Abstract: A suspension element includes a main body having an end cap defining an internal volume and a tubular element slidably engaged with the main body. The suspension element further includes a first piston and a flow control element. The flow control element is configured to prevent movement of the tubular element relative the main body in a direction. The suspension element may further include a locking member and a piston. The locking member may be configured to engage a barrier of the main body when the first piston traverses at least a predetermined distance towards the end cap. The locking member may be affixed to the tubular element and may fully surround the tubular element. Together the flow control element and the locking member are configured to prevent movement of the suspension element.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a support arm and a suspension element. The suspension element is rotatably connected to a support arm of a vehicle via a mounting pin that extends through an opening on the suspension element, a thrust washer, and a seal. The combination of elements prevent debris from migrating into the connection. The suspension element is configured to connect to a structural element of the vehicle via an upper mount. The suspension element may include a recoil damper having a piston with a plurality of grooves arranged to balance the forces on the piston during and after a recoil event or jounce.

Abstract: A suspension element includes a main body having an internal volume, a tubular element extending at least partially within the main body, the main body and the tubular element each including a sidewall having an inner surface and an outer surface, a first piston assembly separating the internal volume of the main body into a first chamber and a second chamber, the second chamber defined by the outer surface of the tubular element, the inner surface of the main body, and a surface of the first piston assembly, and a second piston assembly including a side that is directly exposed to the first chamber. The sidewall of the main body defines an aperture therethrough that forms a portion of a flow path between the first chamber and the second chamber. The first piston assembly is configured to prevent direct fluid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber.

Abstract: A damper assembly includes an outer cylinder, an inner cylinder positioned at least partially within the outer cylinder, a cap coupled to the inner cylinder, and a plunger positioned radially inward from the inner cylinder and coupled to a rod. The plunger, the cap, and an interior of the inner cylinder at least partially define a first chamber. The suspension system further includes a passage extending through the rod and fluidly coupled with the first chamber, a piston coupled to the inner cylinder and extending radially outward toward the outer cylinder, a first port in fluid communication with the plunger, the cap, and the inner cylinder through the passage, and a second port in fluid communication with the piston, the inner cylinder, and the outer cylinder. The piston, an exterior surface of the inner cylinder, and the outer cylinder at least partially define a second chamber.

Abstract: A suspension element includes a main body having an end cap defining an internal volume and a tubular element slidably engaged with the main body. The suspension element further includes a first piston and a flow control element. The flow control element is configured to prevent movement of the tubular element relative the main body in a direction. The suspension element may further include a locking member and a piston. The locking member may be configured to engage a barrier of the main body when the first piston traverses at least a predetermined distance towards the end cap. The locking member may be affixed to the tubular element and may fully surround the tubular element. Together the flow control element and the locking member are configured to prevent movement of the suspension element.

Abstract: A damper assembly includes an outer cylinder, an inner cylinder positioned at least partially within the outer cylinder, a cap coupled to the inner cylinder, and a plunger positioned radially inward from the inner cylinder and coupled to a rod. The plunger, the cap, and an interior of the inner cylinder at least partially define a first chamber. The suspension system further includes a passage extending through the rod and fluidly coupled with the first chamber, a piston coupled to the inner cylinder and extending radially outward toward the outer cylinder, a first port in fluid communication with the plunger through the passage, and a second port in fluid communication with the piston. The piston, an exterior surface of the inner cylinder, and the outer cylinder at least partially define a second chamber.

Abstract: A suspension element includes a main body having an end cap defining an internal volume and a tubular element slidably engaged with the main body. The suspension element further includes a first piston and a flow control element. The flow control element is configured to prevent movement of the tubular element relative the main body in a direction. The suspension element may further include a locking member and a piston. The locking member may be configured to engage a barrier of the main body when the first piston traverses at least a predetermined distance towards the end cap. The locking member may be affixed to the tubular element and may fully surround the tubular element. Together the flow control element and the locking member are configured to prevent movement of the suspension element.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system includes a gas spring. The gas spring includes a cylinder and a rod movable relative to the cylinder. The rod and the cylinder at least partially define a chamber having a variable volume and containing a first pressurized gas therein. The gas spring further includes an accumulator in communication with the chamber and containing a second pressurized gas therein. The gas spring provides a first spring rate when the first pressurized gas is pressurized below a threshold pressure and a second spring rate when the first pressurized gas is pressurized above the threshold pressure.

Abstract: A damper assembly includes a tubular member including a sidewall and a shoulder. The damper assembly includes a rod and a piston coupled to the rod. A secondary piston has a second contact surface, an opposing second surface, an inner cylindrical face defining a central aperture that receives the rod, and an outer cylindrical face. The opposing second surface includes one or more surface grooves, extending between the inner cylindrical face and the outer cylindrical face along the opposing second surface, and one or more bypass orifices disposed about the body member. The bypass orifices extend along the inner cylindrical face between the second contact surface and the opposing second surface. The secondary piston defines a channel extending between the inner cylindrical face and an outer periphery of the body member. The channel and bypass orifices form a fluid flow path when the piston contacts the secondary piston.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a body, a pair of front gas springs coupling a pair of front wheel end assemblies to the body, and a pair of rear gas springs coupling a pair of rear wheel end assemblies to the body. At least one of the rear gas springs includes a cylinder, a rod extending within the cylinder and movable relative to the cylinder, the rod and the cylinder together at least partially defining a chamber having a variable volume and receiving a first pressurized gas therein, and an accumulator in communication with the chamber and containing a second pressurized gas therein. The second pressurized gas within the accumulator is held at a threshold pressure creating a first spring rate when the first pressurized gas is below the threshold pressure and a second spring rate when the first pressurized gas is above the threshold pressure.

