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VEHICLE DYNAMICS

MATHEMATICAL ANALYSIS OF
HYDROPNEUMATIC SUSPENSION SYSTEMS

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MATHEMATICAL ANALYSIS OF
HYDROPNEUMATIC SUSPENSION SYSTEMS

Abstract:
Every one of us might have seen the heavy trucks running on the roads. These vehicles have efforts on
their axles very close to the allowed limits, mainly driving on rough roads or during cornering. In this case,
the use of conventional suspension systems like those using McPherson Struts, Multi Link Suspension,
Trailing Arm Suspension, 4- bar suspension etc. can increase the axle’s overload phenomena.
Hydropneumatic suspension system, when used in these vehicles, takes an asset in providing a better load
distribution per axle, decreasing the overload problem and thereby increasing the ride comfort. The well
known problem of the damper co-efficient changes due to load variation in vehicles using conventional
suspension system is even more observable when a hydropneumatic spring is applied due to its non linearity,
as opposed to the several advantages this spring type brings. This problem is more emphasized in vehicles
with a large mass range when they pass from a no load condition to a full load condition.
In this study, a Mathematical model of the hydropneumatic spring stiffness behaviour was developed. The
various factors or parameters that influence the spring stiffness behaviour have been mathematically found
out. Also in this paper, a methodology for primary specification of critical parameters of a hydropneumatic
suspension system is presented.

Keywords:
Vehicle, active suspension, axle displacement, Isothermal process, Spring Stiffness Factor.

1.0 Introduction:
Vehicles used for transport of loads have their efforts on the axles very close to the allowed or critical
limits mainly during its travel on a bumpy surface or during cornering. In such cases the use of conventional
suspension systems can increase the axle’s overload phenomena. Hydropneumatic suspension leads to an
even distribution of load per axle, thereby decreasing the overload problem and simultaneously increasing
the efficiency and comfort levels.

2.0 About the Suspension System:

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This suspension system was invented in the late 50’s by Citroen® and has been fitted to many of their
cars since. As its name suggests, its core technology and mainstay of its functionality is hydraulics. Superbly
smooth suspension is provided by the fluid’s interaction with a pressurized gas. This system is powered by a
large hydraulic pump operated directly by the engine in much the same way as an alternator or an air-
conditioner is, and provides fluid to an accumulator at a pressure, where it is stored ready to be delivered to
servo a system.
The spheres are like the springs on your cars, and the struts and the hydraulic
components that make the fluid act like a spring. There is a hydraulic component
called an accumulator, which is gas under pressure in a bottle contained
within a diaphragm, effectively a balloon which allows pressurized fluid to compress
the gas, and then as pressure drops the gas pushes the fluid back to keep the system's
pressure up. As you can see in the drawing, the pink gas(Nitrogen) is compressed
when the pressure in the green fluid overcomes
the gas pressure and pushes back the diaphragm, which compresses the gas. Then as
the pressure of the fluid decreases, the gas pushes back the diaphragm and as the gas
overcomes the fluid, it expels the fluid from the sphere, returning gas and fluid to
equilibrium.

Fig-1
The difference, comparing with conventional suspension system is the gas spring instead of a mechanical
spring, and the hydraulic fluid passing through the valve, where the energy is dissipated without using
additional dampers, achieves the damping.
The most important item of this system is the gas chamber, therefore the stiffness will be defined basically,
by the pressure and volume contained within the chamber. In some vehicle (like the Citroen® CX series), the
chamber is built from two
different parts that then join
to take the shape of a
sphere, and the gas is
separated hydraulic fluid by a
flexible diaphragm. This
diaphragm avoids gas leaks

