Abstract: An air spring assembly including a first end member having a peripheral edge, a second end member in spaced relation to the first end member, and a flexible sleeve secured between the first and second end members at least partially defining a spring chamber. A label is formed from sheet material and includes a first portion coated with adhesive and a second portion spaced from the first portion that includes a plurality of indicia. The label is disposed along the first end member with the first adhesive portion secured thereto and the second portion extending outwardly beyond the peripheral edge. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A pneumatic spring-vibration damper unit is provided for absorbing shocks on wheels and chassis parts of motor vehicles. A variable air chamber is delimited by a rolling bellows which is disposed between a first subassembly that is fixed to the vehicle body and is provided with a vibration damper system and a second subassembly that is fixed to the vehicle chassis and is movable therewith. A piston rod connects the first subassembly located at the vehicle body end and the second subassembly located at the chassis end and whose free end located at the vehicle body end is accommodated inside a cylinder tube of the vibration damper system so as to be longitudinally movable by means of a piston. The piston rod (8) is guided within the cylinder tube (6) of the vibration damper system (2) so as to be longitudinally movable with the aid of a drag bearing arrangement (13).

Abstract: A distance indicating system includes a transceiver broadcasting an electromagnetic wave and a transponder spaced a distance from the transceiver that receives the electromagnetic wave. The transponder is adapted to induce a modulation of the electromagnetic wave in relation to the distance between the transceiver and the transponder. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An aerostatic suspension system (1) for rolling equipment and vehicles that takes advantage of atmospheric pressure to create, via cylinder and piston sets, forces that are transmitted by levers having an adjustable point of application of force and that at their distal ends are articulated with wheel support rods. The forces, acting individually on each wheel, aerostatically suspend the weight plus its load of the equipment or vehicle.

Abstract: A scissor suspension includes a first arm having a first end and a second end. The first end may be configured for pivotal attachment to a structure and a first bearing may be pivotally connected proximate to the second end of the first arm. A second arm having a first end and a second end may be pivotally connected to the first arm between the first and second ends of the first and second arms. The first bearing may be moveably coupled to the first rail.

Abstract: A suspension strut includes an outer tube having a first filling opening and a second filling opening, an intermediate wall received in the outer tube and separating a high pressure chamber from a low pressure chamber, a working cylinder located concentrically inside the outer tube in the high pressure chamber, and a gas filled separating envelope located between the working cylinder and the outer tube for pressurizing damping medium in the high pressure chamber. An axially displaceable piston divides the working cylinder into a first working space and a second working space, the first working space being connected to the high pressure chamber. A hollow piston rod passing through the second working space transports damping medium from the low pressure chamber to the first working space.

Abstract: A vehicle air spring assembly having a pair of spaced end members which sealingly engage a flexible bladder to form an internal air chamber having an internal volume. One of the end members is a bead plate which has an annular outer end portion which is crimped to the bladder to provide an air tight seal therebetween. The end plate has a recessed portion located between the outer end portion which projects into the air chamber to reduce the volume of the air chamber to change the spring characteristic of the air spring. A plurality of reinforcing gussets extend between the recessed portion of the bead plate and a surrounding upstanding wall which extends between the outer end portion and recessed portion to enable the bead plate to be clamped by fasteners against an adjacent vehicle component and resist deformation when subjected to internal pressure.