Abstract: A damper assembly includes an outer cylinder, an inner cylinder, a plunger, a passage, and a piston. The inner cylinder is positioned at least partially within the outer cylinder and has a cap attached to one end thereof. The plunger is positioned radially inward from the inner cylinder and coupled to a rod. The plunger, the cap, and an interior of the inner cylinder at least partially define a first chamber. The passage extends through the rod and is fluidly coupled with the first chamber. The piston is coupled to the inner cylinder and extends radially outward toward the outer cylinder. The piston, an exterior surface of the inner cylinder, and the outer cylinder at least partially define a second chamber. The plunger is configured to move relative to the inner cylinder, and the piston is configured to move relative to the outer cylinder.

Abstract: A damper assembly includes an outer cylinder, an inner cylinder positioned at least partially within the outer cylinder, a cap coupled to the inner cylinder, and a plunger positioned radially inward from the inner cylinder and coupled to a rod. The plunger, the cap, and an interior of the inner cylinder at least partially define a first chamber. The suspension system further includes a passage extending through the rod and fluidly coupled with the first chamber, a piston coupled to the inner cylinder and extending radially outward toward the outer cylinder, a first port in fluid communication with the plunger through the passage, and a second port in fluid communication with the piston. The piston, an exterior surface of the inner cylinder, and the outer cylinder at least partially define a second chamber.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a body, a pair of front gas springs coupling a pair of front wheel end assemblies to the body, and a pair of rear gas springs coupling a pair of rear wheel end assemblies to the body. At least one of the rear gas springs includes a cylinder, a rod extending within the cylinder and movable relative to the cylinder, the rod and the cylinder together at least partially defining a chamber having a variable volume and receiving a first pressurized gas therein, and an accumulator in communication with the chamber and containing a second pressurized gas therein. The second pressurized gas within the accumulator is held at a threshold pressure creating a first spring rate when the first pressurized gas is below the threshold pressure and a second spring rate when the first pressurized gas is above the threshold pressure.

Abstract: A damper assembly includes a tubular member including a sidewall and a shoulder. The damper assembly includes a rod and a piston coupled to the rod. A secondary piston has a second contact surface, an opposing second surface, an inner cylindrical face defining a central aperture that receives the rod, and an outer cylindrical face. The opposing second surface includes one or more surface grooves, extending between the inner cylindrical face and the outer cylindrical face along the opposing second surface, and one or more bypass orifices disposed about the body member. The bypass orifices extend along the inner cylindrical face between the second contact surface and the opposing second surface. The secondary piston defines a channel extending between the inner cylindrical face and an outer periphery of the body member. The channel and bypass orifices form a fluid flow path when the piston contacts the secondary piston.

Abstract: A suspension element includes a main body having an internal volume, a tubular element extending at least partially within the main body, the main body and the tubular element each including a sidewall having an inner surface and an outer surface, a first piston assembly separating the internal volume of the main body into a first chamber and a second chamber, the second chamber defined by the outer surface of the tubular element, the inner surface of the main body, and a surface of the first piston assembly, and a second piston assembly including a side that is directly exposed to the first chamber. The sidewall of the main body defines an aperture therethrough that forms a portion of a flow path between the first chamber and the second chamber. The first piston assembly is configured to prevent direct fluid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a support arm and a suspension element. The suspension element is rotatably connected to a support arm of a vehicle via a mounting pin that extends through an opening on the suspension element, a thrust washer, and a seal. The combination of elements prevent debris from migrating into the connection. The suspension element is configured to connect to a structural element of the vehicle via an upper mount. The suspension element may include a recoil damper having a piston with a plurality of grooves arranged to balance the forces on the piston during and after a recoil event or jounce.

Abstract: A suspension element includes a main body having an internal volume configured to contain a liquid therein, a tubular element extending at least partially within the main body, the tubular element having an internal volume that defines a first fluid chamber configured to contain a compressible gas therein, a first piston separating the internal volume of the main body into a second fluid chamber and a third fluid chamber, a second piston positioned to separate the first fluid chamber from the second fluid chamber, and a flow control element disposed along a flow path between the second fluid chamber and the third fluid chamber. Movement of the tubular element generates a flow of the liquid through the flow control element to produce a damping force and changes the pressure of the compressible gas to produce a spring force.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a support arm and a suspension element. The suspension element is rotatably connected to a support arm of a vehicle via a mounting pin that extends through an opening on the suspension element, a thrust washer, and a seal. The combination of elements prevent debris from migrating into the connection. The suspension element is configured to connect to a structural element of the vehicle via an upper mount. The suspension element may include a recoil damper having a piston with a plurality of grooves arranged to balance the forces on the piston during and after a recoil event or jounce.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a support arm and a suspension element. The suspension element is rotatably connected to a support arm of a vehicle via a mounting pin that extends through an opening on the suspension element, a thrust washer, and a seal. The combination of elements prevent debris from migrating into the connection. The suspension element is configured to connect to a structural element of the vehicle via an upper mount. The suspension element may include a recoil damper having a piston with a plurality of grooves arranged to balance the forces on the piston during and after a recoil event or jounce.

Abstract: A suspension element includes a main body having an end cap defining an internal volume and a tubular element slidably engaged with the main body. The suspension element further includes a first piston and a flow control element. The flow control element is configured to prevent movement of the tubular element relative the main body in a direction. The suspension element may further include a locking member and a piston. The locking member may be configured to engage a barrier of the main body when the first piston traverses at least a predetermined distance towards the end cap. The locking member may be affixed to the tubular element and may fully surround the tubular element. Together the flow control element and the locking member are configured to prevent movement of the suspension element.