Hydropneumatic suspension
Encyclopedia
Hydropneumatic suspension is a type of automotive suspension system
, invented by Citroën
, and fitted to Citroën cars, as well as being used under licence by other car manufacturers, notably Rolls-Royce
, and Peugeot
. It was also used on Berliet
trucks and is since recently used on Mercedes-Benz
cars. Similar systems are also used on some military
vehicles. The suspension was referred to as oléopneumatique in early literature, pointing to oil and air as its main components.
The purpose of this system is to provide a sensitive, dynamic and high-capacity suspension that offers superior ride quality
. A nitrogen reservoir with variable volume yields a spring with non-linear force-deflection characteristics. In this way the resulting system does not possess any eigenfrequencies and associated dynamic instabilities, which need to be suppressed through extensive damping in conventional suspension systems. The actuation of the nitrogen spring reservoir is performed through an incompressible hydraulic fluid inside a suspension cylinder. By adjusting the filled fluid volume within the cylinder, a leveling functionality is implemented. The nitrogen gas within the suspension sphere is separated from the hydraulic oil through a rubber membrane.
The nitrogen gas as spring medium is approximately six times more flexible than conventional steel, so self-leveling is incorporated to allow the vehicle to cope with the extraordinary suppleness provided. France was noted for poor road quality in the post-war
years, so the only way to maintain relatively high speed in a vehicle was if it could easily absorb road irregularities.
While the system has inherent advantages over steel springs, generally recognized in the auto industry, it also has a perceived element of complexity, so automakers like Mercedes-Benz
, British Leyland (Hydrolastic
, Hydragas), and Lincoln
have sought to create simpler variants using a compressed air suspension
. The system of the inventor Citroën
had a disadvantage that only garages equipped with special tools and knowhow were qualified to work on the cars, making them seem radically different from ordinary cars with common mechanicals.
This system uses a belt or camshaft driven pump from the engine to pressurise a special hydraulic fluid, which then powers the brake
s, suspension
and power steering
. It can also power any number of features such as the clutch
, turning headlamps
and even power windows. The suspension system usually features driver-variable
ride height
, to provide extra clearance in rough terrain.
There have been many improvements to this system over the years, including variable ride firmness (Hydractive) and active control of body roll (Citroën Activa
). The latest incarnation features a simplified single pump-accumulator sphere combination. Auto manufacturers are still trying to catch up with the combination of features offered by this 1954 suspension system, typically by adding layers of complexity to an ordinary steel spring mechanical system.
Citroën first introduced this system in 1954 on the rear suspension of the Traction Avant
. The first full implementation was in the advanced DS
in 1955.
Major milestones of the hydropneumatics design were:
At the heart of the system, acting as pressure sink as well as suspension elements, are the so called spheres, five or six in all; one per wheel and one main accumulator as well as a dedicated brake accumulator on some models. On later cars fitted with Hydractive or Activa suspension, there may be as many as ten spheres. Spheres consist of a hollow metal ball, open to the bottom, with a flexible desmopan rubber membrane, fixed at the 'equator' inside, separating top and bottom. The top is filled with nitrogen
at high pressure, up to 75 bar
, the bottom connects to the car's hydraulic fluid circuit. The high pressure pump, powered by the engine, pressurizes the hydraulic fluid (LHM) and an accumulator sphere
maintains a reserve of hydraulic power. This part of the circuit is at between 150 and 180 bars. It powers the front brakes first, prioritised via a security valve, and depending on type of vehicle, can power the steering, clutch, gear selector, etc.
Pressure flows from the hydraulic circuit to the suspension cylinders, pressurizing the bottom part of the spheres and suspension cylinders. Suspension works by means of a piston forcing LHM into the sphere, compacting the nitrogen in the upper part of the sphere; damping is provided by a two-way 'leaf valve' in the opening of the sphere. LHM has to squeeze back and forth through this valve which causes resistance and controls the suspension movements. It is the simplest damper and one of the most efficient. Ride height correction (self levelling) is achieved by height corrector valves connected to the anti-roll bar, front and rear. When the car is too low, the height corrector valve opens to allow more fluid into the suspension cylinder (e.g., the car is loaded). When the car is too high (e.g. after unloading) fluid is returned to the system reservoir via low-pressure return lines. Height correctors act with some delay in order not to correct regular suspension movements. The rear brakes are powered from the rear suspension circuit. Because the pressure there is proportional to the load, so is the braking power.
quickly realized that standard brake fluid
was not ideally suited to high pressure hydraulics, and developed a special red coloured hydraulic fluid named LHS, which they used from 1954 to 1967.
The chief problem with LHS was that it absorbed moisture and dust from the air which caused corrosion in the system. Most hydraulic brake systems are sealed from the outside air by a rubber diaphragm in the reservoir filler cap, but the Citroën system had to be vented to allow the fluid level in the reservoir to rise and fall, thus it was not hermetically sealed. Consequently, each time the suspension would rise, the fluid level in the reservoir dropped, drawing in fresh moisture-laden air. The large surface of the fluid in the reservoir readily absorbed moisture. Since the system recirculates fluid continually through the reservoir, all the fluid was repeatedly exposed to the air and its moisture content.
To overcome these shortcomings of LHS, Citroën developed a new green fluid, LHM (Liquide Hydraulique Minéral). LHM is a mineral oil
, quite close to automatic transmission
fluid. Mineral oil is not hygroscopic (i.e., it will not absorb water
from the air), unlike standard brake fluid, so therefore gas bubbles do not form in the system, as would be the case with standard brake fluid, creating a 'spongy' brake feel. Use of mineral oil
has thus spread beyond Citroën
, Rolls-Royce
, Peugeot
, and Mercedes-Benz
, to include Jaguar
, Audi
, and BMW
.
