An electronically controller external damper reservoir assembly (eRESI) can be connected to a passive damper and/or substituted for an existing external reservoir to provide semi-active damping control. The eRESI includes a reservoir and a variable base valve assembly actuated by an actuator. A controller is in communication with the actuator and a sensor providing input signal indicative of vehicle movement and is programmed to generate a damping control signal to the actuator based on the input signal, to dynamically control the damping force outputted by a passive damper hydraulically connected to the eRESI. A P/T sensor can be installed to a gas chamber of a vehicle damper to generate a P/T signal indicative of the pressure and temperature of the gas. The controller is programmed to determine a damper position of the damper based on the P/T signal.

A damper includes a pressure tube extending about a longitudinal axis and defining an inner volume. The damper includes a piston attached to a piston rod and slidably disposed within the pressure tube. The piston divides the inner volume of the pressure tube into a first working chamber and a second working chamber. The damper includes a fluid connector having a first wall and a second wall, each elongated along the longitudinal axis and sealed to the pressure tube. The fluid connector has a third wall elongated along the longitudinal axis and extending from the first wall to the second wall. The pressure tube defines an opening at the first working chamber, and the third wall of the fluid connector defines an opening spaced from the opening of the pressure tube. The first wall, the second wall, and the third wall define a passage extending from the opening of the pressure tube to the opening of the third wall.

A damper includes a pressure tube extending about a longitudinal axis and defining an inner volume. The damper includes a piston attached to a piston rod and slidably disposed within the pressure tube. The piston divides the inner volume of the pressure tube into a first working chamber and a second working chamber. The damper includes a fluid connector having a first wall and a second wall, each elongated along the longitudinal axis and sealed to the pressure tube. The fluid connector has a third wall elongated along the longitudinal axis and extending from the first wall to the second wall. The pressure tube defines an opening at the first working chamber, and the third wall of the fluid connector defines an opening spaced from the opening of the pressure tube. The first wall, the second wall, and the third wall define a passage extending from the opening of the pressure tube to the opening of the third wall.

A damper device includes a cylinder including an attachment portion and a piston including an attachment portion. The attachment portion of at least one of the cylinder and the piston includes an elastic portion which urges a pin member inserted therein in an axial direction and a radial direction. The elastic portion includes an axial abutment portion which abuts on a large-diameter portion of the pin member protruding radially outward from an outer peripheral surface of the pin member; and a radial abutment portion which abuts on the outer peripheral surface of the pin member.

A multi-chamber type air spring device includes a chamber part and a valve part. The chamber part is partitioned into spaces. The valve part is configured to control movement of air through an internal boundary of the chamber part via valves. In a powered-off state of the valve part, the valves are in different opened/closed states from one another.

A solar tracker system includes a torque tube, a solar panel assembly attached to the torque tube, a housing defining a chamber and a fluid passageway extending from the chamber, and an active lock connected to a seal configured to prevent a flow path of fluid while in a sealed state and allow the flow path of fluid in an unsealed state. The system further includes a controller in communication with the torque tube and the active lock. The controller is programmed to receive a command to place the solar panel assembly in a stowed position, instruct the torque tube to rotate the panel assembly to a stowed angle corresponding to the stowed position, monitor a current angle of the panel assembly, compare the current angle to the stowed angle, and instruct the seal to transition to the sealed state when the current angle is equal to the stowed angle.

A solar tracker system includes a torque tube, a solar panel assembly attached to the torque tube, a housing defining a chamber and a fluid passageway extending from the chamber, and an active lock connected to a seal configured to prevent a flow path of fluid while in a sealed state and allow the flow path of fluid in an unsealed state. The system further includes a controller in communication with the torque tube and the active lock. The controller is programmed to receive a command to place the solar panel assembly in a stowed position, instruct the torque tube to rotate the panel assembly to a stowed angle corresponding to the stowed position, monitor a current angle of the panel assembly, compare the current angle to the stowed angle, and instruct the seal to transition to the sealed state when the current angle is equal to the stowed angle.

Solar tracker systems include a torque tube, a column supporting the torque tube, a solar panel attached to the torque tube, and a damper assembly. The damper assembly includes an outer shell surrounding an inner shell. A piston is at least partially positioned within the inner shell and moveable relative thereto. An active lock of the damper assembly includes a housing positioned within the outer shell. The housing defines a cavity and a housing channel extending from the cavity to an outer fluid channel. A shaft extends into the cavity and a valve assembly is attached to the shaft. The shaft is rotatable within the cavity between an unsealed position in which the housing channel is in fluid communication with the cavity, and a sealed position in which the valve assembly is rotationally aligned with the housing channel and obstructs fluid communication between the cavity and the housing channel.

Solar tracker systems include a torque tube, a column supporting the torque tube, a solar panel attached to the torque tube, and a damper assembly. The damper assembly includes an outer shell surrounding an inner shell. A piston is at least partially positioned within the inner shell and moveable relative thereto. An active lock of the damper assembly includes a housing positioned within the outer shell. The housing defines a cavity and a housing channel extending from the cavity to an outer fluid channel. A shaft extends into the cavity and a valve assembly is attached to the shaft. The shaft is rotatable within the cavity between an unsealed position in which the housing channel is in fluid communication with the cavity, and a sealed position in which the valve assembly is rotationally aligned with the housing channel and obstructs fluid communication between the cavity and the housing channel.

Solar tracker systems include a torque tube, a column supporting the torque tube, a solar panel attached to the torque tube, and a damper assembly. The damper assembly includes an outer shell surrounding an inner shell. A piston is at least partially positioned within the inner shell and moveable relative thereto. An active lock of the damper assembly includes a housing positioned within the outer shell. The housing defines a cavity and a housing channel extending from the cavity to an outer fluid channel. A shaft extends into the cavity and a valve assembly is attached to the shaft. The shaft is rotatable within the cavity between an unsealed position in which the housing channel is in fluid communication with the cavity, and a sealed position in which the valve assembly is rotationally aligned with the housing channel and obstructs fluid communication between the cavity and the housing channel.