Internally slotted orifice disc for low speed control in automotive dampers

Abstract

A valve assembly for a fluid vehicle damper having a cylinder with a valve body is provided. The valve body has an outer surface adjacent to an interior wall of the cylinder and includes first and second opposing surfaces. The valve body defines first and second fluid chambers within the damper, which are adjacent to the first and second surfaces, respectively. Inner and outer annular seats extend from the first surface and define an annular channel therebetween. At least one fluid passageway is connects the annular channel and second surface for providing fluid communication therebetween. A high speed bypass valve assembly is attached to the valve body and is movable between an open position and a closed position adjacent to the annular seats. An orifice disc is interposed between the annular seats and the high speed bypass valve assembly for providing low speed bypass of fluid from the second chamber to the first chamber when the high speed bypass valve assembly is in the closed position. The orifice disc has at least one opening therethrough defined by a contiguous perimeter. The outer annular seat segments the at least one opening into inner and outer passageways. When the damper undergoes low speed movement, fluid flows from the second chamber through the at least one fluid passageway into the annular channel, through the inner passageway around the outer annular seat, and out the outer passageway to the first chamber.