Gas suspension system

Abstract

A pneumatic suspension system is provided. The pneumatic suspension system includes a pneumatic suspension component configured to be positioned within a fork tube in a front-end motorcycle suspension system. The pneumatic suspension component defines a single body housing having a pneumatic cylinder therein.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pneumatic suspension system comprising:
 a pair of pneumatic suspension components configured to be positioned within two fork tubes in a front-end suspension system, each of the pneumatic suspension components defining a single body housing having a pneumatic cylinder therein, wherein each of the pneumatic suspension components includes a rebound chamber and a spring.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the rebound chamber acts as a biasing element. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the pair of suspension components are in pneumatic communication with each other. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each pneumatic cylinder defines a lift chamber, and each lift chamber is in pneumatic communication with the other. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein at least one lift chamber communicates via an internal port disposed inside a piston rod. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein at least one lift chamber is in communication with a compressed air source. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a check valve coupled to at least one of the rebound chambers, the check valve permitting the intake of ambient air into the at least one rebound chamber. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein at least one rebound chamber is pre-pressurized to a predetermined pressure. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the predetermined pressure is between 0 and 10 pounds per square inch. 
     
     
         10 . A pneumatic suspension system comprising:
 a pneumatic suspension component configured to be positioned within a front-end fork tube, the pneumatic suspension component defining a single housing having a pneumatic cylinder therein and a spring attached thereto, wherein the pneumatic cylinder is double acting.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the pneumatic cylinder defines a lift chamber. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the lift chamber is in communication with a compressed air source. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the pneumatic suspension component defines a rebound chamber. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , further comprising a piston located inside the pneumatic cylinder, wherein the rebound chamber exerts a bias against the piston. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , further comprising a check valve coupled to the rebound chamber, the check valve permitting the intake of ambient air into the rebound chamber. 
     
     
         16 . A pneumatic suspension system comprising:
 a pneumatic suspension component configured to be positioned within a front-end fork tube, the pneumatic suspension component defining a single body housing having a pneumatic cylinder, wherein the pneumatic suspension component includes a double acting cylinder and a spring.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the pneumatic cylinder defines a lift chamber and a rebound chamber. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the lift chamber is in communication with a compressed air source. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the rebound chamber is pressurized to a predetermined pressure. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the predetermined pressure is between 0 and 10 pounds per square inch.