Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] This disclosure relates generally to the field of automobiles, and more particularly to gas springs used in automobiles.
BACKGROUND
[002] A gas spring, also known as a gas strut/gas lift/gas props depending on the industry and application, is a type of mechanical spring that uses pressurized gas to provide a force. Gas springs have been used in a variety of applications, preferably when a force is required to move, lift or handling of heavy object, or providing a controlled movement for any opening/closing assembly. Some common applications include wall mount arm, automobile hood/bonnet, automobile back door/tailgate/trunk lid, trunks, office chairs, hospital beds, aircraft landing gear, and industrial machinery.
[003] In an exemplary application of an automobile, hood/bonnet need to be opened to access engine compartment, or likewise tailgate/back door need to be opened to access boot space of the automobile. Conventionally, the gas springs are provided on the hood/bonnet and tailgate/back doors structure to reduce user effort. Further, gas springs function on the aspect of compression/expansion of gas stored therein, which may depend on the temperature of the gas. Conventionally, gas spring may function within a permissible temperature range, for example, between 25°C-35°C.
[004] Any temperature of the gas below, or beyond the permissible temperature range may affect the compressibility of the gas and operation of the gas spring. For example, in case of high ambient temperature, the temperature of gas also increases inside the gas spring, resulting in over expansion of the gas. Therefore, over-expansion of the gas may lead to piston expanding at a higher speed, with higher force as compared to normal operation. This may result in self-opening of the tailgate at high speed, and may also hit the user opening the tailgate. On the other hand, in case of low ambient temperature, gas temperature also decreases inside gas spring, consequently the pressurized gas starts contracting and compression of the gas spring is observed. Thereby offering less force as compared to normal operation. Therefore, an extra effort may be required manually, to open the tailgate.
[005] Therefore, there is a need for a gas spring which may function efficiently, irrespective of the ambient temperature.
SUMMARY
[006] In an embodiment, a gas spring is disclosed. The gas spring may include a cylinder divided into a first chamber and a second chamber by a slidable piston. The cylinder may include a pressurized gas transferrable between the first chamber and the second chamber through an orifice in the slidable piston. The pressurized gas may be configured to store potential energy when the slidable piston is pushed, by an external force applied through a piston rod, into the cylinder such that volume of the first chamber becomes lesser than volume of the second chamber. Further, the slidable piston may be pushed out of the cylinder by using the potential energy of the pressurized gas such that the volume of first chamber becomes greater than the volume of the second chamber. The gas spring may include a temperature sensor disposed within the first chamber and configured to measure a current operating temperature of the pressurized gas. The gas spring may further include a first device and a second device, each disposed within the first chamber, and each configured to adjust a pressure of the pressurized gas. The first device, the second device, or the first device in conjunction with the second device may be selectively operated, based on the current operating temperature of the pressurized gas, to ensure a predefined operation of the pressurized gas.
[007] In another embodiment, a system is disclosed. The system may include a gas spring. The gas spring may include a cylinder divided into a first chamber and a second chamber by a slidable piston. The cylinder comprises a pressurized gas transferrable between the first chamber and the second chamber through an orifice in the slidable piston. The pressurized gas may be configured to store potential energy when the slidable piston is pushed, by an external force applied through a piston rod, into the cylinder such that volume of the first chamber becomes lesser than volume of the second chamber. Further, the slidable piston may be pushed out of the cylinder by using the potential energy of the pressurized gas such that the volume of first chamber becomes greater than the volume of the second chamber. The gas spring may include a temperature sensor disposed within the first chamber and configured to measure a current operating temperature of the pressurized gas. The gas spring may further include a first device and a second device, each disposed within the first chamber and each configured to adjust a pressure of the pressurized gas. The first device, the second device, or the first device in conjunction with the second device may be selectively operated, based on the current operating temperature of the pressurized gas, to ensure a predefined operation of the pressurized gas.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[008] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain the disclosed principles.