LHM, being a mineral oil, absorbs only an infinitesimal proportion of moisture, plus it contains corrosion inhibitors. The dust inhalation problem continued, so a filter assembly was fitted into the hydraulic reservoir. Cleaning the filters and changing the fluid at the recommended intervals removes most dust and wear particles from the system, ensuring the longevity of the system. Failure to keep the oil clean is the main cause of problems. It is also imperative to always use the correct fluid for the system; the two types of fluids and their associated system components are not interchangeable. If the wrong type of fluid is used, the system must be drained and rinsed with Hydraflush, before draining again and filling with the correct fluid. These procedures are clearly described in DIY manuals obtainable from automotive retailers.
The latest Citroën cars with Hydractive 3 suspension have a new orange coloured LDS hydraulic fluid. This lasts longer and requires less frequent attention.
Spheres are not subject to mechanical wear, but suffer pressure loss, due to the pressurised nitrogen diffusing through the membrane. They can, however, be recharged which is cheaper than replacing them. When Citroën designed their Hydractive 3 suspension they re-designed the spheres with new nylon membranes, which greatly slow the rate of deflation. These are recognisable by their grey colouring.
Older, green coloured, suspension spheres typically last between 60,000 and 100,000 km. Spheres once had a threaded plug on top for recharging. Newer spheres do not have this plug, but it can be retrofitted enabling them to be re-gassed. The sphere membrane has an indefinite life unless run at low pressure, which leads to rupture. Timely recharging, approximately every 3 years, is thus vital. A ruptured membrane means suspension loss at the attached wheel, however, ride height is unaffected. With no springing other than the (slight) flexibility of tyres, hitting a pothole with a flat sphere can bend the suspension parts or dent a wheel rim. In the case of main accumulator sphere failure, the high pressure pump is the only source of braking pressure for the front wheels. Some older cars had a separate front brake accumulator on power steering models.
The old LHS and LHS2 (coloured red) cars used a different rubber in the diaphragms and seals that is not compatible with green LHM. The orange LDS fluid in Hydractive cars is also incompatible with other fluids.
Hydropneumatics have a number of natural advantages over steel springs that are poorly understood, leading to general public perception that hydropneumatics are merely "good for comfort". They actually also have great advantages related to car handling and control efficiency, solving a number of problems inherent with using steel springs that suspension designers have always dreamt they could eliminate.
Hydractive Suspension is a new automotive technology introduced by the French
manufacturer Citroën
in 1990.
It describes a development of the 1954 Hydropneumatic suspension design using additional electronic sensors and driver control of suspension performance. The driver can make the suspension stiffen (sport mode) or ride in outstanding comfort (soft mode). Sensors in the steering, brakes, suspension, throttle pedal and gearbox feed information on the car's speed, acceleration, and road conditions to on-board computers. Where appropriate, and within milliseconds, these computers switch an extra pair of suspension spheres in or out of the circuit, to allow the car a smooth supple ride in normal circumstances, or greater roll resistance for better handling in corners. This development keeps Citroën in the forefront of suspension design, given the widespread goal in the auto industry of an active suspension system. All auto suspension is a compromise between comfort and handling. Auto manufacturers try to balance these aims and locate new technologies that offer more of both.
Citroën
hydractive (Hydractive 1 and Hydractive 2) suspension was available on several models, including the XM
and Xantia
, which had a more advanced sub-model known as the Activa
. Hydractive 1 suspension systems had two user presets, Sport and Auto. In the Sport setting the car's suspension was always kept in its firmest mode. In the Auto setting, the suspension was switched from soft to firm mode temporarily when a speed-dependent threshold in accelerator pedal movement, brake pressure, steering wheel angle, or body movement was detected by one of several sensors.http://www.citroenet.org.uk/passenger-cars/psa/xm/xm-09.html
In Hydractive 2, the preset names were changed to Sport and Comfort. In this new version the Sport setting would no longer keep the suspension system in firm mode, but instead lowered the thresholds significantly for any of the sensor readings also used in Comfort mode, allowing for a similar level of body firmness during cornering and acceleration, without the sacrifice in ride quality the Sport mode in Hydractive 1 systems had caused.
Whenever the Hydractive 1 or 2 computers received abnormal sensor information, often caused by malfunctioning electrical contacts, the car's suspension system would be forced into its firm setting for the remainder of the ride.
Starting with Xantia model year 1994 and XM model year 1995, all models featured an additional sphere that functioned as a pressure reservoir, letting the car retain normal ride height for several weeks without running the engine.
has continued development of Hydractive suspension with Hydractive 3. Compared to earlier cars, the C5 stays at normal ride height even when the engine is turned off for an extended period, through the use of electronics. The C5 also uses a new, incompatible orange LDS fluid, rather than the familiar green LHM mineral oil
used in millions of hydropneumatic vehicles.
A further improved Hydractive 3+ variation was for cars with top engines on the Citroën C5
and in 2005 was standard on the Citroën C6
. Hydractive 3+ systems contain additional spheres that can be engaged and disengaged via a Sport button, resulting in a firmer ride.
The hydractive 3 hydraulic suspension has 2 automatic modes:
The BHI of the hydractive 3 suspension calculates the optimum vehicle height, using the following information:
The 3+ hydractive hydraulic suspension has 3 automatic modes:
The BHI of the 3+ hydractive suspension calculates the optimum vehicle height, using the following information:
s produced by British Leyland and its successor companies.
