El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-04-27


returns to position slowly Among
the more recent types Of absOrbers
are those employing hydraulic ana
pneumatic principles, or combinations
OF these. In these the action OF the
leaf spring is controlled by pressure
against compressed air or oil These
have many virtues.
A typical pneumatic shock absorber
consists Of All air chamber, made up
Of two sections, one telescOping into
the other. The outer section is fast
ened to a bracket on the frame Of the
car. while the other chamber is at
tached to the end OF the regular lea1
spring. The chamber is partly titted
with OIL through plug provided Tor
the purpose. The filling plug also
has a valve for air. which may be
pumped in by the ordinary tire pump
In this way the body Of the car is
supported on four cushions or com
pressed air. The oil in the chamber
seals the packing Of the telescope
Joint. preventing the air from making
its escape. The mechanism within the
chamber consists OF a small oil pump.
which works up and down automat-
ically by the flow Of oil past the pis-
ton. whenever the air spring is COM
pressed or extended. The small guam
tity OF oil which manages TO slip past
the packing keeps the parts lubri-
Gated The surplus drains into
pocket, whence it lis pumped back in
TO the cushion chamber When the
device is in action, a current or arr
is constantly being blown through in
such a way as TO keep the parts free
from dust and dirt
Hydraulic Type.
A typical hydraulic consists OF q
casing, within which operates a pls-
ton in oil. The piston operates as
valve and is fastened 10 q hollow rod,
Indirectly attached to the frame. The
casing is fastened 70 the axle or
spring. No resistance is offered TO
the compression Of the leaf spring
but when it starts to rebound the OIL
retards the movement Of the piston.
which in turn checks the travel OF
The friction absorber in fits most
familiar aspect consists Of V shaped
member, the apex containing hous-
located These are so arranged that
when the car sinks down, there Is no
engagement, but when the rebound
comes the two discs rub together,
checking the upward tendency one
arm OF this absorber is fastened 70
the frame and the other to the spring.
There are other forms Of this friction
type. but this viii serve 10 illustrate
the fundamental principle
The spring type Of shock absor1er
takes a number Of more or less dis
tinct types. The simplest form IS
simply a coil spring. attached at one
end to the frame and at the other TO
the leaf spring: thus when the spring
tends 10 flatten, IL does so against
spring resistance. In some other
types the spring is compressed While
in most Of this type, some form OF
housing is used 70 cover and protect
the spring. in others the spring IS IN
covered. Perhaps the most popular
form Of construction embodies two
springs. the smaller being designed
N fax nm light shocks and the big
ger one the heavy jOlts-
The care demanded by most shock
absorbers is not ouerous.- Some OF
them require fabrication at irregular
intervals. Practically all absorbers
have some means OF adjustment in
GUIDED. generally in the form OF an
adjusting bolt with a self locking nut
by means OF which wear may be taken
up and the device may be altered to
suit changes in running conditions