Abstract: This invention concerns a pneumatic spring consisting of a hose roll bellows of elastomer material which is equipped, in particular, with stiffening supports. The ends of the hose roll bellows are pushed onto a connecting element and attached there by a radially ductile clamping ring particularly made out of metal. According to the invention, the connecting element and/or clamping ring are made thicker with a covering elastomer strip in the area of clamping. The elastomer strip is a component which is separate from the hose roll bellows. Several variants are presented.

Abstract: Active hydraulic anti-vibration support comprising two armatures joined by an elastomer body partially bounding a working chamber filled with liquid and communicating with a compensating chamber, an exciter member in contact with the working chamber, a control device designed to displace the exciter member and an elastic return device applying a force to the exciter member to return it to its non-operating position in accordance with a certain elasticity curve which has a tangent for a first displacement value corresponding to the non-operating position of the exciter member. The elasticity curve is located below this tangent in the vicinity of a second displacement value corresponding to the end stop position of the exciter member.

Abstract: An air lift shock absorber for an automotive suspension system includes a damping piston slidable within a housing, a piston rod extending from the housing to a top mount assembly including a rigid top mount housing and a force absorbing member within the housing for transferring damping forces from the piston to the top mount housing. A jounce bumper absorbs impact forces from the housing. An air lift mechanism includes an inflatable sleeve and a pressure retainer connecting the inflatable sleeve with a flexible force receiving member that is bonded to the pressure retainer and to the top mount housing. The flexible force receiving member allows the pressure retainer to flex relative to the top mount during normal operation of the suspension system and also provides a force transmitting path for transferring forces from the air lift mechanism and the jounce bumper to the top mount housing independent of the resilient force absorbing member within the top mount housing that transfers damping forces.

Abstract: An annular bellows unit for replacing a vehicle suspension coil spring that encloses a shock absorber or hydraulic actuator includes annular second flange members that are sealingly connected at opposite ends of respective inner and outer bellows members to form a closed chamber, and a fill port in one of the flange members for pressurizing the chamber.

Abstract: The invention concerns a pneumatic suspension system (1) comprising at least an elastomer bellows (2) provided with reinforcement linings, a cover (5) with a bottom zone (A) whereon is fixed, by means of a clamp ring or the like (3), the bellows (2) top end (2′), a median zone (B) and a top zone (C) which, simultaneously, is assembled with a connecting component, in particular a component integral with the body, and a pneumatic piston (6) whereon is fixed the bellows (2) bottom end (2″), also by means of a clamp ring (3′) or the like, and on whose external wall the bellows can roll. The invention is charaterized in that the system is provided with a pleated structure enclosing in the form of a ring the cover (5) thereby elastically supporting the pleated structure (4) formed in the bellows (2) top end zone, and the pleated structure bearing surface is, once more, supported on a part, which is either part of the cover, or a connecting component, or an auxiliary component.

Abstract: Spring strut with a pneumatic spring and an oscillation damper which can be adjusted as a function of the support pressure. The pneumatic spring has a spring space bounded by a U-type bellows, which spring space is pneumatically connected to a damping device which can be adjusted as a function of a support pressure. A component which having a duct connects the spring space and the damping device is embodied without a hose and is integrated in the spring strut in such a way that it does not form any essential surface change in an unrolling piston associated with the U-type bellows and the unrolling piston forms at least a part of this duct.

Abstract: A switchable liquid-filled vibration absorbing mount which is caused to cope with the shaking vibrations and the idle vibrations by opening/closing orifices and which is enabled to hold the stable characteristics for a long time without being troubled by the slackness of the closed state even after the opening/closing actions are repeated. For this vibration absorbing mount, a first mounting fixture (1) and a second mounting fixture (2) are jointed by a vibration absorbing base (3). In this internal space, there are arranged a partition member (4), a first diaphragm (5) and a second diaphragm (6). A main liquid chamber (7) and an auxiliary liquid chamber (8) are caused to communicate by two inner and outer orifices (14) and (13). A balance chamber (9) is defined between the first and second two diaphragms (5) and (6), and a switching chamber (10), into which the atmospheric pressure and a vacuum can be introduced, is defined between the second diaphragm (6) and the second mounting fixture (2).

