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US 9,168,804 B2Granted
End members, gas spring assemblies and suspension systems
AssigneeFirestone Industrial Products Company, LLC
InventorsGraham R. Brookes, Joshua R. Leonard
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An end member for a gas spring assembly can include a first end, a second end opposite the first end and a plurality of reflector surfaces formed along the first end. A first reflector surface can extend from the first end toward the second end. A second reflector surface can extend from adjacent the first reflector surface toward the second end. One or more of the plurality of reflector surfaces can include a plurality of facets or reflector zones. A gas spring assembly including at least one of such end members and a suspension system including one or more of such gas spring assemblies are also disclosed.
Claims21
An end member dimensioned for securement to an associate flexible spring member to form an associated gas spring assembly, said end member comprising:
- a first end and a second end spaced apart from said first end such that a longitudinal axis is formed therebetween;
- a first reflecting area extending radially outward along said first end at a first included angle;
- and,
- a second reflecting area extending radially outward along said first end from adjacent said first reflecting area at a second included angle that is different from said first included angle such that an intersection is formed therebetween;
- at least one of said first reflecting area and said second reflecting area being faceted such that said at least one of said first reflecting area and said second reflecting area includes a plurality of reflecting surfaces circumferentially distributed about said longitudinal axis.
2 more elements
A gas spring assembly comprising:
- a flexible spring member having a longitudinal axis, said flexible spring member extending longitudinally between opposing first and second ends and peripherally about said axis to at least partially define a spring chamber;
- a first end member disposed across said first end of said flexible spring member and secured thereto such that a substantially fluid-tight seal is formed therebetween;
- and,
- a second end member spaced from said first end member, said second end member extending longitudinally between a first end and a second end spaced apart from said first end, said second end member including:
- a first reflecting area extending radially outward along said first end of said second end member at a first included angle;
- and,
- a second reflecting area extending radially outward along said first end of said second end member from adjacent said first reflecting area at a second included angle that is different from said first included angle such that an intersection is formed therebetween;
- at least one of said first reflecting area and said second reflecting area being faceted such that said at least one of said first reflecting area and said second reflecting area includes a plurality of reflecting surfaces circumferentially distributed about said longitudinal axis;
- and,
- a sensor disposed within said spring chamber and secured along said first end member, said sensor operative to transmit sensing waves toward and/or receive sensing waves reflected from at least one of said first reflecting area and said second reflecting area of said second end member.
7 more elements
A suspension system comprising:
- at least one gas spring assembly including:
- a flexible spring member having a longitudinal axis, said flexible spring member extending longitudinally between opposing first and second ends and peripherally about said axis to at least partially define a spring chamber;
- a first end member disposed across said first end of said flexible spring member and secured thereto such that a substantially fluid-tight seal is formed therebetween;
- and,
- a second end member spaced from said first end member, said second end member extending longitudinally between a first end and a second end spaced apart from said first end, said second end member including:
- a first reflecting area extending radially outward along said first end of said second end member at a first included angle;
- and,
- a second reflecting area extending radially outward along said first end of said second end member from adjacent said first reflecting area at a second included angle that is different from said first included angle such that an intersection is formed therebetween;
- at least one of said first reflecting area and said second reflecting area being faceted such that said at least one of said first reflecting area and said second reflecting area includes a plurality of reflecting surfaces circumferentially distributed about said longitudinal axis;
- and,
- a sensor disposed within said spring chamber and secured along said first end member, said sensor operative to transmit sensing waves toward and/or receive sensing waves reflected from at least one of said first reflecting area and said second reflecting area of said second end member;
- a pressurized gas system including a pressurized gas source and a control device, said pressurized gas source in fluid communication with said at least one gas spring assembly through said control device;
- and,
- a control system communicatively coupled with at least said control device and operative to selectively transfer pressurized gas into and out of said at least one gas spring assembly through said control device.
11 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.