WHEEL ASSEMBLY INCLUDING GAS SPRINGS WITH ASSOCIATED INTEGRAL HYDRAULIC DAMPERS AND RELATED METHODS

A wheel assembly to be coupled to a hub of a vehicle may include an inner rim to be coupled to the hub of the vehicle and an outer rim surrounding the hub. The wheel assembly may also include gas springs with associated integral hydraulic dampers coupled between the inner and outer rims to provide a suspension for relative movement between the inner and outer rims. Each gas spring and associated integral hydraulic damper may include a first cylinder body and a second cylinder body slidable therein, and a first seal defining first and second gas chambers within the first cylinder body. Each gas spring and associated integral hydraulic damper may also include a shaft extending within the first cylinder body and into the second cylinder body defining a hydraulic fluid chamber, and an enlarged orifice body coupled to the shaft defining a hydraulic damper with the second cylinder body.