Double composite spring handles varying loads
Salah Elmoselhy, currently a postgraduate researcher at the Engineering Design Centre at Cambridge, has proposed a double composite E spring for suspensions for trucks to give improved ride when both loaded and unloaded
He started working on composite E springs while at Cairo University. The basic spring designs are laminated fibre composites, which were originally intended to replace both hydraulic dampers and steel springs in a reliable, simple and cost effective way.
The latest idea is to have two E springs opposite each other in each suspension unit, which can work together when needed. The first operates under light loads, while the second is stiffer, and is only engaged when the weight of the vehicle plus load is greater, and the first spring has been partially compressed.
Mr Elmoselhy has presented various papers on his designs to conferences of the US Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). The Engineering Design Centre at Cambridge is part of the University of Cambridge Department of Engineering.
