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An analytical and experimental study is performed to determine the friction and gas spring characteristics of racing-vehicle suspension dampers. Analytical models are developed to characterize damper properties which include displacement and thermal sensitivities. The necessity of incorporating these models in the damper model is demonstrated. Analytical models are developed with the coefficients determined from experimental measurements. The coefficients for three candidate dampers are presented, and analyzed. Methods to reduce the impact of the thermal sensitivity of the gas spring on the ride height are presented.

An investigation is carried out to determine the influence of dampers on the performance of race cars. The analysis is carried out in four sequential phases: (i) development of analytical damper model, incorporating gas spring, friction, asymmetric multi-stage damping, fluid compressibility and temperature sensitivity; (ii) development of quarter vehicle model, and determination of performance criteria and coefficients; (iii) validation and analysis of results for candidate damper on quarter car simulator; (vi) parametric analysis of damper parameters relative to performance criteria. It is concluded that the performance is sensitive to temperature changes, particularly the gas spring effect, and that asymmetric multi-stage damping provides nonlinear tuning capability of the system.

The linkage system of a motorcycle rear suspension is analyzed with a view of increasing the overall performance of the machine as a racing vehicle. The effect of leverage ratio changes on damping and spring stiffness are studied. A parametric variation procedure is performed, using a kinematic analysis program and selection criteria, to redesign the system. Further analysis is performed to define initial stiffness and damping parameters. Finally, track testing and tuning is done, resulting in a design which has found usage on a multitude of national championship winning machines.