Abstract: Self-pumping hydropneumatic suspension strut with internal ride-height control, particularly for motor vehicles, with an outer tube with an oil-filled high-pressure work space in the work cylinder under the pressure of at least one gas cushion acting as spring in a high-pressure chamber, a second work space on the piston rod side, and an axially displaceable piston which is supported by a hollow piston rod and is sealed in the work cylinder. The piston rod which is driven by the springing movement of the vehicle conveys oil from a low-pressure chamber to the work space connected to the high-pressure chamber and comprises a pump rod and a pump cylinder formed by the hollow piston rod.

Abstract: A bicycle cushion device includes a bracket connected to a bicycle frame which is a movable frame. A bladder is connected to the bracket and a casing is mounted to the bladder and movable connected to the bicycle frame. An opening is defined in a top of the casing and a valve of the bladder extends through the opening. The movable frame moves into the casing and compresses the bladder to absorb the shocks transmitted to the bicycle frame.

Abstract: The invention relates to an air-controlled damper which attenuates the motion of movable components. Sealing between the movable components is effected by a separation means which is fixed to the cylinder and the piston in the hollow space of the cylinder.

Abstract: The invention is a compressible fluid suspension system using a compressible fluid spring, like an air spring, communicating with a reservoir for auxiliary volume of compressible fluid. The reservoir is located within an axle.

Abstract: A rolling-lobe air spring (2) has a flexible member (4), a cover plate (6) and roll-off piston (8). The bead (12) at the piston end is configured so that a contact of the bent-over edge portion (30) with the resilient member (4) takes place as late as possible to avoid an escape of the bead (12) downwardly into the free space. This is done to facilitate the attachment of a bead (12) of the flexible member at the piston end with a bent-over edge portion (30). The gap formed by bending over the edge portion when catching the bead (12) should already be closed so far that the bead (12) can no longer slip out. The bead (12) when grasped, should lie in a clamping manner against the inner surface of the contact wall.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bellows type air spring, which includes a bellows body, and first and second end members. The bellows body has a generally hollowed cylindrical shape with upper and lower open ends and a longitudinal axis extending between the upper and lower open ends. The bellows body also defines therein an air chamber for receiving the air, thereby allowing the bellows body to be expanded and contracted along the longitudinal axis. The first end member is disposed in the lower open end for sealing the same, and defines therein a through hole for receiving a body of a shock absorber. The second end member is disposed in the upper open end for sealing the same, and defines therein a through hole for receiving a retractable rod of the shock absorber.

Abstract: A dual volume air spring for a truck suspension, which has an air bag chamber providing a variable volume and a fixed volume chamber. The chambers are interconnected by a closable orifice. The air bag is provided with a post-like orifice closer which is pushed into the orifice when the air bag is sufficiently compressed ad withdrawn from the orifice when the air bag is not compressed. In normal operation the orifice is open and the combined volumes of the chambers are available resulting in a low spring rate. The orifice closer has an orifice closing portion which is relatively pliant and a rigid or semi-rigid portion which acts as a bump-stop when the pliant portion is substantially completely compressed. When the orifice is completely closed the spring has a high spring rate.

Abstract: An air spring has a piston formed of a high strength plastic material consisting of a main shell and a bottom end sealing plate extending between a pair of concentric inner and outer annular walls. A pair of internal auxiliary reservoirs or subchambers are formed within the piston and are in fluid communication with each other and with the main air chamber formed by a flexible bellows extending between the piston and an end plate. A plurality of radially extending reinforcing ribs extend between the inner and outer annular walls of the shell and a rigid central post. A central planar support surface having an area approximately 20% than that of the piston base area provides a reduced surface area for mounting the piston on a smaller support surface.

