Patent ID: 6880483

Claim:
A seat suspension system for watercraft having a seat for carrying an occupant of the watercraft and hull structure in contact with water and to which said seat is attached, said suspension system comprising: a) a first support connected to said seat; b) a second support connected to said hull structure; c) a fluid damper mounted between said first and second supports, said damper having a first chamber with fluid adjacent said first support, a second chamber with fluid adjacent said second support, a dividing member between said chambers having a gap providing fluid communication between said chambers, and electrically actuated means adjacent said gap for controlling fluid flow from one chamber to the other through said gap, wherein said electrically actuated means includes a plunger movable from a first position whereat said gap is open to a second position whereat said gap is closed, said dividing member further having an additional opening providing fluid communication between said chambers, and said electrically actuated means including a solenoid for moving said plunger when actuated from one of said positions to the other position; d) spring means operatively connected to the fluid damper for biasing said first support relative to said second support; e) a sensor for detecting motion of said seat and generating a sensor signal indicative of said motion; and, f) a control unit connected to said sensor and to said electrically actuated means for generating a set control signal in response to said sensor signal causing said electrically actuated mechanism to control fluid flow through said gap whereby an active seat suspension damper cushions watercraft forces imposed on said seat occupant.