# US 10,118,453 B2 · Damping air spring with staged openings > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,118,453 B2 - Document ID: US10118453B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/364,439 - Filed: 2016-11-30 - Published: 2017-06-01 - Granted: 2018-11-06 - Earliest claimed: 2015-12-01 - Assignees: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C. - Applicants: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C. - Inventors: Damon Delorenzis - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10118453B2 ## CPC - B60G 15/12: and fluid damper - B60G 11/27: wherein the fluid is a gas - B60G 11/28: characterised by means specially adapted for attaching the spring to axle or sprung part of the vehicle - B60G 13/10: pneumatic - F16F 9/0472: {characterised by comprising a damping device (with plastic deformation of members F16F7/12; delay devices or arrangements F15B21/10)} - F16F 9/049: {multi-chamber units (F16F9/0472, F16F9/05 take precedence)} - F16F 9/05: the flexible wall being of the rolling diaphragm type - B60G 2202/152: Pneumatic spring - B60G 2202/242: Pneumatic damper - B60G 2202/30: Spring/Damper and/or actuator Units - B60G 2206/424: Plunger or top retainer construction for bellows or rolling lobe type air springs - B60G 2300/026: Heavy duty trucks - B60G: VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS (air-cushion vehicles B60V; {cycle suspensions B62K25/00}) - F16F: SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An air spring with damping characteristics for a suspension assembly of a heavy-duty vehicle comprising: a first chamber formed from a flexible material and containing a variable volume during operation of said vehicle; a second chamber; an intermediate chamber operatively connected to said first chamber and said second chamber, said intermediate chamber having a volume less than a volume of said first chamber and less than a volume of said second chamber; a first means for providing restricted fluid communication between the first chamber and said intermediate chamber; and a second means for providing restricted fluid communication between the intermediate chamber and the second chamber beneath said intermediate chamber, said first and second means creating a radially offset path of restricted fluid communication in order to utilize a full volume of said intermediate chamber to provide damping characteristics to said air spring during operation of said heavy-duty vehicle, wherein said damping characteristics are exhibited across a broad range of frequencies. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The air spring with damping characteristics for a suspension system of a heavy-duty vehicle of claim 1, said first chamber comprising a bellows chamber. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The air spring with damping characteristics for a suspension system of a heavy-duty vehicle of claim 1, said second chamber comprising a piston chamber. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The air spring with damping characteristics for a suspension system of a heavy-duty vehicle of claim 1, said intermediate chamber comprising a piston chamber. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The air spring with damping characteristics for a suspension system of a heavy-duty vehicle of claim 1, said intermediate chamber including at least one baffle disposed within said intermediate chamber. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The air spring with damping characteristics for a suspension system of a heavy-duty vehicle of claim 1, said first chamber having a volume of from about 305 in.3 to about 915 in.3. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The air spring with damping characteristics for a suspension system of a heavy-duty vehicle of claim 1, said second chamber having a volume of from about 150 in.3 to about 550 in.3. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The air spring with damping characteristics for a suspension system of a heavy-duty vehicle of claim 1, said intermediate chamber having a volume of from about 70 in.3 to about 150 in.3. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The air spring with damping characteristics for a suspension system of a heavy-duty vehicle of claim 1, said intermediate chamber being located between said first chamber and said second chamber. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The air spring with damping characteristics for a suspension system of a heavy-duty vehicle of claim 1, said first means for providing restricted fluid communication between said intermediate chamber and said first chamber comprises a first opening and said second means for providing restricted fluid communication between the intermediate chamber and said second chamber is a second opening. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The air spring with damping characteristics for a suspension system of a heavy-duty vehicle of claim 10, said first opening and said second opening being staged vertically from one another. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The air spring with damping characteristics for a suspension system of a heavy-duty vehicle of claim 10, said first opening being formed on a top plate of said intermediate chamber, the first opening being continuous between said intermediate chamber and said first chamber. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The air spring with damping characteristics for a suspension system of a heavy-duty vehicle of claim 12, said first opening having a diameter of from about 4 mm to about 8 mm. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The air spring with damping characteristics for a suspension system of a heavy-duty vehicle of claim 12, said first opening including a horizontal cross section comprising a shape chosen from the group consisting of a circle, an oval, an ellipse and a polygon. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The air spring with damping characteristics for a suspension system of a heavy-duty vehicle of claim 10, said second opening being formed on a bottom plate of said intermediate chamber, the second opening being between said intermediate chamber and said second chamber. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The air spring with damping characteristics for a suspension system of a heavy-duty vehicle of claim 15, said second opening having a diameter of from about 4 mm to about 8 mm. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The air spring with damping characteristics for a suspension system of a heavy-duty vehicle of claim 15, said second opening including a horizontal cross section comprising a shape chosen from the group consisting of a circle, an oval, and ellipse and a polygon.