Abstract: An automotive wheel suspension comprised of a shock-absorbing strut located within a retrofit air spring, which is located where previously a standard coil spring was located. The air spring includes a single, double, or triple convoluted bellow comprised of a rubber bellow and two bead sealing rings mounted eccentrically onto the strut by a fixed lower adapter plate. The strut is also comprised with a rotatable upper adapter plate that allows the air spring to take the place of the previously mounted coil spring in order to allow load and ride height adjustment where beforehand the coil spring allowed none.

Abstract: A gas spring apparatus comprises an outer tube, a cylinder held in the outer tube, and a rod having a piston located in the cylinder. The rod is inserted into the cylinder through a sealing portion. The interior of the cylinder is divided in two, a first liquid chamber situated on the side of the sealing portion and a low-pressure gas chamber situated on the side remoter from the sealing portion, by the piston. A space between the inner surface of the outer tube and the outer surface of the cylinder is divided between a high-pressure gas chamber and a second liquid chamber by a metal bellows. A first liquid chamber and a second liquid chamber communicate with each other by liquid communicating portions. A gas is charged in the high-pressure gas chamber at a higher pressure than in the low-pressure gas chamber.

Abstract: An air spring fines a longitudinal axis and includes a first end member in the form of a cover and a second end member in the form of a roll-off piston at a distance from the first end member. A flexible resilient member is clamped between the first and second end members so as to permit the first and second end members to move toward each other in the direction of the longitudinal axis and the distance between the end members changes during the operation of the air spring. An elevation sensor includes an electrically conductive helix arranged in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The helix has a plurality of turns and is arranged in the air spring so that the helix changes in length when the end members move towards each other in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The first and second end members and the flexible resilient member conjointly define an interior space.

Abstract: An air spring of the type with a sleeve having a first rolling lobe connected at an end to a first piston, a second rolling lobe connected to an end to a second piston, and where the first piston is substantially frustoconical and the second piston is substantially cylindrical and where the minimum effective area of the first piston is less than the minimum effective area of the second piston and where the maximum effective area of the first piston is greater than the maximum effective area of the second piston. The frustoconical first piston allows the air spring to accommodate large angular suspension motion without degrading durability.

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: A fluid device such as an air spring includes a pair of parallel spaced end members and an elastomeric sleeve interposed therebetween to define a fluid pressure chamber therein. A girdle hoop is formed of cold rolled solid steel in a toroidal configuration and is molded into the elastomeric sleeve parallel and preferably spaced equidistant from the end plates.

Abstract: An integral one-piece end plate and bracket combination is formed of a high strength plastic and is mounted in an airtight sealing engagement with an open end of a flexible elastomeric sleeve which forms the fluid pressure chamber of an air spring. The end plate includes a semi-circular wall which extends perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the air spring and a semi-circular opening. The bracket includes an upstanding wall perpendicular to the semi-circular wall of the end plate and a half dome-shaped wall, which together with the upstanding wall, forms an auxiliary fluid chamber which is in fluid communication through the semi-circular opening with the main fluid chamber of the flexible sleeve. The upstanding wall includes attachments for securing the bracket and end plate to a support structure which aligns with a longitudinal axis of the air spring.

Abstract: Devices and methods for suspending a vehicle are disclosed. A suspension mechanism in accordance with the present invention includes a suspension arm having a first end and a second end, a swing arm having a first end pivotably coupled to the first end of the suspension arm and a second end pivotably coupled to a slide frame, a pivot arm having a first end pivotably coupled to the suspension arm proximate the second end thereof, the pivot arm further including a pivot axle and a second end, the second end of the pivot arm being pivotably coupled to the slide frame, a cradle pivotably coupled to the suspension arm between the first end and the second end thereof, an air spring having a first end seating against the cradle and a second end seating against a seating portion of the slide frame.

Abstract: An air spring wherein the spring constant of the air spring can be readily tuned to achieve a desired ride performance is disclosed. The air spring has a cylindrical elastomeric sleeve, bead plates, and support rings. The sleeve is secured at each end to a bead plate. The support rings are secured to the bead beads, extending radially outward from the bead plates. The support rings have an inner shoulder, an outer shoulder, and a tracking surface extending between the shoulders. When the air spring is at design height, the sleeve contacts only the inner shoulders of the support rings. By limiting the initial contact of the sleeve with ring and determining where this contact occurs, the movement of the sleeve during jounce can be modified, altering the effective area rate of change.

