Vehicle suspension damper with integral linear position sensor

摘要

A vehicle suspension damper configured to be arranged between a wheel assembly and a body of a vehicle is provided that includes a cylindrical reservoir tube with a piston mounted for reciprocating movement within the reservoir tube. A piston rod is connected to the piston and extending axially therefrom and through one end of the reservoir tube. An annular rod guide assembly surrounds the piston rod and includes a magnetic portion. A non-magnetic dust tube is disposed around the reservoir tube, the dust tube being operatively connected to the piston rod. A generally longitudinal sensor housing is formed in the dust tube adjacent the magnetic portion and a linear sensor is disposed in the sensor housing adapted to detect the position of the magnetic portion.