Suspension (vehicle)
Suspension is the term given to the system of springs, shock absorbers and linkages that connects a vehicle to its wheels. Suspension systems serve a dual purpose — contributing to the car's roadholding/handling and braking for good active safety and driving pleasure, and keeping vehicle occupants...
, invented by Citroën
Citroën
Citroën is a major French automobile manufacturer, part of the PSA Peugeot Citroën group.Founded in 1919 by French industrialist André-Gustave Citroën , Citroën was the first mass-production car company outside the USA and pioneered the modern concept of creating a sales and services network that...
, and fitted to Citroën cars, as well as being used under licence by other car manufacturers, notably Rolls-Royce
Rolls-Royce Limited
Rolls-Royce Limited was a renowned British car and, from 1914 on, aero-engine manufacturing company founded by Charles Stewart Rolls and Henry Royce on 15 March 1906 as the result of a partnership formed in 1904....
, and Peugeot
Peugeot
Peugeot is a major French car brand, part of PSA Peugeot Citroën, the second largest carmaker based in Europe.The family business that precedes the current Peugeot company was founded in 1810, and manufactured coffee mills and bicycles. On 20 November 1858, Emile Peugeot applied for the lion...
. It was also used on Berliet
Berliet
Berliet was a French manufacturer of automobiles, buses, trucks and other utility vehicles, based in Vénissieux, outside of Lyon, France.-Early history:...
trucks and is since recently used on Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. Mercedes-Benz is a division of its parent company, Daimler AG...
cars. Similar systems are also used on some military
Military
A military is an organization authorized by its greater society to use lethal force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats. The military may have additional functions of use to its greater society, such as advancing a political agenda e.g...
vehicles. The suspension was referred to as oléopneumatique in early literature, pointing to oil and air as its main components.
The purpose of this system is to provide a sensitive, dynamic and high-capacity suspension that offers superior ride quality
Ride quality
Ride quality refers to the degree of protection offered vehicle occupants from uneven elements in the road surface, or the terrain if driving off-road. A car with very good ride quality is also a comfortable car to ride in. Cars which disturb vehicle occupants with major or minor road...
. A nitrogen reservoir with variable volume yields a spring with non-linear force-deflection characteristics. In this way the resulting system does not possess any eigenfrequencies and associated dynamic instabilities, which need to be suppressed through extensive damping in conventional suspension systems. The actuation of the nitrogen spring reservoir is performed through an incompressible hydraulic fluid inside a suspension cylinder. By adjusting the filled fluid volume within the cylinder, a leveling functionality is implemented. The nitrogen gas within the suspension sphere is separated from the hydraulic oil through a rubber membrane.
The nitrogen gas as spring medium is approximately six times more flexible than conventional steel, so self-leveling is incorporated to allow the vehicle to cope with the extraordinary suppleness provided. France was noted for poor road quality in the post-war
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
years, so the only way to maintain relatively high speed in a vehicle was if it could easily absorb road irregularities.
While the system has inherent advantages over steel springs, generally recognized in the auto industry, it also has a perceived element of complexity, so automakers like Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz 600
The Mercedes-Benz 600 is a large luxury automobile offered in several variants worldwide. Introduced in September 1963, it had very few competitors, these being Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Cadillac Fleetwood 75, the stretched Lehmann-Peterson Lincoln, and the Crown Imperial Ghia...
, British Leyland (Hydrolastic
Hydrolastic
Hydrolastic is a type of space-efficient automotive suspension system used in many cars produced by British Motor Corporation and its successor companies....
, Hydragas), and Lincoln
Lincoln (automobile)
Lincoln is an American luxury vehicle brand of the Ford Motor Company. Lincoln vehicles are sold mostly in North America.-History:The company was founded in August 1915 by Henry M. Leland, one of the founders of Cadillac . During World War I, he left Cadillac which was sold to General Motors...
have sought to create simpler variants using a compressed air suspension
Air suspension
Air suspension is a type of vehicle suspension powered by an engine driven or electric air pump or compressor. This pump pressurizes the air, using compressed air as a spring. Air suspension replaces conventional steel springs. If the engine is left off for an extended period, the car will settle...
. The system of the inventor Citroën
Citroën
Citroën is a major French automobile manufacturer, part of the PSA Peugeot Citroën group.Founded in 1919 by French industrialist André-Gustave Citroën , Citroën was the first mass-production car company outside the USA and pioneered the modern concept of creating a sales and services network that...
had a disadvantage that only garages equipped with special tools and knowhow were qualified to work on the cars, making them seem radically different from ordinary cars with common mechanicals.
This system uses a belt or camshaft driven pump from the engine to pressurise a special hydraulic fluid, which then powers the brake
Brake
A brake is a mechanical device which inhibits motion. Its opposite component is a clutch. The rest of this article is dedicated to various types of vehicular brakes....
s, suspension
Suspension (vehicle)
Suspension is the term given to the system of springs, shock absorbers and linkages that connects a vehicle to its wheels. Suspension systems serve a dual purpose — contributing to the car's roadholding/handling and braking for good active safety and driving pleasure, and keeping vehicle occupants...
and power steering
Power steering
Power steering helps drivers steer vehicles by augmenting steering effort of the steering wheel.Hydraulic or electric actuators add controlled energy to the steering mechanism, so the driver needs to provide only modest effort regardless of conditions. Power steering helps considerably when a...
. It can also power any number of features such as the clutch
Clutch
A clutch is a mechanical device which provides for the transmission of power from one component to another...
