Patent ID: 9103401
Filing Date: 2015-08-11
Classification: F16F

Abstract:
1. A damper operable between a compressed position and an extended position, comprising: a compression chamber containing damping fluid and having a compression volume variable in response to operation of the damper between the positions; an internally pressurized chamber having a fluid therein; a barrier separating the internally pressurized chamber fluid from the damping fluid; the intensifier valve disposed intermediate of the barrier and the compression chamber, wherein a reserve chamber is formed between the intensifier valve and the barrier; and an intensifier valve with an intermediate space provided therein vented to the pressure environment external to the damper, the intensifier valve including a piston having a first position restricting fluid flow between the compression and reserve chambers and a second position providing fluid communication between the compression and reserve chambers, the piston having a first piston surface area and a second piston surface area, wherein the first piston surface area is less than the second piston surface area, the first piston surface area in fluid communication with the compression chamber, the second piston surface area in fluid communication with the reserve chamber and a third piston surface area in fluid communication with the intermediate space, wherein a volume of the intermediate space is variable.