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even having hydraulic fluid losses, if the system is not sealed Fig-2: Arrangement of
Hydropneumatic Suspension System
perfectly. The hydraulic fluid that drains out of the system is stored in a reservoir and thereby returned to the
system using a hydraulic pump, keeping the vehicle height constant throughout. A semi active control can be
done through an adjustable valve that increases or decreases the damping. Controlling the level of the
hydraulic fluid either manually or automatically may do an active suspension.
One or two of the more obvious ones are that since the system is hydraulic, the ride height can easily be
altered, a trend low riders are now following on with in California, nearly fifty years later. Also, they could
link the four corners together to make a system that prepared the car for the bump to keep it even and offer
the passengers a smoother ride. Basically they put fancy valves called height correctors on the anti-roll bar.
These were mounted in such a way that as the suspension twisted, this operated the valves that controlled the
transfer of fluid to the struts.
It was possible to isolate the front and rear systems and have the front suspension set at a height which
required 'x' litres. So when the front nearside wheel takes a knock compressing its sphere, x/2 L is lost in the
sphere, then the height correctors allow another x/2 L in, to inflate the offside strut by that much. This
keeps the front part of the car, always level in a horizontal plane.
As the car clears the bump, the reverse happens; the sphere displaces that fluid, the strut returns to its own
height pulling the anti roll bar back true with it which in turn tells the height corrector to lose that extra x/2
litres of fluid from the other side. As one side extends its strut in reaction to clearing the bump, the other is
retracting by the same amount to return the car to its set height above the road.
A further mechanical advantage of hydraulic suspension is that the car is able to link its braking effort to the
weight on the wheels.
In the Citroën® CX, the rear braking effort comes from the pressure exerted on the LHM fluid by the weight
on those struts. This means that as the weight travels forward under braking, there is less pressure on the
back suspension. The suspension is the able to exert less pressure on its fluid, and as weight and grip
diminish on the wheels, so does the braking effort, thus the hydropneumatic system prevents rear wheel lock
ups. This flexibility in operation is one of the outstanding advantages of the hydropneumatic suspension
system.
In this paper, a methodology for primary specification of critical parameters of a hydropneumatic suspension
system is presented.

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3.0 Theoretical determination of hydropneumatic spring characteristics

In the following development the gas is considered to be inert so that it would not react with the
sides and thereby change its characteristics during working. The ideal gas model is considered and an
isothermal process as well. This assumption does not represent exactly the realistic conditions due to the
heating of gas during the process. If the system is running at a very high frequency, there isn’t time to allow
heat exchange with the environment, and a hysterises phenomenon will occur. This effect will not be
considered once the energy starts to dissipate from the system.
According to the hypothesis mentioned above,
PV=nRT & …(1)
PV=constant …(2)
Where P is the pressure, V is the volume and T is the temperature of the gas.
To find the spring stiffness function which represents a force (F) done by the hydraulic cylinder as a function
of displacement (x) must be developed. The initial state is where the force is zero for null displacement. This
condition only occurs when the gas pressure inside the chamber is equal to the atmospheric pressure. The
figures (a) and (b) show the forces and pressures for the initial condition and generic condition respectively.

Fig-3 (a) (b)

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Let the initial volume of the gas be V 0. To each piston displacement, due to force acting on the vehicle wheel
an oil volume will be displaced to inside or outside the chamber, which will decrease or increase the gas
volume.
Let the volume displaced be Vd,
Vd=Acx …(3)
Where Ac is the piston area, the final gas volume V inside the chamber is
V=V0-Acx …(4)
From equations (2) & (4)
PoVo=P (Vo-xAc) …(5)
The force acting on the wheel changes the gas pressure inside the chamber to
F
P=Po+ …(6)
Ac
Fro equations (5) & (6)
F PoVo
+Po= …(7)
Ac Vo  x. Ac
PoAc ².X
F= …(8)
(Vo - Ac.X)

This equation shows that force as a function of piston displacement has a non-linear behaviour. Therefore the
spring stiffness co-efficient is not constant, as in the conventional systems.
PoAc ²
Ks (x)= …(9)
(Vo - Ac.X)

This equation shows that the spring stiffness does not depend on the chamber shape where the gas is
confined, but depends on the initial pressure, initial gas volume and the variation of gas volume. As the gas
pressure depends on the piston area and the vehicle load, the easiest way to modify the spring stiffness is by
changing the initial gas volume and is comparatively cheap rather than changing the hydraulic cylinder. The
local stiffness is usually intended as the derivative of the force function with respect to displacement x.
Deriving equation (8) we get,
PoVoAc ²
Kl(x)= …(10)
(Vo - Ac.X)²

Therefore it’s interesting to see that this stiffness is used only in the local incremental analysis. The product
Kl (x). x doesn’t give the value of F(x), due to non linearity. Then this definition is not adequate for
suspension analysis.

