Methods and apparatus for controlling a fluid damper

A damper comprising:

• a damper body having a longitudinal axis and at least partially defining a fluid chamber containing damping fluid;
• a piston rod, movable along the longitudinal axis of, and within, said damper body, wherein during a compression stroke, a portion of said piston rod moves into said damper body at least partially within a first portion of said fluid chamber;
• an enclosed fluid chamber disposed within said damper, said enclosed fluid chamber at least partially bounded by a first movable member separating said first portion of said fluid chamber from said enclosed fluid chamber;
• a gas-filled chamber coupled with said fluid chamber;
• said enclosed fluid chamber having a variable rheology fluid disposed therein, said enclosed fluid chamber at least partially displaceable by said damping fluid wherein movement of said enclosed fluid chamber causes a volume change in said gas-filled chamber;
• and
• a magnet disposed within said enclosed fluid chamber, said magnet configured to provide a magnetic field which affects said variable rheology fluid, wherein said magnet selectively produces said magnetic field within said enclosed fluid chamber to bring about a change in said rheology fluid, wherein a portion of said rheology fluid travels through an orifice in said magnet when said enclosed fluid chamber is displaced, and wherein said orifice of said magnet is coated with an abrasion resistant material.