Quote:
Originally Posted by The Pookster
Actually this isn't quite right. The diaphram is there to prevent the damper from hydraulically locking when it is compressed. This is because as the piston rod enters the damper it takes up space, and oil is incompressible, so the diaphram and air behind it allows for this. Any change in pressure is so small is has pretty much no effect.
If you take a bleed type damper like an AE with bleed cap and lock the bleed screw before the damper is compressed fully you won't be able to push it in any further.
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Mmmmm... So what's the difference between a piston sat on top of the oil with gas pressure behind it (as described in your earlier post), and a diaphragm sat on top of the oil with atmospheric pressure behind it? I get that the road damper has a pressure greater than atmospheric which helps, but...
Isn't the theory the same? Without the compressible gas behind the piston, the increasing volume in the oil of the advancing piston rod would cause both systems to hydraulic, wouldn't they? I think you're confusing application with theory here...
One thing's for sure; once someone does come up with a more tunable damper, that particular genie will be out of the box and may well turn into a source of regret for your class. Whenever things get more technically complex, and makes it more difficult for the average Joe or Jane to go racing, the class suffers. Off-Road is the ideal class right now, since you have that greatest of all levelers - more power than grip. As I said before, be careful what you wish for!