Optimisation of Kinematics for Tracked Vehicle Hydro Gas Suspension System

The modern-day armoured fighting vehicles (AFVs) are basically tracked vehicles equippedwith hydro gas suspensions, in lieu of conventional mechanical suspensions like torsion barand coil spring bogie suspensions. The uniqueness of hydro gas suspension is that it offersa nonlinear spring rate, which is very much required for the cross-country moveability of atracked vehicle. The AFVs have to negotiate different cross-country terrains like sandy, rocky,riverbed, etc. and the road irregularities provide enumerable problems during dynamic loadingsto the design of hydro gas suspension system. Optimising various design parameters demandsinnovative design methodologies to achieve better ride performance. Hence, a comprehensivekinematic analysis is needed. In this study, a methodology has been derived to optimise thekinematics of the suspension by reorienting the cylinder axis and optimising the loadtransferringleverage factor so that the side thrust on the cylinder is minimised to a greaterextent. The optimisation ultimately increases the life of the high-pressure and high-temperaturepiston seals, resulting in enhanced system life for better dependability