US 12,253,140 B2
Temperature compensating valve for gas springs
Tyler S. Hernden, Grand Rapids, MI (US); Dennis R. Baker, Grand Rapids, MI (US); Ryan T. Anderson, Grand Rapids, MI (US); Kevin T. Braat, Grand Rapids, MI (US); and D. Stuart Atwater, Grand Rapids, MI (US)
Assigned to Suspa GmbH, (DE)
Appl. No. 17/425,382
Filed by Suspa GmbH, Altdorf (DE)
PCT Filed Jan. 29, 2020, PCT No. PCT/US2020/015616
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Jul. 23, 2021,
PCT Pub. No. WO2020/160107, PCT Pub. Date Aug. 6, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/798,288, filed on Jan. 29, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0099155 A1, Mar. 31, 2022
Int. Cl. F16F 9/34 (2006.01); F16F 9/02 (2006.01); F16F 9/52 (2006.01); F16K 31/00 (2006.01)
CPC F16F 9/526 (2013.01) [F16F 9/0218 (2013.01); F16F 9/34 (2013.01); F16K 31/002 (2013.01); F16F 2222/126 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A temperature compensating valve assembly comprising:
a bimetallic spring that deforms from a closed position to an open position in response to temperature, the bimetallic spring includes a first side and a second side opposite the first side;
a valve body having a first aperture therethrough and comprising:
an open end for receiving the bimetallic spring,
a cylindrical rim extending axially around the open end, and
a support surface within the open end, the support surface extending radially inward from the cylindrical rim and recessed from the cylindrical rim, the first side of the bimetallic spring is supported in the open end on the support surface; and
a cap placed inside the open end of the valve body for retaining the bimetallic spring in the open end in a location such that the first aperture is blocked by the bimetallic spring when in the closed position and is not blocked by the bimetallic spring when in the open position,
wherein the cap is ultrasonically welded to the valve body,
wherein the cap includes a top and an inner cylindrical portion extending downward from the top, the top having an outer dimension corresponding to the outer dimension of the valve body, the inner cylindrical portion having an outer dimension corresponding to an inner dimension of the cylindrical rim of the valve body.