Abstract: If the height of a train car is reduced by the regrinding of the tread of each wheel and then reincreased to the original level by simply increasing the height of air springs, the compression stroke of the air springs changes. An arrangement is proposed to maintain a constant compression stroke after height adjustment. A stopper has movement restricting portions arranged circumferentially at predetermined intervals for restricting the downward movement of the outer cylinder. The stopper is rotatably mounted on the inner member. The outer cylinder has surfaces to be supported, and second surfaces to be supported provided circumferentially alternating with the first surfaces at a level lower than the first surfaces such that when the stopper is turned, the restricting protrusions move from the position where they support the first surfaces to the position where they support the second surfaces. The stopper has a lever so that it can be turned by operating the lever from outside.

Abstract: A spacer for an air spring assembly includes a substantially cylindrical body having a substantially planar mounting surface. The body includes a central hub, an outer rim, and a plurality of structural arms connecting the outer rim to the central hub. The central hub includes a pair of concentric hub walls with a plurality of spoke ribs disposed between the hub walls. The outer rim includes an annular groove in its upper surface as well as a plurality of support ribs. Each of the structural arms has a T-shaped cross section. The spacer has five bolt holes that are configured to work with a single center mount, two point, three point, or a four point mounting pattern. The spacer is fabricated from a non-metallic material such as a high strength, lightweight plastic or fiber reinforced plastic.

Abstract: Shock absorber device comprising a shock absorber combined with an air spring, which shock absorber device is arranged for active suspension/shock absorbing in a wheel suspension of a vehicle. The shock absorber is surrounded by the air spring, and in the annular interspace between the shock absorber and the air spring there is arranged a piston and cylinder device likewise surrounding the shock absorber and which on the inside is connected to the shock absorber and on its outside is connected to the air spring. The piston of the piston and cylinder device is an annular piston which via an axial extension part is connected to a stabilizer joined to the wheel suspension.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is directed toward an improved airspring bumper (20) and an airspring (10) comprising the improved bumper (20). The bumper (20) is defined by a dual reinforcing structure comprising concentric sets of ribs (50, 58) for absorbing and distributing loads generated from contact between the bumper (20) and an opposing retainer (16). The bumper (20) is secured to one of the airspring retainers (18) by a compression fit between the retainer (18) and the bumper (20) or by a central barbed post (36).

Abstract: An air actuator has a rigid piston at one end and a rigid housing and end cap at the other end with an intervening elastomeric flexible sleeve extending therebetween which forms a fluid pressure chamber. The rigid piston, elastomeric flexible sleeve, and rigid housing are all injection or blow molded as one integral piece of preferably a thermoplastic elastomer, while the end cap is injection or blow molded as a second integral piece of preferably a thermoplastic elastomer that is thereafter welded to the rigid housing to define an internal chamber that is pressurizable. The first piece consisting of the piston, flexible membrane and housing, is configured such that the walls of the housing and piston are thick and rigid while the walls of the flexible membrane are thin and thus flexible, thereby allowing the membrane to roll and bend such that the piston may axially move in relation to the housing.

Abstract: A pneumatic spring, in particular for rail vehicles, trucks and busses, has a bellows made of elastomer material, if required provided with reinforcing inserts; a pot to whose upper part the bellows are secured, the bellows preferably rolling on the outer wall of the pot; a plate-shaped cover spaced apart from the pot and to which the other end of the bellows is secured; a central rod firmly secured to the cover and which projects out of the lid over a distance extends parallel to the bellows and enters the pot; a ball-and-socket joint located between the pot and the rod and supported against the inner wall of the pot; an air pipe; a slide bush arranged between the ball-and-socket joint and the rod and guided on the outer wall of the rod; and an intermediate bush arranged between the ball-and-socket joint and the slide bush.

