Technical concept
Technique
A suspension of vehicle generally involves:
- A spring (coil spring, leaf, torsion bars, pneumatic ...) which supports the weight of the vehicle and can set the ride height.
- A damper (usually hydraulic) which ensures the stabilization and control of vehicle movements during the compression and expansion phases.
The Concept
The Fournales shock-absorbers merge a pneumatic spring and an hydraulic damper into a single product called “air-oil pneumatic” which ensures the stabilization and control of vehicle movements.
This Hi-Tech product is the result and culmination of 30 years of R & D validated in competition. For each application, the proposed shock-absorber has been tested and optimized to ensure best performance.
The Fournales shock absorbers meets all requirements:
- Exceptionnal comfort
- High sensitivity in early draft (Zone A)
- Flexibility in small deflections (Zone B)
- Impossibility of bottoming on heavy shocks (Zone C)
- Filtering vibration: “air cushion” effect
Advantages: High performances
Natural adaptation of the stiffness to the efforts made by the wheel
Variable stiffness of the air spring
Grip and motivity
A better “wheel-ground” contact than with a mechanical suspension thanks to softer absorptions during transitional phases of compression-expansion.
Lower weight compared to shock absorbers with steel springs
The adjustable air spring :
The spring is the main parameter that characterizes a suspension.
The Fournales suspension is a pneumatic one: it consists of a volume of gas (nitrogen or air) that is compressed.
Its main feature is “variable flexibility” : it means that the stiffness of the air spring is easily adjustable by simply changing the inflation pressure using one of our high pressure pumps or another high-pressure means of inflating. This adjustment is precise and easy by changing the inflation pressure.
This setting also makes it possible to correct the trim of the vehicle regardless of the load and thus maintain optimal performance.
The technique
Reliability and Longevity
- Using high performance seals
- Aeronautics-quality materials, machining and treatments
- All our products are fully rebuiltable via our repair service
Manufacturing
Our products are made respecting the aeronautics standards, both as regards the choice of materials and machining processes and treatments.
Custom-built
Thanks to the control of the production processes and the flexibility of our organisation,we are able to offer custom-built shock absorbers depending on your needs.
Machining and processing
The pieces, usually aluminum alloy, are cut into the mass on the most modern and efficient “numerical control machines” (CNC).
The sliding tubes of our shock absorbers are subjected to 4 different phases of treatment that give them a very high hardness and a surface perfectly suited to the needs.
Control
The company has modern standards, in place for monitoring machining of all parts and all construction methods.
Assembly
The assembly of all our products is done manually by experienced technicians. At the end of the assembly, each shock absorber is controlled on the bench before shipment.
After-sales service
All our products have the characteristic to be totally rebuiltable. Their lifespan being generally that of the vehicle, they may however, if the user expresses a need, be refurbished through our repair service. After this, the product could be considered as “functionally new” and will benefit from a new warranty.
Copyright Fournales 2008 - Administration