[009] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a conventional gas spring, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[010] FIG. 2 illustrates a force v/s stroke graph of operation of the conventional gas spring of FIG. 1, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[011] FIG. 3 illustrates a sectional view of a gas spring, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[012] FIG. 4A illustrates a sectional view of the gas spring in compressed condition at low temperature condition, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[013] FIG. 4B illustrates a sectional view of the gas spring in expanded condition at low-temperature condition, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[014] FIG. 5A illustrates a sectional view of the gas spring with a barrier in retracted condition, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[015] FIG. 5B illustrates a sectional view of the gas spring with the barrier in extended condition, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[016] FIG. 6A illustrates a sectional view of the gas spring with an inflatable bellow in deflated condition, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[017] FIG. 6B illustrates a sectional view of the gas spring with an inflatable bellow in inflated condition, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[018] FIG. 7 illustrates a sectional view of the gas spring, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[019] FIG. 8A illustrates a rear perspective view of a tailgate assembled with the gas spring in compressed condition, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[020] FIG. 8B illustrates a rear perspective view of the a tailgate assembled with the gas spring in expanded condition, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[021] FIG. 9 illustrates a flowchart of a method of operation of the gas spring, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[022] In the appended figures, similar components and/or features may have the same numerical reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label with a letter. If only the first numerical reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components and/or features having the same first numerical reference label irrespective of the suffix.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[023] The foregoing description has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which forms the subject of the claims of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying other devices, systems, assemblies and mechanisms for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art such that equivalent constructions do not depart from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristics of the disclosure, to its device or system, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.
[024] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusions, such that a system or a device that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.
[025] Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, same numerals have been used to refer to the same or like parts. The following paragraphs describe the present disclosure with reference to FIGs. 1-9. It is to be noted that a gas spring may be employed in any system/s including but not limited to a vehicle or for industrial, household, aerospace, medical, civil/architecture industries.
[026] Referring now to FIG. 1, a perspective view 100 of a conventional gas spring 102 is illustrated in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Further, the gas spring 102 may include an enclosed cylinder 104, a slidable piston 106, a piston head 108, a first chamber 110, an orifice 112, and a second chamber 114. The enclosed cylinder 104 may be configured to accommodate the slidable piston 106, and further, the slidable piston 106 may be configured to reciprocate between a first extremity 116 and a second extremity 118. In the same embodiment, the slidable piston 106 may be configured to divide the internal region of the enclosed cylinder 104 into the first chamber 110 and the second chamber 114. The first chamber 110 and the second chamber 114 may be configured to store a gas, preferably an inert gas such as nitrogen. The gas from the first chamber 110 may be transferred to the second chamber 114 when the slidable piston 106 reciprocates from the first extremity 116 and the second extremity 118, through the orifice 112. The orifice 112 may be provisioned on the piston head 108 of the slidable piston 106.
[027] Working principle of the gas spring 102 may rely on compressibility of the gas stored therein. Now, referring to FIG. 2, which illustrates a graph 200 of working principle of the gas stored in the gas spring 102. The graph 200 illustrates a plot between force released by the gas spring 102, and a stroke, i.e., distance covered by the slidable piston 106 when reciprocating from the first extremity 116 to the second extremity 118. As illustrated by the graph 200, when the slidable piston 106 initiates the stroke, the force exerted on the gas by the slidable piston 106 may increase from an initial force F3 to a final force F4. This increase in force may result in increase in compression on the gas in the enclosed cylinder 104 by the slidable piston 106. At maximum compression, the gas may store potential energy which is configured to initiate expansion of the gas. The expansion of the gas in the cylinder may be illustrated by the expansion force curve, in which the gas may be configured to exert a force F2 (equal and opposite to F4) until the force F2 on the slidable piston 106 decreases to a force F1. As a result, the slidable piston 106 may reciprocate from the second extremity 118 to the first extremity 116. The compression and expansion of the gas may reciprocate the slidable piston 106 between the second extremity 118 to the first extremity 116, therefore, displaying a functioning similar to that of conventional springs.
[028] However, compressibility of the gas is directly proportional to the temperature of the gas, given the volume of the gas being constant. which is illustrated by Gay-Lussac law of constant volume. Therefore, at higher ambient temperatures, temperature of the gas in the cylinder may also increase, thereby increasing the pressure of the gas with higher potential energy stored therein. Therefore, the force on the slidable piston 106 by the gas stored in the cylinder may be higher than F4, which may result in returning, or actuation of the slidable piston 106 from the second extremity 118 to the first extremity 116 at a higher speed. Similarly, lower ambient temperatures may result in decrease in temperature of the gas, hence the pressure of the gas on the slidable piston 106 may decrease, along with the potential energy of the gas stored therein. Therefore, the actuation of the slidable piston 106 from the second extremity 118 to the first extremity 116 may occur at a lower speed, or sometimes, external force may be required to complete the actuation.