Abstract: A gas spring/shock absorber unit (2) or so-called gas spring strut includes a gas spring (4) having a gas spring resilient member (6), a gas spring piston (8) and a gas spring cover (10). The gas spring strut also includes a shock absorber (12), which is arranged coaxially within the gas spring (4) and has a damper cylinder (14), a damper piston (16) and a piston rod (18). The gas spring strut is so configured that wear of the mutually movable parts (16, 26) is substantially precluded. For this purpose, an impact disc (20) is disposed within the damper cylinder (14). The impact disc (20) partitions the volume of the damper (12) into two component spaces (22 and 24). Pass-through openings (28, 30) for the piston rod (18) of the shock absorber (12) are provided in the impact disc (20) and in the piston plate (26) of the gas spring piston (18), respectively. The pass-through openings (28, 30) provide respective connecting gaps (32, 34) between the gas and hydraulic liquid spaces (6a, 22 and 24).

Abstract: Disclosed is a vibration damping and isolation apparatus having a passive damping mechanism. The passive damping mechanism includes a piston and first and second elements of magnetic material with a shaft extending therebetween. The piston and shaft are linearly movable relative to one another upon application of forces to the damping apparatus. The shaft is spaced from an axial bore of the piston by a restrictive fluid flow annulus that is filled with a viscous fluid. A resilient seal mechanism, having a static stiffness, couples the first and second elements to the piston to define first and second viscous fluid filled chambers in fluid communication with the annulus. Shearing of the fluid as it is displaced through the annulus dissipates the forces. A magnetic mechanism generates magnetic forces that act on the first and second elements to destiffen the static stiffness of the resilient seal mechanism to improve vibration damping and isolation at low frequencies.

Abstract: A pneumatic resiliency unit having a bellows with a bellows first section terminating in a bellows first section first end and a bellows first section second end, and a bellows second section terminating in a bellows second section first end and a bellows second section second end. A support surface engages the bellows first section first end and a backing plate is spaced apart from the support surface. An intermediate support platform is positioned a separation S from the backing plate and attaches to the bellows first section second end and to the bellows second section first end. The bellows second section second end is engageable with the backing plate, and spaced apart therefrom when the support surface is load free. The separation S is preferably variable to change the response of the pneumatic resiliency unit to a load applied to the support surface. Further variation in the response is provided by altering the shape of the bellows or by restricting air flow between the bellows sections.

Abstract: An airtight end retainer assembly has a premolded body with apertures and a seat area for receiving a combination stud insert, having a head, which is press fitted into the body with an o-ring seal therebetween. The retainer assembly is for use in an airspring assembly. Combinations of complementary shapes between a first body aperture and the stud head compared to a second body aperture and a central portion of the stud insert prevent relative rotation between the body and the stud insert.

Abstract: A method for constructing a resilient floor on a solid base utilizes plate-shaped elements. Hollow, height-adjustable elements are fastened on the base and are filled with an elastically hardening material, which is adhesive in the flowable state. Prior to hardening, base plates are placed on the filled elements and are aligned. When lifted, the base plates move the elements located below them because of the adhesion of the filler material to the base plates. After hardening, at least one further floor layer is placed on the base plates. This method can be executed rapidly.

Abstract: The active vibration-isolating device of the invention is used for preventing vibrations due to ground motions or running of an automobile from being propagated to a platform which is disposed in, for example, a semiconductor device factory or a laser device factory, and on which various kinds of equipment are to be mounted, and also from causing the platform to vibrate. The device has: an air spring which elastically supports a platform; a piston-like member which abuts against and supports the platform; plural piezoelectric actuators which can be externally controlled; a working fluid such as an aqueous solution of ethylene glycol which transmits driving displacements of the piezoelectric actuators to the piston-like member via piston members which are respectively fixed to ends of the piezoelectric actuators in a driving direction x; and a fluid path in which the working fluid is hermetically filled.

Abstract: A bellows cylinder (10) provided with a bellows part (13) at least at a part is formed so that a first surface 16 of a cylinder wall of the above bellows part is tilted to the radial direction of the bellows part and is directed to one end of the bellows part with a ridge (14) as a boundary. A second surface 18 is parallelized to the radial direction of the bellows part and is directed to the other end of the bellows part or is tilted on the side of the first surface. The second surface is pressed inside the first surface when the bellows part is compressed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an industrial shock absorber requiring very few component parts, which can be cost-effectively produced while expensive milling operations are avoided, wherein different damping curves can be realized relatively simply. The shock absorber has good temperature stability in the cold and warm states, wherein the largest possible piston diameter can be achieved because of the special construction in accordance with the invention, which further contributes to stability and safety.

