Abstract: An improved hydraulic suspension unit has a springing force and rebound damping which are related to one another so as to allow certain wheel movements to occur without the resistance of rebound damping. A primary springing force provided by a pressurized gas, a coil spring, an elastomer or any combination thereof acts directly through the shock fluid via a floating piston, bladder or flexible diaphragm. The primary spring force acts directly through the fluid, and thus directly on a rebound damping valve so that the rebound damping valve is only able to dampen the stored energy of the spring, allowing other extension movements of the suspension unit to take place undamped, if these movements are not caused by the spring returning stored energy. The spring provides a maximum in tuning and adjustment capability for varying conditions with easily variable reload and rate.

Abstract: An improved hydraulic suspension unit has a springing force and rebound damping which are related to one another so as to allow certain wheel movements to occour without the resistance of rebound damping. A primary springing force provided by a pressurized gas, a coil spring and elastomer or any combination therof acts directly through the shock fluid via a floating piston, bladder or flexible diaphragm. The primary spring force acts directly through the shock fluid, and thus directly on a rebound damping valve so that the rebound damping valve is only able to dampen the stored energy. The spring provides a maximun in tuning and adjustment capability for varying conditions with easily variable reload and rate. The rebound damping valve can also be adjusted, both to determine the maximum rebound resistance when damping springing energy, and thus maximum shock shaft velocity, and to determine the magnitude of th shaft movements that are allowed to occur without rebound damping.