[029] Therefore, to mitigate variation in operation of the gas spring 102 due to variable pressure, a heating or a cooling assembly may be installed therein. Now referring to FIG. 3, illustrating a sectional view 300 of a gas spring 102, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The gas spring 102 may include a barrier 302 positioned in the first chamber 110, and diametrically disposed opposite to the slidable piston 106. In the same embodiment, the barrier 302 may be movable, or fixated in the first chamber 110. The barrier 302 may be configured to accommodate a heating coil 304, and a cooling coil 306. As may be appreciated, the heating coil 304 may be configured to increase the temperature of the gas, by heating the gas in the gas spring 102, and the cooling coil 306 may be configured to reduce the temperature of the gas by cooling the gas, contrast to the heating coil 304. Further, the gas spring 102 may include a temperature sensor 308 mounted on the piston head 108, which may be configured to determine a current temperature of the gas. However, the person skilled in the art will understand that these arrangement of the heating coil 304, the cooling coil 306, and the temperature sensor 308 are provided for example purposes only. Specifically, the skilled person will understand that the preferred embodiment is in no way limited to the arrangement of the aforementioned sensors in the gas spring 102.
[030] In another embodiment, with continued reference to FIG.3, the gas spring 102 may include a plurality of seals 312a, 312b. The plurality of seals 312a, 312b may be configured to be accommodated at the ends of the barrier 302, to seal the barrier 302 such that gas may be confined between the piston head 108 and the barrier 302. Further, the gas spring 102 may include a valve 310, to allow insertion or release of the gas in and from the gas spring 102, respectively.
[031] In another embodiment, the gas spring 102 may be connected to a first device, which may include a temperature controller. The temperature controller may be electronically connected to the heating coil 304, the cooling coil 306, and the temperature sensor 308, and further connected to a controller unit, such as a microprocessor, mounted externally to the gas spring 102. When installed in an automobile, the temperature controller may also be connected to control unit, such as Electronic Control Unit (ECU), of the automobile. In the same embodiment, the temperature sensor 308 may be configured to obtain a current temperature of the gas in the enclosed cylinder 104, which may be obtained by the temperature controller. Further, control unit may be configured to receive the current temperature of the gas in the gas spring 102, and may be configured to operate the heating coil 304, and the cooling coil 306 until a predefined temperature of the gas may be achieved in the gas spring 102, to ensure a predefined operation of the pressurized gas. The functioning of the temperature controller may be explained in detail, with conjunction to FIGs. 4A-4B.
[032] In another embodiment, now referring to FIG. 4A illustrating a sectional view 400A of the gas spring of FIG.3 in compressed condition at low temperature condition, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, and FIG. 4B illustrating a sectional view 400A of the gas spring 102 in expanded condition at low-temperature condition, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[033] Now, with continued reference to FIGs. 4A-4B, and by way of an example illustrated earlier, the temperature controller may be configured to obtain the current temperature of the gas in the enclosed cylinder 104. For ensuring a predefined operation of the gas, the temperature of the said gas must be maintained under a permissible temperature range, such as for example, a temperature range between 25°C-35°C. The permissible temperature range may include a lower predefined lower limit temperature (25°C), and a predefined upper limit temperature (35°C). It must be noted for the gas spring 102 illustrated in previous, or successive embodiments, and the permissible temperature range may not be limited between 25°C-35°C which may be illustrated for exemplary purpose herein, but may include temperatures ranging between -30°C to 80 °C. For example, ambient temperature below 25 °C may cool the gas in the gas spring 102, thereby exhibiting a compressed state for which extra effort may be required to actuate the slidable piston 106 from the second extremity 118 to the first extremity 116. Also, ambient temperature above 35°C may over-heat the gas in the gas spring 102, thereby exhibiting an over-expanded state for which the slidable piston 106 may actuate at higher speed, and force which may be unpredicted.
