Methods and apparatus for suspension lock out and signal generation

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for regulating the function of a suspension system are disclosed herein. Suspension characteristics often contribute to the efficiency of a suspended system. Depending on the desired operating parameters of the suspended system, it may be desirable to alter the functional characteristics of the suspension from time to time in order to maintain or increase efficiency. The suspension hereof may be selectively locked into a substantially rigid configuration, and the damping fluid may be phase separated and/or cooled to increase damping rate during use (or offset rate degradation). The suspension hereof may generate power usable to achieve any or all of the foregoing or to be stored for use elsewhere in the suspended system or beyond.

What we claim is: 
     
         1 . A vehicle suspension damper comprising:
 a first support member;   a second support member, the first and second support members movable relative to one another within a hydraulic damping cylinder having a damping fluid therein between the first and second members;   a remote reservoir fluidically coupled to said hydraulic damping cylinder;   a damping adjuster disposed to control the flow of said damping fluid between said remote reservoir and said hydraulic damping cylinder in response to a change in a characteristic of the damping fluid; and   a power generating assembly comprising:
 a sensor that senses the change in the characteristic of the damping fluid caused by the relative movement between the first support member and the second support member, said sensor generating electrical power in response to the change in the characteristic of the damping fluid, said sensor transmitting said electrical power to a processor.