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Hence it is convenient to work with new displacement variable z with origin at the static equilibrium position
Xs and defines stiffness variable constant K (z).
Z=X-Xs …(11)
F ( F ( x)  F ( x))
K(z)= = …(12)
Z X  Xs
Where F(x) & F(Xs) can be calculated using equation (8).
With this definition is satisfied that F(z)=K(z).z for all z.

3.1 Definition of initial gas volume and dimensions:

The geometric suspensions of all components are keys to the suspension system design. These
parameters, including other like tire stiffness, mass of wheel define the vehicle response to external
stimulation. In order to optimize the configuration the manufacturers usually confront responses from
systems empirically adjusted. For hydropneumatic suspensions, the non-linear stiffness is a function of
pressure and volume of gas and the area of the cylinder. Assuming the cylinder area as already specified, the
gas volume at the atmospheric pressure will define the stiffness of the system.
W
Ps= & …(13)
Ac
PoVo
Ps= …(14)
Vs
Where W is the load on each wheel, Ps is the pressure in static equilibrium and Vs is the corresponding
volume. The criteria used in this study to define the hydropneumatic spring stiffness and the initial gas
volume assumes a maximum axle displacement Xm, relatively to the vehicle frame, at the maximum attended
load. The most severe load condition considered happens when the vehicle has its maximum static load. The
figure (4) shows the initial, transition and final states.

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Fig-4 (i) (ii) (iii)

The condition (i) means zero force is acting on the suspension. In other words the pressure acting inside the
cylinder is atmospheric. At condition (ii) the maximum static load that the vehicle will transport is acting,
resulting in a pressure Ps & volume Vs. the static displacement in this condition is Xs. At condition (iii), the
dynamic load condition is acting that results in a pressure Pm and a volume of gas Vm inside the chamber.
The displacement Xm is considered to be maximum as it allows the maximum displacement of the axle.
Considering conditions (i) & (ii) and equation (2), is obtained:
PoVo=PsVs=Ps(Vo-Acxs) & …(15)
AsXsPs
Vo= …(16)
( Ps  Po)

To determine the Xs, the condition (i) & (iii) must be considered, since Xm is known,
PoVo=PmVm=Pm(Vo-Ac(Xs+Xm)) …(17)
Isolating Xs of equation (17) and from equation (16), the initial volume is obtained as,
AcPmPsXm
Vo= …(18)
[ Po( Pm  Ps )]

W
Ps= & …(19)
Ac
Wm
Pm= …(20)
Ac
Figure (5) shows the theoretical curves of hydropneumatic spring stiffness considering 4 different load
conditions as function of displacement in the range –50mm to 150mm. The parameters used to define the
initial volume are: diameter of cylinder as 0.05m,Maximum Vehicle static load (W) = 8829 N, Maximum

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allowed displacement (Xm) as 0.05m and dynamic load factor (fd) as 3. Equation (18) gives an initial
volume Vo=0.0067 m3.
Figure 5(a) shows stiffness obtained when vehicle is empty. Figure 5(d) when the vehicle is fully loaded and
figures (b) & (c) at intermediate conditions. The cylinder displacement equals zero means that it’s at
equilibrium position (the vehicle is at correct height). Positive values means that the gas is being compressed
and expanded for negative values.

