A clamping plate is dimensioned to secure a flexible spring member to an end member for forming a gas spring assembly. The clamping plate includes a clamping plate wall with an axis and opposing surface portions oriented transverse to the axis. An opening extends into the clamping plate wall from along each of the opposing surface portions. An elongated damping passage extends in a spiral configuration through the clamping plate wall in fluid communication with the openings. A gas spring assembly includes a flexible spring member that defines a spring chamber, and an end member with an end member wall that defines an end member chamber. The clamping plate is secured to the end member and retains the flexible spring member thereon. The elongated damping passage is in fluid communication between the spring chamber and the end member chamber. Gas transfer between the spring chamber and the end member chamber generates pressurized gas damping during use of the gas spring assembly. Suspension systems and methods are also included.

End members are supportable along a damper housing and dimensioned for securement to flexible spring member. End members include a wall with a side wall portion including an inner side surface portion. First projections extend toward a first inner edge with a first shoulder surface portion faces a second end. Second projections extend inward beyond the inner side surface portion toward a second inner edge with a second shoulder surface portion facing a first end. Second projections are spaced axially from first projections such that a groove is formed inward of the inner side surface portion between first and second shoulder surface portions. End member assemblies including such an end member as well as gas spring and damper assemblies and suspension systems are also included.

A vehicle height control system and method of increasing a vehicle height of a vehicle having a vehicle body and at least one axle assembly. The vehicle height control system includes a pressurized fluid supply system configured to supply a pressurized fluid, and a plurality of air springs provided to elastically support at least one section of the vehicle body of the vehicle above at least one axle assembly of the vehicle and configured to adjust the vehicle height of such sections of the vehicle body relative to a ground surface in response to the supply and discharge of the pressurized fluid. A control assembly of the vehicle height control system has a piston unit fluidically interconnected with the pressurized fluid supply system via a first control valve and is operable to adjust the vehicle height by adjusting a second control valve interposed between the pressurized fluid supply system and the air springs. A controller is configured to receive user input indicative of a Vehicle height adjustment operation desired by a user and to adjust the vehicle height by controlling the control assembly based on the user input.

An air suspension system includes an air supply system block including one or more air spring valves, where the one or more air spring valves are disposed within the air supply system block, the air supply system block having a valve block housing. The system further includes the air supply system block pneumatically coupled with one or more air springs, and at least one reservoir coupled with the air supply system block, at least one motor and pump disposed within the air supply system block. The air suspension further includes fast down leveling valves disposed within the air supply system block.

A combination gas spring and shock absorber apparatus includes a vented gas spring housing and a vented shock absorber housing slidably mounted within the gas spring housing. A shock absorber piston is concentrically mounted within a gas spring piston. A base housing is slidably mounted in the gas spring housing. A shaft extends through the base housing and into the shock absorber housing. The shock absorber piston is mounted in the shock absorber housing on the free end of the shaft. The gas spring piston is mounted in the gas spring housing on the distal end of the base housing. The shock absorber piston is fluidically sealed and slides within the shock absorber housing. The gas spring piston is fluidically sealed and slides along the gas spring housing and the shock absorber housing. The base housing telescopically translates relative to the gas spring housing.

A method for controlling an air suspension system of a vehicle includes: a) determining a bellows pressure-time characteristic curve for air admission to and release from the bellows of one air spring or the bellows of a plurality of air springs, the characteristic curve being normalized with the value of a supply pressure in a reservoir for compressed air, b) sensor measurement of a current pressure in the spring bellows of the air springs as well as the current supply pressure immediately before air admission thereto or air release therefrom, c) determining, from the normalized characteristic curve, the opening duration for the associated shutoff valve using the ratio of the measured bellows pressure to the measured supply pressure and the ratio of the provided target pressure to the measured supply pressure, d) opening the associated shutoff valve for the determined opening duration in order to set the provided target pressure.

A dynamic weight shift suspension system for shifting the tandem axle loads on a vehicle. The system includes a first airbag connected between the drive axle of a tandem and the vehicle frame, and a second airbag connected between a tag axle of a tandem and the vehicle frame. The system also has a mechatronic control unit comprising at least one port and at least one solenoid. The mechatronic control unit is in direct fluid communication with the airbags and an air supply via fluid communication lines.

In a compressed air supply system for a first compressed air consumer circuit such as an air spring system of a vehicle, a first compressed air line leads to the first compressed air consumer circuit and a distribution line leads to further consumer circuits. A priority valve arrangement is disposed between the first compressed air line, wherein the first compressed air line comprises no safety valve. The first compressed air consumer circuit can therefore be filled at a higher priority, and achieve operational readiness quickly in air spring processes such as lifting or raising activities.

A trailer having a liftable first axle and an air suspended second axle includes a controller, a first valve coupled to the first axle and a second valve coupled to the second axle. The controller receives an air suspension exhaust request signal and a pressure signal from an air suspension bellows coupled to the second axle. The controller transmits an air suspension control signal to the second valve in response to the air suspension exhaust request signal and transmits a lift axle control signal to the first valve to lower the first axle in response to the pressure signal being less than a predetermined pressure value.

A sensor arrangement for an air suspension system of a vehicle has a change-over valve for each air spring of a vehicle axle or of multiple, adjacent tandem axles, and has a shutoff valve for the air spring of each vehicle wheel of the axle or for each of the air springs on each side of the tandem axles. The respective changeover valve and the shutoff valves are structurally combined in a valve block arranged at a distance from the air springs. For measuring the pressure in each of the bellows of the air springs, pressure sensors are arranged in or on the valve block. Each of the pressure sensors is connected at the output of the shutoff valve associated with the sensor to the connection line of the bellows of the associated air spring or of the bellows of the associated air springs.