US 12,246,572 B1
Load dependent damper for a vehicle suspension system
Jason J. Zuleger, Appleton, WI (US); and Robert K. Sollenskog, Oshkosh, WI (US)
Assigned to Oshkosh Defense, LLC, Oshkosh, WI (US)
Filed by Oshkosh Defense, LLC, Oshkosh, WI (US)
Filed on May 10, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/195,479.
Application 18/195,479 is a continuation of application No. 17/861,110, filed on Jul. 8, 2022, granted, now 11,685,221.
Application 17/861,110 is a continuation of application No. 16/673,182, filed on Nov. 4, 2019, granted, now 11,400,789.
Application 16/673,182 is a continuation of application No. 15/614,231, filed on Jun. 5, 2017, granted, now 10,464,389.
Application 15/614,231 is a continuation of application No. 14/664,393, filed on Mar. 20, 2015, granted, now 9,669,679.
Application 14/664,393 is a continuation of application No. 13/830,808, filed on Mar. 14, 2013, granted, now 8,991,840.
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B60G 17/08 (2006.01); B60G 13/06 (2006.01); B60G 13/08 (2006.01); B60G 15/12 (2006.01); F16F 9/34 (2006.01); F16F 9/348 (2006.01); F16F 9/46 (2006.01); F16F 9/512 (2006.01)
CPC B60G 17/08 (2013.01) [B60G 13/06 (2013.01); B60G 13/08 (2013.01); B60G 15/12 (2013.01); F16F 9/34 (2013.01); F16F 9/3482 (2013.01); F16F 9/465 (2013.01); F16F 9/5123 (2013.01); B60G 2202/24 (2013.01); B60G 2500/10 (2013.01); B60G 2500/114 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A valve assembly for a vehicle suspension system, the valve assembly comprising:
a valve body defining an inner volume;
a flow controller positioned within the inner volume;
a plug positioned within the inner volume, wherein the plug is spaced from the flow controller such that an intermediate chamber is defined between the plug and the flow controller; and
a biasing element positioned in the intermediate chamber between the plug and the flow controller, wherein the biasing element includes gas;
wherein, the plug is repositionable within the inner volume and, as the plug moves within the inner volume, the plug interacts with the biasing element such that the biasing element provides a biasing force to the flow controller; and
wherein the flow controller defines a passage having a varying size profile that varies in size based on the biasing force.