US 10,900,538 B2 · Pressure relief for air springs

Abstract

An air spring assembly having pressure relief capability, where the air spring assembly includes a single air volume, or a multi-chamber air volume. When the air spring assembly is operating at a stiffer spring rate in combination with a setting to increase ground clearance, during certain road events, the air spring assembly is compressed, and the pressure in the air spring assembly increases. In order to not exceed the safe mechanical limits of the air spring assembly, the pressure is limited to a maximum value when full compression is achieved. The air spring assembly includes at least one valve, which is opened based on a “cracking pressure,” which is determined based on the mechanical limits of the air spring assembly. This facilitates the operation of the air spring assembly at settings to increase ground clearance of the vehicle, while allowing for pressure relief when the mechanical limit is reached.

Claims10

Dependent claims

An apparatus, comprising:

an air suspension system, including:
at least one air spring assembly, comprising:
a bellow;
a first cavity formed as part of the bellow:
a top cap connected to the bellow;
a second cavity formed as part of the top cap;
at least one valve in fluid communication with the first cavity and the second cavity, the at least one valve for controlling the flow of air into and out of the first cavity and the second cavity;
a reservoir;
wherein during a first mode of operation, the air spring assembly is configured such that when the pressure in the first cavity and the second cavity is above a predetermined value, the at least one valve is placed in an open position, and air from the first cavity and the second cavity is vented to the reservoir, and during a second mode of operation, the air spring assembly is configured such that when the pressure in the first cavity and the second cavity is above the predetermined value, the at least one valve is placed in the open position, and air from the first cavity and the second cavity is vented to the atmosphere.

6 more elements

An air suspension system having a maximum pressure relief function, comprising:

at least one air spring assembly, comprising:
a bellow;
a first cavity formed as part of the bellow;
a top cap connected to the bellow;
a second cavity formed as part of the top cap;
a first valve in fluid communication with the first cavity and the second cavity;
at least one venting valve in fluid communication with the first valve;
a reservoir in fluid communication with the first valve;
a first mode of operation, and during the first mode of operation, the air spring assembly is configured such that when pressure in the first cavity and the second cavity is above a predetermined maximum value, the first valve is placed in an open position such that air from the first cavity and the second cavity is vented to the reservoir;
and
a second mode of operation, and during the second mode of operation, the air spring assembly is configured such that when pressure in the first cavity and the second cavity is above a predetermined maximum value, the first valve is placed in the open position and the at least one venting valve is placed in an open position such that air from the first cavity and the second cavity is vented to the atmosphere;
wherein during the first mode of operation, the venting valve is in a closed position.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Pressure relief for air springs

Life of this patent

Pressure relief for air springs

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims10