Patent ID: 6305673
Filing Date: 2001-10-23
Classification: B60G,F16F

Abstract:
A suspension system for use on a vehicle having a frame and a wheel structure, said suspension system comprising:a liquid spring operably interposed between the frame and the wheel structure and using a set quantity of compressible liquid able to interact to generate both spring and damping forces in the suspension system in response to relative displacement between the frame and the wheel structure, the liquid spring including a housing having a first chamber in which a first volume of the compressible liquid is disposed, a piston reciprocally disposed within the chamber and dividing it into bounce and rebound subchambers, and at least one bypass passage relative to the piston able to place the bounce and rebound subchambers in fluid communication with one another for flow of the compressible liquid therebetween;a second volume of the compressible liquid in a second chamber located outside of the first chamber, the second volume removably connected to the first volume by a fluid passage; anda valve coupled to the fluid passage, the valve selectively operable to place the second volume in communication with the first volume to vary at least spring rate duinng relative displacement between the frame and the wheel structure.