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US 6,672,435 B2Granted
Shock absorber adjustable in compression
AssigneeBombardier Inc.
InventorRené Lemieux
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An adjustable shock absorber includes a shock rod having a longitudinal axis. A shock body is disposed around a portion of the shock rod, the shock body defining a first fluid chamber therein and being slidable along the longitudinal axis. A piston is disposed on the shock rod in sealing engagement with the shock body. The piston has at least one channel therethrough in communication with the first fluid chamber. At least one valve is in fluid communication with the channel to control fluid movement through the channel. A support is movable longitudinally along the shock rod and is disposed adjacent to the valve. An adjustment mechanism is provided for altering a longitudinal position of the movable support to adjust the valve's operation by altering the fluid movement through the channel.
Claims12
An adjustable shock absorber, comprising:
- a shock rod having a longitudinal axis;
- a shock body disposed around a portion of the shock rod, the shock body defining a first fluid chamber therein and being slidable along the longitudinal axis;
- a piston disposed on the shock rod in sealing engagement with the shock body, the piston having at least one channel therethrough in communication with the first fluid chamber;
- at least one valve in fluid communication with the at least one channel to control fluid movement through the at least channel;
- a support movable longitudinally along the shock rod and disposed adjacent to the valve;
- and
- an adjustment mechanism for altering a longitudinal position of the support to adjust the valve's operation thereby altering the fluid movement through the at least one channel, the adjustment mechanism comprising:
- a support housing disposed on the shock rod adjacent the support, wherein the support sealingly engages with the support housing to define a second fluid chamber;
- a fluid passage defined within the shock rod extending from the second fluid chamber to a position along the shock rod exterior to the shock body;
- and
- a screw communicating with a portion of the fluid passage exterior to the shock body, wherein adjustment of the screw alters fluid pressure within the fluid passage and second fluid chamber, thereby causing the support to slide along the longitudinal axis in response thereto.
8 more elements
An adjustable shock absorber, comprising:
- a shock rod having a longitudinal axis;
- a shock body disposed around a portion of the shock rod, the shock body defining a first fluid chamber therein and being slidable along the longitudinal axis;
- a piston disposed on the shock rod in sealing engagement with the shock body, the piston having at least one channel therethrough in communication with the first fluid chamber;
- at least one valve in fluid communication with the at least one channel to control fluid movement through the at least channel;
- a support movable longitudinally along the shock rod and disposed adjacent to the valve;
- an adjustment mechanism for altering a longitudinal position of the support to adjust the valve's operation thereby altering the fluid movement through the at least one channel, the adjustment mechanism comprising:
- a first rod disposed through a portion of the shock rod, the first rod being connected to the support and extending exterior to the shock body, wherein longitudinal movement of the first rod causes the movable support to slide along the longitudinal axis of the shock rod;
- and
- a second rod connected to the first rod adjacent the exterior of the shock body, the second rod passing through one of a rod eye and the shock rod,
- wherein displacement of the second rod is applied to the first rod to longitudinally move the first rod in relation to the shock rod and longitudinal movement of the first rod causes the support to slide along the longitudinal axis.
7 more elements
A snowmobile, comprising:
- a chassis;
- an engine disposed on the chassis;
- at least one ski disposed on the chassis;
- an endless track disposed below the chassis and being operatively connected to the engine for propelling the snowmobile;
- a steering column operatively connected to the at least one ski for steering the snowmobile;
- and
- an adjustable shock absorber including:
- a shock rod having a longitudinal axis,
- a shock body disposed around a portion of the shock rod, the shock body defining a first fluid chamber therein and being slidable along the longitudinal axis,
- a piston disposed on the shock rod in sealing engagement with the shock body, the piston having at least one channel therethrough in communication with the first fluid chamber,
- at least one valve in fluid communication with the at least one channel to control fluid movement through the at least one channel,
- a support movable longitudinally along the shock rod and disposed adjacent to the valve;
- and
- an adjustment mechanism for altering a longitudinal position of the support to adjust the valve's operation thereby altering the fluid movement through the at least one channel, the adjustment mechanism comprising:
- a support housing disposed on the shock rod adjacent the support, wherein the support sealingly engages with the support housing to define a second fluid chamber;
- a fluid passage defined within the shock rod extending from the second fluid chamber to a position along the shock rod exterior to the shock body;
- and
- a screw communicating with a portion of the fluid passage exterior to the shock body, wherein adjustment of the screw alters fluid pressure within the fluid passage and second fluid chamber, thereby causing the support to slide along the longitudinal axis in response thereto.
15 more elements
A snowmobile, comprising:
- a chassis;
- an engine disposed on the chassis;
- at least one ski disposed on the chassis;
- an endless track disposed below the chassis and being operatively connected to the engine for propelling the snowmobile;
- a steering column operatively connected to the at least one ski for steering the snowmobile;
- and
- an adjustable shock absorber including:
- a shock rod having a longitudinal axis,
- a shock body disposed around a portion of the shock rod, the shock body defining a first fluid chamber therein and being slidable along the longitudinal axis,
- a piston disposed on the shock rod in sealing engagement with the shock body, the piston having at least one channel therethrough in communication with the first fluid chamber,
- at least one valve in fluid communication with the at least one channel to control fluid movement through the at least one channel,
- a support movable longitudinally along the shock rod and disposed adjacent to the valve;
- an adjustment mechanism for altering a longitudinal position of the support to adjust the valve's operation thereby altering the fluid movement through the at least one channel, the adjustment mechanism comprising:
- a first rod disposed through a portion of the shock rod, the first rod being connected to the support and extending exterior to the shock body, wherein longitudinal movement of the first rod causes the movable support to slide along the longitudinal axis of the shock rod and
- a second rod connected to the first rod adjacent the exterior of the shock body, the second rod passing through one of a rod eye and the shock rod,
- wherein displacement of the second rod is applied to the first rod to longitudinally move the first rod in relation to the shock rod and longitudinal movement of the first rod causes the support to slide along the longitudinal axis.
13 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.