IP Library Granted Patent US 11,007,834
Granted Patent B2
US 11,007,834 · App. 16/469,454 · Granted May 18, 2021

Baffle tube for damper with electromechanical valve

Inventors: Matthew L. Roessle (Temperance, MI); Karl C. Kazmirski (Lambertville, MI); Jeroen K. Paenhuysen (Ypsilanti, MI); Matthew R. Schelosky (Temperance, MI)
Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
B60G13/08B60G17/08B60G2202/24B60G2206/41F16F9/364F16F9/46
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,007,834
App. No.
16/469,454
Granted
May 18, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

A shock absorber includes a pressure tube forming a working chamber. A reserve tube is concentric with and radially outward from the pressure tube. A baffle tube is positioned radially outward from the pressure tube. A reservoir chamber is formed between the reserve tube and the baffle tube. A piston is attached to a piston rod and slidably disposed within the pressure tube. A rod guide is attached to the pressure tube and supports the piston rod. An electromechanical valve is positioned within the rod guide. A plurality of longitudinal passageways are defined by the baffle tube and at least one of the pressure tube and the reserve tube for transporting fluid between the electromechanical valve and the reservoir chamber.

Claims (59)

1. A shock absorber comprising:

a pressure tube forming a working chamber;

a piston assembly attached to a piston rod and slidably disposed within the pressure tube, the piston assembly dividing the working chamber into an upper working chamber and a lower working chamber, the piston assembly including a first valve assembly controlling fluid flowing through a first fluid passage that connects the upper working chamber with the lower working chamber;

a reserve tube disposed around the pressure tube;

a baffle tube positioned radially outward from the pressure tube and at least partially defining a baffle tube channel between the pressure tube and the baffle tube;

a reservoir chamber positioned between the baffle tube and the reserve tube;

a second valve positioned within the pressure tube for controlling fluid flow between one of the upper and lower working chambers and the reservoir chamber;

a rod guide supporting the piston rod and being attached to an end of the pressure tube;

a second fluid passage separate from the first fluid passage, the second fluid passage extending from one of the upper and lower working chambers to the baffle tube channel; and

an electromechanical valve positioned within the rod guide for controlling fluid flow through the second passage, wherein the baffle tube channel fluidly connects the electromechanical valve and the reservoir;

wherein the baffle tube includes a plurality of indentations that extend radially inwardly from the baffle tube toward the pressure tube, the plurality of indentations being circumferentially spaced and linearly aligned along longitudinal axes such that the plurality of indentations define a plurality of longitudinal passageways between the baffle tube and the pressure tube, the plurality of longitudinal passageways disposed in fluid communication with the electromechanical valve and the reservoir chamber.

2. The shock absorber of claim 1 , wherein the baffle tube includes an upper end and a lower end, the upper end sealing attached to at least one of the pressure tube and the reserve tube, the lower end spaced apart from each of the pressure tube and the reserve tube.

3. The shock absorber of claim 1 , wherein the baffle tube includes an inner surface that faces the pressure tube and a plurality of inner channels that extend longitudinally along the inner surface of the baffle tube such that the plurality of inner channels define a plurality of longitudinal passageways between the baffle tube and the pressure tube, the plurality of longitudinal passageways disposed in fluid communication with the electromechanical valve and the reservoir chamber.

4. A shock absorber comprising:

a pressure tube forming a working chamber;

a piston assembly attached to a piston rod and slidably disposed within the pressure tube, the piston assembly dividing the working chamber into an upper working chamber and a lower working chamber, the piston assembly including a first valve assembly controlling fluid flowing through a first fluid passage that connects the upper working chamber with the lower working chamber;

a reserve tube disposed around the pressure tube;

a baffle tube positioned radially outward from the pressure tube and at least partially defining a baffle tube channel between the pressure tube and the baffle tube;

a reservoir chamber positioned between the baffle tube and the reserve tube;

a second valve positioned within the pressure tube for controlling fluid flow between one of the upper and lower working chambers and the reservoir chamber;

a rod guide supporting the piston rod and being attached to an end of the pressure tube;

a second fluid passage separate from the first fluid passage, the second fluid passage extending from one of the upper and lower working chambers to the baffle tube channel; and

an electromechanical valve positioned within the rod guide for controlling fluid flow through the second passage, wherein the baffle tube channel fluidly connects the electromechanical valve and the reservoir, wherein the baffle tube includes at least one corrugation that extend longitudinally along the baffle tube such that the plurality of corrugations define at least one longitudinal passageway between the baffle tube and the pressure tube, the at least one longitudinal passageway disposed in fluid communication with the electromechanical valve and the reservoir chamber.

