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Self-damped air spring

John Lewis, Regional Editor -- Design News, May 7, 2001

Shock absorbers transmit some of the shock directly to the isolated part. Engineers can mitigate the problem by adding dampers or with complex control systems, but the self-damped air spring offers a simpler option.


The self-damped air spring eliminates the need for shock absorbers in suspensions and vibration isolation systems.

Using a conventional air spring and a fixed-volume air chamber separated by an orifice, the design creates a force that is 180 degrees out of phase with the force-in function.

Isolation improves because the initial force from the input is absorbed totally by the spring with no damping. Damping occurs naturally and only when needed. Damping forces up to 30% of critical have been measured.

Charles Van Breemen, Inventioneering, 1807 Douglas Ave., Clearwater, FL 33755; Tel: (727) 446-8400; Fax: (727) 446-8900; E-mail: chuck@inventioneering.org.

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