, turning headlamps
Citroën DS
The Citroën DS is an executive car produced by the French manufacturer Citroën between 1955 and 1975. Styled by Italian sculptor and industrial designer Flaminio Bertoni and the French aeronautical engineer André Lefèbvre, the DS was known for its aerodynamic futuristic body design and innovative...
and even power windows. The suspension system usually features driver-variable
Height adjustable suspension
Height adjustable suspension is a feature of certain automobile suspension systems that allow the motorist to vary the ride height or ground clearance. This can be done for various reasons including giving better ground clearance over rough terrain, a lower ground clearance to improve fuel economy...
ride height
Ride height
Ride height is the amount of space between the base of an automobile tire and the underside of the chassis; or, more properly, to the shortest distance between a flat, level surface, and any part of a vehicle other than those parts designed to contact the ground...
, to provide extra clearance in rough terrain.
There have been many improvements to this system over the years, including variable ride firmness (Hydractive) and active control of body roll (Citroën Activa
Citroën Activa
The Citroën Activa and Activa 2 were two concept cars produced by the French manufacturer Citroën as a means to test and to showcase features intended for future use in their production cars...
). The latest incarnation features a simplified single pump-accumulator sphere combination. Auto manufacturers are still trying to catch up with the combination of features offered by this 1954 suspension system, typically by adding layers of complexity to an ordinary steel spring mechanical system.
History
Citroën Traction Avant
The Citroën Traction Avant is an automobile which was produced by the French manufacturer Citroën from 1934 to 1957. About 760,000 units were produced.-Impact on the world:...
. The first full implementation was in the advanced DS
Citroën DS
The Citroën DS is an executive car produced by the French manufacturer Citroën between 1955 and 1975. Styled by Italian sculptor and industrial designer Flaminio Bertoni and the French aeronautical engineer André Lefèbvre, the DS was known for its aerodynamic futuristic body design and innovative...
in 1955.
Major milestones of the hydropneumatics design were:
- During World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Paul Magès, an employee of Citroën, with no formal training in engineering, secretly develops the concept of an oil and air suspension to combine a new level of softness with vehicle control and self-levellingSelf-levelling suspensionSelf-levelling refers to an automobile suspension system that maintains a constant ride height of the vehicle above the road, regardless of load.... - 1954 Traction AvantCitroën Traction AvantThe Citroën Traction Avant is an automobile which was produced by the French manufacturer Citroën from 1934 to 1957. About 760,000 units were produced.-Impact on the world:...
15H: Rear suspension, using LHS hydraulic fluid. - 1955 Citroën DSCitroën DSThe Citroën DS is an executive car produced by the French manufacturer Citroën between 1955 and 1975. Styled by Italian sculptor and industrial designer Flaminio Bertoni and the French aeronautical engineer André Lefèbvre, the DS was known for its aerodynamic futuristic body design and innovative...
: Suspension, power steering, brakes and gearbox/clutch assembly powered by high pressure hydraulic assistance. A belt driven 7-piston pump, similar in size to a power steering pump, generates this pressure when the engine is running. - 1962 Morris Motor CompanyMorris Motor CompanyThe Morris Motor Company was a British car manufacturing company. After the incorporation of the company into larger corporations, the Morris name remained in use as a marque until 1984 when British Leyland's Austin Rover Group decided to concentrate on the more popular Austin marque...
introduces the BMC ADO16BMC ADO16ADO16 is the codename for the development of what became the Morris 1100, a small family car built by the British Motor Corporation and, later, British Leyland...
('1100') with hydrolasticHydrolasticHydrolastic is a type of space-efficient automotive suspension system used in many cars produced by British Motor Corporation and its successor companies....
suspension - 1964 Mercedes-BenzMercedes-BenzMercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. Mercedes-Benz is a division of its parent company, Daimler AG...
introduces the 600Mercedes-Benz 600The Mercedes-Benz 600 is a large luxury automobile offered in several variants worldwide. Introduced in September 1963, it had very few competitors, these being Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Cadillac Fleetwood 75, the stretched Lehmann-Peterson Lincoln, and the Crown Imperial Ghia...
with air suspensionAir suspensionAir suspension is a type of vehicle suspension powered by an engine driven or electric air pump or compressor. This pump pressurizes the air, using compressed air as a spring. Air suspension replaces conventional steel springs. If the engine is left off for an extended period, the car will settle...
designed to avoid Citroën patents - 1965 Rolls-RoyceRolls-Royce LimitedRolls-Royce Limited was a renowned British car and, from 1914 on, aero-engine manufacturing company founded by Charles Stewart Rolls and Henry Royce on 15 March 1906 as the result of a partnership formed in 1904....
licenses Citroën technology for the suspension of the new Silver ShadowRolls-Royce Silver ShadowThe Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow is a luxury car that was produced in Great Britain in various forms from 1965 to 1980. It was the first Rolls-Royce to use a monocoque chassis, a response to concerns that the company was falling behind in automotive innovation.... - 1966 Mercedes-BenzMercedes-BenzMercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. Mercedes-Benz is a division of its parent company, Daimler AG...
introduces the 6.3Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 6.3The Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3 started out as a private venture in 1966 by company engineer Erich Waxenberger.- Concept :Waxenberger's principle was simple: take the powerful 6.3 litre V8 Mercedes-Benz M100 engine from the luxurious Mercedes-Benz 600 limousine, and fit it into the regular...
also with air suspensionAir suspensionAir suspension is a type of vehicle suspension powered by an engine driven or electric air pump or compressor. This pump pressurizes the air, using compressed air as a spring. Air suspension replaces conventional steel springs. If the engine is left off for an extended period, the car will settle... - 1967 The superior LHM mineral fluid is introduced
- 1970 Citroën GSCitroën GSThe Citroën GS and Citroën GSA are small family cars produced by the French automaker Citroën. The GS was voted European Car of the Year for 1971, and was probably the most technologically advanced car in its class when launched, with class leading comfort, safety and aerodynamics.-Market...
