Methods and apparatus for position sensitive dampening with an active valve. In one aspect a fluid damper is provided comprising a damper chamber divided by a piston into a primary compression and a primary rebound chamber; a secondary compression chamber in fluid communication with the damper chamber; and an active valve controlling fluid flow out of the secondary compression chamber.

A damping force generating mechanism includes: a flow passage formation part that forms a flow passage through which a liquid flows; and a valve that is configured to control a flow of the liquid in the flow passage. The flow passage formation part includes a first seat part that is provided radially outward of a flow passage port of the flow passage, protrudes from the flow passage port and contacts the valve, a second seat part that is provided radially outward of the first seat part, protrudes from the flow passage port and contacts the valve, and a circulation part having an orifice that allows the liquid to flow from the flow passage port toward the second seat part in a state in which the valve is in contact with the first seat part.

An accumulator for a vehicle suspension damper, which includes an outer shell with an open end that connects to an accumulator port on the damper and a distal end, opposite the open end, which includes an end wall that extends radially inward to a gas charging port. A bellows assembly, which includes an annular bellows wall extending between proximal and distal plates, is positioned inside the outer shell to define a pressurized gas chamber inside the accumulator that is arranged in fluid communication with the gas charging port. The gas charging port includes a stem that extends inwardly from the end wall of the outer shell and the distal plate of the bellows assembly has an inner diameter that is received on the stem. The inner diameter of the distal plate is coupled to the stem of the gas charging port by a fixation component.

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 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. 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.

An automotive hydraulic shock absorber, comprises a pressure cylinder, an auxiliary reservoir and a piston assembly, wherein said piston assembly comprises an annular piston comprised of a plurality of crossing flow ports on its upper and lower faces, a piston shaft, and shim stacks on both faces of said piston, partially or fully covering said flow ports, suitable to exert a resistance to the flow of hydraulic fluid in said pressure cylinder, when said piston travels through hydraulic fluid.

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.

Methods and apparatus for position sensitive dampening with an active valve. In one aspect a fluid damper is provided comprising a damper chamber divided by a piston into a primary compression and a primary rebound chamber; a secondary compression chamber in fluid communication with the damper chamber; and an active valve controlling fluid flow out of the secondary compression chamber.

A vibration damper for a motor vehicle having at least one damper tube, which includes at least one damper fluid, a piston rod having a piston, which is guided axially in the damper tube, and at least one valve unit. The valve unit includes at least three flow paths for the damper fluid. The first flow path includes a first valve for a first damper setting. The second flow path includes a second valve for a second damper setting and a variable throttle. The third flow path includes a check valve, wherein the second damper setting is softer than the first damper setting and the cross section of the second flow path is adjustable at least partially by the variable throttle.

A hydraulic vibration damper, in particular for a vehicle chassis, includes a cylinder tube for receiving a hydraulic fluid. A piston is axially movable within the cylinder tube along a cylinder tube axis and subdivides the cylinder tube into two working chambers. A piston rod is oriented parallel to the cylinder tube axis and is connected to the piston. At least one valve assembly for damping the piston movement in a direction of actuation is arranged at a fluid leadthrough. A bypass duct includes a sub-duct provided in addition to the fluid leadthrough between the two working chambers. A valve arrangement with continuously adjustable damping force is provided which regulates the throughflow through the fluid leadthrough and the sub-duct. The sub-duct includes a throttling mechanism, having a throttle, and a non-return valve. The throttle and the non-return valve of the sub-duct are arranged in series.