Abstract: An air spring defines a longitudinal axis and includes a first end member in the form of a cover and a second end member in the form of a roll-off piston at a distance from the first end member. A flexible resilient member is clamped between the first and second end members so as to permit the first and second end members to move toward each other in the direction of the longitudinal axis and the distance between the end members changes during the operation of the air spring. An elevation sensor includes an electrically conductive helix arranged in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The helix has a plurality of turns and is arranged in the air spring so that the helix changes in length when the end members move towards each other in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The first and second end members and the flexible resilient member conjointly defining an interior space.

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 present invention 10 disclosed a shock-absorbing member for attachment to the frame 18 of a bike 12. The variable resistance pneumatic spring is mounted on an existing coil spring shock body 56 comprising a cylindrical, substantially vertical body having a threaded exterior 24 to accept a spring preload adjuster nut 32, a central recess to receive a strut 62 into the superior end and a means 64 for attachment to the wheel assembly or bicycle frame 18 on the inferior end. The strut 62 has a first end slidably secured within the central recess of the body member 56 and a second end with a means 66 for attachment to the bicycle frame 18 assembly or to the wheel assembly. The progression cone 22 slides over the body member 56 and is held in place by the preload adjustment nut 32, the progression cone 22 being substantially cylindrical with a conical upper portion 34.

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: The present invention is an air sleeve that has a tubular shape with opposing sleeve ends. At least one reinforcing ply extends from one sleeve end to the opposing sleeve end; the reinforcing ply has cords encapsulated in a ply coat compound and at least one end of the reinforcing ply terminates in one air sleeve end. According to the present invention, a reinforcement means is spaced from the end of the reinforcing ply by a distance greater than the ply coat compound.

Abstract: Pressure vessel which is filled with at least one medium which is pre-stressed by a mass of gas enclosed in a deformable enveloping body, in particular for the volume equalization in a vibration damper, comprising a wall in which a pressurized gas is enclosed. The wall is at least partially formed from a gas-tight barrier layer and the enveloping body has sections which are aligned at an angle to one another in the circumferential direction, the wall having an impressed transition between the sections, which are aligned at an angle to one another. The wall may additionally be designed with an expansion profile.

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: The invention is directed to an air spring having an elastomeric air spring flexible member with its ends attached to respective attachment components. The ends of the flexible member have respective sealing beads. An elastic peripherally extending sealing lip (41) is formed on the end portion of at least one of the ends of the flexible member and projects beyond the end face of the end portion and lies on the smallest diameter of the flexible member. The sealing lip (41) ensures a reliable sealing between this end of the flexible member and the attachment component. The sealing lip (41) faces toward the pressure space of the air spring in the assembled condition thereof.

Abstract: An adjustable length gas spring comprises a housing, in which a piston mounted on a piston rod is guided for displacement. The piston divides the housing into two partial volumes. Furthermore, a valve is provided for the interconnection of the partial volumes. A device is provided for closing the valve, by means of which the valve is closed when the partial volume which the piston rod does not pass through reaches a given minimum length.

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: The invention is directed to an air spring arrangement having a device for making ultrasonic distance measurements. An ultrasonic sensor, which is built into an air spring (2) for making measurements, can be disturbed when high frequency sonic oscillations occur when filling and venting the air spring. An air supply line (8) is disposed between the air spring (2) and a source of compressed air (30). To prevent the above disturbing frequencies, the air supply line (8) includes an air connecting pipe stub (10) which is lined with a net-shaped layer (16) on its inner wall surface. The layer (16) is preferably a plastic mesh. The filaments (18) of the mesh-shaped layer (16) are slightly inclined to the longitudinal center axis (28) of the pipe stub (10).

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.