented from leaking out from the outer fork tube;
- a fluid passage disposed between an interior of the outer fork tube and an exterior of the outer fork tube, wherein the fluid passage is located below the seal;
- and
- an automatic air bleed assembly disposed on the outer fork tube, said automatic air bleed assembly comprising:
- a housing coupled to the fluid passage, said housing comprising at least one bore and at least one orifice;
- and
- a material with oleophobic and hydrophobic properties located within said bore.
An automatic air bleed assembly comprising:
- a housing coupled to the fluid passage, said housing comprising at least one bore and at least one orifice;
- and
- a material with oleophobic and hydrophobic properties located within said bore.
A method for normalizing pressure, said method comprising:
- forming an air bleed assembly such that there is an air passage through an outer fork tube;
- providing an automatic air bleed assembly disposed on the outer fork tube and covering said air passage, said automatic air bleed assembly comprising:
- a housing coupled to the fluid passage, said housing comprising at least one bore and at least one orifice;
- and
- a material with oleophobic and hydrophobic properties located within said bore.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.