Abstract: A gas spring and gas damper assembly (110; 200; 400) can include a gas spring assembly (128; 202; 402) and a gas damper assembly (130; 204; 404). The gas spring assembly can include opposing end members (206, 208; 406, 408) and a flexible spring member (210; 410) secured there between that at least partially forms a spring chamber (212; 412). One of the end members (208; 408) can include an end member chamber (268; 468) that is separated into a plurality of damping chambers (292, 294; 492, 494). Damper pistons (300, 302; 500, 502) are disposed within the damping chambers (292, 294; 492, 494) and are connected to the other end member (206; 406) by way of a damping rod (276; 476).

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 suspension actuation assembly can include first and second support assemblies that are displaceable relative to one another in a first direction of travel. A cable-tensioning assembly can be operatively disposed between the supporting and supported structures. A torsional spring and isolator assembly can be operatively secured to the supported structure. An elongated cable can be operatively connected between the cable-tensioning assembly and the torsional spring and isolator assembly such that associated loads acting on the supported structure displace the cable-tensioning assembly and thereby tension the elongated cable against the torsional spring and isolator assembly to support the load acting on the supported structure while isolating. A suspension system including such a suspension actuation assembly is also included.

Abstract: A damper rod bushing operatively connects an end member of a gas spring and a damper rod of a damper to at least partially form a gas spring and damper assembly. The damper rod bushing is constructed for exposure to gas pressure within a spring chamber of a gas spring and damper assembly such that pre-load forces due to gas pressure within said spring chamber act on said damper rod bushing. The damper rod bushing can include an outer support element, an inner support element and an elastomeric connector element operatively connected between the outer and inner support elements such that a substantially fluid-tight seal is formed therebetween. A gas spring and damper assembly including such a damper rod bushing, as well as a suspension system including one or more of such gas spring and damper assemblies and a method of assembly are also included.

Abstract: A spring wall for securement between associated end members for forming an associated gas spring assembly includes a first wall portion that extends axially along a longitudinal axis and circumferentially thereabout. The first wall portion is formed from an unreinforced elastomeric material, and the first wall portion has a first nominal stiffness value. A second wall portion extends along the longitudinal axis and circumferentially thereabout. The second wall portion is disposed in longitudinal relation to the first wall portion and has a second nominal stiffness value that is different from the first nominal stiffness value of the first wall portion such that a non-constant stiffness profile is established along a longitudinal length of the spring wall. A gas spring and a gas spring and reservoir assembly utilizing such a spring wall as well as a method of manufacturing a gas spring are also included.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a tire assembly having an inner tire and an outer tire are disclosed.

Abstract: A torsional coupler can be dimensioned for securement between a rotational motion source and a rotational motion target. The torsional coupler can include a first end component and a second end component that can cooperatively interengage one another such that such that rotational motion imparted on the first end component is transmitted to the second end component. Interposed between the first end component and the second end component is one or more force-transfer elements through which torque and/or other rotational output is transmitted. The one or more force-transfer elements can include one or more pressurizable elements into and out of which pressurized fluid (e.g., gas and/or liquid) can be transferred. Additionally, or in the alternative, the one or more force-transfer elements can include one or more biasing elements having a positive stiffness and one or more biasing elements having a negative stiffness. A rotary power transmission is also included.

Abstract: A piston assembly including an integral piston chamber with an increased volume that is maximized by providing a mounting arrangement whereby the piston can be mounted to a structural member such that the piston chamber surrounds at least two sides of the structural member. A gas damping passage is disposed in fluid communication with the piston chamber and is dimensioned such that pressurized gas transferred through the gas damping passage can dissipate kinetic energy acting on the piston assembly. The piston chamber can therefore utilize space adjacent the structural member to which it is mounted thereby resulting in a piston chamber of a greater volume than prior art designs. A gas spring and gas damper assembly utilizing such a piston assembly is also included.

Abstract: An indicator of an estimated remaining life of an associated spring device can include at least one sensor and at least one processor. The at least one sensor can be operative to generate a signal having a relation to at least one of a usage condition and an environmental exposure condition of a spring device. The at least one processor can be communicatively coupled with the at least one sensor and programmed to receive signals from the at least one sensor, derive data from the received signals, and determine an estimated remaining life of at least the spring device using the data and an expression modeling a relationship between an estimated remaining life of the spring device and at least one of a usage condition and an environmental exposure condition. A gas spring and indicator assembly, a suspension system and a method are also included.

