Patent GB-765604-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to motor vehicle suspensions
IPC: F16F9/36
Filed: 1954-11-19
Abstract: 765,604. Pneumatic suspension devices and dashpots. ALLINQUANT, F. S. Nov. 19, 1954 [Nov. 26, 1953; Feb. 2, 1954; July 31, 1954], No. 33625/54. Class 108(3). [Also in Group XXIX] A pneumatic suspension device for vehicles comprises an annular head 59, Fig. 3, carried by a tube 26 slidable telescopically in a cylinder 1 to define a working space 42 between the head 59 and a cylinder head 2, and an annular working space 18 ; and two separate passageways connecting the spaces 42 and 18, one, 56, allowing air flow only in the direction from the space 42 to the space 18, and against only a slight resistance, the other 57 allowing air to flow in the opposite direction against a high resistance. A valve 54 controlling the ports forming the passageway 56, comprises a rubber washer 54. The spaces 42 and 18 are charged with compressed air via a removable cap 5, passage 7, and a valve comprising a rubber washer 8. The space within the tube 26 is connected by a passage 32 with the interior 46 of a rubber bellows 44. The latter spaces are open to atmospheric pressure, on assembly of the device, by removal of a cap 30, which however is replaced for normal operation. A gland for the tube 26 is provided by rubber washers 17, the outer peripheries of which, engage respective annular grooves in the outer housing 11 of the gland. Pressure in the space 18 is applied to the washers 17 via grease 19 acting through holes 16 in a plate 15 retained in the housing 11 by a clip 14. In operation, on compression, air passes freely from the space 42 through the valve 54 to the space 18. On rebound, flow takes place with damping action through the passages 57. In a modification of this construction, Fig. 1 (not shown), the passages 57 are replaced by circumferentially-spaced axial grooves in the periphery of the head 59. The valve 54 and ports 56, are mounted in the annular portion of the head 59 between the tube 26 and the cylinder 1, instead of being mounted in the head portion 49 within the tube 26 as shown. In Fig. 5, the valve 8 is replaced by a valve 66 of synthetic plastic material. The valve 54 is replaced by a conical-shaped valve 81, having circumferentially-spaced guiding ribs 86. The valve 81 is loaded on to a seat 80 by a coil spring 82. The passages 57 are replaced by three circumferentially-spaced passages 87 controlled by a valve 88, which comprises a resilient foil strip. Sound insulation is provided by a piston ring 78. In Fig. 13, which is a construction similar to Fig. 3, the inlet and outlet ends of the ports 56 are connected by respective annular grooves 131, 132. The rubber valve 54 is replaced by a resilient foil disc 134. The passages 57 are replaced by two ports 129 of larger diameter which are controlled by a resilient foil strip 133. Alternatively, Fig. 7 (not shown), the passages 57 may each be controlled by a respective cup-shaped valve made of a resilient material and loaded by a coil spring. In Fig. 11, which is a modification of the construction of Fig. 5, the valve 81 has a hollow stem 123, forming a housing for a piston valve 122, which controls the flow between a central port 124, and ports 128 in the wall of the stem 123. The valve 122, which replaces the valves 88 of Fig. 5, is held on its seat by a spring 125 and its travel is limited by a stem 127, carried by a plug 126 threaded in the mouth of the hollow stem 123. In a further modification of Fig. 5 (see Group XXIX) the valves 81 and 88, are replaced by oppositelyacting respective spring-loaded piston valves, Figs. 9, 10 (not shown), having conical-shaped heads, the spring loading of each valve being adjustable.