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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.
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.
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.
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.
AIRSPRING
ROTATING
CAM
HEATING
PLATEN
INDEXING CONVEYOR
SYSTEM
EXTENDED
COLLAPSED
VACUUM CYLINDER
SPRING RETURN
PREPRINTED LABELS
INDEXED IN
RETURN
SPRING
PACKAGE
OF MEAT
ROTATING
SHAFT
AIR ENTRANCE
TUBE
AIRSTROKE
CHECK
VALVE
AIRMOUNT
CONVEYOR RAIL
CARRIAGE
AIRSTROKE
PIPE
HYDALON
SLEEVE
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.