[034] After obtaining the current temperature of the gas from the temperature sensor 308, the temperature controller may be configured to determine whether the temperature of the gas may range between the permissible temperature range. In one embodiment, for example, when the temperature of the gas sensed may be below 25 °C, the temperature controller may be configured to operate the heating coil 304 to heat the gas, until the temperature of the gas reaches the permissible temperature range. Furthermore, when the temperature of the gas sensed may be above 35 °C, the temperature controller may be configured to operate the cooling coil 306 until the temperature of the gas decreases and reaches the permissible temperature range.
[035] With continued reference to FIG.4A, in an exemplary embodiment, due to high temperature of the gas in the gas spring 102, the slidable piston 106 may be actuated with a higher force, and higher speed, as explained earlier. Therefore, compressing the slidable piston 106, or reciprocating the slidable piston 106 from the first extremity 116 to the second extremity 118 may be difficult due to pressure, or force on the slidable piston 106 exerted by the gas at high temperature. Therefore, cooling the gas may significantly reduce the temperature of the gas, thereby the normal operation of the gas spring 102 may be achieved, i.e., the speed at which the slidable piston 106 may actuate may be controlled and reduced, by reducing the force exerted by the gas on the slidable piston 106.
[036] With continued reference to FIG.4B, in an exemplary embodiment, due to low temperature of the gas in the gas spring 102, the slidable piston 106 may be actuated with a lower force, and at a lower speed, as explained in previous embodiments. Therefore, expanding the slidable piston 106, or reciprocating the slidable piston 106 from the second extremity 118 to the first extremity 116 may be difficult due to low pressure, or force on the slidable piston 106 exerted by the gas at high temperature. Therefore, heating the gas may significantly increase the temperature of the gas, thereby the normal operation of the gas spring 102 may be achieved, i.e., the speed at which the slidable piston 106 may actuate may be controlled and increased, by increasing the force exerted by the gas on the slidable piston 106 to achieve the expanded state.
[037] In another embodiment, the gas in the enclosed cylinder 104 may be heated, or cooled at a predefined rate, i.e., a predefined rate of cooling or a predefined rate of heating, for a predefined time interval. The rate of cooling, or heating, may be calculated using following empirical relations:
Considering:
Predefined Upper Limit Temperature: TU °C
Predefined Lower Limit Temperature: TL °C
Measured Temperature: TX °C
Therefore, temperature difference (Xh) when current temperature is greater than Predefined Temperature Upper Limit, i.e., TX > TU:
Xh = TX - TU °C;
Also, temperature difference (XL) when current temperature is less than Predefined Temperature lower Limit:
XL = TL - TX °C.
Further, the rate of heating (Rh in °C/second) or the rate of cooling (Rc in °C/second) may depend on operational characteristics of the heating coil 304 or the cooling coil 306. Therefore, the time required (th) in seconds, to heat the gas using the heating coil 304, and the time required (tc) in seconds, to cool the gas using the cooling coil 306 may be determined as:
th = Xh/ Rh ; and
tc = XL/ Rc.
[038] However, in one embodiment, for applications involving using the gas spring 102 for raising/lowering the tailgate of an automobile, the temperature controller may be powered, or switched ON when the automobile is started. Therefore, the temperature controller may not be able to reduce, or increase the temperature of the gas to the permissible temperature ranges in which the gas spring 102 may be operated, especially when the tailgate is accessed just after starting, or powering the automobile. Therefore, to account for the difference in temperatures especially when the vehicle is started, the gas spring 102 may include a second device. The second device may include a volume controller. The volume controller may be connected to, and configured to adjust position of the barrier 302 using an external driving mechanism. Manipulation of the position of the barrier 302 may increase, or decrease stroke length of the enclosed cylinder 104, thereby increasing or decreasing the volume of the first chamber 110 respectively. After a predefined time, the volume controller may be configured to re-adjust the volume of the first chamber 110. The mechanism of adjusting the volume of the first chamber 110 may be illustrated in detail, with conjunction to FIGs. 5A-5B.
