Abstract:
A method for repairing an air spring/air strut includes the steps of puncturing an airbag of the air spring/air strut, releasing sealant into the air bag of the air spring/air strut, massaging the air bag of the air spring/air strut to distribute the sealant and pressurizing the air bag of said air spring/air strut.

Description:
PRIORITY  
       [0001]     The present application claims priority under 35 USC section 119 and provisional application having a Ser. No. 60/759,292 filed on Jan. 17, 2006 and provisional application having a Ser. No. 60/751,933 filed on Jan. 12, 2006. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for the reconditioning and repair of air spring/struts.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     U.S. Pat. No. 3,385,590 discloses a closed or sealed vehicle suspension system including a telescopic strut, a reservoir and pump for controlling the gas flow between the strut, a reservoir and a pump motor. For some vehicle applications, it is desirable to incorporate an air spring into the suspension for improved ride, handling and load leveling capabilities. Air springs typically require large air volumes which are needed to produce an effective spring/strut including an airbag for storing the pressurized air.  
         [0004]     These airbags may be inflated from a compressor from the vehicle or from a pump external to the vehicle such as a bicycle air pump.  
         [0005]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,893,033 discloses a strut for a vehicle suspension system including a hydraulic cylinder housing defining a hydraulic fluid chamber.  
         [0006]     These airbags are subject to wear and deterioration. Once these airbags develop a leak, the common practice has been to replace these airbags at great expense.  
         [0007]     Air spring or air strut suspension systems are used in automobiles, SUVs, limousines, buses, and trucks in order to achieve a comfortable and smooth ride. However, the airbag will leak after approximately 6 to 8 years or 80,000 to 100,000 miles of use.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The present invention includes a method and apparatus for repairing leaking rubber airbags used in conjunction with an air strut or air spring suspension system.  
         [0009]     The present invention repairs and restores an airbag which is leaking by introducing a rubber or tire sealant into the rubber airbag through a needle or alternatively through the air supply line to the air strut or air spring.  
         [0010]     The teachings of present invention are equally applicable to treat new and used air springs and struts of original equipment manufacturers (OEM) and replacement manufactures.  
         [0011]     The present invention will prevent the necessity of converting an expensive air spring or air strut system to another new expensive air spring or air strut system.  
         [0012]     The present invention is applicable to vehicles using independent air strut or air spring for each wheel or is applicable to a centrally computer-controlled compressor system.  
         [0013]     This invention will revolutionize the air suspension repair industry and will result in the savings of hundreds of millions of dollars from the unnecessary or premature air strut or air spring replacement.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]     The invention may be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which, like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:  
         [0015]      FIG. 1  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the dispensing unit of the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  illustrates a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the dispensing of the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the dispensing unit and an airbag;  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  illustrates a flow chart of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0019]      FIG. 1  illustrates the dispensing unit  100  which includes a hollow container  110  which may be flexible or a squeezable plastic bottle for containing sealant which may include tire sealant, air suspension sealant, or any other specially formulated rubber sealant. The container  110  includes a removable seal  104  which may be formed from aluminum, and the removable seal  104  is formed over the exit hole of the container  110  to retain and maintain the sealant before the dispensing unit  100  is to be used and is removed prior to the use of the dispensing unit  100 . The container  110  includes a cap  102  to seal the exit hole of the container  110  and dispense the sealant. The cap  100  is connected to tube  106  to provide a path for the sealant to exit the container  100 . The tube  106  may be flexible and may be formed from plastic so that the tube  106  can be slightly deformed to enter the airbag. A needle which may be formed from metal is connected to the distal end of tube  106  in order to puncture the airbag to allow the sealant to enter the airbag.  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  illustrates a hollow container  204  which is pressurized with sealant, and the container  204  includes a valve  202  which may be opened and closed with the finger of the user. The container  204  includes hydro fluorocarbon HFC gas such as R-134a, compressed air, aerosol or other non-flammable, non-explosive gas to propel the sealant. The gas and sealant exit the container  204  through the tube  206  and needle  208 .  
         [0021]     The sealant may be a solution or semi suspension of acrylic resin polymers, vinyl polymers, or latex/rubber polymers or other type of tire sealant.  
         [0022]      FIG. 3  illustrates the dispensing device  100  dispensing the sealant into the airbag  302 .  
         [0023]      FIG. 4  illustrates a flow chart showing the steps of the invention. In step  402 , the dispensing device  100  punctures the airbag  302  which may be in the lower regions of the airbag  302  since deterioration may be more prevalent in these regions. and in step  304  the sealant is released from the dispensing device  100  into the airbag  302 . The sealant may be the released by squeezing the container  100  or released with pressurized gas through a valve. The user may squeeze 6 to 16 ounces or another quantity of sealant into the airbag  302 . The sealant is now within the airbag  302  and the user withdraws the needle  108  from the airbag  302 . In step  408 , the user massages the airbag  302  or agitates the interior of the airbag  302  to distribute the sealant within the interior surface of the airbag  302 . In step  410 , the airbag  302  is pressurized either by the pump of the vehicle or by some other means such as a bicycle pump. The puncture hole caused by the needle  108  and the hole which was desired to be repaired are sealed by the sealant and the seal is permanent with the air strut or air spring now functioning normally.  
         [0024]     The teachings of the present invention are extendable to air-adjustable shock absorbers in air compressor systems that operate with or without an air compressor.  
         [0025]     The needle  108  may be formed from 16 to 18 gauge metal to provide a thin walled needle.  
         [0026]     While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed.