An air spring may include a first end member and a second end member spaced from each other; a flexible bellows having a first end portion airtightly coupled to the first end member, a second end portion airtightly coupled to the second end member, and a jacket mounted on the circumference of the flexible bellows and configured to support the flexible bellows.

Gas spring assemblies include a flexible spring member and a restraining cylinder. The flexible spring member includes a flexible wall extending longitudinally between first and second ends as well as peripherally about a longitudinal axis. The flexible wall includes an inside surface and an outside surface with the inside surface at least partially defining a spring chamber. The restraining cylinder includes a cylinder wall that extends longitudinally between first and second open ends as well as peripherally about the longitudinal axis. The cylinder wall includes an inside surface and an outside surface. The restraining cylinder is disposed longitudinally along the flexible spring member between the first and second ends thereof with at least a portion of the inside surface of the restraining cylinder permanently attached to the flexible wall along the outside surface thereof by way of a chemically-bonded joint. Methods of assembly are also included.

An air spring may include a first end member and a second end member spaced from each other; a flexible bellows having a first end portion airtightly coupled to the first end member, a second end portion airtightly coupled to the second end member, and a jacket mounted on the circumference of the flexible bellows and configured to support the flexible bellows.

Gas spring assemblies include a flexible spring member and a restraining cylinder. The flexible spring member includes a flexible wall extending longitudinally between first and second ends as well as peripherally about a longitudinal axis. The flexible wall includes an inside surface and an outside surface with the inside surface at least partially defining a spring chamber. The restraining cylinder includes a cylinder wall that extends longitudinally between first and second open ends as well as peripherally about the longitudinal axis. The cylinder wall includes an inside surface and an outside surface. The restraining cylinder is disposed longitudinally along the flexible spring member between the first and second ends thereof with at least a portion of the inside surface of the restraining cylinder permanently attached to the flexible wall along the outside surface thereof by way of a chemically-bonded joint. Methods of assembly are also included.

An air spring includes an air spring bellows extending along a longitudinal axis, an outer guide for the air spring bellows that extends at least partially around the air spring bellows and around the longitudinal axis, and a bellows extending at least partially around the air spring. In embodiments, the bellows includes a first bellows section and a second bellows section along the longitudinal axis, which extends at least partially around the outer guide. In embodiments, the bellows has, between the first bellows section and the second bellows section, a support configured for coupling to the outer guide, the support being mounted loosely on the outer guide in a first longitudinal axis direction and being decoupleable from the outer guide in a second longitudinal axis direction. The invention can provide, inter alia, an air spring with an increased lifespan.

An assembly for an air spring includes an outer gaiter defined in part by an interior portion, an inner gaiter defined in part by an exterior portion, at least one floating ring extending from a first floating ring end to a second floating ring end, the first floating ring end coupled with the inner gaiter and the second floating ring end is coupled with the outer gaiter, where the at least one floating ring allows the outer gaiter to move relative to the inner gaiter.

An air spring assembly includes bellow with an outer ring disposed on an outer surface of the bellow. The outer ring containing an embedded cord for constraining a portion of the bellow to establish a “B” shaped fold in an inflated bellow.

An assembly for an air spring includes an outer gaiter defined in part by an interior portion, an inner gaiter defined in part by an exterior portion, at least one floating ring extending from a first floating ring end to a second floating ring end, the first floating ring end coupled with the inner gaiter and the second floating ring end is coupled with the outer gaiter, where the at least one floating ring allows the outer gaiter to move relative to the inner gaiter.

An air spring comprises a hollow elastic sleeve, an end component for securing the air spring to a first frame, a hollow piston for securing the air spring to a second frame that is movable relative to the first frame, and a cylinder surrounding the hollow elastic sleeve to constrain the diameter of the hollow sleeve. A meniscus loop is formed adjacent the piston to define a major diameter of the air spring and thereby reduce the natural frequency of the air spring.

A damping convoluted air spring for use in vehicle axle/suspension systems includes a top plate, a bottom plate, and a bellows. The bellows includes a first lobe, a second lobe, and a third lobe operatively connected to one another. The first lobe being in fluid communication with the second lobe. The second lobe being in fluid communication with said third lobe. The first lobe operatively mounted on the top plate. The third lobe operatively mounted on the bottom plate. The second lobe includes a fixed volume under pressure to provide damping to the air spring during operation of the vehicle.