Fig: 5 (a), (b), (c), (d)

4.0 Results:
In practice, for each increase of vehicle static load and consequent displacement of piston to new
position, the oil volume must be increased to make the piston come back to zero. Another important point is
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the addition of oil in the system does not change its stiffness, since this will not change the pressure and
volume of gas inside the chamber. The stiffness rises drastically when the piston is achieving its end as the
volume becomes very small. This is an advantage because if there’s a displacement of the wheel bigger than
previewed the suspension becomes tight very fast, avoiding the piston achieve its end, which can result in
damage to the vehicle.
Thus, in this way the damping behaviour is analyzed mathematically. Thus, this analytical study
predicts that the vehicle becomes over damped very fast when the load decreases. Thus, to obtain optimum
performance a damping control must be done.

5.0 Recent trends in Hydropneumatic Suspension Systems:

Recent developments - which have seen a shift toward active, individually adaptable hydropneumatic
suspension systems - have extended the range of available solutions.
In order to be able to use the diaphragm accumulator at both maximum and minimum axle loads, a hydraulic
opposite load is built up in the cylinder ring chamber and generally controlled at a constant level.
The Simrit system uses a pressure control valve to keep the ring chamber pressure at a constantly low
level and regulate it with every new control procedure. This allows for two different strategies.
The first generation hydropneumatic suspension system works as follows: the pressure level in the ring
chamber is adapted by the structure in such a way that the components and accumulator design are
harmonized for completely different types of vehicles. This reduces the number of part designs and increases
quantities in an economical way. The size of the suspension cylinder is adapted in such a way that the
reduced difference in pressure at the cylinder seals is beneficial for the suspension function as it creates low
frictional behaviour. Moreover, this variant is not dependent on maximum pump pressure.
The second-generation hydropneumatic system was developed for suspension systems whose axles are
actually subjected to some really very high load ratios.
Here, the pressure level in the cylinder ring chamber is automatically controlled by the axle load.
Once the minimum axle load falls below a structurally fixed level, the pressure is automatically raised to a
higher level. Similarly, once the minimum axle load is exceeded, the pressure is reduced to a lower level.
The fact that the pressure in the ring chamber can be adjusted means that load ratios of up to 1:20 can easily
be managed very easily by changing the ring chamber pressure
Changing the ring chamber pressure influences the axle's elastic spring rate so that the functions can
accurately be adapted to suit the operating conditions.
This innovative suspension system's variety of adaptation possibilities allows more effective use to be made
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of the functional advantages of a hydropneumatic suspension system no matter what the operating
conditions.
In short, Simrit offers two different types of hydropneumatic suspension system, both of which allow
different types of vehicles to fine tune differently at variable pressure ranges
The standardization of components also allows samples to be produced very quickly.
The self-adapting settings of these intelligent, active systems open up completely new opportunities.
Consequently, planned developments such as combined front axle, cab and rear axle suspension will exploit
the full safety potential that is of such vital importance for tractors that are travelling at ever-increasing
speeds.

6.0 Conclusion:
In the present paper, the damping behaviour has been studied. Using basic Mathematical analysis the spring
stiffness of the hydropneumatic system has been calculated and its effects have been thereby stated. Thus for
optimal performance of hydropneumatic suspension systems, a damping control must be done. Thus, the uses
of this kind of suspension system are vast and a goldmine to explore. Hopefully, in the future we may see
more and more vehicles using such kind of suspension systems and thereby increase the efficiency of the
vehicle and simultaneously increase the ride comfort.

7.0 References:
Inman DJ., 1996, “Engineering Vibration”, Prentice Hill, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.
Els, P.S., Grobberlaar, B., 1993, “Investigation of Time and Temperature Dependency of Hydropneumatic
Suspension System”, SAE Technical Paper Series, SAE Publications.
Shearer, J.L., T.M. Arthur, H.H. Richardson, “Introduction to System Dynamics”, Addison-Wesley
Publishing Co., 1967.
Dr.Kirpal Singh., “Automobile Engineering Vol-2”, A.K.Jain Publishers
8.0 Acknowledgements:
The authors wish to support the acknowledgement of :
Mr. P.S.Kishore, Assistant Professor, Mechanical Department, G.I.T.A.M
Dr. M.R.S. Satyanarayana, Assistant Professor, Mechanical Department, G.I.T.A.M.

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