5. A shock absorber comprising:

a pressure tube forming a working chamber;

a reserve tube concentric with and radially outward from the pressure tube; a baffle tube positioned radially outward from the pressure tube;

a reservoir chamber formed between the reserve tube and the baffle tube;

a piston attached to a piston rod and slidably disposed within the pressure tube; a rod guide attached to the pressure tube and supporting the piston rod; and

one or more electromechanical valves, wherein the baffle tube and the pressure tube form a fluid passage between the one or more electromechanical valves and the reservoir chamber, wherein the baffle tube includes an upper end and a lower end, the upper end sealingly attached to at least one of the pressure tube and the reserve tube, the lower end spaced apart from each of the pressure tube and the reserve tube, the shock absorber further comprising a plurality of longitudinal passageways disposed between the baffle tube and the pressure tube that extend longitudinally from the upper end of the baffle tube to the lower end of the baffle tube, at least one of the plurality of longitudinal passageways disposed in fluid communication with the electromechanical valves and the reservoir chamber.

6. The shock absorber of claim 5 , wherein the upper end of the baffle tube is sealingly attached to at least one of the pressure tube and the reserve tube via one of an elastomeric member, an adhesive, an interference fit or a weld.

7. The shock absorber of claim 5 , wherein the baffle tube includes an uninterrupted wall extending from the upper end of the baffle tube to the lower end of the baffle tube.

8. The shock absorber of claim 5 , wherein the baffle tube includes a plurality of indentations that extend radially inwardly from the baffle tube toward the pressure tube, the plurality of indentations being circumferentially spaced and linearly aligned along longitudinal axes that extend between the upper and lower ends of the baffle tube such that the plurality of longitudinal passageways are defined by the plurality of indentations.

9. The shock absorber of claim 5 , wherein the baffle tube includes a plurality of corrugations that extend longitudinally along the baffle tube between the upper and lower ends of the baffle tube such that the plurality of longitudinal passageways are defined by the plurality of corrugations.

10. The shock absorber of claim 5 , wherein the baffle tube includes an inner surface that faces the pressure tube and a plurality of inner channels that extend longitudinally along the inner surface of the baffle tube between the upper and lower ends of the baffle tube such that the plurality of longitudinal passageways are defined by the plurality of inner channels.

11. The shock absorber of claim 5 , wherein the piston includes a valve operable to provide a fluid passage through the piston.

12. A shock absorber comprising:

a pressure tube defining a working chamber;

a piston assembly attached to a piston rod and slidably disposed within the pressure tube, the piston assembly dividing the working chamber into an upper working chamber and a lower working chamber;

a reserve tube disposed around the pressure tube;

a baffle tube positioned radially between the pressure tube and the reserve tube to separate a volume between the pressure tube and the reserve tube into a baffle tube channel and a reservoir chamber, the baffle tube having an inner surface that faces the pressure tube and an outer surface that faces the reserve tube; and

at least one valve positioned in fluid communication with the upper working chamber and the baffle tube chamber for controlling fluid flow between the upper working chambers and the baffle tube chamber; and

a plurality of longitudinal passageways that extend longitudinally along the baffle tube, the plurality of longitudinal passageways defined by the baffle tube and at least one of the pressure tube and the reserve tube, at least one of the longitudinal passageways disposed in fluid communication with the at least one valve and the reservoir chamber;

wherein the plurality of longitudinal passageways includes inner longitudinal passageways that are defined by a plurality of corrugations that extend longitudinally along the baffle tube, the inner passageways positioned radially between the pressure tube and the inner surface of the baffle tube.

13. The shock absorber of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of longitudinal passageways includes outer longitudinal passageways that are defined by the plurality of corrugations, the outer longitudinal passageways positioned radially between the reserve tube and the outer surface of the baffle tube.

14. The shock absorber of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of longitudinal passageways includes inner longitudinal passageways that are defined by a plurality of inner channels that extend longitudinally along the inner surface of the baffle tube.

