Monotube piston valving system with selective bleed
AssigneeTenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
InventorStefan Deferme
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A shock absorber piston assembly includes a piston having a first face, a second face and a plurality of fluid passages. Preloaded flow control devices each seal at least one of the fluid passages, including: a first bleed plate contacting the first face and a second bleed plate contacting the second face; and a pair of blow-off discs, with a first blow-off disc contacting the first face and a second blow-off disc contacting the second face. Each of the flow control devices opens at an individually adjustable device opening pressure. Each of the multiple passages in contact with the blow-off discs can also differ in flow area to permit the blow-off discs to angularly lift to limit disc chatter.
Claims7
A shock absorber piston assembly, comprising:
- a piston having a first face and an opposed second face, the piston defining a plurality of separate fluid passages allowing fluid communication through only the piston between the first face and the second face;
- a piston rod attached to the piston;
- and
- a plurality of flow control devices each operably sealing at least one of the fluid passages, including:
- a first bleed plate operably contacting the first face and a second bleed plate operably contacting the second face;
- a first blow-off disc operably contacting the first face and a second blow-off disc operably contacting the second face;
- and
- a compression device operably maintaining each of the flow control devices in a closed position in contact with the piston;
- wherein
- each of the flow control devices operably opens at an individually adjustable device opening pressure;
- and
- the compression device comprises a spring;
- wherein the spring comprises:
- a spring engagement end fixedly engaged with a slot of the piston rod;
- and
- a spring force distribution end in contact with the first bleed plate.
A shock absorber, comprising:
- a piston tube;
- a piston assembly slidably disposed within the piston tube and operably dividing the piston tube into a first working chamber and a second working chamber, the piston assembly including:
- (i) a piston having a first face and an opposed second face, the piston defining a plurality of separate fluid passages allowing fluid communication through only the piston between the first face and the second face;
- and
- (ii) a plurality of flow control devices each operably sealing at least one of the fluid passages, including:
- (a) a first bleed plate operably contacting the first face and a second bleed plate operably contacting the second face;
- and
- (b) a first blow-off disc operably contacting the first face and a second blow-off disc operably contacting the second face;
- a piston rod fastenably attached to the piston assembly;
- and
- a compression device operably maintaining each of the flow control devices in a closed position in contact with the piston;
- wherein
- each of the flow control devices operably opens at an individually adjustable device opening pressure;
- and
- the compression device comprises a spring;
- wherein the spring comprises:
- a spring engagement end fixedly engaged with a slot of the piston rod;
- and
- a spring force distribution end in contact with the first bleed plate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.