Magneto-rheological dampers for semi-active suspension systems

A magneto-rheological fluid damper includes a damper body (102) having a reservoir (108) for a magneto-rheological fluid, a piston rod (114), a piston rod guide (106) disposed within the damper body (102), where the piston rod guide (106) has a passage therein for receiving the piston rod (114). The magneto-rheological fluid damper further includes at least a first piston rod seal (124) and at least a second piston rod seal (128) arranged to seal between the piston rod guide (106) and the piston rod (114). The magneto- rheological fluid damper further includes a fluid chamber (134) defined between the piston rod guide (106) and the piston rod (114) the fluid chamber (134) being in communication with the reservoir (108). The magneto-rheological fluid damper further includes a piston rod guide filter (120) arranged in a communication path between the fluid chamber (134) and the reservoir (108) to filter particulates out of the magneto-rheological fluid entering the fluid chamber (134); the magneto-rheological fluid damper further includes an accumulator (144) arranged between the piston rod guide (106) and the damper body (102).