: Adaptation of the hydropneumatic suspension to a small car - 1970 Citroën SMCitroën SMThe Citroën SM is a high-performance coupé produced by the French manufacturer Citroën from 1970 to 1975. The SM placed third in the 1971 European Car of the Year contest, trailing its stablemate Citroën GS, and won the 1972 Motor Trend Car of the Year award in the U.S. in 1972.-History:In 1961,...
: Variable speed auto-returning power steering, dubbed DIRAVIDIRAVIDIRAVI is the name given by Citroën to its proprietary power steering system, first seen in 1970.DIRAVI is an acronym for "Direction à rappel asservi" literally meaning "steering with controlled return" more accurately described in English as "power steering with power assisted return". In the UK,...
, and hydraulically actuated directional high beams - 1974 The Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9The Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9 is a high-performance version of the S-Class luxury saloon. It was built on its own assembly line by Daimler-Benz in Stuttgart, Germany and based on the long-wheelbase version of the W116 chassis introduced in 1972...
becomes the first hydropneumatic Mercedes-Benz automobile, with the pump driven by the engine's timing chain instead of an external belt. This adaptation was used only for the suspension. Power steering and brakes were conventional hydraulic- and vacuum-powered, respectively. - 1983 Citroën BXCitroën BXThe Citroën BX is a large family car that was produced by the French manufacturer Citroën from 1982 to 1994. In total, 2,315,739 BXs were built during its 12-year history. The hatchback was discontinued in 1993 with the arrival of the Xantia, but the estate continued for another year.-History:The...
, built as a 4WD in 1990 - 1989 Citroën XMCitroën XMThe Citroën XM is an executive car that was produced by the French automaker Citroën between 1989 and 2000. Citroën sold 333,775 XMs during the model's 11 years of production...
: Hydractive Suspension, electronic regulation of the hydropneumatic system; sensors measure acceleration and other factors - 1990 Peugeot 405Peugeot 405The Peugeot 405 is a large family car released by the French automaker Peugeot in July 1987 and which continues to be manufactured under licence outside France. It used TU/XU petrol and XUD diesel engines....
Mi16x4: first Peugeot equipped with rear hydropneumatic suspension - 1990 JCB FastracJCB FastracThe Fastrac is a high speed agricultural tractor series manufactured by JCB Landpower, part of the J. C. Bamford group of companies.Production began in 1991, with continual development to the present day...
high speed agricultural tractor uses this system for its rear suspension. - 1993 Citroën XantiaCitroën XantiaThe Citroën Xantia, pronounced 'Zan-tia' is a large family car produced by the French automaker Citroën. First seen at the end of 1992, the car was produced between 1993 and 2001, with a facelift in 1998. Citroën sold over 1.2 million Xantias during its 8 years of production...
: Optional Activa (active suspensionActive suspensionActive or adaptive suspension is an automotive technology that controls the vertical movement of the wheels with an onboard system rather than the movement being determined entirely by the road surface...
) system, eliminating body roll by acting on torsion bars. A Xantia Activa was able to reach more than 1g lateral acceleration - 2001 Citroën C5Citroën C5The Citroën C5 is a large family car produced by the French manufacturer Citroën since early 2001. The C5 replaced the Citroën Xantia in the large family car class.-First generation :...
: Hydractive 3 removes the need for central hydraulic pressure generation; combined pump/sphere unit for the suspension only and with electric height adjustment sensors - 2005 Citroën C6Citroën C6The Citroën C6 is an executive car produced by the French luxury marque Citroën since 2005.-Overview:Inspired by the C6 Lignage prototype which was first shown at the Geneva Motor Show in the spring of 1999, but differs from the concept car's styling in minor details...
: An improved version of the C5 system known as Hydractive 3+ (also fitted to some C5 models) - 2008 JCB FastracJCB FastracThe Fastrac is a high speed agricultural tractor series manufactured by JCB Landpower, part of the J. C. Bamford group of companies.Production began in 1991, with continual development to the present day...
high speed 7000 series agricultural tractors now use this system for front and rear suspension.
Functioning
At the heart of the system, acting as pressure sink as well as suspension elements, are the so called spheres, five or six in all; one per wheel and one main accumulator as well as a dedicated brake accumulator on some models. On later cars fitted with Hydractive or Activa suspension, there may be as many as ten spheres. Spheres consist of a hollow metal ball, open to the bottom, with a flexible desmopan rubber membrane, fixed at the 'equator' inside, separating top and bottom. The top is filled with nitrogen
Nitrogen
Nitrogen is a chemical element that has the symbol N, atomic number of 7 and atomic mass 14.00674 u. Elemental nitrogen is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, and mostly inert diatomic gas at standard conditions, constituting 78.08% by volume of Earth's atmosphere...
at high pressure, up to 75 bar
Bar (unit)
The bar is a unit of pressure equal to 100 kilopascals, and roughly equal to the atmospheric pressure on Earth at sea level. Other units derived from the bar are the megabar , kilobar , decibar , centibar , and millibar...
, the bottom connects to the car's hydraulic fluid circuit. The high pressure pump, powered by the engine, pressurizes the hydraulic fluid (LHM) and an accumulator sphere
Hydraulic accumulator
A 'hydraulic accumulator' is an energy storage device. It is a pressure storage reservoir in which a non-compressible hydraulic fluid is held under pressure by an external source. That external source can be a spring, a raised weight, or a compressed gas...
maintains a reserve of hydraulic power. This part of the circuit is at between 150 and 180 bars. It powers the front brakes first, prioritised via a security valve, and depending on type of vehicle, can power the steering, clutch, gear selector, etc.
