What is an Air Bag Suspension System

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What is an Air Bag Suspension System?

Before you can begin to identify clearly the pros and cons of an air bag suspension, you need to understand the design of such a system.

An air bag suspension system is powered by either an electric pump or compressor that forces air into rubber bags typically made out of polyurethane and textile-reinforced rubber.

A compressor inflates the air bags to a certain air pressure. It’s important to note that it’s the air inside the bag that does the work of a spring. (An air bag suspension should not be confused with a hydropneumatics suspension which uses pressurized hydraulic liquid instead of air.)

What's the Purpose of an Air Bag Suspension System?

Air bag suspensions are used to achieve smooth ride quality by replacing the conventional steel-spring suspension in heavier vehicle applications like trucks, tractor-trailers, passenger buses, and even passenger trains.

The ECAS (Electronically Controlled Air Suspension) includes several features such as:

• Vulcanized, heavy-duty rubber air springs at each of the vehicle's wheels
• A storage tank for compressed air which stores air at an average of 150 psi
• Valve blocks that direct air to the four springs from the storage reservoir
• Air pipes connecting the storage tank to the air bags
• ECAS* computer that communicates where to direct more or less air pressure.