Title: An investigation of air damping for heavy goods vehicles

Authors: R.L. Roebuck, A.R. Jones, D. Cebon

Addresses: Cambridge University Engineering Department, Trumpington Street, Cambridge, CB2 1PZ, UK. ' Cambridge University Engineering Department, Trumpington Street, Cambridge, CB2 1PZ, UK. ' Cambridge University Engineering Department, Trumpington Street, Cambridge, CB2 1PZ, UK

Abstract: The addition of a secondary volume, with inlet flow restriction, to a heavy vehicle air spring was investigated. The aim of the work was to determine whether such a modification could produce a suspension unit capable of replacing the conventional parallel combination of air spring and hydraulic damper. A mathematical model of the spring, additional volume and an adjustable flow restriction was developed and a test rig constructed. Results showed that a flow restriction could be found in each case to give optimum damping. The damping ratio of the system was also studied, and was found to provide 73% of the minimum required for the EU road-friendliness test.

Keywords: air springs; vehicle suspension; heavy goods vehicles; heavy vehicles; dynamics; air damping; secondary volume; inlet flow restrictions; mathematical modelling.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHVS.2011.040498

International Journal of Heavy Vehicle Systems, 2011 Vol.18 No.2, pp.115 - 134

Published online: 29 Jan 2015 *

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