Abstract: An air spring having a relatively low and a relatively high spring height includes a retainer, a base housing, an elastomeric sleeve secured to the retainer at a first end and secured to the base housing at a lower end to form a chamber, the elastomeric sleeve expanding from a relatively collapsed configuration at the low air spring height into an expanded configuration at the high air spring height. A confined bladder is disposed within the chamber, the bladder being inflatable to displace a variable portion of an expanded volume within the sleeve chamber at the high air spring height. The spring rate of the air spring is adjusted by an adjustment to the volume of air displaced by the inflated bladder within the sleeve chamber and by overpressurizing the bladder relative to the air spring sleeve, whereby the air spring is adapted to provide a relatively low spring rate at the lower height and a relatively high spring rate at the higher height.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the spring rate of an air spring is disclosed by providing a heat sink within the working chamber of the air spring. The heat sink, in effect, reduces the ratio of specific heats, gamma, of the spring medium, e.g. air, located within the air spring, which in turn, reduces the spring rate. In one embodiment, the heat sink is a plurality of polymeric or elastomeric fibers configured as a stable fiber, commonly referred to fiber fill. The fibers used for the heat sink may include longitudinally extending bores to increase the exposed surface to weight ratio of the fiber, and/or may have a friction reducing coating that resists matting and provides airiness to the fibers. In an example provided herein, the heat sink dramatically reduced the spring rate of the air spring, especially at an operational frequency over one (1) hertz.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spring system (2) having two spring units (4a, 4b) arranged coaxially with respect to each other. Each spring unit essentially includes a flexible member (6a, 6b) and a roll-off piston (8a, 8b). The two flexible members (6a, 6b), the roll-off pistons (8a, 8b) and a common outer jacket (10) enclose a common pressure space (14) filled with compressible gas or with a hydraulic liquid. A contamination flexible member (16) is mounted between the roll-off piston (8) and the outer jacket (10) in order to prevent a contamination of the flexible member roll-off surfaces. The contamination flexible member (16) is clamped, on the one hand, in the region of the roll-off piston (8) and, on the other hand, on the outer jacket (10). The effective length of the contamination flexible member (16) is somewhat less than the effective length of the shorter of the two work flexible members (6a, 6b). In this way, the contamination flexible member (16) functions additionally as an end stop (pull stop).

Abstract: An air suspension system for a vehicle wherein a valve means for varying the resilience of an air spring in response to changes of vehicle height is integrally formed with an air spring to be mounted on the vehicle frame such that the installation space of the air suspension system can be minimized. As a result, cumbersome processes involved with the manufacture of the vehicle can be eliminated to provide an improved convenience for workers. A conventional lever used for connecting a leveling valve and an air spring is dispensed with to reduce the number of parts constituting the air suspension system and lower the manufacturing cost.

Abstract: A wheel-guiding forward axle spring strut includes a spring and a shock absorber (6) integrated axially therein. The spring includes two end members (8, 10) which are at a variable spacing to each other and a spring element is disposed between these end members. The shock absorber (6) includes a shock absorber cylinder (20) and a shock absorber rod (18) which is axially displaceable and rotatable. The rod (18) is connected to the chassis (24) via a non-rotatable shock absorber bearing (22). The upper spring end member (8) is articulately connected by a pivot bearing (28) so as to be rotatable on a chassis (24) about its longitudinal axis (16). The lower spring end member (10) is fixedly connected to the shock absorber cylinder (20) and thereby in common to the forward axle.

Abstract: An upper mounting system for a MacPherson strut includes a shock absorber mount and an air spring mount. The air spring mount is disposed coaxially around the shock absorber mount. A curved spherical interface of the air spring mount permits pivotal movement of the air spring such that it maintains a coaxial relationship with the shock absorber. The curved spherical interface also provides a seal for sealing the gas chamber of the air spring.

Abstract: An arrangement for mounting a flexible-bladder air spring to a mounting plate. A first end-plate of a flexible-bladder air spring has a retention projection fixedly attached to it and the retention projection defines a retention recess into itself in directions parallel to the first end-plate of the flexible-bladder air spring. A mounting plate is abutted against the first end-plate and the retention projection mounted to the first end-plate is disposed within a projection recess defined in the mounting plate. A retention pin extends through a pin recess defined through the mounting plate and the retention pin extends into the retention recess defined by the retention projection attached to the first end-plate of the flexible-bladder air spring.

Abstract: A vehicle air spring assembly has a pair of spaced end plates which sealing engage a bladder to form an air chamber. A pair of bead skirts are attached to the end plates to guide the bladder radially outwardly as the air spring is compressed. By guiding the bladder as it expands radially outwardly, the bead skirts control the effective area with respect to the air spring height, thus controlling the dynamic load and dynamic spring rate of the air spring. The bead skirts are formed complementary in shape and nestle together as they move towards one another. This nestling reduces pinching of the bladder when the air spring is compressed during use.

