Variable damper assembly
US6491313B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 24, 2000 |
| Grant date | Dec 10, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 24, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16F9/466
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A variable damper assembly 10 is provided for use with a vehicle power steering system and includes a variable orifice valve 20 which controls the flow of fluid between one chamber side 30 of the damper assembly to another chamber side 32 of the damper assembly. Variable orifice valve 20 is communicatively coupled to a source of pressurized fluid 110 by use of a conduit 112 and an electronically controlled valve assembly 114. The pressurized fluid received through conduit 112 controls the operation of valve 20. Based upon the pressure of the received fluid, valve 20 selectively increases and reduces the fluid flow rate between chamber sides 30 and 32, thereby causing the damper assembly 10 to have enhanced damping characteristics during certain vehicle operating conditions (e.g., during relatively high vehicle speed operating conditions).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.