Vehicle suspension systems

A suspension system for a vehicle, the suspension system comprising:

• a damper interconnecting a body and a wheel of the vehicle and having a central longitudinal axis, wherein the damper includes:
• a first end attached to the body;
• a second end spaced apart from the first end and attached to the wheel;
• a first tube defining a first cavity therein;
• a second tube disposed within the first cavity and defining a second cavity therein, wherein the second tube is spaced apart from the first tube;
• and
• a piston translatable within the second cavity along the central longitudinal axis;
• and
• a jack assembly attached to the damper and configured for raising and lowering the body with respect to the wheel, wherein the jack assembly includes:
• a seat abutting and rotatable about the first tube, wherein the seat is translatable with respect to the first tube along the central longitudinal axis;
• wherein the seat is rotatable about the central longitudinal axis in a first direction as the resilient member extends and lengthens along the central longitudinal axis, and is rotatable about the central longitudinal axis in a second direction that is opposite the first direction as the resilient member compresses and shortens along the central longitudinal axis;
• a resilient member coiled about the damper and coupled to the seat so that the resilient member is not rotatable with respect to the seat;
• a ball screw abutting and fixedly attached to the first tube, wherein the ball screw is not rotatable about the first tube and has a first extension and a second extension spaced apart from the first extension along the central longitudinal axis;
• a ball nut abutting and rotatable about the ball screw and the first tube, wherein the ball nut includes;
• a helical portion having a third extension abuttable with the first extension to thereby restrict rotation of the ball nut with respect to the ball screw in the second direction;
• and
• a casing portion mated to the helical portion and having a fourth extension abuttable with the second extension to thereby restrict rotation of the ball nut with respect to the ball screw in the first direction;
• a first clutch coiled about the ball nut and coupled to the seat, wherein the first clutch is disposed between the first end and the ball screw along the central longitudinal axis;
• and
• a second clutch coiled about the first tube and coupled to the ball nut, wherein the second clutch is disposed between the first clutch and the second end along the central longitudinal axis;
• wherein the seat is translatable along the first tube to thereby raise and lower the body of the vehicle as the resilient member alternately elongates and compresses along the central longitudinal axis.

A vehicle including:

• a body;
• a wheel configured for translating the body across a surface;
• and
• a suspension system interconnecting the body and the wheel and including:
• a damper interconnecting the body and the wheel and having a central longitudinal axis;
• and
• a jack assembly attached to the damper and configured for raising and lowering the body with respect to the wheel, wherein the jack assembly includes:
• a seat abutting and rotatable about the damper;
• a resilient member coiled about the damper and coupled to the seat so that the resilient member is not rotatable with respect to the seat;
• a ball screw abutting and fixedly attached to the damper, wherein the ball screw is not rotatable about the damper;
• a ball nut abutting and rotatable about the ball screw and the damper;
• a first clutch coiled about the ball nut and coupled to the seat;
• and
• a second clutch coiled about the first tube and coupled to the ball nut;
• wherein the seat is translatable along the damper to thereby raise and lower the body of the vehicle.