Controlled damper with proportional valve and cross-flow bypass sleeve

Abstract

A damper assembly comprises a tube defining a fluid compartment; and a piston slidably disposed in the tube and dividing the fluid compartment into a rebound chamber and a compression chamber. The piston defines a cross-flow passage and includes: a first check valve configured to allow fluid flow from the compression chamber into the cross-flow passage while blocking fluid flow in an opposite direction, a second check valve configured to allow fluid flow from the rebound chamber into the cross-flow while blocking fluid flow in an opposite direction, and a proportional valve configured to regulate fluid flow between the cross-flow passage and an outlet passage based on an electrical control signal. Fluid flow is directed through the proportional valve in a same direction during each of a compression stroke and a rebound stroke.