Abstract:
A shock absorber has a compression valve assembly that provides a high damping load during a compression stroke and an extension valve assembly that provides a high damping load during an extension stroke. One or more digital valve assemblies is positioned to work in parallel with the compression valve assembly and the extension valve assembly to provide a lower damping load. The lowering of the damping load is based upon the cross sectional area of flow passages provided by the one or more digital valve assemblies.
Abstract:
A triple tube shock absorber includes a pressure tube, a reserve tube and an intermediate tube. The intermediate tube is disposed between the pressure tube and the intermediate tube. A tube ring is disposed between the pressure tube and the intermediate tube to isolate an intermediate chamber from a reserve chamber. The intermediate tube ends at a position spaced from a base valve assembly to allow for the reduction of diameter of the reserve tube without adversely affecting fluid flow.
Abstract:
A cooperative mounting arrangement (114) for an end member (106) or spacer (200) of a gas spring assembly (102) includes a recess (118, 206) formed into one of the end member and the spacer. A projection (116, 204) is provided on or along an associated structural component (SSC, ASC). The recess receives the projection such that lateral forces acting on the end member of the gas spring assembly can be transferred to the associated structural component.
Abstract:
A gas spring and gas damper assembly includes a first end member, a second end member and a flexible wall that at least partially defines a first spring chamber therebetween. A damping chamber wall at least partially defines a damping chamber. A damper piston is received within the damping chamber and is operatively connected between the first and second end members and within the first spring chamber. A suspension system that includes a gas spring and gas damper assembly as well as a method of assembly are also included.
Abstract:
A method (200) of operating a gas suspension system (100) includes generating a first quantity of gas having a storage pressure (PST) and transferring (204) the first quantity of gas into a pressurized gas storage device (118) such that a second quantity of gas having approximately the storage pressure remains in a transfer pathway (112, 114A-G). The method also includes determining (208) that a condition exists for venting gas from the gas spring assembly and placing (212) the second quantity of gas into fluid communication with a quantity of gas having a spring pressure (PSP). The method further includes waiting (214) until an approximately equilibrium pressure has been reached, and then actuating (216) a control device to exhaust at least a portion of the gas from the suspension system. A gas suspension system (100) adapted to perform the method is also included.
Abstract:
A method of manufacturing an outer shell unit (10) comprising a tubular outer shell (3) incorporating a damping force generating mechanism and a knuckle bracket (7) fitted to the outer shell (3) and allowing a knuckle to be connected thereto, comprising the steps of fixing the knuckle bracket (7) to the outer shell (3) by welding after closing the bottom part (31) of the outer shell (3) by a closing working, whereby, since the bottom part is formed by the closing working, a man-hour for cutting a faucet part and a man-hour for assembling a lower cap can be reduced to increase a productivity and, since the sealability of the outer shell at the bottom part is assured by the closing working, the bottom part must not be sealed by welding to increase a productivity.
Abstract:
The invention relates to an axle suspension for rigid axles of vehicles, in particular, of air-suspended utility vehicles. A torsional four-point link (4), which is pivotally connected to the vehicle axle (3) on one side and to the vehicle body (1a, 1b) on the other, is arranged above the vehicle axle (3). Said four-point link (4) is connected to the vehicle axle (3) and to the vehicle body (1a, 1b) by two joints (5, 6, 7, 8) which are arranged in an interspaced manner in the direction of the transversal axis of the vehicle. At least one axle strut (11, 12), which extends in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and which connects the vehicle axle (3) and the vehicle body (1a, 1b) in a vertically displaceable manner, is provided on each side of the vehicle for guiding the axle. At least one pneumatic suspension unit (19, 20) is arranged between the vehicle axle (3) and the vehicle body (1a, 1b) in order to provide suspension. The axle struts (11, 12) are each connected to the vehicle axle (3) by a molecular joint (15, 16). The articulated mounting of the vehicle axle results in the provision of a considerably more favorable elasticity for the entire system of the axle suspension and a well-defined allocation of kinematic relationships under all driving conditions so that a compression and rebound of the axle and the pendular behavior are not negatively influenced by a constraint of the vehicle axle.