Abstract: An air spring assembly has a pair of spaced end plates and a flexible sleeve extending therebetween forming an internal fluid chamber. One of the end plates is a bead plate which is crimped to an open end of the sleeve. An insert having an internally threaded hole is mounted in a central hole formed in the bead plate. An externally threaded coupler having a hollow bore is mounted in a central opening formed in an end member of an auxiliary reservoir and is threadably engaged with the internally threaded hole to mount the auxiliary reservoir in an abutting relationship on the air spring bead plate to provide a variable rate air spring. A fluid path is provided through the threaded connection for the flow of fluid between the air spring and auxiliary reservoir.

Abstract: An air spring (10) for use in a motor vehicle suspension system is provided. The air spring includes a generally cylindrical flexible bladder (12) having a circular upper opening (18), a support unit (14) sealingly connected to the flexible bladder (12), and a unitary integrated top assembly (16) connected to the upper opening (18) in an air-tight manner. The support unit (14) further includes an installation fastener (52) for connection to vehicle support brackets (78). The top assembly (16) includes a sealed body (34) having an interior open volume (23) and optional attachment components positioned on the body to connect the top assembly to a vehicle main frame. The top assembly further includes an optional connection port (28) adapted for pneumatic intercommunication with other air springs and an optional fill port (48) for connection to a pressurized air system.

Abstract: A method of retaining a suspension system includes creating a negative pressure within an air spring such that a longitudinal member is retained in a substantially fixed position relative to a chassis component when the longitudinal member is placed in an unloaded condition. When there is no pressure in the air spring, the air cell is deflated and the suspension is mechanically bottomed out. By further introducing a negative pressure into the air cell with the gas feed, a partial vacuum is formed and the air cell collapses in upon itself. The collapsed air cell grips the piston thereby immobilizing the air spring. Accordingly, when the vehicle is lifted and the air suspension becomes unloaded, the longitudinal member is maintained relative to the chassis component by the immobilized air spring to thereby prevent the air cell from being inverted and damaged.

Abstract: A vehicle air spring assembly has a pair of spaced end plates which sealing engage a bladder to form an air chamber. A pair of bead skirts are attached to the end plates to guide the bladder radially outwardly as the air spring is compressed. By guiding the bladder as it expands radially outwardly, the bead skirts control the effective area with respect to the air spring height, thus controlling the dynamic load and dynamic spring rate of the air spring. The bead skirts are formed complementary in shape and nestle together as they move towards one another. This nestling reduces pinching of the bladder when the air spring is compressed during use.

Abstract: A pneumatic suspension, has at least the following components, an air-spring cover, air-spring piston, air-spring bellows in the form of axial bellows or transverse bellows which form a first air-spring loop, a vibration damper and a connection to the chassis. The pneumatic suspension has an articulated component located on the air-spring cover in the vicinity of the air-spring bellows. The component allows pivotal displacements when under pressure and forms a second air-spring loop which extends substantially in a radial direction. It also relates to advantageous variants of the articulated component, both for the axial bellows with an external guide and for the transverse bellows without an external guide. It relates to the use of a supporting bearing with a connection to the axial bellows. The pneumatic suspension is used in particular for the front axle of a motor vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shock absorbing device comprising: a hollow spring including a chamber having a proximal end, a distal end, and a bellows comprised of a springy material connecting the proximal end to the distal end and enclosing the chamber; a shock absorber extending through the hollow spring, the shock absorber including a cylinder and a piston which slidably engages the cylinder, the cylinder extending through and being attached to the hollow spring proximal end, the piston extending through and slidably engaging the hollow spring distal and the piston including contacting device located distally of the hollow spring distal end for urging the hollow spring distal end proximally when the contacting device is forced against the hollow spring distal end and for urging the piston distally when the hollow spring distal end is forced against the contacting device.

