An air spring with damping characteristics for a suspension assembly of a heavy-duty vehicle includes a bellows chamber, a piston chamber, an intermediate chamber, and a first and second means for providing restricted fluid communication. The intermediate chamber is disposed at least partially within the bellows chamber and operatively connected to the bellows chamber and the piston chamber. The first means for providing restricted fluid communication is located between the bellows chamber and the intermediate chamber. The second means for providing restricted fluid communication is located between the piston chamber and the intermediate chamber. The first and second means for providing restricted fluid communication provide damping characteristics to the air spring during operation of the heavy-duty vehicle.

An end member assembly can include a first end member section and a second end member section that together form an end member volume. A partition section is provided separately and is disposed within the end member volume to separate the end member volume into at least two volume portions. At least one passage extends through the partition section and at least one control device is disposed in fluid communication along the passage. The control device substantially fluidically isolates the two volume portions under conditions of use below a predetermined differential pressure threshold. The control device permits fluid communication between the two volume portions under conditions of use in which the predetermined pressure threshold is exceeded. Gas spring assemblies including such an end member assembly as well as suspension systems and methods of manufacture are also included.

Pressure-sensitive valves are incorporated within a dampening system to permit user-adjustable tuning of a shock absorber. In one embodiment, a pressure-sensitive valve includes an isolated gas chamber having a pressure therein that is settable by a user.

Pressure-sensitive valves are incorporated within a dampening system to permit user-adjustable tuning of a shock absorber. In one embodiment, a pressure-sensitive valve includes an isolated gas chamber having a pressure therein that is settable by a user.

An air spring with adjustable stiffness and a vehicle air suspension system are disclosed, belonging to the technical field of vehicle shock absorption device. The air spring comprises a main body consisting of an upper sealing plate, a lower sealing plate and a main air spring bellow, wherein an air spring bellow for adjustment is arranged in the main body, the air spring bellow for adjustment divides an inner space of the main body into different regions, with a region out of the air spring bellow for adjustment being a first region and a region inside the air spring bellow for adjustment being a second region. The first region and the second region are respectively connected to a high-pressure gas source, and a gas pressure in the first region and in the second region can be individually controlled.

A support system includes an air spring includes an air spring housing, defines an internal working volume, and is configured to support a body structure. The support system also includes an air reservoir that is supported by the air spring housing and defines a reservoir volume that is in fluid communication with the internal working volume of the air spring.

A support system includes an air spring includes an air spring housing, defines an internal working volume, and is configured to support a body structure. The support system also includes an air reservoir that is supported by the air spring housing and defines a reservoir volume that is in fluid communication with the internal working volume of the air spring.

An air spring is configured for use in connection with a motor vehicle. The air spring includes a first end cap. The first end cap is configured to attach to a first vehicle component. The air spring also includes a piston member. The piston member is configured to attach to a second vehicle component. The piston member is movable toward and away from the first end cap in an axial direction during use. The air spring also includes an air sleeve that is coupled to the first end cap at a first end by use of a first crimp ring and to the piston member at a second end by use of a second crimp ring to form a chamber configured to receive pressurized air. The air spring further includes a transition collar that is configured to placed radially outward from either the first or second crimp ring. The transition collar includes a sloped or tapered exterior surface that allows a portion of the air sleeve to engage and roller over the exterior surface of the transition collar to reduce wear to the air sleeve.

An air spring is configured for use in connection with a motor vehicle. The air spring includes a first end cap. The first end cap is configured to attach to a first vehicle component. The air spring also includes a piston member. The piston member is configured to attach to a second vehicle component. The piston member is movable toward and away from the first end cap in an axial direction during use. The air spring also includes an air sleeve that is coupled to the first end cap at a first end by use of a first crimp ring and to the piston member at a second end by use of a second crimp ring to form a chamber configured to receive pressurized air. The air spring further includes a transition collar that is configured to placed radially outward from either the first or second crimp ring. The transition collar includes a sloped or tapered exterior surface that allows a portion of the air sleeve to engage and roller over the exterior surface of the transition collar to reduce wear to the air sleeve.

A method and apparatus for a shock absorber for a vehicle having a gas spring with first and second gas chambers, wherein the first chamber is utilized during a first travel portion of the shock absorber and the first and second chambers are both utilized during a second portion of travel. In one embodiment, a travel adjustment assembly is configured to selectively communicate a first gas chamber with a negative gas chamber.