Valving for a controllable shock absorber

A rotary valve assembly which is actuated by a rotating means on a variable shock absorber, comprising:

• a) a piston rod having a hollow portion, a first end for attachment to a piston and a second end spaced apart from said first end for interconnecting to a component;
• b) a rotary valve means;
• and
• c) a control rod disposed within said hollow portion in said piston rod, said control rod being substantially smaller in diameter than said hollow portion in said piston rod, being pivotally attached to said rotary valve means, and having a support bearing located sufficiently far away from said second end of said piston rod, such that said control rod can bendingly align with the rotating means, said control rod having one end connected to said rotary valve means, and the other end connected to an output shaft of the rotating means.

A rotary valve assembly which is actuated by a rotating means on a variable shock absorber, comprising:

• a) a piston rod having a hollow portion, a first end for attachment to a piston and a second end spaced apart from said first end for interconnecting to a component;
• b) a rotary valve means which is hollow inside, has at least one open end, at least two ports formed therein, and includes a tapered portion formed on an upper surface of said rotary valve means to provide a clearance space between a contact member and said rotary valve means, pressure-equalization means for balancing pressures between said clearance space above, and said hollow space inside of said rotary valve means, whereby axial hydrodynamic loading of said rotary valve means is minimized in order to facilitate rotation of said rotary valve means;
• and
• c) a control rod disposed within said hollow portion in said piston rod, said control rod having one end pivotally connected to said rotary valve means, and the other end connected to an output shaft of the rotating means.