15. A shock absorber comprising:

a pressure tube defining a working chamber;

a piston assembly attached to a piston rod and slidably disposed within the pressure tube, the piston assembly dividing the working chamber into an upper working chamber and a lower working chamber;

a reserve tube disposed around the pressure tube;

a baffle tube positioned radially between the pressure tube and the reserve tube to separate a volume between the pressure tube and the reserve tube into a baffle tube channel and a reservoir chamber, the baffle tube having an inner surface that faces the pressure tube and an outer surface that faces the reserve tube; and

at least one valve positioned in fluid communication with the upper working chamber and the baffle tube chamber for controlling fluid flow between the upper working chambers and the baffle tube chamber; and

a plurality of longitudinal passageways that extend longitudinally along the baffle tube, the plurality of longitudinal passageways defined by the baffle tube and at least one of the pressure tube and the reserve tube, at least one of the longitudinal passageways disposed in fluid communication with the at least one valve and the reservoir chamber, wherein the plurality of longitudinal passageways includes inner longitudinal passageways that are defined by a plurality of inner channels that extend longitudinally along the inner surface of the baffle tube, wherein the plurality of longitudinal passageways includes outer longitudinal passageways that are defined by a plurality of outer channels that extend longitudinally along the outer surface of the baffle tube.

16. A shock absorber comprising:

a pressure tube defining a working chamber;

a piston assembly attached to a piston rod and slidably disposed within the pressure tube, the piston assembly dividing the working chamber into an upper working chamber and a lower working chamber;

a reserve tube disposed around the pressure tube;

a baffle tube positioned radially between the pressure tube and the reserve tube to separate a volume between the pressure tube and the reserve tube into a baffle tube channel and a reservoir chamber, the baffle tube having an inner surface that faces the pressure tube and an outer surface that faces the reserve tube; and

at least one valve positioned in fluid communication with the upper working chamber and the baffle tube chamber for controlling fluid flow between the upper working chambers and the baffle tube chamber; and

a plurality of longitudinal passageways that extend longitudinally along the baffle tube, the plurality of longitudinal passageways defined by the baffle tube and at least one of the pressure tube and the reserve tube, at least one of the longitudinal passageways disposed in fluid communication with the at least one valve and the reservoir chamber, wherein the plurality of longitudinal passageways includes inner longitudinal passageways that are defined by a plurality of indentations that extend radially inwardly from the inner surface of the baffle tube toward the pressure tube, the plurality of indentations being circumferentially spaced and linearly aligned along longitudinal axes.

Assignments (8)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Aug 20, 2025
From: DRIV AUTOMOTIVE INC.
To: ADVANCED SUSPENSION TECHNOLOGY LLC
Reel/Frame 072553/0175 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (ABL) Recorded Apr 7, 2023
From: TENNECO INC.; DRIV AUTOMOTIVE INC.; FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL MOTORPARTS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL POWERTRAIN LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL WORLD WIDE LLC; TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.; THE PULLMAN COMPANY
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 063268/0506 →
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS (FIRST LIEN) Recorded Nov 22, 2022
From: DRIV AUTOMOTIVE INC.; FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL MOTORPARTS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL POWERTRAIN LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL WORLD WIDE LLC; TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.; TENNECO INC.; THE PULLMAN COMPANY
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 061989/0689 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 19, 2022
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: TENNECO INC.; TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.; THE PULLMAN COMPANY; FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL POWERTRAIN LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL PRODUCTS US LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL WORLD WIDE LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS LLC; DRIV AUTOMOTIVE INC.
Reel/Frame 061975/0031 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 19, 2022
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: TENNECO INC.; TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.; THE PULLMAN COMPANY; FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL POWERTRAIN LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL PRODUCTS US LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL MOTORPARTS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL WORLD WIDE LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS LLC; DRIV AUTOMOTIVE INC.
Reel/Frame 061971/0156 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 17, 2021
From: TENNECO INC.; TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.; THE PULLMAN COMPANY; FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL POWERTRAIN LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL PRODUCTS US LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL WORLD WIDE LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS LLC; DRIV AUTOMOTIVE INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 055626/0065 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 1, 2020
From: TENNECO INC.; THE PULLMAN COMPANY; FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL POWERTRAIN LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL PRODUCTS US LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL MOTORPARTS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL WORLD WIDE LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS LLC; DRIV AUTOMOTIVE INC.; TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 054555/0592 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 25, 2019
From: ROESSLE, MATTHEW L.; KAZMIRSKI, KARL C.; PAENHUYSEN, JEROEN K.; SCHELOSKY, MATTHEW R.
To: TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.
Reel/Frame 049579/0079 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation In Part 15380468 · Dec 15, 2016
Related Publication 20190351724A1 · Nov 21, 2019