Abstract: A vibration damping and isolation apparatus including a passive damping mechanism and an active enhancement mechanism. The passive damping mechanism operates to dissipate vibratory and shock forces applied to the vibration damping and isolation apparatus. The passive damping mechanism includes first and second spaced damping elements. A first resilient structure connects the first damping element to the second damping element to define a primary fluid chamber between the first and second damping elements. The passive damping mechanism further includes a second resilient structure that defines a secondary fluid chamber which is in fluid communication with the primary fluid chamber via a fluid flow orifice. A fluid fills the primary fluid chamber, the secondary fluid chamber and the fluid flow orifice.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vibration damping and isolation apparatus having a passive damping mechanism. The passive damping mechanism includes an outer tubular member and an inner member. The inner and outer members are linearly movable relative to one another upon application of forces to the damping apparatus. The inner member is spaced from the outer member by a fluid shear gap that is filled with a viscous fluid. Fluid pressure of the viscous fluid remains constant while the viscous fluid dissipates the forces by direct fluid shear upon relative linear movement of the outer and inner members.

Abstract: An air-suspension system having a canister formed such that the inner diameter of an insert portion thereof is smaller than that of a tube mounting portion thereof to form a pressure-receiving portion between the insert and tube mounting portions. In addition, an air piston is formed such that the inner diameter of an insert portion thereof is smaller than that of a tube mounting portion thereof to form a pressure-receiving portion between the insert and tube mounting portions. When the pressure in an air chamber increases, the pressure-receiving portions receive the increased pressure to thereby strongly press the canister against a canister cap and the air piston against an air piston guide.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension with an airspring of the type with a flexible sleeve forming a chamber portion and a rolling lobe portion. The chamber portion is attached to a tilted closure and the rolling lobe portion of the airsleeve is attached to a piston that is transversely moved which introduces a shear force into the airsleeve and increases a surface area on an upward tilted side of the sleeve so as to provide side load compensation and where the axial length of the rolling lobe is substantially equalized to enhanced flexural life. A method of imparting a side load force with an airspring fastened between a fixed member and reciprocating member of a vehicle suspension, is provided by tilting a closure member of the airspring, transversely moving a piston connected to a rolling lobe portion of the airspring while distorting a chamber portion of the airspring, and eccentrically offsetting the piston in a manner that tends to equalize an axial length of a rolling lobe.

Abstract: The invention is uniquely "passive-active" in that it brings to bear, sequentially and complementarily, passive vibration control followed by active vibration control. A conventional mount (such as an air mount) is accommodated so as to include, at the mount's foundation-securing plate, at least one motion sensor and at least one vibratory actuator. Each sensor is correlated with an actuator. For each sensor-actuator pair, the electrical feedback loop includes generation by the sensor of a signal resulting from the local vibration of the foundation-securing plate, generation by a processor/controller of a signal derived from the sensor's signal, and exertion upon the foundation-securing plate by the sensor's paired actuator of a vibratory force commanded by the processor/controller's signal. Many preferred embodiments of the inventive apparatus, system and method collocate each sensor with its paired actuator and implement a conventional vibration suppression algorithm involving collocated velocity feedback.

Abstract: The inventively advanced mount accommodates a conventional mount (such as an air mount) so as to include, at the mount's foundation-securing plate, at least one motion sensor and at least one vibratory actuator. Each sensor is correlated with an actuator. For each sensor-actuator pair, the electrical feedback loop includes generation by the sensor of a signal resulting from the local vibration of the foundation-securing plate, generation by a processor/controller of a signal derived from the sensor's signal, and exertion upon the foundation-securing plate by the sensor's paired actuator of a vibratory force commanded by the processor/controller's signal. Many preferred inventive embodiments collocate each sensor with its paired actuator and implement a conventional vibration suppression algorithm involving collocated velocity feedback. The inventive "passive-active" mount uniquely brings to bear, sequentially and complementarily, passive vibration control followed by active vibration control.

