Patent ID: 6119829
Filing Date: 2000-09-19
Classification: F16F

Abstract:
A valve system for a damper mechanism, comprising:a casing;a guide member disposed within said casing;a valve body disposed within said casing, the valve body including:(i) an inner peripheral portion fitted around said guide member;(ii) an outer peripheral portion contacting said casing;(iii) a recess defined between said outer peripheral portion and said guide member;(iv) a passage extending through the valve body; and(v) a valve seat disposed radially outwardly of said passage and extending towards said recess;an end seal fitted in said recess and spaced from said valve seat;a disc valve fitted around said guide member and disposed within said recess between said valve body and said end seal, wherein the disc valve is movable from a first position in which it is seated on said valve seat to a second position in which it is spaced from said valve seat, to thereby close and open said passage, respectively;a retainer disc disposed around said guide member and located within said recess between said disc valve and said end seal, wherein the retainer disc has a first portion that is axially freely movable relative to said disc valve, and a second portion that remains in contact with said disc valve when said disc valve is in said second position;a partition disposed around said guide member and located within said recess between said end seal and said retainer disc, the partition and said end seal cooperating with one another to form a pilot chamber, wherein the partition is capable of being flexed, via pressure within said pilot chamber, against said retainer disc such that said retainer disc urges said disc valve to said first position; anda plurality of passages for placing said passage in fluid communication with said pilot chamber.