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US 8,807,542 B2Granted
Apparatus and methods for a vehicle shock absorber
AssigneeFox Factory, Inc.
InventorsMario Galasso, Dennis K. Wootten, Bryan Wesley Anderson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for a vehicle shock absorber comprising a main damper cylinder, a first reservoir and a second reservoir. One embodiment includes a first operational mode where both reservoirs are in fluid communication with the cylinder. In a second operational mode, only one reservoir communicates with the cylinder during fluid evacuation from the cylinder. In each mode, rebound from either or both reservoirs may travel through a single, user-adjustable metering device.
Claims14
A shock absorber comprising:
- a main damper cylinder having a variable volume portion with a fluid therein;
- a first reservoir and a second reservoir;
- a first fluid flow path extending from the variable volume portion to a first valve;
- a second fluid flow path extending from the first valve to the first reservoir;
- a third fluid flow path extending from the first valve to the second reservoir;
- and
- a fourth fluid flow path extending from the first reservoir and the second reservoir independent of the first, second and third fluid flow paths, the fourth fluid flow path having a fourth fluid flow path valve positioned therein to selectively open and close the fourth fluid flow path;
- wherein
- the shock absorber is operable in a first operational mode wherein fluid travels only from the variable volume portion of the main damper cylinder to the first reservoir utilizing the first fluid flow path and the second fluid path and, fluid travels from the first reservoir to the second reservoir utilizing only the fourth fluid flow path.
6 more elements
A method of operating a shock absorber comprising:
- providing a main damper cylinder having a variable volume portion with a fluid therein;
- a first reservoir and a second reservoir;
- a first fluid flow path extending from the variable volume portion to a first valve;
- a second fluid flow path extending from the first valve to the first reservoir;
- a third fluid flow path extending from the first valve to the second reservoir;
- and
- a fourth fluid flow path extending from the first reservoir and the second reservoir independent of the first, second and third fluid flow paths, the fourth fluid flow path having a fourth fluid flow path valve positioned therein to selectively open and close the fourth fluid flow path;
- wherein
- operating the shock absorber in a first operational mode wherein fluid travels only from the variable volume portion of the main damper cylinder to the first reservoir utilizing the first fluid flow path and the second fluid path and fluid travels from the first reservoir to the second reservoir utilizing only the fourth fluid flow path.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.