[039] Now referring to FIG. 5A illustrating a sectional view 500A of a gas spring with a barrier in retracted condition, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, and FIG. 5B illustrating a sectional view 500B of a gas spring with the barrier in extended condition, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[040] As illustrated, the barrier 302 may be connected to the volume controller. Further, the volume controller may be connected to the external driving mechanism. The external driving mechanism may include a motor, externally connected to a barrier adjuster 402. The barrier adjuster 402 may be further connected to the barrier 302. Further, the volume controller may be connected to the temperature sensor 308. Therefore, based on the temperature of the gas, the volume controller may be configured to operate the motor, which in turn, may be further configured to extend the barrier towards the first extremity 116 or the slidable piston 106, and retract the barrier adjuster 402 away from the first extremity 116 or the slidable piston 106. As a result, the extension or retraction of the barrier adjuster 402 may be configured to manipulate the barrier 302 towards the first extremity 116 or towards the second extremity 118 by a predefined distance, respectively.
[041] In another embodiment, referring to FIG. 5A, when the temperature of the gas may not be reduced to the permissible temperature range, i.e., for example, if the gas temperature is still above 35 °C, therefore, to achieve normal operation of the gas spring 102, the motor may be configured to retract the barrier adjuster 402 towards the second extremity 118. Such retraction of the barrier 302 may increase the volume of the first chamber 110. Owing to inverse proportionality of pressure with volume in accordance with Boyle’s Law of constant temperature, therefore, increasing the volume of the first chamber 110 may decrease the pressure of the gas, especially on the slidable piston 106. Therefore, the inadequacy to decrease temperature of the gas may be compensated by selective operation of the second device with the first device by increase in volume, especially when the tailgate may be accessed just after starting, or powering the automobile. Therefore, the compressed state of the slidable piston 106 may be achieved efficiently.
[042] In another embodiment, referring to FIG. 5B, when the temperature of the gas may not be increased to the permissible temperature range, i.e., for example, if the gas temperature is still below 25 °C, therefore, to achieve normal operation of the gas spring 102, the motor may be configured to extend the barrier adjuster 402 towards the first extremity 116, thereby extending the barrier 302 by a predefined distance. Such extension of the barrier 302 may decrease the volume of the first chamber 110. Therefore, in accordance with Boyle’s Law, decreasing the volume of the first chamber 110 may increase the pressure of the gas, especially on the slidable piston 106. Therefore, the inability to increase temperature of the gas may be compensated by decrease in volume, especially when the tailgate is accessed just after starting, or powering the automobile. Therefore, the expanded state of the slidable piston 106 may be achieved efficiently.
[043] In another embodiment, the predefined distance at which the barrier 302 may be extended, or retracted may be calculated using a following set of empirical relationships:
Considering:
Current temperature of the gas: Ty °C
Pressure at Temperature Ty: Pty N/mm2
Pressure at Temperature TU: Ptu N/mm2
Pressure at Temperature TL: PtL N/mm2
Volume at Pressure Ptu: Vtu mm3, and
Volume at Pressure PtL: VtL mm3.
Therefore, the requisite volume (Vtyu) of the first chamber 110 when the current temperature may be still greater than the predefined upper limit temperature TU, i.e., Ty > TU may be calculated by:
Vtyu = (Pty x Vtu) / Ptu mm3;
Similarly, the requisite volume (VtyL) of the first chamber 110 when the current temperature may be still less than the predefined upper limit temperature TU, i.e., Ty < TL may be calculated by:
VtyL = (PtL x VtL) / Pty mm3;
Therefore, the predetermined distance (Zret) of retraction of the barrier may be calculated by:
Zret = 4 x Vtyud / (?? x d2) mm, and
The predetermined distance (Zext) of extension of the barrier may be calculated by:
Zext = 4 x VtLd / (?? x d2) mm.
[044] In an alternative embodiment, referring to FIG.6A, illustrating a sectional view 600A of the gas spring 102 with an inflatable bellow in deflated condition, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, and FIG. 6B illustrating a sectional view 600B of the gas spring 102 with an inflatable bellow 604 in inflated condition, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. In the same embodiment, instead of the barrier 302, and the barrier adjuster 402, the volume controller may be connected to an air pump 602. The air pump 602 may be further connected to an inflatable bellow 604. To adjust the volume of the first chamber 110, i.e., to decrease or increase the volume of the first chamber 110, the inflatable bellow 604 may be deflated or inflated respectively. The condition to inflate, or deflate the inflatable bellow 604 may be similar to the conditions explained in conjunction with FIGs. 5A-5B, i.e., when the temperature of the gas may not be reduced to the permissible temperature range, i.e., for example, if the gas temperature may be still below 25°C or above 35 °C when the tailgate is accessed just after starting, or powering the automobile.
