Title: Experimental results from a slow-active suspension system

Authors: D.A. Crolla, A. Soliman, F.M. El-Sayed, M.M. El-Alaily

Addresses: Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK. ' Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK. ' Dept. of Automotive Engineering, University of Minia, Egypt. ' Dept. of Energy and Automotive Engineering, Ain-Shams University, Cairo, Egypt

Abstract: Experimental results of the performance of a pneumatic suspension fitted in a single wheel station test rig are presented. Results for both a passive and slow-active version of the suspension are compared; the slow-active version involves an additional pneumatic actuator which has limited frequency response capabilities. The slow-active system is shown to provide worthwhile improvements in ride performance compared with the passive system. A theoretical model of the slow-active suspension is developed and predicted results are compared with experimental measurements on the rig. The mathematical model produces optimistic results for both passive and slow-active suspensions and the practical limitations of the experimental hardware are discussed.

Keywords: damping ratios; passive suspension systems; slow-active suspension systems; spring stiffness; test rig; active suspension systems; vehicle suspension; pneumatic suspension; pneumatic actuators; ride performance; mathematical modelling; vehicle design.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.1993.061837

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 1993 Vol.14 No.2/3, pp.226 - 245

Published online: 28 May 2014 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article