Patent ID: 6464048
Filing Date: 2002-10-15
Classification: F16F

Abstract:
An adjustable shock absorber comprising:a pressure tube defining a working chamber; a reserve tube surrounding said pressure tube, said reserve tube defining a reserve chamber; a piston rod extending through said pressure tube and into said working chamber; a valveless piston slidably disposed within said pressure tube and connected to said piston rod, said piston dividing said working chamber into an upper working chamber and a lower working chamber; a valve assembly separate from said piston in communication with said reserve chamber and said upper and lower working chambers, said valve assembly including a first variable orifice for controlling flow between said upper working chamber and said reserve chamber to generate a first damping load and a second variable orifice for controlling flow between said lower working chamber and said reserve chamber to generate a second damping load; a base valve assembly disposed within said reserve chamber, said base valve assembly comprising: a first check valve disposed between said lower working chamber and said reserve chamber, said first check valve allowing fluid flow from said reserve chamber to said lower working chamber and prohibiting fluid flow from said lower working chamber to said reserve chamber; and a second check valve disposed between said upper working chamber and said reserve chamber, said second check valve allowing fluid flow from said reserve chamber to said upper working chamber and prohibiting fluid flow from said upper working chamber to said reserve chamber, said second check valve being mechanically connected to said first check valve.