Single Convoluted Air Spring/Air Suspension Spring FS120-9 / Air Bags Air Ballons

OEM NUMBER

PRODUCT DRAWING

DESCRIPTION

An air spring is basically a column of air confined within a rubber-and-fabric container shaped like a bellows. The spring action results from the compression and expansion of the air. When used on road vehicles, air springs can keep the vehicle at a constant standing height regardless of load.

Air springs have been used in heavy duty vehicle suspension systems for nearly a century, where they have been able to provide usefulness by taking advantage of the compressed air required for vehicle braking systems. Air springs have provided a two-fold advantage over mechanical leaf- or coil-springs. One advantage with air suspension is the extra comfort provided by being able to vary the air pressure inside the spring, which changes the spring rate, and therefore, ride quality. Additionally, because variable control over air pressure adjusts the deck or trailer height, aligning loading docks to the level of the deck is possible when dock plates are unavailable.

As air is directed into air springs, the bladders allow them to expand in a linear fashion, which permits them to be used as force-developing actuators, like pneumatic cylinders, and as such, rod attachments are available to mimic the function of them. Most often, however, an air actuator is simply two end plates connected by a bladder, and as they’re pressurized, force pushes the plates away from each other. As linear actuators, they can provide up to 35 tons of force, making them useful in various press applications, such as a forming press or small stamping press. Air actuators are also excellent for constant force applications, such as pulley tensioners or drum roller compression devices. All air springs are single-acting, unless they are coupled together so one extends while the other retracts.