An actuator system for a vehicle suspension system includes: an actuator having a piston and a first fluid chamber separated from a second fluid chamber by the piston; a hydraulic pump having a first port connected by a first hydraulic circuit to the first chamber via a first valve, the first valve being a damper valve operable to variably restrict flow of hydraulic fluid out of the first chamber; a first hydraulic accumulator connected to the first hydraulic circuit between the first port and the first valve; and a second hydraulic accumulator connected to the first port by a second valve, the second valve being a variable pressure relief valve operable to variably restrict flow of hydraulic fluid from the first port to the second hydraulic accumulator.

A shock absorber for a vehicle includes an inner tube at least partially defining an inner fluid compartment and an outer tube enclosing at least in part the inner tube therein. Together, the inner tube and the outer tube at least partially define an outer fluid compartment therebetween. The inner tube defines a bypass zone having a plurality of bypass apertures that fluidly communicate the inner fluid compartment with the outer fluid compartment. A piston is movably mounted within the inner tube and moves in compression and in rebound. The piston defines a piston passage extending through the piston for permitting fluid flow between a first side and second side of the piston. An electronically controlled valve is connected to the piston and controls fluid flow through the piston passage. A method for controlling the shock absorber is also disclosed.

A magnetorheological damper, wherein the damper comprises a housing that is at least partially filed with a magnetorheological fluid, and a magnetorheological valve disposed within the housing. The valve includes a magnetically permeable core having at least one coil reservoir formed therein, and at least one conductor coil, wherein each conductor coil is disposed around a portion of the core within a respective one of the coil reservoir(s). The valve additionally includes a fluid flow path adjacent the conductor coil(s). The fluid flow path is structured and operable to allow the magnetorheological fluid to flow adjacent the conductor coil(s). The valve further includes at least one coil cover, wherein each coil cover is disposed over a respective one of the coil(s) such that the respective coil is protected from exposure to magnetorheological fluid flowing through the fluid flow path.

A regenerative shock absorber that include a housing and a piston that moves at least partially through the housing when the shock is compressed or extended from a rest position. When the piston moves, hydraulic fluid is pressurized and drives a hydraulic motor. The hydraulic motor, in turn, drives an electric generator that produced electric energy. The electric energy may be provided to a vehicle, among other things. The regenerative shock absorber may also provide ride performance that comparable to or exceeds that of conventional shock absorbers.

An adjustable damping valve device with a damping valve has an elastic element, applies an axial relative force between two elements which are constructed so as to be axially movable relative to the valve housing, or the elastic element applies a relative force between an element of the damping valve, which element is constructed so as to be axially movable relative to the valve housing, and the valve housing, or the elastic element applies a relative force between an element of the damping valve, which element is constructed so as to be axially movable relative to the valve housing, and an element which is constructed so as not to be displaceable relative to the valve housing, so that one of the axially movable elements releases a flow passage for the flow of damping medium through the damping valve at least in a neutral state of the damping valve device.

A vibration damper with a damping force adjusting device and a height adjusting device for changing the axial position of a piston of the vibration damper, characterized in that the damping force adjusting device is adjusted depending on at least one operating parameter of the height adjusting device, and when there is a change in the at least one operating parameter there is also a change in at least one operating parameter of the damping force adjusting device. A method of operating a vibration damper with a controller and a motor vehicle including such vibration damper and controller is also disclosed.

Altering the damping rate of a vehicle suspension damper. A pressure of a damping fluid is exerted against a second valve mechanism connected to the vehicle suspension damper. The pressure of the damping fluid is increased beyond a threshold of the second valve mechanism that is adjustable by an adjustment member. The adjustment member is exposed through a high pressure side of the vehicle suspension damper. The second valve mechanism is then opened.

A damping force variable valve includes: a case that accommodates a working fluid therein; and a housing that divides an inside of the case into a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber. The housing includes first and second housings, which are adjacent to each other along a direction of an axis of the case. Inside the first housing, a control mechanism that controls an operation speed of the housing by adjusting a flow rate of the working fluid circulating through the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber is provided. The control mechanism includes: a first pilot chamber that communicates with the first fluid chamber through a first orifice; a second pilot chamber that communicates with the second fluid chamber through a second orifice; and a valve body that changes a posture while separating the first pilot chamber and the second pilot chamber from each other.

A damping force adjusting mechanism includes: a case housing an operating fluid; a sealing member separating an inside of the case into first and second fluid chambers; a housing holding the sealing member and housing the sealing member in the case; a damping valve housed inside the housing and controlling the first and second fluid chambers; first and second pilot chambers formed inside the housing; first and second communication passages communicating the first and second fluid chambers with the first and second pilot chambers; first and second fixed orifices interposed in the first and second communication passages; a control chamber formed inside the housing and communicating with the first and second pilot chambers; a control valve housed inside the control chamber, separating the control chamber into first and second control chambers, and selecting a flow of the fluid; and an actuator controlling the control valve and a fluid pressure.

A regenerative shock absorber that include a housing and a piston that moves at least partially through the housing when the shock is compressed or extended from a rest position. When the piston moves, hydraulic fluid is pressurized and drives a hydraulic motor. The hydraulic motor, in turn, drives an electric generator that produced electric energy. The electric energy may be provided to a vehicle, among other things. The regenerative shock absorber may also provide ride performance that comparable to or exceeds that of conventional shock absorbers.