Pressure flows from the hydraulic circuit to the suspension cylinders, pressurizing the bottom part of the spheres and suspension cylinders. Suspension works by means of a piston forcing LHM into the sphere, compacting the nitrogen in the upper part of the sphere; damping is provided by a two-way 'leaf valve' in the opening of the sphere. LHM has to squeeze back and forth through this valve which causes resistance and controls the suspension movements. It is the simplest damper and one of the most efficient. Ride height correction (self levelling) is achieved by height corrector valves connected to the anti-roll bar, front and rear. When the car is too low, the height corrector valve opens to allow more fluid into the suspension cylinder (e.g., the car is loaded). When the car is too high (e.g. after unloading) fluid is returned to the system reservoir via low-pressure return lines. Height correctors act with some delay in order not to correct regular suspension movements. The rear brakes are powered from the rear suspension circuit. Because the pressure there is proportional to the load, so is the braking power.
LHS versus LHM
CitroënCitroën
Citroën is a major French automobile manufacturer, part of the PSA Peugeot Citroën group.Founded in 1919 by French industrialist André-Gustave Citroën , Citroën was the first mass-production car company outside the USA and pioneered the modern concept of creating a sales and services network that...
quickly realized that standard brake fluid
Brake fluid
Brake fluid is a type of hydraulic fluid used in hydraulic brake and hydraulic clutch applications in automobiles, motorcycles, light trucks, and some bicycles. It is used to transfer force into pressure...
was not ideally suited to high pressure hydraulics, and developed a special red coloured hydraulic fluid named LHS, which they used from 1954 to 1967.
The chief problem with LHS was that it absorbed moisture and dust from the air which caused corrosion in the system. Most hydraulic brake systems are sealed from the outside air by a rubber diaphragm in the reservoir filler cap, but the Citroën system had to be vented to allow the fluid level in the reservoir to rise and fall, thus it was not hermetically sealed. Consequently, each time the suspension would rise, the fluid level in the reservoir dropped, drawing in fresh moisture-laden air. The large surface of the fluid in the reservoir readily absorbed moisture. Since the system recirculates fluid continually through the reservoir, all the fluid was repeatedly exposed to the air and its moisture content.
To overcome these shortcomings of LHS, Citroën developed a new green fluid, LHM (Liquide Hydraulique Minéral). LHM is a mineral oil
Mineral oil
A mineral oil is any of various colorless, odorless, light mixtures of alkanes in the C15 to C40 range from a non-vegetable source, particularly a distillate of petroleum....
, quite close to automatic transmission
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
fluid. Mineral oil is not hygroscopic (i.e., it will not absorb water
Water
Water is a chemical substance with the chemical formula H2O. A water molecule contains one oxygen and two hydrogen atoms connected by covalent bonds. Water is a liquid at ambient conditions, but it often co-exists on Earth with its solid state, ice, and gaseous state . Water also exists in a...
from the air), unlike standard brake fluid, so therefore gas bubbles do not form in the system, as would be the case with standard brake fluid, creating a 'spongy' brake feel. Use of mineral oil
Mineral oil
A mineral oil is any of various colorless, odorless, light mixtures of alkanes in the C15 to C40 range from a non-vegetable source, particularly a distillate of petroleum....
has thus spread beyond Citroën
Citroën
Citroën is a major French automobile manufacturer, part of the PSA Peugeot Citroën group.Founded in 1919 by French industrialist André-Gustave Citroën , Citroën was the first mass-production car company outside the USA and pioneered the modern concept of creating a sales and services network that...
, Rolls-Royce
Rolls-Royce Limited
Rolls-Royce Limited was a renowned British car and, from 1914 on, aero-engine manufacturing company founded by Charles Stewart Rolls and Henry Royce on 15 March 1906 as the result of a partnership formed in 1904....
, Peugeot
Peugeot
Peugeot is a major French car brand, part of PSA Peugeot Citroën, the second largest carmaker based in Europe.The family business that precedes the current Peugeot company was founded in 1810, and manufactured coffee mills and bicycles. On 20 November 1858, Emile Peugeot applied for the lion...
, and Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. Mercedes-Benz is a division of its parent company, Daimler AG...
, to include Jaguar
Jaguar (car)
Jaguar Cars Ltd, known simply as Jaguar , is a British luxury car manufacturer, headquartered in Whitley, Coventry, England. It is part of the Jaguar Land Rover business, a subsidiary of the Indian company Tata Motors....
, Audi
Audi
Audi AG is a German automobile manufacturer, from supermini to crossover SUVs in various body styles and price ranges that are marketed under the Audi brand , positioned as the premium brand within the Volkswagen Group....
, and BMW
BMW
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. It also owns and produces the Mini marque, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands...
.
LHM, being a mineral oil, absorbs only an infinitesimal proportion of moisture, plus it contains corrosion inhibitors. The dust inhalation problem continued, so a filter assembly was fitted into the hydraulic reservoir. Cleaning the filters and changing the fluid at the recommended intervals removes most dust and wear particles from the system, ensuring the longevity of the system. Failure to keep the oil clean is the main cause of problems. It is also imperative to always use the correct fluid for the system; the two types of fluids and their associated system components are not interchangeable. If the wrong type of fluid is used, the system must be drained and rinsed with Hydraflush, before draining again and filling with the correct fluid. These procedures are clearly described in DIY manuals obtainable from automotive retailers.
The latest Citroën cars with Hydractive 3 suspension have a new orange coloured LDS hydraulic fluid. This lasts longer and requires less frequent attention.