[045] In one embodiment, with continued reference to FIGs. 6A-6B, when the temperature of the gas may be still above 35°C, the volume controller may be configured to operate the air pump 602 to deflate the inflatable bellow 604, thereby increasing the volume of the first chamber 110 to decrease the pressure exerted by the gas on the slidable piston 106. In the same embodiment, when the temperature of the gas may be still below 25°C, the volume controller may be configured to operate the air pump 602, to inflate the inflatable bellow 604, such that the volume of the first chamber 110 may be reduced accordingly, thereby increasing the pressure on the slidable piston 106.
[046] In another alternative embodiment, now referring to FIG.7 illustrating a sectional view 700 of the gas spring 102. In this embodiment, the gas spring 102 may include gas source such as a gas pump 702. The gas source may be configured to supply gas, preferably nitrogen, in the first chamber 110. In the same embodiment, any increase, or decrease in temperature of the gas may be compensated by releasing the gas through the valve 310, or supplying air to the first chamber 110 by the gas pump 702.
[047] In another embodiment, with continued reference to FIG.7, when the temperature of the gas is above 35°C, the pressure of the gas in the enclosed cylinder 104 may be increased. Therefore, to reduce the pressure, the gas may be released through the valve 310. Therefore, decrease in amount of the gas may result in decrease in pressure of the gas. Accordingly, when the temperature of the gas is below 25°C, the gas pump 702 may be operated to supply air into the first chamber 110. Increase in amount of the gas in the first chamber 110 may result in increase in pressure of the gas.
[048] Now, referring to FIG. 8A, illustrating a rear perspective view 800A of a tailgate assembled with the gas spring 102 in compressed condition, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, and FIG. 8B illustrating a rear perspective view 800B of the a tailgate assembled with the gas spring 102 in expanded condition, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[049] In another embodiment, the gas spring 102 may be utilized in an automobile 802, for lowering or raising the tailgate. The tailgate may be supported by a pair of gas spring 102, and may be raised or opened when the gas spring 102 may be in an expanded condition, or compressed condition, respectively. In this embodiment, the control unit of the automobile 802, preferably, the ECU, may be connected to the temperature sensor 308, the volume controller, and the temperature controller. By way of this connection, the ECU, in a continuous time interval, periodic time interval, and instantaneously may be configured to monitor the temperature of the gas inside the gas spring 102. Based on the temperature of the gas, the ECU may be configured to operate the temperature controller, or the volume controller to adjust the temperature of the gas in the cylinder 104, or adjust the volume of the first chamber 110 respectively.
[050] Now, referring to FIG. 9, which illustrates a flowchart of a method 900 of operation of the gas spring 102. At step 902, when the automobile may be started, the ECU may be operated a continuous time interval, periodic time interval, and instantaneously may be configured to monitor the temperature of the gas inside the gas spring 102. After monitoring, at step 904, the temperature information may be collected by the ECU, to assess whether the temperature of the gas in the gas spring 102 may be within permissible range, for example, between 25°C-35°C. After assessment, at step 906, the ECU may be configured to determine whether the heating coil 304 or the cooling coil 306 may be functioning. If the heating coil 304 or the cooling coil 306 may be functioning, or switched ON, the method may proceed to the next step 936, for ceasing the functioning, or turning OFF the heating coil 304 or the cooling coil 306. After turning OFF the heating coil 304 or the cooling coil 306, the method may be reiterated from step 902.If the heating coil 304 or the cooling coil 306 may not be functioning, or switched OFF, the method may proceed to determining the temperature range is lower than the permissible temperature range, or higher than the permissible temperature range. Particularly, the method may proceed to step 908 to determine if the temperature is below 25°C, and simultaneously, to step 910 to determine if the temperature is greater than 35°C.
