MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS
The air spring provides a unique solution for many actuation and isolation applications the world over. Besides the common applications, there are many that are not readily recognized because of the air spring’s unique construction. Listed below are some miscellaneous applications.
SHOCK IMPACT ISOLATION
The air spring is frequently used in shock impact isolation applications. This air spring application is commonly found in saw mills as the means to both absorb the shock of a falling log, and then by actuating the air spring, to lift and transfer a log onto a conveyor. Because of the properties of both air and rubber, the air spring is an ideal solution to this problem. Without it, the mechanism and surrounding structure would suffer fatigue and fail prematurely due to the intensity of the shock from the falling log. Refer to the problem solver section on the following pages for miscellaneous applications.
AIRMOUNT
CHECK
VALVE
CARRIAGE |
CONVEYOR RAIL
PROTECTIVE BOOT AND
FLEXIBLE CONNECTOR
An air spring bellows, with a bead ring type attachment, can be used as a protective boot or flexible connector. Due to the flex- ible construction of the air spring and the ability to handle both misalignment and angular movement, the air spring is a suit- able solution to this problem. To protect the inner surface from the flow of material, an inner sleeve may be required. Refer to the problem solver section on the following pages for miscella- neous applications.
VACUUM PUMP
It is possible to drive an air spring mechanically in order to cre- ate a vacuum. The air spring can withstand a small amount of acceptable vacuum without injury to the bellows. The maxi- mum amount of tolerable vacuum is dependent upon the bellows’ size, height and whether it is a 2 ply or high strength air spring. It is generally best to use only the single convoluted air spring for this purpose. Refer to the problem solver section on the following pages for miscellaneous applications.
| EXTENDED |
| |
| COLLAPSED | VACUUM CYLINDER | |
| SPRING RETURN | ||
| RETURN | ||
|
| ||
| SPRING |
| |
|
| PREPRINTED LABELS | |
AIRSPRING | HEATING | INDEXED IN | |
ROTATING |
| ||
PLATEN |
| ||
CAM | PACKAGE | ||
|
OF MEAT
INDEXING CONVEYOR
SYSTEM
INFLATABLE CHUCK
By restricting the height internally of a bead ring style air spring, the rubber walls will extend in an outward fashion. In this arrangement the air spring can be used as an inflatable chuck. The air will need to be introduced via the same mechanism that restrains the air spring’s height. Refer to the problem solver section on the following pages for miscellaneous applications.
| TUBE |
ROTATING | AIRSTROKE |
SHAFT |
|
| AIR ENTRANCE |
AIRSTROKE 
PIPE
HYDALON
SLEEVE
CAM FOLLOWER
The introduction of an air spring as the cam follower can extend the life of the cam greatly. Surface wear is reduced by removing the rigidity and friction of typical cam followers. With this reduction of wear comes continually smooth operations and overall minimization of fatigue. Refer to the problem solver section on the following pages for miscellaneous applications.
For more information, call your local stocking distributor or the Firestone applications engineer at the phone number on the back cover of this design guide.
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