Auxiliary suspension air damping systems and associated methods of manufacture and use

Abstract

Air damping systems for lift axles are described herein. In some embodiments, lift axle systems configured in accordance with the present technology can include one or more air springs for carrying vehicle sprung mass ('load springs') and one or more air springs (or, for example, air cylinders) for raising the lift axle ('lift springs'). One or more air lines can be connected between the load springs and the lift springs so that, in operation, compression and extension of the load springs in response to axle movement causes pressurized air to flow back and forth between the load springs and the lift springs. As a result, the lift springs provide an additional volume to receive the pressurized air and provide an opposing spring force to the suspension. Additionally, in some embodiments the air line or lines extending between the load springs and the lift springs can include an air flow restriction and/or other air damping feature. In operation, the air damping feature dampens the flow of air between the load springs and the lift springs to provide damping of the vehicle suspension without the additional costs or disadvantages often associated with conventional hydraulic shock absorbers.