The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 19, 2011
Filed:
Apr. 16, 2007
Gert Mangelschots, Heusden Zolder, BE;
David Holiviers, Kuringen, BE;
Gert Vanhees, Kortessem, BE;
Patrick Vanmechelen, St. Truiden, BE;
Sjaak Schel, Eindhoven, NL;
M'hand Nait Oukhedou, Bree, BE;
Gert Mangelschots, Heusden Zolder, BE;
David Holiviers, Kuringen, BE;
Gert Vanhees, Kortessem, BE;
Patrick Vanmechelen, St. Truiden, BE;
Sjaak Schel, Eindhoven, NL;
M'hand Nait Oukhedou, Bree, BE;
Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc., Lake Forest, IL (US);
Abstract
A shock absorber includes an external control valve which controls the damping characteristics of the shock absorber. The external control valve controls the flow of fluid between the lower working chamber of the shock absorber and the reservoir chamber and between the upper working chamber of the shock absorber. The damping characteristics are dependent on the amount of current being applied to a solenoid valve which controls a fluid valve assembly. A soft fluid valve assembly is disposed in series with the fluid valve assembly to allow for the tuning of the damping forces at low current levels provided to the solenoid valve.