Tenneco Automotive Inc.

Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.

Pullman Company

David L Steed

Karl C Kazmirski

Michael Lee Zebolsky

Gary W Groves

Steven O Luzsicza

Charles E Tyrrell

Dean R Dodge

Harold H Henry, Iii

Dale Hoppert

Rich Huger

Timothy E Bombrys

Wayne Johnson

A shock absorber includes a pressure tube with a piston slidably disposed therein. A separate valve includes a fluid circuit for fluid low in rebound and a fluid circuit for fluid flow in compression. Each fluid circuit includes a variable orifice which allows selection between a firm rebound with a soft compression, a soft rebound with a soft compression and a soft rebound with a firm compression. Each variable orifice is in communication with a blowoff valve in such a manner that they provide a variable blowoff feature to the blowoff valves.

Solenoid actuated continuously variable servo valve for adjusting damping in shock absorbers and struts

An upper mounting system for a MacPherson strut includes a shock absorber mount and an air spring mount. The air spring mount is disposed coaxially around the shock absorber mount. A curved spherical interface of the air spring mount permits pivotal movement of the air spring such that it maintains a coaxial relationship with the shock absorber. The curved spherical interface also provides a seal for sealing the gas chamber of the air spring.

Upper shock mount isolator with integral air spring housing pivot bearing

A shock absorber includes a pressure tube with a piston slidably disposed therein. A separate valve includes a fluid circuit for fluid low in rebound and a fluid circuit for fluid flow in compression. Each fluid circuit includes a variable orifice which allows selection between a firm rebound with a soft compression, a soft rebound with a soft compression, and a soft rebound with a firm compression. Each variable orifice is in communication with a blowoff valve in such a manner that they provide a variable blowoff feature to the blowoff valves.

Solenoid actuated continuously variable shock absorber

A shock absorber includes a valve assembly with a low speed valving system and a high speed valving system. Both systems control fluid flow through the respective valve assembly for fluid flow in the same direction. The low speed valving system is independently tunable in order to provide low speed damping to improve both the vehicle control and handling. The independent tuning of the low speed valving system allows the optimization of the low speed valving system in relation to the high speed valving system as well as the independent tuning of the high speed valving system in relation to the low speed valving system. The independent tuning of the two systems allow the achievement of a smooth transition between the two systems. The dual valving systems can be incorporated into the piston for a compression stroke, be incorporated into the piston for an extension stroke, or two dual valving systems can be incorporated into the piston for compression and extension strokes.

Independently tunable variable bleed orifice

A shock absorber has a base valve assembly which includes a compression valve assembly and an acceleration valve assembly. The compression valve assembly controls a fluid path through the base assembly to provide a firm damping characteristic for the shock absorber during low acceleration movement. The acceleration valve assembly controls a second fluid path through the base assembly to provide a soft damping characteristic for the shock when the shock absorber experiences acceleration beyond a specified amount.

Acceleration sensitive damping for automotive dampers

A shock absorber includes the typical fluid valving in the piston and in the base valve assembly which is designed to provide a firm damping characteristic for the shock absorber. A stepper valve assembly includes a bypass fluid passage between the upper working chamber and the reserve chamber which when opened provides a soft damping characteristic during an extension movement of the shock absorber. The stepper valve assembly also includes a bypass fluid passage between the lower working chamber and the reserve chamber which when opened provides a soft damping characteristic during a compression movement of the shock absorber. The stepper valve assembly selectively opens and closes the bypass fluid passages to adapt the shock absorber to changing vehicle conditions.

Step motor actuated continuously variable shock absorber

An adjustable damping shock absorber includes a pressure tube with a piston valve assembly slidably disposed within it. The piston valve assembly includes a compression valve assembly which is biased to a closed position and an extension valve assembly which is also biased to a closed position. The damping rate for the shock absorber is adjusted by selectively changing the biasing load of one or both of the valve assemblies. When the biasing load is increased, a firm damping for the shock absorber is produced. When the biasing load is decreased, a soft damping for the shock absorber is produced.

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Perrysburg, OH, United States of America

David L Steed