Damper and valve
AssigneeActive Control eXperts, Inc.
InventorsEdward F. Crawley, Kenneth B. Lazarus, Jeffrey W. Moore, Douglas A. Simpson, Gerald F. Caron, Farla M. Russo
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A valve regulates fluid displacement in a damper assembly, for example, displacement of hydraulic fluid in a sealed shock absorber. The valve is placed between a portion of fluid at one pressure and regulates the passage of fluid through an aperture or passage to a portion of fluid at a lower pressure by a blocking member which moves to obstruct the aperture in accordance with a desired level of damping. The blocking member is, or is driven by, an electroactive device, such as a bimorph actuator formed of ferroelectric material.
Claims20
A damper for a hydraulic system of the type having a movable displacing member that acts on a fluid assembly such that movement of the displacing member creates a pressure to induce flow in a passage which at least partially surrounds the displacing member in accordance with force on the movable displacing member, wherein the damper comprises a flexible electroactive element positioned to control flow in the passage and being configured with electrodes such that application of electrical charge to the electrodes deforms said electroactive element to control said flow and regulate damping of the hydraulic system.
A damper for a hydraulic system on the type comprising a movable displacing member in a fluid filled assembly such that movement of the displacing member forces fluid from a first fluid filled chamber to a second fluid filled chamber or back as the member moves forward or back, respectively, in the assembly, wherein the first and second chambers communicate via an aperture to a passage which at least partially surrounds the displacing member, and the damper comprises
- an electrically actuated blocking member over the aperture, and
- means for selectively energizing the blocking member to provide or restrict flow in one direction through the aperture so as to achieve smoothing and comfort while effectively preventing bottoming-out of the displacing member.
A damper for a hydraulic suspension of a wheeled vehicle of the type having a movable displacing member that acts on a fluid assembly such that movement of the displacing member creates a pressure to induce flow in a passage which at least partially surrounds the displacing member in accordance with force on the movable displacing member, wherein the damper comprises a flexible electroactive element positioned to control the flow in the passage and a controller to change actuating voltage applied to the electroactive element and enhance efficiency of energy transferred to the wheels of the vehicle while effectively damping the suspension.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.