Manufacturing
The whole high pressure part of the system is manufactured from steel tubing of small diameter, connected to valve control units by Lockheed type pipe unions with special seals made from desmopan rubber, a type of rubber compatible with the LHM fluid. The moving parts of the system (e.g., suspension strut or steering ram) are sealed by contact seals between the cylinder and piston for tightness under pressure. The other plastic/rubber parts are return tubes from valves such as the brake control or height corrector valves, also catching seeping fluid around the suspension push-rods. Height corrector, brake master valve and steering valve spools, and hydraulic pump pistons have extremely small clearances (1–3 micrometres) with their cylinders, permitting only a very low leakage rate. The metal and alloy parts of the system rarely fail even after excessively high mileages but the rubber components (especially those exposed to the air) can harden and leak, typical failure points for the system.Spheres are not subject to mechanical wear, but suffer pressure loss, due to the pressurised nitrogen diffusing through the membrane. They can, however, be recharged which is cheaper than replacing them. When Citroën designed their Hydractive 3 suspension they re-designed the spheres with new nylon membranes, which greatly slow the rate of deflation. These are recognisable by their grey colouring.
Older, green coloured, suspension spheres typically last between 60,000 and 100,000 km. Spheres once had a threaded plug on top for recharging. Newer spheres do not have this plug, but it can be retrofitted enabling them to be re-gassed. The sphere membrane has an indefinite life unless run at low pressure, which leads to rupture. Timely recharging, approximately every 3 years, is thus vital. A ruptured membrane means suspension loss at the attached wheel, however, ride height is unaffected. With no springing other than the (slight) flexibility of tyres, hitting a pothole with a flat sphere can bend the suspension parts or dent a wheel rim. In the case of main accumulator sphere failure, the high pressure pump is the only source of braking pressure for the front wheels. Some older cars had a separate front brake accumulator on power steering models.
The old LHS and LHS2 (coloured red) cars used a different rubber in the diaphragms and seals that is not compatible with green LHM. The orange LDS fluid in Hydractive cars is also incompatible with other fluids.
Advantages
- Hydropneumatic is naturally a progressive spring-rate suspension; i.e., the more it is compressed, the harder it becomes. This results in the suspension being extremely soft around its initial course (softer than a steel spring) but getting harder and harder as compressed (more than a steel spring). This is because of the properties of gas: halve its volume, and its pressure doubles. When the suspension operates, the ram is pushing oil into the sphere altering its gas volume (and therefore the pressure). This natural principle of hydropneumatics has not been met so far by any other type of suspension. The nearest is steel springs with a softer course and a harder course (two different spring rates, while hydropneumatics offer an infinite number of rates). Usually steel-sprung cars are either too soft ("comfortable"), or too stiff ("sporty"), or some intermediate compromise, while hydropneumatics offer "two cars in one".
- This advantage pays off in a spectacular way when slaloming (otherwise known as the 'moose test'): the swinging speeds and acceleration patterns of the body of a hydropneumatic car offer ideal body control, and "load" the tyres in an ideal linear-like manner, helping to get the most out of them. A steel-sprung car acts more like a violently-swinging pendulum, "crashing" on its tyres (and abusing them) when leaning from side to side.
- The same natural law governing gases also ensures that the suspension's spring-rate (hardness) is continuously adapted to the weight it has to carry, and to infinite positions. For example, when the car is standing empty, the pressure within its spheres is in balance. If one passenger enters the car, this pressure becomes higher by the value of his weight (the gas in the spheres compressed to an equal degree, i.e. has now become "harder"). The car will have lost some height, so the self-leveling system immediately reacts and brings the car up to the predetermined ride height. The result is that the spring rate is kept constant, regardless of the load of the car. I.e., a car with 4 passengers and full payload will be equally well controlled as a car with just one passenger (bar the tyres, which of course remain at the same pressure.). With a steel-spring car, either the car would be set up to be comfortable with 1-2 passengers but getting too soft as more weight is added (becoming uncontrollable under full payload), or it would be too stiff with 1-2 passengers and okay on full payload.
- This effect is especially pronounced at the rear axle, where the designer of a steel-sprung car has to make the greatest compromise: the rear suspension has to be able to deal satisfactorily with a large range of load. Because of the above property of hydropneumatics, Citroën vehicles can have a rear that is set very soft; one can easily push the empty car down with his hand. When load is added, it stiffens as much as necessary. Steel-sprung cars need to have rear springs much stiffer than necessary for average daily driving.
- The self-levelling system makes it such that there's always and at any time an equal travel available for suspension compression and extension, no matter the car's load. Citroën have calculated that the ideal suspension should have at least about 18 cm of motion range, i.e. 9 cm each way, for achieving effective continuous contact between pavement and tyres (by absorbing any road unevenness). With a "height corrector" for each axle, the car suspension always remains at its ideal middle position, providing a steady compression and extension course, no matter the car's load. As you load a steel-sprung car, its bump absorption capability becomes totally asymmetrical (too small a compression margin and too much of an extension course available, and the suspension moves far from its ideal operating angles, reducing lateral/longitudinal grip, etc.).
- Very importantly, the continuous self-levelling function also rids suspension design of a number of unwanted compromises that commonly designers of steel-sprung cars have to incorporate: as the suspension is always functioning around one predetermined position, no matter the car's load, the various suspension-geometry issues become a much simpler equation to solve. A hydropneumatic suspension operates from its ideal angles at all times and conditions.
- The suspension being self-levelling, the possibility opens for dynamic height control. This has actually been implemented in Citroëns from the C5 I and onwards: the cars are programmed to lower by about 1 cm above a specified speed, thus reducing aerodynamic resistance, improving fuel economy and increasing high-speed stability.