[051] If the temperature of the gas is below 25°C, the method may proceed to the next step 918 to turn ON the heating coil 304, to heat the gas in the enclosed cylinder 104, which is already explained in conjunction with FIGs. 5A-5B. Further, after turning ON the heating coil 304, the ECU may again start monitoring the temperature of the gas in the enclosed cylinder 104, until the temperature of the gas reaches the permissible temperature range. When the desired temperature of the gas may be achieved, the method may proceed to the next step 912, of turning OFF the heating coil 304.
[052] During operation of the heating coil, when the tailgate is opened by the user at step 922, the process may be configured to determine if the current temperature of the gas is still below 25°C. If the temperature of the gas is below 25°C, the method may proceed to the next step 930, in which the ECU may be configured to operate the volume controller, to extend the barrier 302 by a predefined distance (Zext mm) towards the first extremity 116 from an original position thereof, at a predefined speed (V1 m/s). After a predefined time period, at step 934, the barrier may be retracted by the predefined distance (Zret mm), at another predefined speed (V2 m/s) to the original position.
[053] Returning to step 910, when the temperature of the gas may be greater than 35°C, the method may proceed to the next step 916 to turn ON the cooling coil 306, to cool the gas in the enclosed cylinder 104, which is already explained in conjunction with FIGs. 5A-5B. Further, after turning ON the cooling coil 306, the ECU may again start monitoring the temperature of the gas in the enclosed cylinder 104, until the temperature of the gas reaches the permissible temperature range of temperature. When the desired temperature of the gas may be achieved, the method may proceed to the next step 914, of turning OFF the cooling coil 306.
[054] During operation of the cooling coil 306, when the tailgate is opened by the user at step 920, at step 924, the process may be configured to determine if the current temperature of the gas is still above 35°C. If the temperature of the gas is above 35°C, the method may proceed to the next step 928, in which the ECU may be configured to operate the volume controller, to retract the barrier 302 by a predefined distance (Zret mm) towards the second extremity 118, at a predefined speed (V1 m/s). After a predefined time period, at step 932, the barrier may be extended by the predefined distance (Zext mm) towards first extremity 116, or switched at the original position, at another predefined speed (V2 m/s).
[055] With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
[056] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
[057] In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.
[058] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.
, Claims:CLAIMS
We claim:
1. A gas spring (102), comprising:
an enclosed cylinder (104) divided into a first chamber (110) and a second chamber (114) by a slidable piston (106), wherein the enclosed cylinder (104) comprises a pressurized gas transferrable between the first chamber (110) and the second chamber (110) through an orifice (112) in the slidable piston (106), and wherein the pressurized gas:
stores potential energy when the slidable piston (106) is pushed, by an external force applied through a piston rod (108), into the enclosed cylinder (104) such that volume of the first chamber (110) becomes lesser than volume of the second chamber (110); and
aids in pushing the slidable piston (106) out of the enclosed cylinder (104) by using the potential energy of the pressurized gas such that the volume of first chamber (110) becomes greater than the volume of the second chamber (110);
a temperature sensor (308) disposed within the first chamber (110) and configured to measure a current operating temperature of the pressurized gas; and
a first device and a second device, each disposed within the first chamber (110) and each configured to adjust a pressure of the pressurized gas, wherein the first device, the second device, or the first device in conjunction with the second device is selectively operated, based on the current operating temperature of the pressurized gas, to ensure a predefined operation of the pressurized gas.

2. The gas spring (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first device comprises a temperature controller to adjust an operating temperature of the pressurized gas, and wherein the temperature controller comprises a heating coil (304) and a cooling coil (306), and wherein the temperature controller is selectively operated to:
heat the pressurized gas when the current operating temperature is below a lower predefined operating temperature of the pressurized gas, and
cool the pressurized gas when the current operating temperature is above a higher predefined operating temperature of the pressurized gas.

3. The gas spring (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second device comprises a volume controller to adjust the volume of the first chamber (110), and wherein the volume controller comprises:
a barrier (302) disposed diametrically opposite to the slidable piston (106); and
a barrier adjuster (402) to move the barrier (302) toward the slidable piston (106) to decrease the volume of the first chamber (110) or away from the slidable piston (106) to increase the volume of the first chamber (110), and
wherein the volume controller is selectively operated to:
decrease the volume of the first chamber (110) when the current operating temperature is below a lower predefined operating temperature of the pressurized gas, and
increase the volume of the first chamber (110) when the current operating temperature is above a higher predefined operating temperature of the pressurized gas.

