| 摘要 |
A method and apparatus for reducing the spring rate of an air spring is disclosed by providing a heat sink within the working chamber of the air spring. The heat sink, in effect, reduces the ratio of specific heats, gamma, of the spring medium, e.g. air, located within the air spring, which in turn, reduces the spring rate. In one embodiment, the heat sink is a plurality of polymeric or elastomeric fibers configured as a stable fiber, commonly referred to fiber fill. The fibers used for the heat sink may include longitudinally extending bores to increase the exposed surface to weight ratio of the fiber, and/or may have a friction reducing coating that resists matting and provides airiness to the fibers. In an example provided herein, the heat sink dramatically reduced the spring rate of the air spring, especially at an operational frequency over one (1) hertz.
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