A SEMINAR REPORT ON HYDROPNEUMATIC SUSPENSION" FOR THE COURSE THIRD YEAR AUTOMOBILE ENGINEERING (2008-2009) SUBMITTED BY SIRSAT PRAVIN

CHANDRABHAN ROLL NO.:-06838 GUIDED BY PROF. A. P. VADNERE

We will see:Hydropnumatic Suspension History Functioning LHM Manufacturing Advantages Disadvantages Conclusion

HYDROPNUMATIC SUSPENSION
It is a type of automotive suspension system, invented by Citroen The purpose of this system is to provide a soft, comfortable, yet wellcontrolled ride quality. The system has inherent advantages over steel springs

This system belt or camshaft driven pump from the engine to pressurize a special hydraulic fluid.
The suspension set-up is referred to as 'oleo pneumatic' in early literature. It have been many improvements to this system. The system had one key negative impact on the inventor.

HISTORY:Citron first introduced this system in 1954 on the rear suspension of the Traction Avant 1962 Morris Motor Company introduces the BMC ADO16 ('1100') with hydrolastic suspension 1964 Mercedes-Benz introduces the 600 with air suspension designed to avoid Citron patents 1965 Rolls-Royce licenses Citron technology for the suspension of the new Silver Shadow 1966 Mercedes-Benz introduces the 6.3 also with air suspension 1990 Peugeot 405 Mi16x4: first Peugeot equipped with rear hydropneumatic suspension 1990 JCB Fastrac high speed agricultural tractor uses this system for its rear suspension

2001 Citron C5: Hydractive 3 removes the need for central hydraulic pressure generation; combined pump/sphere unit for the suspension only and with electric height adjustment sensors 2005 Citron C6: An improved version of the C5 system known as Hydractive 3+ 2007 JCB Fastrac high speed 7000 series agricultural tractors now use this system for front and rear suspension

Functioning:-

Diagram of the Hydractive system

LHM (Liquid Hydraulic Mineral):Citroen invented a new, green fluid ,LHM Mineral oil is not hydroscopic, unlike standard brake fluid. The chief problem with LHS is that the water it absorbs produces corrosion in the system. Most hydraulic brake system are sealed from the outside air by a rubber diaphragm in reservoir filler cap, but the Citroen system was never sealed. LHM absorbs only an infinitesimal proportion of moisture, plus it contains corrosion inhibitors.

MANUFACTURING:The whole high pressure part of the system is manufactured from steel tubing of small diameter.
The moving parts of the system are sealed by contact seals. Height corrector, brake master valve & steering valve spools & hydraulic pump pistons have extremely small clearance (1-3 micrometers) Spheres are not subject to mechanical wear' but suffer pressure loss ,mostly from nitrogen diffusing through the membrane. Newer spheres do not have plug, but can be retrofitted. The membrane has an indefinite life unless run at low pressure which leads to rupture. With no springing a flat sphere can bend the suspension parts or dent a wheel rim. The older cars had a separate front brake accumulator on power steering models.

ADVANTAGES:The suspension is self-leveling and ride-height is adjustable. The ride comfort is excellent but the suspension never 'wallows', giving precise handling and road-holding Large loads do not seriously affect the dynamics of the suspension system and handling is not affected markedly by loads within the cars' rated capacities.

Compact suspension design.

Maintenance for trained mechanic is relatively easy. Inexpensive in mass production Can be conveniently interconnected in the roll plane to improve roll stiffness and thus roll stability limit, especially for heavy vehicles . Can be connected in the pitch plane to improve braking dive and traction squat

Flexibility in the suspension strut design in the interconnected suspension system to realize desirable vertical, roll and pitch properties for different types of vehicles.
Horizontal orientation of the rear suspension cylinders below the boot floor makes the full width of the boot is available for cargo

DIADVANTAGES:Service sometimes requires a specifically trained mechanic. Hydropneumatic suspension systems are expensive to repair or replace, if poorly maintained or contaminated with incompatible fluids. Failure of the hydraulic system will cause a drop in ride height and, possibly, the failure of suspension completely, and the brakes will not work

CONCLUSION:This system provide a soft, comfortable, yet well-controlled ride quality. For poor road quality the only way to maintain relatively high speed in a vehicle if it could easily absorb road irregularities. The system has inherent advantages over steel spring, generally recognize in the auto industry. It has an element of complexity, so automakers like Mercedes-Benz, British Leyland & Linclon have sought to create simpler variants.