Patent ID: 7086413

Claim:
A bi-directional damper valve for connecting to a hydraulic line to regulate fluid flow therethrough, said damper valve comprising: a main valve body having a longitudinal axis and having an axial flow passage formed therethrough which widens at central portion of the valve body to form a central chamber with first and second valve seats formed at opposite ends of said central chamber, said main valve body also having first and second bypass channels formed therein which are adapted for selective placement in fluid communication with said flow passage, said first bypass channel branching off the central chamber inside of said first valve seat, and said second bypass channel branching off the central chamber inside of said second valve seat; first and second poppets disposed in said central chamber and facing in opposite directions, said first and second poppets being substantially identical to one another and having respective hollow bores formed therethrough to allow fluid flow at a first rate through the valve; and a spring extending between said first and second poppets and normally biasing the poppets against their respective valve seats; wherein said damper valve is configured so that when fluid pressure, greater than the biasing force of said spring, displaces one of said poppets from its associated valve seat, fluid is allowed to flow through the damper valve at a second rate which is greater than the first rate.