4. The gas spring (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second device comprises a volume controller to adjust the volume of the first chamber (110), and wherein the volume controller comprises:
an inflatable bellow (604); and
an air pump (602) to inflate the inflatable bellow (604) to decrease the volume of the first chamber 110 or to deflate the inflatable bellow (604) to increase the volume of the first chamber (110), and
wherein the volume controller is selectively operated to:
decrease the volume of the first chamber (110) when the current operating temperature is below a lower predefined operating temperature of the pressurized gas, and
increase the volume of the first chamber (110) when the current operating temperature is above a higher predefined operating temperature of the pressurized gas.

5. The gas spring (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second device comprises a pressurized gas pump (702) to adjust an amount of the pressurized gas, and wherein the pressurized gas pump (702) is selectively operated to:
increase the amount of the pressurized gas when the current operating temperature is below a lower predefined operating temperature of the pressurized gas, and
decrease the amount of the pressurized gas when the current operating temperature is above a higher predefined operating temperature of the pressurized gas.

6. The gas spring (102) as claimed in claim 3, 4, or 5, wherein:
the volume controller is further operated to re-adjust the volume of the first chamber (110) to an initial volume after a predefined interval of time; or
the air pump (602) is further operated to re-adjust the amount of the pressurized gas to an initial amount after the predefined interval of time.

7. The gas spring (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first device in conjunction with the second device is selectively operated such that the second device compensates for an inadequacy of the first device to ensure the predefined operation of the pressurized gas.

8. The gas spring (102) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a controller to selectively operate the first device, the second device, or the first device in conjunction with the second device.

9. A system, comprising:
a gas spring (102), comprising:
an enclosed cylinder divided into a first chamber (110) and a second chamber (110) by a slidable piston, wherein the enclosed cylinder (104) comprises a pressurized gas that stores potential energy when the slidable piston (106) is pushed into the enclosed cylinder and that aids in pushing the slidable piston (106) out of the enclosed cylinder by using the potential energy;
a temperature sensor (308) disposed within the first chamber (110) and configured to measure a current operating temperature of the pressurized gas; and
a first device and a second device, each disposed within the first chamber (110) and each configured to adjust a pressure of the pressurized gas; and
a controller configured to:
receive the current operating temperature of the pressurized gas from the temperature sensor (308); and
selectively operate the first device, the second device, or the first device in conjunction with the second device, based on the current operating temperature of the pressurized gas, to ensure a predefined operation of the pressurized gas.

10. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first device comprises a temperature controller to adjust an operating temperature of the pressurized gas, and wherein the controller is configured to selectively operate the temperature controller to:
heat the pressurized gas when the current operating temperature is below a lower predefined operating temperature of the pressurized gas, and
cool the pressurized gas when the current operating temperature is above a higher predefined operating temperature of the pressurized gas.

11. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the second device comprises a volume controller to adjust the volume of the first chamber (110), and wherein the controller is configured to selectively operate the volume controller to:
decrease the volume of the first chamber (110) when the current operating temperature is below a lower predefined operating temperature of the pressurized gas, and
increase the volume of the first chamber (110) when the current operating temperature is above a higher predefined operating temperature of the pressurized gas.

12. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the second device comprises a pressurized gas pump (702) to adjust an amount of the pressurized gas, and wherein the controller is configured to selectively operate the pressurized gas pump (702) to:
increase the amount of the pressurized gas when the current operating temperature is below a lower predefined operating temperature of the pressurized gas, and
decrease the amount of the pressurized gas when the current operating temperature is above a higher predefined operating temperature of the pressurized gas.

13. The system as claimed in claim 11 or 12, wherein the controller is configured to further operate:
the volume controller to re-adjust the volume of the first chamber (110) to an initial volume after a predefined interval of time; or
the air pump (602) to re-adjust the amount of the pressurized gas to an initial amount after the predefined interval of time.

14. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to selectively operate the first device in conjunction with the second device such that the second device compensates for an inadequacy of the first device to ensure the predefined operation of the pressurized gas.