Directional stabilizer ring and fluid spring assembly including same

A suspension system for supporting an associated sprung mass on an associated unsprung mass of an associated vehicle, said suspension system comprising:

• a fluid spring assembly disposed between the associated sprung and unsprung masses, said fluid spring assembly including a first end member capable of securement on the associated sprung mass, a second end member spaced from said first end member and capable of securement on the associated unsprung mass, and a flexible wall secured between said first and second end members and at least partially defining a spring chamber having an axis therebetween, said flexible wall including a girdle hoop, a first convoluted wall portion extending between said girdle hoop and said first end member, and a second convoluted wall portion extending between said girdle hoop and said second end member;
• a first directional stabilizer ring supported adjacent said first end member of said fluid spring assembly and capable of biasing at least a first portion of said flexible wall of said fluid spring assembly in a direction approximately transverse to said axis, said first ring including a first surface facing generally away from said flexible wall and a second surface facing generally toward said flexible wall, said second surface disposed at an included angle of from about 3 degrees to about 85 degrees relative to said first surface such that upon engaging said second surface at least said first portion of said flexible wall is biased in said direction approximately transverse to said axis;
• a pressurized fluid source in communication with said fluid spring assembly;
• a control device operatively connected between said pressurized fluid source and said fluid spring assembly, said control device adapted to selectively permit pressurized fluid flow to and from said fluid spring assembly;
• and,
• an electronic control unit connected to said control device, said electronic control unit capable of actuating said control device to selectively permit pressurized fluid flow to and from said fluid spring assembly.

A directional stabilizer ring for use with an associated fluid spring assembly having an associated end member and an associated flexible wall that includes at least one convoluted wall portion, said directional stabilizer ring comprising:

• a ring body extending circumferentially about a central axis;
• a mounting surface formed along said ring body and suitable for disposition in a direction generally away from the associated flexible wall;
• a biasing surface formed along said ring body, said biasing surface facing away from said mounting surface and extending at an included angle of from about 3 degrees to about 85 degrees relative thereto, said biasing surface configured to abuttingly engage the associated flexible wall and bias at least a portion thereof in a direction approximately transverse to said central axis;
• an inner surface formed along said ring body that is capable of cooperating with the associated end member and extends generally axially between said mounting and biasing surfaces;
• and,
• an outer surface formed along said ring body that is disposed radially outwardly from said inner surface such that said mounting and biasing surfaces extend therebetween.

A method of biasing a flexible wall of a fluid spring assembly in a preferred direction, said method comprising:

• a) providing a fluid spring assembly including a first end member, a second end member spaced from said first end member, and a flexible wall secured between said first and second end members and at least partially forming a spring chamber therebetween having a central axis, said flexible wall including at least one convoluted wall portion disposed between said first and second end members;
• b) providing a first directional stabilizer ring including a first surface, a second surface facing away from said first surface and disposed at an included angle of from about 3 degrees to about 85 degrees relative thereto, and an inner surface complementary to said first end member of said fluid spring assembly;
• c) positioning said first ring about said first end member of said fluid spring assembly such that said first surface is facing away from said flexible wall, said inner wall is disposed adjacent an outer peripheral portion of said first end member, and said second surface is facing toward said flexible wall such that said second surface is capable of abuttingly engaging said flexible wall and biasing at least a portion thereof toward said preferred direction;
• and,
• d) securing said first ring about said first end member such that upon relative displacement of said first and second end members toward one another said first ring engages and biases at least a portion of said flexible wall in approximately said preferred direction.