Abstract: A damping air spring for heavy-duty vehicle axle/suspension systems. The damping air spring includes a first chamber and a second chamber and at least one opening between the first chamber and second chamber to provide restricted fluid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber. An adsorptive material is disposed within the first chamber or the second chamber and works in conjunction with the at least one opening to provide damping characteristics to the air spring over a first and second critical range of frequencies.

Abstract: A damping air spring for heavy-duty vehicle axle/suspension systems. The damping air spring includes a piston chamber and a bellows chamber and at least one opening between the chambers to provide restricted fluid communication between the chambers. A relationship between a cross-sectional area of the at least one opening in square inches to a volume of the piston chamber in cubic inches to a volume of the bellows chamber in cubic inches to a mean effective area of the air spring in square inches or of the at least one opening in square inches to a volume of the piston chamber in cubic inches to a volume of the bellows chamber in cubic inches to a unitless ratio of the volume of the bellows chamber to the volume of the piston chamber provides damping characteristics to the air spring over a first and second critical range of frequencies.

Abstract: A damping air spring for heavy-duty vehicle axle/suspension systems. The damping air spring includes a first chamber and a second chamber and at least one opening between the first chamber and second chamber to provide restricted fluid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber. An adsorptive material is disposed within the first chamber or the second chamber and works in conjunction with the at least one opening to provide damping characteristics to the air spring over a first and second critical range of frequencies.

Abstract: An axle/suspension system for a heavy-duty vehicle includes a suspension assembly, an axle, and a damping means. The suspension assembly is operatively connected to the heavy-duty vehicle. The axle is operatively connected to the suspension assembly. The damping means is operatively connected to and extends between the suspension assembly and the heavy-duty vehicle. The axle/suspension system has a motion ratio of between about 1.4 to about 1.7. A method for optimizing damping of an axle/suspension system of a heavy-duty vehicle includes the steps of: calculating a curve representing a damping energy relating to load on a damping air spring; calculating a curve representing a damping energy relating to air flow velocity through at least one opening of the air spring; calculating an optimized motion ratio by determining an intersection of the curves; altering the geometry of the axle/suspension system to provide the axle/suspension system with the optimized motion ratio.

Abstract: An axle/suspension system for a heavy-duty vehicle including a wheel and a sensor. The sensor is operatively connected to an air spring mounted on the axle/suspension system and is capable of detecting a condition of a road or the heavy-duty vehicle. The air spring has a stiffness capable of being altered in response to the sensor and to reduce resonant load variation on the wheel.

Abstract: An air spring for a heavy-duty vehicle axle/suspension system comprising a piston, a bellows, and an intermediate chamber integrally formed with the bellows. The bellows has an upper portion, a top plate, and a bellows chamber and is connected to the piston by a band, a bead-in-groove connection, and/or a bayonet connection. The upper portion is reinforced to prevent the bellows chamber from increasing in volume. The intermediate chamber has an optimally sized top plate and a support structure and extends from the piston into the bellows chamber. The intermediate top plate is formed with means for restricted fluid communication between the bellows chamber and the intermediate chamber. The means for restricted fluid communication is not obstructed when it contacts the bellows top plate during jounce events. The support structure is optimized in relation to the top plate.

Abstract: A damping air spring for a heavy-duty vehicle axle/suspension system includes a bellows and a piston. The bellows has a bellows chamber. The piston is operatively connected to the bellows and includes at least two portions forming a continuous piston chamber. One of the portions of the piston is at least partially disposed within the bellows chamber and has a variable volume.

Abstract: An air spring with damping characteristics for a suspension assembly of a heavy-duty vehicle includes a bellows chamber, a piston chamber, an intermediate chamber, and a first and second means for providing restricted fluid communication. The intermediate chamber is disposed at least partially within the bellows chamber and operatively connected to the bellows chamber and the piston chamber. The first means for providing restricted fluid communication is located between the bellows chamber and the intermediate chamber. The second means for providing restricted fluid communication is located between the piston chamber and the intermediate chamber. The first and second means for providing restricted fluid communication provide damping characteristics to the air spring during operation of the heavy-duty vehicle.

Abstract: A load isolation device, or suspension assembly of a vehicle, including a damping air spring and a pneumatic control system. The damping air spring is operatively connected to a structure to be isolated and extends from a base operatively connected to or operatively disposed on a source of vibration. The pneumatic control system includes a height control valve connected to the damping air spring and is capable of being actuated between a first operating state and a second operating state. The height control valve enables the damping air spring to maintain the structure at a primary height in the first operating state and at a secondary height different from the primary height in the second operating state.

Abstract: An axle/suspension system for a heavy-duty vehicle includes a suspension assembly, an axle, and a damping means. The suspension assembly is operatively connected to the heavy-duty vehicle. The axle is operatively connected to the suspension assembly. The damping means is operatively connected to and extends between the suspension assembly and the heavy-duty vehicle. The axle/suspension system has a motion ratio of between about 1.4 to about 1.7. A method for optimizing damping of an axle/suspension system of a heavy-duty vehicle includes the steps of: calculating a curve representing a damping energy relating to load on a damping air spring; calculating a curve representing a damping energy relating to air flow velocity through at least one opening of the air spring; calculating an optimized motion ratio by determining an intersection of the curves; altering the geometry of the axle/suspension system to provide the axle/suspension system with the optimized motion ratio.

