Methods and apparatus for managing pressurized gas in fluid dampers

Abstract

A method and apparatus for a shock absorber having a damping fluid compensation chamber with a gas charge. In one aspect, a partition separates a first chamber portion from a second chamber portion, wherein the first portion of the chamber is at a first initial gas pressure and the second portion of the chamber is at a second initial pressure. A valve separates the first and second chamber portions and opening the valve comingles the first and second chamber portions so that the combined chamber portions are at a third pressure. In another aspect, a piston disposed through a wall is in pressure communication with the gas charge and is biased inwardly toward a pressure of the charge, whereby an indicator is movable by the piston in response to the pressure.

What we claim is: 
     
         1 . A damper for use with a suspension system, the damper comprising:
 a fluid-filled chamber for receiving a piston and rod;   a remote reservoir in fluid communication with the chamber, the remote reservoir having a fluid portion and a compressed gas portion, said compressed gas portion having a gas disposed therein;   a floating piston disposed between said fluid portion and said compressed gas portion;   a pre-charge assembly disposed at an end of the remote reservoir, said pre-charge assembly comprising:
 a pre-charge gas portion; 
 a partition, said partition disposed separating said pre-charge gas portion from said compressed gas portion of said remote reservoir; and 
 a fill/communication valve coupled to said pre-charge gas portion; said fill/communication valve configured to and to adjust a pressure of said pre-charge gas portion and allow a user to permit fluid communication between said pre-charge portion and said compressed gas portion; 
   an end cap, said end cap disposed at an end of said remote reservoir such that said compressed gas portion is disposed between said end cap and said floating piston; and   a gas pressure indicator assembly coupled to said compressed gas portion; said gas pressure indicator assembly configured to provide a visual indication of said gas pressure in said compressed gas portion.