US 12,460,732 B2
Variable flow check valve device, suspension valve, vehicle suspension system and method
Matthew Peterson, Ada, MI (US)
Assigned to ETO MAGNETIC GmbH, Stockach (DE)
Filed by ETO MAGNETIC GmbH, Stockach (DE)
Filed on Mar. 1, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/176,869.
Prior Publication US 2024/0295272 A1, Sep. 5, 2024
Int. Cl. F16F 9/46 (2006.01); F16K 15/04 (2006.01); F16K 15/18 (2006.01); F16K 39/04 (2006.01); B60G 17/08 (2006.01)
CPC F16K 15/1843 (2021.08) [F16K 15/042 (2013.01); F16K 39/04 (2013.01); B60G 17/08 (2013.01); B60G 2204/62 (2013.01); B60G 2206/41 (2013.01); B60G 2500/114 (2013.01); B60G 2600/21 (2013.01); B60G 2800/162 (2013.01); F16F 9/465 (2013.01); F16F 9/466 (2013.01); F16K 2200/401 (2021.08)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A variable flow check valve device comprising
an inlet connected with a first pressure fluid reservoir,
an outlet connected with a second pressure fluid reservoir, which is separate and/or separable from the first pressure fluid reservoir,
a check valve closing member configured to open and to close the outlet in response to a pressure difference of the pressure fluid on opposite sides of the check valve closing member, and
a spool valve with a movable spool disposed in a flow path of the pressure fluid extending from the inlet to the outlet, the spool valve forming a variable orifice within the flow path of the pressure fluid,
wherein the variable flow check valve device further comprises a force balancing unit disposed in the flow path of the pressure fluid and configured to create a balancing force to at least partially counteract a pressure force acting on the spool when the pressure fluid passes an at least partially opened spool valve, and
wherein the force balancing unit comprises a balancing tube element that is at least partially protruding into the flow path from a wall delimiting the flow path.