Abstract: A damping mounting structure for use between two members for isolating motion changes which incorporates a plurality of dampers connected between the two members with spring members operating in parallel with the dampers to provide stiffness and where the springs are pneumatic to provide proper stiffness when the load is heavy without damage to the springs and/or to provide variable stiffness when desired.

Abstract: A tuned mass damper using a single predetermined mass connected to springs of predetermined stiffness along each of at least two directions to absorb energy from a vibrating structure to which it is attached and damp the vibrations in a rapid and efficient manner with a minimum of weight and volume used.

Abstract: Air suspension system with a compressed air container of an air suspension system for a motor vehicle with a vehicle frame and a vehicle body, comprising a number of elastic air springs which are connected to the reservoir, whereby the air springs and the reservoir are to be considered as compressed air containers, characterized by the fact that at least one compressed air container is located inside a cavity formed by at least one vehicle part which is independent of the air suspension system strictly speaking.

Abstract: In air-spring legs with a pressure chamber in each case for motor vehicles, in which the respective pressure chamber can be subjected to different pressures via a connector leading to the outside, a minimum pressure is to be ensured in the respective pressure chamber irrespective of external influences. This minimum pressure is also to be present in the case of a demounted or not yet mounted spring leg in the pressure chamber thereof. For this purpose, the connector of the pressure chamber of the air-spring leg has in each case an automatically operating pressure relief valve which can be designed to maintain a minimum pressure which can be predetermined for the chamber, and by means of which pressure relief valve the connector is open at a pressure which is acting from the interior of the pressure chamber or from the outside and is above the minimum pressure and, at a pressure below it, is closed.

Abstract: A bellows type air spring having a circular lobed body member with an inner an outer rubberized fabric reinforcing ply and a bead ring at each end. The turn up portion at each end of the fabric layers is wrapped around the bead ring with the turn up portion of the inner ply extending axially inwardly from the bead ring a substantial distance beyond the end of the turn up portion of the outer ply on both ends of the spring to provide longer flex life and prevent premature cracking of the body member in the areas of the end bead rings. The manufacturing method involves the use of an inner fabric ply that is substantially longer in the axial direction than the outer ply instead of using both inner plies of the same axial length.

Abstract: The airspring piston of this invention in some of its aspects comprises a cylindrical center portion whose lower end defines a piston bottom including a retainer for a fastener attaching said piston to an unsprung portion of a vehicle, an annular dome portion extending radially outward from a top end of cylindrical portion and ending at its outer periphery with a downwardly and outwardly arcuate bead retention portion which in turn concludes with a skirt portion which extends downwardly and flares outwardly and further downwardly to a point where the end of the skirt portion is a predetermined distance above said piston bottom. The piston may contain a plurality of circumferentially spaced ribs and a plurality of circumferentially spaced gussets to strengthen the piston.

Abstract: An active positioning element for a rubber mount, including a space surrounded by a housing, a positioning member and a working member which is designed as a spring element arranged within the space. The positioning member and the working member are movable back and forth in the direction of oscillations introduced into the rubber mount, and the positioning member is sealed in the housing. The positioning member is formed by a gas pressure spring which can be acted on by gas under pressure, the gas pressure spring comprising at least one piston-cylinder unit which has a roller membrane for sealing the piston off from the housing. The spring element is formed by a compression spring which, in the direction of the oscillations introduced, rests under elastic initial stress, on one side against the positioning member and on another side against the support bearing of the rubber mount.

Abstract: A vibration damping device comprises two cylindrical and flexible membrane members liquid-tightly connected at its end portion to respective end portion of a piston member and at its other end portions to respective face plates, a connecting member connecting the face plates to each other to form a closed chamber, a liquid filled in the closed chamber, and fastening members arranged onto the piston member and face plate, respectively. Moreover, at least one restricted passage is formed in the piston member or the connecting member. When an electrorheological fluid is used as a liquid, electrodes are arranged on opposed walls of the restricted passage.

