Monroe Auto Equipment Company

David S Athanas

Gary W Groves

Fahrey M Hammoud

David L Perry

Ray A Sackett

Charles E Tyrrell

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 having first and second portions operable to store damping fluid. The apparatus further includes a piston assembly disposed in the pressure cylinder and having a valve body forming first and second flow passage for providing fluid communication between the first and second portions of the working chamber. The valve body forming first and second annular recesses adjacent the first and second portions, respectively, of the working chamber. The apparatus further including a first unloader disposed within the first annular recess and which is operable for controlling the flow of damping fluid through the first flow passage from the second portion to the first portion of the working chamber during compression. The first unloader is adapted to regulate the flow of fluid through the first flow passage in response to pressure acting on a first valve member within the first recess. In addition, a second unloader is provided for controlling the flow of damping fluid thorugh the second flow passage from the first portion to the second portion of the working chamber during rebound. The second unloader is disposed in the second annular recess and is operable for regulating the flow of damping fluid through the second flow passage in response to pressure of the damping fluid acting on a second valve member within the second annular recess. A first flow path fluidly interconnects the first and second annular recesses. An electrically controlled solenoid is disposed within the first flow path and is operable for regulating the flow of damping fluid therein between the first and second annular recesses. The solenoid includes a plunger moveable between a first and second position for generating firm damping during compression and rebound by inhibiting the flow of fluid through the first flow path when the plunger is in the first position.

Apparatus for controlling the damping of a shock absorber

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 the pressure differential between the damping fluid stored in the first and second portions of the working chamber. A second sensor is used for determining the movement of the body on the automobile. An electrical control module is used for generating an electrical control signal in response to the outputs of the first and second sensors. Finally, the solenoid is used for regulating the flow of damping fluid between the first and second portions of the working chamber.

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Toledo, OH, United States of America

David S Athanas