GB400616A - Improvements in pneumatic springs - Google Patents

Abstract

400,616. Pneumatic springs. HODGSON, A., Stancliffe, Old Road, Wortley, near Sheffield. March 24, 1932, No. 8712. [Class 108 (iii).] A double-acting pneumatic spring particularly for vehicle suspensions comprises a chamber 9, of variable volume formed between two relatively movable elements 1, 2, a chamber 11 of fixed volume communicating with the first chamber through a valve-controlled restricted passage 6, and an annular flexible chamber 10 having its upper and lower flexible sides connected respectively to the relatively movable elements 2, 1 and having its inner open end communicating with the chamber 9 either directly, as shown in Fig. 7, or through a groove 13, Fig. 1, or grooves 8 and apertures 17, Fig. 3. On compression of the device shown in Fig. 1, air passes from the chamber 9 past the valve 14 to the chamber 11 and also through the passage 13 to the chamber 10, while during subsequent expansion rebound is checked by the diminution of pressure in the chamber 9. On expansion of the device from normal position air passes from the chamber 10 through the passage 6 to the chamber 9 and also past the valve 7 to the chamber 11, while during subsequent compression the valve 7 is closed and rebound is checked by increase of pressure in the chamber 9. The chambers 9, 11 may communicate through a slotted tube 6, Figs. 3 and 7, containing a ball-valve 14 adapted to close passages 5, 7 on expansion and compression respectively of the spring. The chamber 11 may be above the chamber 9. In a modification, Fig. 8, two chambers 11, 11<1> of constant volume communicate through double-acting ball-valves 5, 7 and leak-passages 17 with the chamber 9 of variable volume which is in direct communication with the chamber 10. Specification 165,431, [Class 108 (iii), Springs &c.], is referred to.