Abstract: A hydraulic damper including a cylinder and a piston rod and a seal for the piston rod and a metal bellows fixedly mounted between the cylinder and the piston rod for accepting leakage of hydraulic fluid from the cylinder, and a spring arrangement encircling the cylinder and piston rod, the spring arrangement consisting of two equal length, equal size springs wound in opposite directions with their outer ends fixed to the cylinder and piston rod and having their inner ends bearing against each other to eliminate the application of torque from the springs to the bellows.

Abstract: An apparatus to dampen a vehicle pneumatic suspension system wherein high impulse road vibration is transmitted from the pneumatic suspension elements of a vehicle's wheel assembly to a serially arranged variable-volume chamber and biased damper, such that the high pressure impulse is absorbed by gas compression and damper displacement. The biasing element of the damper returns the damper back to a normal position, which returns the displaced gas volume back into the pneumatic suspension system.

Abstract: A vibration damping device comprises two cylindrical and flexible membrane members liquid-tightly connected at its end portion to respective end portion of a piston member and at its other end portions to respective face plates, a connecting member connecting the face plates to each other to form a closed chamber, a liquid filled in the closed chamber, and fastening members arranged onto the piston member and face plate, respectively. Moreover, at least one restricted passage is formed in the piston member or the connecting member. When an electrorheological fluid is used as a liquid, electrodes are arranged on opposed walls of the restricted passage.

Abstract: An air bag actuator is incorporated into the redraw motion assembly of a can body maker apparatus to maintain a cam actuated arm in compression during the reform cycle. Additionally, a housing is provided to enclose an air bag actuator, preventing axial displacement of the air bag and inadvertent damage to it during operations. The air bag actuator also functions as a pivotal link in the redraw system and eliminates the need for a complex pneumatic systems that include surge tanks, air supply tanks, and housing.

Abstract: According to an illustrative example of the invention, a suspension strut of a motor vehicle comprises a protective bellows for the piston rod. This protective bellows protects the piston rod in all positions of the piston rod between an axially innermost operational position and an axially outermost operational position. When the piston rod approaches its axially outermost operational position, the folding bellows is elongated. When the piston rod approaches its axially innermost position, substantially no compression of the folding bellows occurs.

Abstract: The weight transfer device is for a tractor trailer including a tractor for pulling a trailer. The device comprises a mount having opposite ends provided with attaching elements for attaching transversely the mount between a pair of rearward parallel frame side rails of the tractor behind its fifth wheel. The mount receives the base of a bag unit having an upper surface over the base at an adjustable distance therefrom, and an inflatable air bag between the base and the upper surface for adjusting the distance. A bearing structure is mounted on top of the upper surface for upwardly pushing against the trailer without significantly hindering its pivotal movement around the fifth wheel. The device further comprises a compact guiding mechanism for vertically guiding the upper surface of the bag unit while preventing the bag from drooping when the bearing structure is pushing against the trailer.

Abstract: A vibration damping device comprises two cylindrical and flexible membrane members, a restricted passage constituting member connected at both end portions to these membrane members, two face plates connected at their end portion to the membrane members, a closed chamber defined by these members and face plates, a rigid member connecting both the face plates to each other at inside or outside of the closed chamber, a fluid filled in the closed chamber, and a fastening member disposed at each side of the restricted passage constituting member and the face plate.

Abstract: A roll bellows-type pneumatic shock absorber comprises a roll bellows having a wall made of an elastomeric material with embedded stiffening layers. Both end sections of the roll bellows are fastened to a respective fixture. During normal operational conditions the roll bellows forms the rolling crease that changes with the shock absorbing movements. In order to reduce the technical expenditure during the manufacture and mounting of the pneumatic shock absorber and in order to provide a light weight roll bellows, one end section of the roll bellows is embodied as an additionally reinforced roll bellows wall section, which is inherently stable with respect to the inner pressure of the pneumatic shock absorber and the outer loads exerted via the rolling crease. Thus, the roll bellows rolls with its rolling crease over the reinforced roll bellows wall section, i.e., over itself.

