A valve assembly for a vehicle suspension system includes a valve body, a first flow controller, a first plunger, a second flow controller, and a second plunger. The valve body defines a first inlet port, a first outlet port, a first chamber connected to the first inlet port and the first outlet port, a second chamber, a second inlet port, a second outlet port, a third chamber connected to the second inlet port and the second outlet port, and a fourth chamber. The first flow controller is positioned within the first chamber. The first plunger is positioned between the first chamber and the second chamber. The second flow controller is positioned within the third chamber. The second plunger is positioned between the third chamber and the fourth chamber.

In a shock absorber, an extension-side check valve permitting a flow of hydraulic fluid directed from a common passage to a compression-side passage side, and a compression-side orifice establishing communication between the compression-side passage and a compression-side back-pressure chamber are provided in an extension-side discharge passage. A compression-side check valve permitting a flow of hydraulic fluid directed from the common passage to an extension-side passage side, and an extension-side orifice establishing communication between the extension-side passage and an extension-side back-pressure chamber are provided in a compression-side discharge passage. A pilot valve includes a valve body slidably inserted in the common passage, and a valve spring biasing the valve body in a valve-opening direction. The valve body includes a fitting portion fitted in a passage between the back-pressure chamber on an upstream side and the common passage on a downstream side when the valve body is stroked in the valve-opening direction.

A valve assembly includes a housing, a flow controller, and a piston. The housing defines an inlet port, an outlet port, a flow path extending between the inlet port and the outlet port, and a pilot chamber configured to be in fluid communication with a pilot. The flow controller is positioned along the flow path. The piston is positioned to separate the pilot chamber from the flow path. The piston includes a first end in fluid communication with the pilot chamber and an opposing second end positioned to engage the flow controller with a pilot force that varies based on a pressure at the pilot.

A vehicle height adjustment device includes front forks, a rear suspension, a weight estimation unit, and a front wheel-side target movement amount determination unit. The front fork includes a front wheel-side suspension spring and a front wheel-side support member, which supports one end of the front wheel-side suspension spring, and moves toward another end of the front wheel-side spring to change the front wheel-side suspension spring length. The rear suspension includes a rear wheel-side suspension spring and a rear wheel-side support member, which supports one end of the rear wheel-side suspension spring, and moves toward another one end of the rear wheel-side spring to change the rear wheel-side suspension spring length. The weight estimation unit estimates a weight applied to a vehicle. The front wheel-side target movement amount determination unit decreases, a movement amount of the front wheel-side support member as the estimated weight increases.

A rotary-wing aircraft includes a fuselage, and an external device. The fuselage is provided with a rotary wing. The external device is mounted on the outside of the fuselage. The external device includes a mounting device, a mass variation device, and a damper. The mounting device is fixed to the fuselage and disposed so as to project in a lateral direction of the fuselage. The mass variation device is mounted on the mounting device and has mass that varies as the mass variation device is used. The damper couples the fuselage to the mounting device and supports the mounting device. The damper includes a stiffness variable mechanism configured to change stiffness of the damper in response to variation in the mass of the mass variation device.

A suspension assembly is disclosed. The suspension assembly is configured for movement under compression when installed for use in a vehicle providing at least one wheel. The assembly comprises a leg; a compression rod assembly comprising a compression rod movable within the leg; a piston assembly comprising a seal and a piston; and an isolator configured to deform under compression to provide isolation between the compression rod assembly and the piston assembly. The compression rod can translate under compression with deformation of the isolator before movement of the piston. The suspension assembly may be configured to provide a response to a force such as compression. An isolation member between the compression rod assembly and the piston assembly may be configured so that a force imparted on the compression rod assembly compresses the isolation member without translation of the piston. A spring system comprises a leg, a piston assembly comprising a piston, a compression rod assembly comprising a compression rod, a gas chamber adjacent to the piston assembly, and an isolator configured to deform under compression of the compression rod without translation of the piston.

A valve assembly includes a housing, a flow controller, and a piston. The housing defines an inlet port, an outlet port, a flow path extending between the inlet port and the outlet port, and a pilot chamber configured to be in fluid communication with a pilot. The flow controller is positioned along the flow path. The piston is positioned to separate the pilot chamber from the flow path. The piston includes a first end in fluid communication with the pilot chamber and an opposing second end positioned to engage the flow controller with a pilot force that varies based on a pressure at the pilot.

A damper assembly for a vehicle suspension system includes a damper and a manifold. The damper includes a tubular sidewall that defines an inner damper volume and a plunger separating the inner damper volume into a first chamber and a second chamber. The damper defines a first opening in fluid communication with the first chamber and a second opening in fluid communication with the second chamber. The manifold includes a housing having a pilot and defining a flow path between an inlet port and an outlet port, a flow controller coupled to the housing and positioned along the flow path, and a piston including a pilot end coupled to the pilot and an interface end that engages the flow controller with a pilot force. The inlet port is in fluid communication with at least one of the first opening and the second opening of the damper.

A valve assembly includes a valve body defining an inner volume, a flow controller positioned within the inner volume, a plug positioned within the inner volume, and a biasing element. The plug is spaced from the flow controller such that an intermediate chamber is defined between the plug and the flow controller. The biasing element is positioned in the intermediate chamber between the plug and the flow controller. The plug is repositionable within the inner volume and, as the plug moves within the inner volume, the plug interacts with the biasing element such that the biasing element provides a biasing force to the flow controller. The flow controller defines a passage having a varying size profile that varies in size based on the biasing force.