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: An air spring (10) for use in a motor vehicle suspension system is provided. The air spring includes a generally cylindrical flexible bladder (12) having a circular upper opening (18), a support unit (14) sealingly connected to the flexible bladder (12), and a unitary integrated top assembly (16) connected to the upper opening (18) in an air-tight manner. The support unit (14) further includes an installation fastener (52) for connection to a vehicle support brackets (78). The top assembly (16) includes a sealed body (34) having an interior open volume (23) and optional attachment components positioned on the body to connect the top assembly to a vehicle main frame. The top assembly further includes an optional connection port (28) adapted for pneumatic intercommunication with other air springs and an optional fill port (48) for connection to a pressurized air system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pneumatic spring arrangement (1) comprising at least the following components, namely a pneumatic spring lid (2), a pneumatic spring piston (3), pneumatic spring bellows (7), a vibration damper (11) with a rucksack module (14; e.g. an ADS module) and a protective collar (17) with a first connection area (B; inside diameter D1) and a second connection area (B′; inside diameter D2). The inventive pneumatic spring arrangement is characterized in that the inside diameters (D1 , D2) of the first (B) and the second (B′) connection area pertaining to the protective collar (17) have a size so that the protective collar can be slid over the ruck sack module (14). The excess free space within the second connection area (B′) of the protective collar (17) can be filled with an adapter element (18) in a compensating manner.

Abstract: A gas spring device includes a pressure adjustor having an actuator mechanism which regulates the rate of discharge through a pressure-release valve in equal bursts small enough to permit precise adjustment of the internal working pressure of the gas spring. Manually turning the actuator mechanism provides a consistent application of intermittent inertial force to the gas spring pressure-release valve so that resultant equal bursts provide a controlled release of pressure, even from imprecise manual operation. The chance of over-bleeding is eliminated since the mechanics of the actuator mechanism provides a single metered burst of released gas regardless of how quickly or slowly it is turned, thus the size of the burst is not dependent on the operator's skill. Because the adjustor mechanism is integrated directly into the device, it is compact and does not interfere with other surrounding mechanical structures.

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 level control system for a motor vehicle having a vehicle body includes a plurality of air springs which can be filled or discharged with pressurized air to control the level of the vehicle body. A first control apparatus controls the functions of filling and discharging the air springs in dependence upon the level of the vehicle body. A communications channel interconnects the first control apparatus to a second control apparatus. A switch triggers an additional function in the level control system and this switch is movable between a first switching state and a second switching state. The switch is connected to the second control apparatus and the second control apparatus functions to transmit a signal sequence via the communications channel to the first control apparatus when the switch is transferred from the first switching state into the second switching state. The first control apparatus operates to carry out the additional function when the first control apparatus receives the signal sequence.

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: 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: 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: A compressed air landing strut 2 is disclosed with a pneumatic shock absorber which is set onto a spring support 14. The spring support 14 has an offset 22 and the end region 24 of the roll-off piston 12 is flared radially outward, so that it surrounds the offset 22. An O-ring 24 is radially compressed between the outer wall 40 of the spring support 14 and the inner wall 42 of the roll-off piston 12 and seals the spring space 4 of the pneumatic shock absorber air-tight against the environment. A method for the manufacture of said pneumatic shock absorber is also disclosed.

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: The present invention relates to a vehicle seat, which can normally move between a lower end position and an upper end position. The seat comprises a bellows for cushioning/dampening movements of the seat in a vertical direction and also a belt reel which together with a belt is capable of locking the position of the seat at an optional height between the end positions.

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: 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 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: The invention relates to a system having an air spring flexible member (6) which is clamped between a cover plate (4) and a rolloff piston (10). The movement of the rolloff piston (10) is pregiven by a curved path (16). The rolloff piston (10) is curved with the curvature being at least segmentwise of the same orientation as the curvature of the curved path (16). Because of the curvature of the rolloff piston (10), a lateral offset of the flexible member (6) to the cover plate (4) can be substantially avoided when the rolloff piston (10) plunges into the flexible member (6). The formation of a rolling lobe (20) having a different width over its periphery is also avoided.