Abstract: A spring insert for a waterbed mattress includes a plurality of spring bellows units arranged in upright relation within the mattress. Each bellows unit has a top wall and pleated sidewall which is collapsible from a normal expanded height to a shortened compressed height wherein the internal volume of the bellows unit is substantially reduced. Each bellows unit furthermore has a bleeder opening through one wall so that a compression load exerted on the bellows unit through the mattress top wall is resisted by both spring action and hydraulic action of the bellows units. The bellows units may be interconnected to form upper and lower sections arranged in stacked relation. Stacked pairs of upper and lower bellows units may be arranged in fluid communication to define joint hydraulic chambers.

Abstract: A vibration isolation apparatus having a shaft with an axis therethrough. The shaft has a first and second end. A piston having an axial bore is coaxially positioned with the shaft to provide a damper by forming a damping path between the piston and the shaft. A flange extends radially from the piston for coupling the apparatus to a load. A first extension is coupled to and extends radially from the first end of the shaft and a second extension is coupled to and extends radially from the second end of the shaft. Secondary bellows extending from and secondary fluid paths extending through the first and second extensions provide a first volumetric stiffness in series with the damper. Primary bellows connect the flange to the first and second extensions and are coaxial with the shaft to provide a second volumetric stiffness parallel with the damper and the first volumetric stiffness.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a method and apparatus for hydroforming thin-wall metal corrugated tubing which include first preforming the corrugated tubing in a conventional hydroforming operation of the type in which each convolution is formed separately. Semi-resilient spacers are then inserted between the sides of adjacent internal convolutions, while non-resilient washers are inserted between the sides of adjacent external convolutions. The corrugated tubing with the inserted spacers and washers is then highly compressed to the total thickness of the individual elements, with the spacers and washers controlling the radii formed at the crests and troughs of the convolutions. The resulting corrugated tubing has trough and crest radii on the order of 11/2 to 2 metal thicknesses, has an extension/compression ratio of 4 or greater, and can be compressed nearly flat.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a rolling-lobe air spring having a flexible member made of elastomeric material. The flexible member defines the wall of the air spring and includes a reinforcement layer with two mutually-crossing cord-fabric layers. A rolling lobe is formed during the operating state of the air spring and changes with the reciprocating air spring action. An additional rubberized double-layer fabric having two mutually-crossing cord layers is arranged in the flexible member of the air spring in order to reduce the installation space needed for accommodating the air spring. This additional double-layer fabric extends directly from the clamped end region which lies opposite the rolling lobe and extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the air spring or only partially over the non-rolling region of the flexible member. The thread angle of the additional cord-fabric layers is less than the thread angle of the reinforcement layer.

Abstract: An air spring for vehicles includes an elastomeric air-spring flexible member. The air-spring flexible member is sealed off by attachment parts at both ends thereof. The flexible member can be attached via the attachment parts to the vehicle parts which are to be resiliently supported with respect to each other. For this purpose, at least one attachment part includes projecting attachment bolts or embedded attachment bushings. To minimize leaks caused by attachment parts which become damaged, the projecting attachment bolts or the embedded attachment bushings are arranged within respective recesses in the end-face outer surface of the attachment part.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an air spring having a sleeve-type flexible member made of elastomeric material. The flexible member has end sections which are attached to connecting parts by radially plastically deformed clamping rings. The clamping ring attaches an end section of the sleeve-type flexible member to a particular connecting part with a friction-contact connection to enable the attachment of the flexible member to withstand higher pull-out forces.

Abstract: A waterbed mattress includes a spring insert having a plurality of open ended bellows spring units arranged in upright relation within the mattress. The pleated peripheral side wall of each bellows spring unit enables it to be collapsible from a normal expanded height to a shortened compressed height wherein the internal volume is substantially reduced. Each bellows spring unit is spring biased to its normal expanded height. The bellows spring units are snap fit into holes a spacer panel which serves to position the bellows spring units relative to one another a valve cover sheet may overlay one or both ends of the bellows spring units and have holes registered with the open ends of the bellows units to impart a hydraulic action to them in addition to their inherent spring force.