Monroe Auto Equipment Company

Bert E Vanroye

Magnus B Lizell

Jan N Driessen

David Steed

A direct acting shock absorber for damping the movement of the body of an automobile is disclosed. The shock absorber comprises a pressure cylinder forming a working chamber having first and second portions operable to store damping fluid. A piston is disposed within the pressure cylinder between the first and second portions of the working chamber. The shock absorber further comprises a fluid reservoir operable to store damping fluid. The shock absorber also includes a valve for permitting damping fluid to flow from the first portion of the working chamber to the fluid reservoir during movement of the piston in a first direction. Finally, a second valve is provided for permitting damping fluid to flow from the fluid reservoir to the second portion of the working chamber during movement of the piston in a second direction.

Control valve for shock absorbers

A pressure-operated valving arrangement for a piston assembly of the type used in a direct-acting shock absorber is disclosed. Bi-directional primary and secondary flow paths are provided for regulating the damping forces generated during both rebound and compression strokes. During rebound, a pressure differential generated across a moveable valve disc operates to regulate fluid flow from an upper to a lower portion of the shock absorber's working chamber. A pilot orifice in the valve disc and a bleed slot associated with a rebound blow-off assembly are sized to generate the desired pressure differential across the valve disc. Manipulation of the size ratio permits universality of design for economical shock absorber manufacture.

Piston valving for shock absorbers

An apparatus for damping the movement of the body of an automobile. The apparatus includes a shock absorber having a pressure cylinder which forms a working chamber and a first and second portion. A first sensor is used to generate an electrical signal in response to whether the shock absorber is in compression or rebound. A second sensor is used for determining the movement of the body on the automobile. An electronic control module is used for generating an electrical control signal in response to the outputs of the first and second sensors. A solenoid is used for regulating the flow of damping fluid between the first and second portions of the working chamber. A piston assembly disposed within the pressure cylinder defines the first and second portions of the working chamber. The piston assembly includes a valve body and first and second unloaders adapted to control the flow of fluid between the first and second portions of the working chamber. At least one of the unloaders being located external to the valve body.

Method and apparatus for controlling shock absorbers

A sealing system for a hydraulic actuator is disclosed which is operable to selectively change the frictional sealing force exerted on a piston rod in response to the fluid pressure acting on the sealing system. The sealing system includes a leakage chamber formed in a rod guide surrounding a moveable piston rod which is partially disposed within a working chamber. A first seal member is operable for permitting a predetermined amount of hydraulic fluid to leak from the working chamber to the leakage chamber. The leakage chamber is in fluid communication with a low pressure fluid reservoir. A flow control valve selectively controls the flow of hydraulic fluid from the leakage chamber to the fluid reservoir so as to change the fluid pressure within the leakage chamber. A pressure responsive seal assembly concentrically engages the piston rod intermediate the leakage chamber and an upper end of the hydraulic actuator. The pressure responsive seal assembly is operable to inhibit leakage of hydraulic fluid along the piston rod from the leakage chamber to the exterior of the hydraulic actuator. The pressure responsive sealing assembly is energizable in response to an increased fluid pressure within the leakage chamber for generating increased frictional engagement with the piston rod for preventing the motor vehicle body to sink down during an extended stationary period of time. furthermore, the pressure responsive sealing assembly is also adapted to generate reduced frictional engagement with the piston rod when the fluid pressure in the leakage chamber is relatively low.

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Borgloon, Belgium

Bert E Vanroye