Suspension strut for a vehicle
First Claim
1. A strut system comprising:
- a fluid;
a strut comprising;
an inner tube defining an inner cavity, the inner cavity containing a portion of the fluid;
a secondary tube encircling at least a portion of the inner tube, the secondary tube cooperatively defining an intermediary cavity with the inner tube, the intermediary cavity containing a second portion of the fluid;
a housing tube encircling at least a portion of the secondary tube, the housing tube cooperatively defining a reservoir cavity with the secondary tube, the reservoir cavity containing a third portion of the fluid;
a piston disposed within the inner tube and separating the inner cavity into a first volume and a second volume, the piston comprising an aperture through a piston thickness, the aperture fluidly connecting the first volume and the second volume;
a one-way aperture valve within the aperture that allows fluid flow from the first volume to the second volume;
a valve plate coupled to the strut, the valve plate including;
a damping flow path fluidly coupling the intermediary cavity to the reservoir cavity;
a replenishment flow path fluidly coupling the reservoir cavity to the inner cavity;
a damper valve within the damping flow path that damps fluid flowing therethrough; and
a replenishment valve within the replenishment flow path that allows fluid flow from the reservoir cavity to the inner cavity.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A hydraulic strut system that damps vehicle vibration and includes a compressible fluid, a strut, and a valve plate. The strut includes three concentric tubes defining an inner cavity, an intermediary cavity, and an outer reservoir cavity, the inner cavity and intermediary cavity being fluidly coupled, wherein the inner cavity receives a piston that divides the inner cavity into a first volume and a second volume, the piston having an aperture that allows one way flow from the first volume to the second volume. The valve plate is removably coupled to the strut, and includes a first fluid path that allows one-way fluid flow from the intermediary cavity to the reservoir cavity, the first fluid path including a damping valve that damps fluid flowing therethrough; and a second fluid path that allows one-way fluid flow from the reservoir cavity to the inner cavity, the second fluid path further including a replenishment valve.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A strut system comprising:
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a fluid; a strut comprising; an inner tube defining an inner cavity, the inner cavity containing a portion of the fluid; a secondary tube encircling at least a portion of the inner tube, the secondary tube cooperatively defining an intermediary cavity with the inner tube, the intermediary cavity containing a second portion of the fluid; a housing tube encircling at least a portion of the secondary tube, the housing tube cooperatively defining a reservoir cavity with the secondary tube, the reservoir cavity containing a third portion of the fluid; a piston disposed within the inner tube and separating the inner cavity into a first volume and a second volume, the piston comprising an aperture through a piston thickness, the aperture fluidly connecting the first volume and the second volume; a one-way aperture valve within the aperture that allows fluid flow from the first volume to the second volume; a valve plate coupled to the strut, the valve plate including; a damping flow path fluidly coupling the intermediary cavity to the reservoir cavity; a replenishment flow path fluidly coupling the reservoir cavity to the inner cavity; a damper valve within the damping flow path that damps fluid flowing therethrough; and a replenishment valve within the replenishment flow path that allows fluid flow from the reservoir cavity to the inner cavity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A strut system comprising:
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a strut comprising; a primary tube defining a first cavity; a piston disposed within the primary tube, the piston separating the first cavity into a first volume and a second volume, the piston defining an aperture fluidly connecting the first volume with the second volume; an aperture valve within the aperture configured to permit fluid flow from the first volume to the second volume; an intermediary vessel; a reservoir vessel; a damping flow path fluidly intermediary vessel to the reservoir vessel; a replenishment flow path fluidly coupling the reservoir vessel to the first cavity; a damper valve within the damping flow path configured to damp fluid flowing therethrough; and a replenishment valve within the replenishment flow path configured to control fluid flow from the reservoir vessel to the first cavity; and a pump having an inlet fluidly coupled to the reservoir vessel and an outlet fluidly coupled to the inner cavity, wherein the pump is operable between; a recovery mode that recovers energy from and damps fluid flowing therethrough; and a pumping mode that pumps fluid from the reservoir volume into the first volume. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification