Patent ID: 8087646

Claim:
A hydrodynamic suspension with load dependent damping control for a vehicle having a body and an axle, the suspension comprising: a piston-cylinder unit for installing between the vehicle body and the axle, the unit comprising a cylinder filled with damping medium, a piston dividing the cylinder into two working spaces, and a piston rod; a first damping valve assembly in said piston for damping movement of the piston in tension and in compression; a first pressure accumulator connected to one of said working spaces; a load dependent valve comprising a valve body which can be moved axially by pressure in said damping medium as a function of the load on the vehicle to change damping characteristics of the load dependent valve, said valve body having axially opposed first and second actuation surfaces, wherein said first actuation surface is exposed to the pressure of said first accumulator; and a second pressure accumulator connected to the one of said working spaces, wherein the second actuation surface is exposed to pressure of the second accumulator.