Ricor Racing and Development, LP

Edelbrock Corporation

David A Shirley

Donald G Richardson

Frank W Alioto

James L Kasprzak

A twin tube shock absorber having inner and outer tube with an annular reservoir between the tubes. A piston in the inner tube divides the inner tube into an upper chamber and a lower chamber and valves through the piston control stiffness of the shock absorber. An acceleration sensitive valve assembly mounted in the base valve makes the shock absorber &ldquo;soft&rdquo; upon downward acceleration of the wheel of the vehicle in which the shock absorber is mounted. The valve assembly includes a port for fluid communication between the lower chamber and a conduit, and an inertial mass blocking the port in a port-closed position and not blocking the port in a port-open position. The inertial mass is normally in a lower port-closed position in absence of downward acceleration of the tubes of the shock absorber. Upon downward acceleration of the tubes, the inertial mass moves upwardly toward a port-open position where fluid flow through the port is not blocked.

Acceleration sensitive twin tube shock absorber

An acceleration sensitive shock absorber has a tubular housing and a piston assembly in the housing dividing the housing into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The piston is connected to the wheel of a vehicle and the housing is connected to the chassis of the vehicle. Fluid can pass between the upper and lower chambers with a restricted flow rate during either extension or compression of the shock absorber. There is a port for providing fluid flow from the lower chamber to the upper chamber during downward acceleration of the wheel. A movable inertial mass in the piston assembly opens the port during downward acceleration of the wheel of the vehicle for increasing flow between the chambers. A pocket beneath the inertial mass applies sufficient pressure to the inertial mass to retain it in a port-open position during fluid flow after acceleration has decreased. An enlarged diameter relief portion inside the inertial mass minimizes inconsistent performance in mass produced shock absorbers.

Acceleration sensitive shock absorber

An acceleration sensitive shock absorber has a tubular housing and a piston assembly in the housing dividing the housing into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The piston is connected to the wheel of a vehicle and the housing is connected to the chassis of the vehicle. Fluid can pass between the upper and lower chambers with a restricted flow rate during either extension or compression of the shock absorber. There is a first port for providing fluid flow from the lower chamber to the upper chamber upon downward acceleration of the wheel. A movable inertia valve in the piston assembly opens the first port when acceleration of the wheel of the vehicle is greater than a predetermined magnitude for increasing flow between the chambers. In addition, there is a first orifice downstream from the first port for creating hydraulic pressure which biases the inertia valve in an open position in response to fluid flow between the chambers. There is a second port or passage for providing fluid flow from the upper chamber to the lower chamber. A second orifice upstream from the second which provides hydraulic pressure to decrease the response time during compression.

Flow sensitive, acceleration sensitive shock absorber

An acceleration sensitive shock absorber has a tubular housing and a piston assembly in the housing dividing the housing into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The piston is connected to the wheel of a vehicle and the housing is connected to the chassis of the vehicle. Fluid can pass between the upper and lower chambers with a restricted flow rate during either extension or compression of the shock absorber. There is a first port for providing fluid flow from the lower chamber to the upper chamber during downward acceleration of the wheel. A movable inertia mass in the piston assembly opens the first port during downward acceleration of the wheel of the vehicle for increasing flow between the chambers. A pocket beneath the inertial mass applies sufficient pressure to the inertial mass to retain it in a port-open position during fluid flow after acceleration has decreased. There is a fluid turning vane for applying sufficient fluid pressure to the inertial mass to maintain the mass in a port-closed position when acceleration of the wheel has decreased or stopped. In addition there is a pressure relief system including a port from the pocket and a pressure relief valve for relieving fluid pressure in the pocket, thus minimizing mechanical noise as the inertial mass moves toward the port-open position.

Growing community of inventors

Pine Grove, CA, United States of America

David A Shirley