GB536263A - Improvements in or relating to resilient suspensions for vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

536,263. Vehicle suspensions. HENRY, H. 0., and YOUNG, T. M. Nov. 7, 1939, Nos. 29593 and 2671/39. [Class 108 (ii)] A resilient suspension for a vehicle comprises a spring 46 interposed between the chassis and a wheel or axle, and means rendered operative upon a departure from the static configuration of the chassis and axles to restore automatically the said configuration when the vehicle is set in motion. The spring bears at its top against the inside of the closure 4 of a hollow cylinder 2 telescoping in a cylinder 1, and at its lower end against a piston 43 forming the base of a sleeve 13. A cup-leather 44 gives the piston 43 a tight fit in the lower end of the cylinder 1. The sleeve 13 rides on a fixed column 12 having fixed within it a tube 11. Through the tube 11 slides the hollow lower end 10a of a rod 10, the upper solid part of which moves through the cap of the column 12 and is attached to the closure 4, and terminates in a half-sphere bearing 5 for a locating member. A two-diameter valve 24 slides in the bottom end of the tube 11, and rests on a pneumatically inflated cushion 48 located in a chamber 6 at the bottom of the cylinder 1, the initial pressure imparted to which, by a pump attached to the entry valve 49 determines the effort-deflection characteristic of the suspension. Ports, ducts and channels 11a, 14, 16, 23, 26a, 26b, 33, 34, 36, 38, 39, 45 &c. permit interflow of oil introduced into the cylinders 1 and 2 by way of orifice 47. In action, when first used, the oil is forced by the reciprocating movement of the rod 10 to fill the spaces A and B. The next upward movement of the rod 10 draws oil into the space A and also pumps oil from the space B through the hollow part 10a and the bore of tube 11. When the pressure exceeds that in the cushion 48 by a requisite amount the valve 24 opens to let oil into the chamber 6. Further movement of the valve 24 brings the interior of tube 11 into communication with the oil reservoir, and this prevents further opening of the valve. Continued upward motion of the rod 10 brings a collar 15 thereon above ports 36, and a seepage of oil takes place with damping action. When a load is applied the springs are depressed and the rod 10 sinks relatively to the column 12. The pumping action is repeated, except that release of oil from chamber 6 occurs infrequently, and the accumulating oil passes through bores 40 to the space beneath the piston 43 and gradually raises same. In a modification the valve 24 is located to one side of the piston 43.