A spring device (100) for a wheel suspension (200) for a vehicle (300) is described. The spring device (100) comprises an elongated elastic torsion device (102) configured to rotate about a central longitudinal axis (R) at a load (L). The torsion device (102) comprises elongated elastic elements (130) that comprise an internal cavity (132).

A spring device (100) for a wheel suspension (200) for a vehicle (300) is described. The spring device (100) comprises an elongated elastic torsion device (102) configured to rotate about a central longitudinal axis (R) at a load (L). The torsion device (102) comprises elongated elastic elements (130) that comprise an internal cavity (132).

A vehicle wheel suspension includes a suspension spring and an additional spring element. The additional spring element is disposed in a working chamber of a hydraulic cylinder. The working chamber, in hydraulic terms, is configured to be completely shut off by a check valve and the volume thereof with an opened check valve while activating a vehicle drive apparatus with braked vehicle wheels being variable by the anti-dive angle and/or the anti-squat angle. For such a volumetric variation of the working chamber, a hydraulic medium is flowable through the opened check valve.

A vehicle wheel suspension includes a suspension spring and an additional spring element. The additional spring element is disposed in a working chamber of a hydraulic cylinder. The working chamber, in hydraulic terms, is configured to be completely shut off by a check valve and the volume thereof with an opened check valve while activating a vehicle drive apparatus with braked vehicle wheels being variable by the anti-dive angle and/or the anti-squat angle. For such a volumetric variation of the working chamber, a hydraulic medium is flowable through the opened check valve.

Gas spring and gas damper assemblies include a flexible spring member. First and second end members are secured to opposing ends of the flexible spring member to form a spring chamber. The second end member includes an end member wall that at least partially defines a damping chamber within the second end member. A damper piston assembly includes a damper piston and an elongated damper rod. The damper piston separates the piston chamber into first and second chamber portions. A pneumatically-actuated control device is disposed in fluid communication with one of the first and second chamber portions. The control device is selectively operable to alter the functionality of the gas spring and gas damper assembly between spring and damper functionality and actuator functionality. Suspension systems including one or more of such gas spring and gas damper assemblies as well as methods of operation are also included.

Gas spring and gas damper assemblies include a flexible spring member. First and second end members are secured to opposing ends of the flexible spring member to form a spring chamber. The second end member includes an end member wall that at least partially defines a damping chamber within the second end member. A damper piston assembly includes a damper piston and an elongated damper rod. The damper piston separates the piston chamber into first and second chamber portions. A pneumatically-actuated control device is disposed in fluid communication with one of the first and second chamber portions. The control device is selectively operable to alter the functionality of the gas spring and gas damper assembly between spring and damper functionality and actuator functionality. Suspension systems including one or more of such gas spring and gas damper assemblies as well as methods of operation are also included.

A spring assembly for a non-rail wheeled or tracked vehicle is provided. The spring assembly includes a piston, and a sleeve with variable thickness. The sleeve is made from an unreinforced synthetic elastomeric material and being free of reinforcing fibers. The sleeve is coupled with a plurality of end components and defines a deformable pressure vessel, and the deformable pressure vessel supplies a support force.

A spring assembly for a non-rail wheeled or tracked vehicle is provided. The spring assembly includes a piston, and a sleeve with variable thickness. The sleeve is made from an unreinforced synthetic elastomeric material and being free of reinforcing fibers. The sleeve is coupled with a plurality of end components and defines a deformable pressure vessel, and the deformable pressure vessel supplies a support force.

A method for forming an air spring for a vehicle including a frame coupled to the air spring includes heating an elastomeric base material to a melting point of the elastomeric base material, thereby forming a melted elastomeric base material, forming a sleeve from the melted elastomeric base material, the sleeve being substantially free of textile reinforcing fibers, and engaging the sleeve with end components, the sleeve and the end components defining a deformable pressure vessel, where the deformable pressure vessel supplies a supporting force.

A method for forming an air spring for a vehicle including a frame coupled to the air spring includes heating an elastomeric base material to a melting point of the elastomeric base material, thereby forming a melted elastomeric base material, forming a sleeve from the melted elastomeric base material, the sleeve being substantially free of textile reinforcing fibers, and engaging the sleeve with end components, the sleeve and the end components defining a deformable pressure vessel, where the deformable pressure vessel supplies a supporting force.