Abstract: A lateral support element (304) include an element wall with a first surface facing away from an associated flexible wall (264) and a second surface facing toward the associated flexible wall. The lateral support element is disposed along the associated flexible wall such that an interface (334) is formed between an outer surface of the associated flexible wall and the second surface of the lateral support element. The interface is operative to generate a lateral spring-rate profile in an associated gas spring assembly that varies according to lateral displacement of the associated flexible wall and the lateral support element relative to one another. The interface can include a quantity of friction-reducing material and/or can be at least partially formed by a cross-sectional profile of the lateral support element that includes a convex profile segment. Gas spring assemblies and methods of assembly are also included.

Abstract: A gas spring and gas damper assembly (1 10; 200; 400) can include a gas spring assembly (128; 202; 402) and a gas damper assembly (130; 204; 404). The gas spring assembly can include opposing end members (206, 208; 406, 408) and a flexible spring member (210; 410) secured there between that at least partially forms a spring chamber (212; 412). One of the end members (208; 408) can include an end member chamber (268; 468) that is separated into a plurality of damping chambers (292, 294; 492, 494). Damper pistons (300, 302; 500, 502) are disposed within the damping chambers (292, 294; 492, 494) and are connected to the other end member (206; 406) by way of a damping rod (276; 476).

Abstract: A replacement indicator can be operatively associated with an elastomeric article such that the replacement indicator is visually observable. In some cases, the replacement indicator can be secured on or along the elastomeric article. Gas spring assemblies and pneumatic tires including a replacement indicator, as well as methods of manufacture are also included.

Abstract: A piston assembly including an integral piston chamber with an increased volume that is maximized by providing a mounting arrangement whereby the piston can be mounted to a structural member such that the piston chamber surrounds at least two sides of the structural member. A gas damping passage is disposed in fluid communication with the piston chamber and is dimensioned such that pressurized gas transferred through the gas damping passage can dissipate kinetic energy acting on the piston assembly. The piston chamber can therefore utilize space adjacent the structural member to which it is mounted thereby resulting in a piston chamber of a greater volume than prior art designs. A gas spring and gas damper assembly utilizing such a piston assembly is also included.

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 pressurizable gas reservoir can include a first end member and a second end member that is disposed in longitudinally-spaced relation to the first end member. A flexible reservoir member can extend between opposing first and second ends. The first end secured to the first end member and the second end secured to the second end member. The flexible reservoir member at least partially defines a reservoir chamber between the first and second end members that is capable of storing a quantity of pressurized gas for an extended duration of time. The first and second end members can be maintained in substantially-fixed axial position relative to one another. A suspension system including such a pressurized gas reservoir and a method of assembly are also included.

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 torsional coupler can be dimensioned for securement between a rotational motion source and a rotational motion target. The torsional coupler can include a first end component and a second end component that can cooperatively interengage one another such that such that rotational motion imparted on the first end component is transmitted to the second end component. Interposed between the first end component and the second end component is one or more force-transfer elements through which torque and/or other rotational output is transmitted. The one or more force-transfer elements can include one or more pressurizable elements into and out of which pressurized fluid (e.g., gas and/or liquid) can be transferred. Additionally, or in the alternative, the one or more force-transfer elements can include one or more biasing elements having a positive stiffness and one or more biasing elements having a negative stiffness. A rotary power transmission is also included.

Abstract: A piston for use in forming a gas spring assembly includes a longitudinally extending axis, a first end wall extending approximately transverse to the axis, and an outer side wall extending longitudinally from adjacent the first end wall. The outer side wall includes a first side wall portion that forms a fully circumferential outer surface and a second side wall portion that forms a partially circumferential outer surface that extends longitudinally beyond the fully circumferential outer surface. A gas spring assembly including such a piston is also included.

Abstract: An elastomeric article and elastomeric thermal barrier system includes an elastomeric article that is at least partially formed from an elastomeric material susceptible to thermal degradation upon exposure to an external thermal energy source. An elastomeric thermal barrier extends around and along at least a portion of the elastomeric article. The elastomeric thermal barrier is spaced apart from the elastomeric article to form a thermal break. The elastomeric thermal barrier is at least partially formed from an elastomeric material having a thermal property that is different from the thermal property of the elastomeric article and is operative to provide at least one of reduced absorption, reduced conductivity, increased reflectance and reduced emissivity to reduce thermal energy transfer into the elastomeric article from the external thermal energy source. A gas spring and thermal barrier system and/or assembly and a suspension system are also included.

Abstract: An indicator of an estimated remaining life of an associated spring device can include at least one sensor and at least one processor. The at least one sensor can be operative to generate a signal having a relation to at least one of a usage condition and an environmental exposure condition of a spring device. The at least one processor can be communicatively coupled with the at least one sensor and programmed to receive signals from the at least one sensor, derive data from the received signals, and determine an estimated remaining life of at least the spring device using the data and an expression modeling a relationship between an estimated remaining life of the spring device and at least one of a usage condition and an environmental exposure condition. A gas spring and indicator assembly, a suspension system and a method are also included.