US 12,454,991 B2
Space saving pressure relief valves for suspension dampers
Stefan Deferme, Heusden-Zolder (BE)
Assigned to Advanced Suspension Technology LLC, Northville, MI (US)
Filed by Advanced Suspension Technology LLC, Northville, MI (US)
Filed on Jan. 13, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/575,178.
Prior Publication US 2023/0220903 A1, Jul. 13, 2023
Int. Cl. F16F 9/512 (2006.01); B60G 17/08 (2006.01); F16F 9/18 (2006.01); F16F 9/34 (2006.01); F16F 9/43 (2006.01)
CPC F16F 9/5126 (2013.01) [F16F 9/185 (2013.01); F16F 9/435 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A damper comprising:
a pressure tube extending co-axially about a longitudinal axis and longitudinally between a first pressure tube end and a second pressure tube end;
a piston slidably disposed within the pressure tube defining a rebound chamber and a compression chamber;
a piston rod extending co-axially with the longitudinal axis that is fixedly coupled to the piston;
an outer tube disposed around the pressure tube to define a fluid transport chamber between the pressure tube and the outer tube, the outer tube extending longitudinally between a first outer tube end and a second outer tube end;
an intake valve assembly positioned at the second pressure tube end;
an accumulation chamber positioned longitudinally between the intake valve assembly and the second outer tube end;
an intermediate chamber defined by the intake valve assembly at a position between the compression chamber and the accumulation chamber;
an intermediate passageway in the intake valve assembly that is disposed in fluid communication with the intermediate chamber and the compression chamber;
at least one control valve externally mounted to the outer tube, the at least one control valve having a control valve inlet that is arranged in fluid communication with the intermediate chamber and a control valve outlet that is arranged in fluid communication with the fluid transport chamber and the accumulation chamber;
at least one rebound chamber pressure relief passageway that extends through the piston from the rebound chamber to the compression chamber;
a rebound chamber pressure relief valve that is configured to permit fluid flow through the at least one rebound chamber pressure relief passageway in one direction from the rebound chamber to the compression chamber when fluid pressure in the rebound chamber exceeds a blow-off pressure threshold of the rebound chamber pressure relief valve;
at least one compression chamber pressure relief passageway that extends through the intake valve assembly between the intermediate passageway and the accumulation chamber; and
a compression chamber pressure relief valve that is configured to permit fluid flow through the at least one compression chamber pressure relief passageway in one direction from the intermediate passageway to the accumulation chamber when fluid pressure in the compression chamber exceeds a blow-off pressure threshold of the compression chamber pressure relief valve.