Heavy-duty Air Suspension
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IN suspension systems employing air I cushions, it is important that they be relieved of all stresses other than direct compression, and patent No. 861,049 shows a scheme designed with this in mind. (Clark . Equipment Company, Buchanan, Michigan, U.S.A.) The drawing shows a tandem axle assembly according to the invention. Each axle tube is provided with a double platform (1) upon which the air springs (2) are fixed. At the top, these communicate with a common air box (3) attached to the chassis. A deflectionlimiting buffer (4) is provided in the middle.
Each axle. is constrained in its deflection by a parellel-link assembly (5). The lower links are attached to torsion , bars (6) which cross over to the opposite side of the vehicle where they are similarly attached to the links on that side. A feature of the layout is that the torsion bars are journalled in rubber bushes. This permits a slight lateral movement which is of use when cornering.
The link assemblies also perform the duties of radius rods to resist the forces created by acceleration and braking.