MULTI-PATH FLUID DIVERTER VALVE

摘要

A multi-path fluid flow control valve for a shock absorber that restricts fluid into a first path while opening fluid flow to a second path when a given fluid flow velocity is reached. Exemplary configurations of this diverter valve are disclosed such as a spring loaded disc valve with face sealing lands, and a spool valve with diametric sealing lands. Applications include active suspension dampers in order to limit maximum RPM into a hydraulic motor. For such a system, in one mode the diverter valve allows fluid to move unrestricted into the hydraulic motor. When fluid velocity reaches a tunable set point, in a second mode the diverter valve restricts flow into the hydraulic motor and bypasses it shuttling fluid into the opposite side of the damper. In some cases progressive damping valves are utilized in series or parallel to smooth damping characteristics during, before, and after transitions.

主权项

1. A diverter valve for a damper, comprising:
a free flow mode of fluid flow wherein fluid from either a compression or rebound chamber of the damper flows through a first outlet port of the diverter valve to a hydraulic pump/motor; and a diverted bypass flow stage that, in response to an increase in fluid flow velocity above a predetermined velocity, a reduction in free flow is caused by at least partially closing the first outlet port and opening a second outlet port; where the second outlet port is a bypass, allowing fluid to flow between the compression and rebound chambers thereby bypassing the hydraulic pump.