Fluid suspension spring and dampener for vehicle suspension system

Abstract

A vibration isolating and damping suspension strut for vehicle undercarriages comprising an elongated cylinder and piston structure wherein the cylinder is divided into opposed chambers which are in communication with each other by passages formed in the piston and in a flow restricting shuttle valve mounted on the piston rod. When the strut undergoes a retraction stroke of the piston to absorb loads silicone fluid is compressed in the opposed chambers and transferred from the chamber opposite the piston rod to the rod side chamber through passages in the piston only. When the strut rebounds or extends its piston rod fluid is forced to flow through passages in the shuttle valve member and the piston flow passages at a more restricted rate. The piston flow passages and the shuttle valve are arranged to direct fluid flow toward the outer cylinder borewall to improve heat transfer to the exterior of the strut and minimize heating of the fluid contained in the cylinder chambers. Alternate embodiments of the suspension strut have spiral fluid transfer grooves formed on the periphery of the piston or on a cylinder sleeve insert member.