air spring

air spring
a springlike support utilizing the compressibility of air confined behind a piston in a cylinder.

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      load-carrying component of an air suspension system used on machines, automobiles, and buses. A system used on buses consists of an air compressor, an air-supply tank, leveling valves, check valves, bellows, and connecting piping. Basically, an air-spring bellows is a column of air confined within a rubber and fabric container that looks like an automobile tire or two or three tires stacked on top of one another. The check valves admit additional air to the bellows from the air-supply tank to maintain vehicle height when the load is increased, and the leveling valves vent excess air from the bellows when the vehicle rises because of unloading. The vehicle thus remains at a fixed height regardless of load. Although an air spring is flexible under normal loads, it becomes progressively stiffer when compressed under an increased load. Air suspension was introduced on some luxury cars in the late 1950s, but it was dropped after several model years. Recently, new leveling systems have been developed for passenger cars, including air-adjustable rear shock absorbers; some air-spring systems operate without an air compressor.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Air spring — Spring Spring, n. [AS. spring a fountain, a leap. See {Spring}, v. i.] 1. A leap; a bound; a jump. [1913 Webster] The prisoner, with a spring, from prison broke. Dryden. [1913 Webster] 2. A flying back; the resilience of a body recovering its… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Air spring — Air Air ([^a]r), n. [OE. air, eir, F. air, L. a[ e]r, fr. Gr. ah r, air, mist, for a[digamma]hr, fr. root a[digamma] to blow, breathe, probably akin to E. wind. In sense 10 the French has taking a meaning fr. It. aria atmosphere, air, fr. the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • air spring — n. AIR CUSHION (sense 2) …   English World dictionary

  • air spring — noun a mechanical device using confined air to absorb the shock of motion • Syn: ↑air cushion • Hypernyms: ↑shock absorber, ↑shock, ↑cushion * * * Mach. a springlike support utilizing the compressibility of air confined behind a piston in a… …   Useful english dictionary

  • air spring — A high pressure air filled spring used in the suspension fork of some bicycles. See air bellows air suspension …   Dictionary of automotive terms

  • air spring — a product made of rubber or neoprene which uses air to provide actuation and vibration isolation. They can be used in place of air and hydraulic where cost, space and maintenance are issues …   Mechanics glossary

  • spring — air spring …   Mechanics glossary

  • Air suspension — is a type of vehicle suspension powered by an engine driven or electric air pump or compressor. This pump pressurizes the air, using compressed air as a spring. Air suspension replaces conventional steel springs. If the engine is left off for an… …   Wikipedia

  • Spring — Spring, n. [AS. spring a fountain, a leap. See {Spring}, v. i.] 1. A leap; a bound; a jump. [1913 Webster] The prisoner, with a spring, from prison broke. Dryden. [1913 Webster] 2. A flying back; the resilience of a body recovering its former… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Spring back — Spring Spring, n. [AS. spring a fountain, a leap. See {Spring}, v. i.] 1. A leap; a bound; a jump. [1913 Webster] The prisoner, with a spring, from prison broke. Dryden. [1913 Webster] 2. A flying back; the resilience of a body recovering its… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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