Flow sensitive acceleration sensitive shock absorber with added flow

Abstract

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.