Patent ID: 7347307
Filing Date: 2008-03-25
Classification: F16F

Abstract:
1. A variable damper assembly comprising: a first cylinder defining a dampening chamber having a first end and a second end; a piston attached to a rod, said piston dividing said dampening chamber into an upper portion and a lower portion; a cylinder head disposed at said first end, said cylinder head defining a plurality of flow paths between said upper portion and said lower portion within said dampening chamber; a plurality of electromechanical valves disposed within said cylinder head, wherein each of said plurality of electromechanical valves selectively blocks fluid flow through a corresponding one of said plurality of flow paths through said cylinder head; a fluid passage in communication with all of said plurality of flow paths defining a flow passage to an annular chamber; and a stack of disks disposed across an opening in the fluid passage to said annular chamber that is biased against fluid flow into said annular chamber.