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US 9,038,790 B2Granted
Frequency sensitive shock absorber
AssigneeProgressive Suspension, Inc.
InventorsTroy Joseph Henige, Ryan Kenneth Raker
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A shock absorber is disclosed herein with a frequency sensitive damping force that includes a cylinder containing a damping medium, a piston rod which is axially movable in the cylinder, and a piston assembly arranged for axial movement in the damping medium. The piston assembly is connected to the piston rod and divides the cylinder in a working space on each side of the piston. The piston assembly includes a flow path fluidly coupled to a frequency sensitive element movable relative to the piston assembly.
Claims33
A frequency sensitive shock absorber, comprising:
- a cylinder containing a damping medium;
- a piston rod positioned for axial movement within the cylinder along a central axis;
- a piston assembly coupled to the piston rod and arranged for axial movement in the damping medium along the central axis to separate the cylinder into a first working space on a first side of the piston assembly and a second working space on a second side of the piston assembly, the piston assembly including:
- a first flow path allowing flow of the damping medium therein and extending from the first side to the second side;
- a second flow path distinct from the first flow path, allowing flow of the damping medium therein extending from the first side to the second side;
- a movable element positioned in the second flow path and movable along the second flow path with respect to the piston assembly;
- and
- wherein the second flow path defines a first opening fluidly coupled with the first working space and a second opening fluidly coupled with the second working space, the movable element movable among a first position, wherein the movable element blocks flow to the first opening, a second position, wherein the movable element blocks flow to the second opening, and an intermediate position allowing fluid flow to both the first and second openings.
5 more elements
A frequency sensitive shock absorber, comprising:
- a cylinder containing a damping medium;
- a piston rod positioned for axial movement within the cylinder along a central axis;
- a piston assembly arranged for axial movement in the damping medium along the central axis to separate the cylinder into a first working space on a first side of the piston assembly and a second working space on a second side of the piston assembly, the piston assembly including:
- an inner piston body having an outer cylindrical surface, comprising:
- a central aperture for connection of the piston rod to the piston assembly;
- a first flow path extending from the first side to the second side, the first flow path defining a first inlet proximate the first side and a first outlet proximate the second side;
- a second flow path extending from the second side to the first side, the second flow path defining a second inlet proximate the second side and a second outlet proximate the first side;
- a third flow path extending from the first side to the second side, the third flow path defining a third inlet proximate the first side, a third outlet proximate the second side and a bleed hole proximate the second side and spaced apart from the third outlet;
- an outer piston body cooperating with the inner piston body and defining an inner annular surface facing the inner piston body and an outer annular surface facing the cylinder,
- wherein the inner annular surface of the outer piston body and the outer cylindrical surface of the inner piston body form a fourth flow path extending from the first side to the second side;
- a first valve disk positioned on the first side and covering the second outlet;
- a second valve disk positioned on the second side and covering the first outlet;
- a movable element positioned in the fourth flow path and movable along the fourth flow path with respect to the inner piston body and the outer piston body.
10 more elements
A method of providing variable damping force based on frequency of movement in a frequency sensitive shock absorber, comprising:
- providing a cylinder containing a damping medium;
- positioning a piston rod for axial movement within the cylinder along a central axis;
- coupling a piston assembly to the piston rod and arranging the piston assembly for axial movement in the damping medium along the central axis to separate the cylinder into a first working space on a first side of the cylinder and a second working space on a second side of the piston assembly, the piston assembly defining a flow path allowing flow of the damping medium therein and extending from a first opening fluidly coupled with the first working space to a second opening fluidly coupled to the second working space,
- positioning a movable element in the flow path, the movable element movable among a first position, wherein the movable element blocks flow to the first opening, a second position, wherein the movable element blocks flow to the second opening, and an intermediate position allowing fluid flow to both the first and second openings.
1 more element
A frequency sensitive shock absorber, comprising:
- a cylinder containing a damping medium;
- a piston rod positioned for axial movement within the cylinder along a central axis;
- a piston assembly coupled to the piston rod and arranged from axial movement in the damping medium along the central axis to separate the cylinder into a first working space on a first side of the piston assembly and a second working space on a second side of the piston assembly;
- means for varying damping force placed on the piston assembly based on a frequency of movement of the piston assembly;
- means for providing a first stiffness of the shock absorber during a first phase of movement of the piston assembly;
- means for providing a second stiffness of the shock absorber during a second phase of movement of the piston assembly, wherein the first stiffness is less than the second stiffness.
3 more elements
A frequency sensitive shock absorber, comprising:
- a cylinder containing a damping medium;
- a piston rod positioned for axial movement within the cylinder along a central axis;
- a piston assembly coupled to the piston rod and arranged from axial movement in the damping medium along the central axis to separate the cylinder into a first working space on a first side of the piston assembly and a second working space on a second side of the piston assembly;
- means for varying damping force placed on the piston assembly based on a frequency of movement of the piston assembly;
- and
- means for opening and closing a fluid path extending from the first working space to the second working space.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.