Vortex valving assembly for a hydraulic damper
AssigneeGeneral Motors Corporation
InventorsStephen E. Dourson, Gary L. Johnston
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vortex valving assembly for a hydraulic damper is adaptable for use in both a piston and a cylinder end. A generator plate includes a plurality of upstanding, arcuate vanes for imparting a vortex to passing fluid and directing the fluid to a central opening. A control plate having a plurality of openings is stacked adjacent the generator plate to control the entry and exit of fluid from the control plate during reciprocation of the piston.
Claims8
A selectably-variable valving assembly for controlling fluid flow through a reciprocating piston of a hydraulic damper, comprising:
- (a) a generator plate having
- (i) a planar, circular base having a central opening,
- (ii) a plurality of upstanding vanes mounted on the base for directing fluid to the central opening,
- (iii) an upwardly-projecting wall provided at the periphery of the base,
- (iv) an annular outer chamber provided between the wall and the vanes, and
- (v) an annular inner chamber provided between the vanes and the central opening;
- and
- (b) a control plate, formed separately from and placed adjacent the generator plate, having a plurality of openings aligned with the annular outer chamber.
A piston assembly for mounting on a reciprocal piston rod of a hydraulic damper, the piston assembly comprising:
- (a) a cylindrical member having internal passage means to permit the flow of fluid through the member;
- and
- (b) a valving assembly mounted on the cylindrical member for controlling the flow of fluid through the internal passage means including
- (i) a control plate having a plurality of openings, and
- (ii) a generator plate, formed separately from and placed adjacent the control plate, having a plurality of upstanding vanes and an upwardly projecting wall mounted on a planar base for directing fluid received from the control plate openings to a central opening in the generator plate.
A cylinder end assembly for closing and sealing an inner cylinder of a hydraulic damper, the inner cylinder mounting a reciprocating piston, the cylinder end assembly comprising:
- (a) a cylindrical member having internal passage means to permit the flow of fluid through the member;
- and
- (b) a valving assembly mounted on the cylindrical member for controlling the flow of fluid through the internal passage means including
- (i) a control plate having a plurality of openings, and
- (ii) a generator plate, formed separately from and placed adjacent the control plate, having a plurality of upstanding vanes and an upwardly projecting wall mounted on a planar base for directing fluid received from the control plate openings to a central opening in the generator plate.
A hydraulic damper, comprising:
- (a) a fluid-filled cylinder tube,
- (b) a piston rod reciprocally mounted in the cylinder tube,
- (c) a piston mounted on the piston rod and slidably mounted in the cylinder tube,
- (d) a fluid passage provided in the piston;
- and
- (e) valving means for controlling fluid flow through the fluid passage as the piston reciprocates with the piston rod in the inner cylinder, the valving means comprising
- (i) a control plate having a plurality of openings, and
- (ii) a generator plate, formed separately from and placed adjacent the control plate, having a plurality of vanes and an upwardly projecting wall mounted on a planar base for directing fluid received from the control plate openings to a central opening in the generator plate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.