Air springs offer many other user-friendly advantages over the traditional leaf and coil springs.
The gas is air and the container is a sealed fabric-reinforced rubber bellow or sleeve. Similar to a ball inflated with air, the load an air spring will carry depends on its diameter and therefore, the area of the column of air supported and the pressure of air inside it.
The ability to change the load carrying capacity simply by changing the air pressure, rather than changing out the spring, is a major advantage air springs have over steel. Because an air spring consists of a closed volume of air, the compression of the air spring (jounce travel) will cause an increase in pressure, while the extension of the air spring (rebound travel) will cause a decrease in pressure.
- Blind Nut
A permanent part of the bead plate assembly providing an alternate mounting system to the stud.
- Air Fitting Hole
A tapped hole usually 1/4" N.P.T. providing air entrance for the part.
- Bead Plate
Permanently crimped onto the bellows at the factory allowing complete part leak testing prior to shipment.
The heart of an Airide spring. Includes at least four plies, or layers, of material–an inner layer, two plies of cord-reinforced fabric, and an outer layer.
- Girdle Hoop
A ring between the convolutions of the convoluted type air spring.