Rod guide and seal system for gas filled shock absorbers
View Patent ↗A gas shock absorber has a pressure tube which defines a working chamber. A piston assembly divides the working chamber into an upper working chamber and a lower working chamber. A plurality of extension passages extend through the piston assembly and are opened and closed by an extension valve assembly. A plurality of compression passages extend through the piston assembly and are opened and closed by a compression valve assembly. A rod guide assembly is located between the pressure tube and the piston rod. The rod guide assembly includes an oil chamber for sealing and lubricating the piston rod. An axially movable piston maintains the pressure within the oil chamber equal to the pressure in the upper working chamber.
1. A damper comprising:
a pressure tube defining a longitudinal axis and forming a working chamber;
a damper piston disposed within said working chamber, said damper piston dividing said working chamber into an upper working chamber and a lower working chamber;
a piston rod attached to said damper piston and extending through said pressure tube;
a rod guide assembly disposed between said piston rod and said pressure tube; said rod guide assembly comprising:
a main housing for guiding the movement of said piston rod;
an annular bearing disposed between said main housing and said piston rod, said annular bearing slidingly engaging said piston rod;
a first seal disposed between a first component of said rod guide assembly and said piston rod, said first seal being disposed on a first side of said bearing;
a second seal disposed between a second component of said rod guide assembly and said piston rod said second seal being disposed on a second side of said bearing opposite said first side;
a fluid chamber disposed between said first and second seal;
a lubrication channel extending from said fluid chamber around and outside diameter of said bearing to one of said first and second seals;
a guide piston movable with respect to said fluid chamber to vary the volume of said fluid chamber.
2. The damper according to claim 1 wherein said first component is said main housing.
3. The damper according to claim 2 wherein said second component is said guide piston.
4. The damper according to claim 1 wherein said second component is said guide piston.
5. The damper according to claim 1 wherein said guide piston slidingly engages said main housing.
6. The damper according to claim 5 wherein said first component is said main housing.
7. The damper according to claim 6 wherein said second component is said guide piston.
8. The damper according to claim 5 wherein said second component is said guide piston.
9. The damper according to claim 1 wherein said guide piston slidingly engages said pressure tube.
10. The damper according to claim 9 wherein said first component is said main housing.
11. The damper according to claim 10 wherein said second component is said guide piston.
12. The damper according to claim 9 wherein said second component is said guide piston.
13. A damper comprising:
a pressure tube defining a longitudinal axis and forming a working chamber;
a damper piston disposed within said working chamber, said damper piston dividing said working chamber into an upper working chamber and a lower working chamber;
a piston rod attached to said damper piston and extending through said pressure tube;
a rod guide assembly disposed between said piston rod and said pressure tube; said rod guide assembly comprising:
a main housing;
an annular bearing disposed between said main housing and said piston rod;
a first seal disposed between a first component of said rod guide assembly and said piston rod, said first seal being disposed on a first side of said bearing;
a second seal disposed between a second component of said rod guide assembly and said piston rod said second seal being disposed on a second side of said bearing opposite said first side;
a fluid chamber disposed between said first and second seal;
a lubrication channel extending from said fluid chamber around said bearing to one of said first and second seals;
a guide piston movable with respect to said fluid chamber to vary the volume of said fluid chamber; wherein
said guide piston slidingly engages a sleeve disposed between said pressure tube and said guide piston.
14. The damper according to claim 13 wherein said first component is said main housing.
15. The damper according to claim 14 wherein said second component is said guide piston.
16. The damper according to claim 13 wherein said second component is said guide piston.
17. The damper according to claim 13 wherein said sleeve is attached to said main housing.
18. The damper according to claim 13 wherein said rod guide assembly further comprises a retainer disposed between said guide piston and said damper piston, said retainer providing a stop for said guide piston.
19. The damper according to claim 18 wherein said retainer provides a stop for said damper piston.
20. The damper according to claim 18 wherein said retainer abuts said sleeve.
21. The damper according to claim 1 wherein said rod guide assembly further comprises a retainer disposed between said guide piston and said damper piston, said retainer providing a stop for said guide piston.
22. The damper according to claim 21 wherein said retainer is attached to said main housing.
23. The damper according to claim 21 wherein said retainer is attached to said pressure tube.
24. The damper according to claim 1 further comprising a dust wiper disposed between said rod guide assembly and said piston rod.