Abstract: A damping convoluted air spring for use in vehicle axle/suspension systems includes a top plate, a bottom plate, and a bellows. The bellows includes a first lobe, a second lobe, and a third lobe operatively connected to one another. The first lobe being in fluid communication with the second lobe. The second lobe being in fluid communication with said third lobe. The first lobe operatively mounted on the top plate. The third lobe operatively mounted on the bottom plate. The second lobe includes a fixed volume under pressure to provide damping to the air spring during operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: An air spring with damping characteristics for a suspension assembly of a heavy-duty vehicle includes a first chamber, a second chamber and an intermediate chamber. The intermediate chamber is operatively connected between the first chamber and the second chamber. A first means provides restricted fluid communication between the intermediate chamber and the first chamber. A second means provides restricted fluid communication between the intermediate chamber and the second chamber. The first and second means for providing restricted fluid communication between the intermediate chamber and the first and second chambers, respectively, provide damping characteristics to the air spring during operation of the heavy-duty vehicle.

Abstract: A damping convoluted air spring for use in vehicle axle/suspension systems includes a top plate, a bottom plate, and a bellows. The bellows includes a first lobe, a second lobe, and a third lobe operatively connected to one another. The first lobe being in fluid communication with the second lobe. The second lobe being in fluid communication with said third lobe. The first lobe operatively mounted on the top plate. The third lobe operatively mounted on the bottom plate. The second lobe includes a fixed volume under pressure to provide damping to the air spring during operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A suspension system can include an air spring, an air reservoir external to the air spring, and a flow control device which variably restricts flow of air between the air spring and the air reservoir. Flow between the air spring and the air reservoir may be permitted in response to compliance of the suspension system, and the air spring can have an internal air volume at least 2½ times as great may permit flow between the air spring and the air reservoir in response to a predetermined pressure differential level across the flow control device. Multiple air reservoirs can be internal to an axle, or other suspension system or vehicle component, and can be isolated from each other.

Abstract: An air spring for a heavy-duty vehicle includes a bellows chamber, a piston chamber, and at least one opening. The piston chamber is operatively connected to the bellows chamber. The at least one opening is in fluid communication with the bellows chamber and the piston chamber to provide fluid communication between the bellows chamber and the piston chamber. An orifice assembly is disposed adjacent the at least one opening for variably changing the size of the opening. The air spring provides damping to the heavy-duty vehicle.

Abstract: An air spring with damping characteristics for a suspension assembly of a heavy-duty vehicle includes a bellows chamber, a piston chamber and an asymmetrical orifice. The asymmetrical orifice is in fluid communication with the bellows chamber and the piston chamber of the air spring. The asymmetrical orifice provides asymmetrical damping characteristics to the air spring of the heavy-duty vehicle.

Abstract: An air spring with damping characteristics for a suspension assembly of a heavy-duty vehicle includes a first chamber, a second chamber and an intermediate chamber. The intermediate chamber is operatively connected between the first chamber and the second chamber. A first means provides restricted fluid communication between the intermediate chamber and the first chamber. A second means provides restricted fluid communication between the intermediate chamber and the second chamber. The first and second means for providing restricted fluid communication between the intermediate chamber and the first and second chambers, respectively, provide damping characteristics to the air spring during operation of the heavy-duty vehicle.

Abstract: A tag axle suspension system can include a tire and at least one hanger bracket pivotable relative to a vehicle frame to deployed and lifted configurations. In the lifted configuration, the tire can be a lowest component of the suspension system, and can be a first component to engage a road surface. A tag axle suspension system can include an air spring and a travel limit device that limits compression of the air spring in a lifted configuration of a hanger bracket. A tag axle suspension system can include an axle, a suspension arm pivotably connected between a hanger bracket and the axle, and a travel limit device that limits displacement of the suspension arm in a lifted configuration of the hanger bracket. The travel limit device can limit displacement of the axle toward an air spring support in the lifted configuration of the hanger bracket.

Abstract: A tag axle suspension system can include a tire and at least one hanger bracket pivotable relative to a vehicle frame to deployed and lifted configurations. In the lifted configuration, the tire can be a lowest component of the suspension system, and can be a first component to engage a road surface. A tag axle suspension system can include an air spring and a travel limit device that limits compression of the air spring in a lifted configuration of a hanger bracket. A tag axle suspension system can include an axle, a suspension arm pivotably connected between a hanger bracket and the axle, and a travel limit device that limits displacement of the suspension arm in a lifted configuration of the hanger bracket. The travel limit device can limit displacement of the axle toward an air spring support in the lifted configuration of the hanger bracket.

Abstract: A suspension system can include an air spring, an air reservoir external to the air spring, and a flow control device which variably restricts flow of air between the air spring and the air reservoir. Flow between the air spring and the air reservoir may be permitted in response to compliance of the suspension system, and the air spring can have an internal air volume at least 2½ times as great as a volume of the air reservoir. The flow control device may permit flow between the air spring and the air reservoir in response to a predetermined pressure differential level across the flow control device. Multiple air reservoirs can be internal to an axle, and can be isolated from each other in the axle.