Patent ID: 8465025

Claim:
A vehicle suspension system, comprising: a pump; and a gas spring, comprising: a cylinder; a rod coupled to the cylinder and moveable relative to the cylinder; a chamber for supporting gas formed between the cylinder and the rod, wherein movement of the rod relative to the cylinder changes the volume of the chamber; and an accumulator coupled to the chamber for receiving, storing, and releasing potential energy from gas of the chamber, wherein the accumulator comprises a rigid exterior and a bladder internal to the rigid exterior; wherein the accumulator and the chamber of the gas spring are in gaseous communication such that a continuous body of gas extends between the chamber and the accumulator when the accumulator is receiving or releasing the potential energy; wherein compression of gas in the chamber at least partially provides a first spring rate in response to loading of the vehicle suspension system below a threshold load, and wherein compression of gas in the accumulator at least partially provides a second spring rate in response to loading of the vehicle suspension system above the threshold load; wherein the first spring rate is greater than the second spring rate; wherein the threshold load is changeable by controlling the accumulator.