Citation

Prada JG, Alonso A, Vinolas J, Carrera X, Reybrouck K, Giménez JG. Veh. Syst. Dyn. 2011; 49(1-2): 199-218.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/00423110903248678

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The main characteristic of a gas damper (GD) is the use of gas as internal fluid, which offers an alternative to hydraulic shock absorbers. In this paper, a mathematical GD model is presented and validated. The use of a compressible fluid provides GD with a behaviour dependent on velocity, like conventional dampers, but also with a strong dependency on frequency and on stroke amplitude. This dependency allows an improvement in the traditional compromise between comfort and safety. A quarter-car model is used to evaluate the ride performance that can be expected using the GD, focusing on the cited compromise. Results are compared with the ride performance of a hydraulic shock absorber. Finally, a sensitivity study centred on the stiffness of the internal fluid is presented.