S.a.m.m.-societe D'applications Des Machines Motrices

Alain Arnaud

Jean-Michel Perrochat

Joseph Philippe

Thierry Bouiges

Shock absorber (31) for a hydropneumatic vehicle suspension element, comprising a disk (32) fastened in an outer casing having ports (30, 38) for the passage of the hydraulic fluid, first elements (48, 49, 37a, 37b) allowing this passage in only one direction for some ports (30) and in the opposite direction for the other ports (38), and second elements (53, 54, 55) for fastening the first elements to the disk; the abovementioned first elements comprise, mounted on the two opposite faces of the disk (32), stacks (46, 47) of elastically flexible metal washers (46a-46c; 47a-47c) arranged in rigid annular deflectors (48, 49) located opposite the hydraulic-fluid passage ports (30, 38). The deflectors protect the flexible washers against any damage caused by the very high peaks of hydraulic pressure which occur on uneven ground.

Shock absorber for a hydropneumatic vehicle suspension element

An oleopneumatic vehicle suspension element in particular for a heavy vehicle, comprising a piston (29) movable in a cylinder (28), a gas accumulator (26), a shock absorber (36) immersed in oil (37) filling the volume between the piston (29) and a diaphragm (27). According to the invention, the suspension element comprises a caloduct (50) connecting the shock absorber (36) to a cold source formed by a free surface (42) of the housing (33) of the suspension element (25), the caloduct (50) containing a fluid which evaporates in contact with the shock absorber (36) heated by the oil, then travels to the cold source (42) where it is condensed and returns thereafter to the shock absorber (36) where it again evaporates. This cooling device enables the temperature of the oil to be limited to the maximum acceptable value and maintains the ground clearance of the vehicle constant.

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Chatenay Malabry, France

Alain Arnaud