US 12,253,136 B2
Adjustable accumulator for selectively modifying spring rate of gas spring system
Daniel Zachary Ratcliff, Brea, CA (US)
Assigned to Universal Air, Inc., San Bernardino, CA (US)
Filed by Universal Air, Inc., San Bernardino, CA (US)
Filed on Aug. 16, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/403,584.
Prior Publication US 2023/0051485 A1, Feb. 16, 2023
Int. Cl. B60G 11/27 (2006.01); B60G 17/056 (2006.01); F16F 9/02 (2006.01); F16F 9/512 (2006.01)
CPC F16F 9/0245 (2013.01) [F16F 9/0281 (2013.01); F16F 9/512 (2013.01); F16F 2228/066 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A gas spring system, comprising:
a gas spring configured to enclose a spring chamber and having a first mount and a second mount, the spring chamber defining a spring chamber volume therewithin;
an accumulator comprising an accumulator chamber, the accumulator chamber defining an accumulator volume;
a gas passage connected to both the gas spring and the accumulator provide fluid communication between the spring chamber and the accumulator chamber, the gas passage configured so that a pressurized gas can flow bidirectionally between the spring chamber and the accumulator chamber; and
a working volume of the gas spring system comprising a sum of the spring chamber volume and the accumulator volume that are fluidly connected to each other, the accumulator configured to selectively change the working volume of the gas spring system and modify a spring rate of the gas spring system, the spring rate being dependent on the working volume of the gas spring system;
wherein the accumulator comprises a piston, and movement of the piston changes the accumulator volume, and wherein the accumulator comprises an actuator configured to selectively move the piston to change the accumulator volume.