- Ride height is manually adjustable (in all hydropneumatic and Hydractive Citroëns) in 4 positions: "low", "drive", "mid-high", "highest". "Low" is only for service's purpose and should never be used in normal driving. "Mid-high" or "Highest" may be selected to tackle some road obstruction (flooding, pavements, off-road, etc.) at very low speed .
- Because the suspension doesn't need to be set stiff to overcome all sorts of restrictions imposed by the steel spring, the ride comfortRide qualityRide quality refers to the degree of protection offered vehicle occupants from uneven elements in the road surface, or the terrain if driving off-road. A car with very good ride quality is also a comfortable car to ride in. Cars which disturb vehicle occupants with major or minor road...
is excellent (the ride is described as floating above the road surface), with the difference that the suspension never 'wallows' uncontrollably like an equally soft car on springs would do. This preserves precise handling and road-holding (like a sports car). Orthopaedic doctors advise that patients with spinal injury or disk problems can only drive Citroëns with hydropneumatic suspension. The legendary Rolls-Royce comfort is partly due to this system equally fitted to millions of Citroëns sold to this day since 1955 with the DS. The possibility of having such a soft suspension but NOT the uncontrolled wallowing (e.g., like American cars) is due to another natural property of nitrogen gas: it inherently has much less endogenous friction than steel. In other words, it is relatively much more neutral, more inactive. Think of a leaf-spring being compressed: leave it free and it will pop and spend some time vibrating around its centre position till it comes to rest. This is due to its internal mechanical friction (due to the material), and this is why cars need shock absorbing dampers. A coil or torsion bar steel spring performs much better, (which is why it has long replaced leaf-springs in cars). Gas however behaves even better than the spring, in fact it represents a leap in effectiveness: compress a gas and release it: the gas will want to only return to its initial volume, not much more. Thus damping can be also reduced, resulting in an unearthly softness. - This inertia of the gas is also the reason why on a hydropneumatic Citroën the driver will many times not even realise the event of a blown tyre—if not for the added noise—which can cause dynamic unrest and prove fatal on a steel-sprung car.
- The low-frequency wallowing characteristic of older Citroëns (prior to the BX) is due to the gas inertia as described above, and a soft damping. Commonly manufacturers believe that the optimal undulating frequency for a car's suspension is the one of human walking, i.e. about 0.2 cycles per second (0.2 Hz), thus many cars have this "rubbery", abrupt suspension feeling, which tends to increase as speed increases. Citroën tuned their cars to undulate at 1.6 Hz early on (DS, CX). Gradually they have brought this frequency down, with the Hydractive XM being set at 0.6 Hz (in the "soft" mode; in "hard", the car is sprung and damped like a sports car). The gas gives infinite possibilities: the operational frequency is just adjusted with the dampers (which look like disks the size of a large coin).
- The legendary comfort of Citroëns is also due to another factor, which is a specific choice in the set up of the system: Citroën chose to hydraulically interconnect each wheel at the same axis. Thus the two front wheels are connected with each other. And so are the rear wheels. This has a very specific result for body control: when one of the two wheels meets, say, a bump, that wheel will tend to compress and absorb the bump. In the degree not the entire height of the bump can be absorbed, the car's body will lift at that side. In the same time, through the anti roll bar, this wheel will exert force at the other side wheel and tend to also lift it in the same direction (compress the suspension). This is where the hydraulic interconnection of these two comes to play. In an ordinary steel-sprung car, this anti roll bar effect would mean that the car's body at the bump-absorbing side would lift, while it would tend to drop at the other side. This amplifies the bump's effect of destabilising the car and creating discomfort. In the Citroën system, the anti roll bar will also tend to do the same, but it is stopped by the hydraulic oil that is sent from the bump-side wheel at the moment it is pushed upwards to absorb the bump. Thus the suspension at the other side will receive a force opposing that of the anti roll bar, and of a degree of definition equal to the size of the bump. This in effect translates into a much reduced overall feeling of impact from any bump, as the shock is effectively automatically shared with the wheel at the other side of each axis. In practice this feels as if the whole front or the whole rear is slightly lifting, rather than the car receiving an unpleasant shock from one side. Another solution, as e.g. implemented in the Austin Princess, (and pioneered with mechanical interconnection on the 1948 Citroen 2cvCitroën 2CVThe Citroën 2CV |tax horsepower]]”) was an economy car produced by the French automaker Citroën between 1948 and 1990. It was technologically advanced and innovative, but with uncompromisingly utilitarian unconventional looks, and deceptively simple Bauhaus inspired bodywork, that belied the sheer...
), is to interconnect the front and the rear wheel of each side. This has also beneficial results comfort-wise (the front and the rear share the impact forces) but also unwanted counter-effects on braking and accelerating: in braking the car tends to nose-dive (all hydraulic oil is pushed to the rear). In the Citroën set-up the adverse effect is that the car tends to roll a lot (the oil is pushed from one side to the other) however this is filtered by the anti roll bar (there's no equivalent item on the Princess to filter front-rear balance, though this issue was addressed on later versions of that suspension). This effect in Citroëns, perceived by many as the only potential disadvantage of the hydropneumatic suspension (although it has not real effects on the lateral accelerations the car can achieve), has been totally put under control with the advent of the Hydractive systems, from the XM onwards. - The master cylinder ("brake doseur valve") on Citroëns includes specific solutions that take advantage of the hydropneumatic suspension, e.g. the pressure for rear braking is taken directly from the rear suspension (they are hydraulically connected). This means that the braking force of the rear axle is continuously adjusted to the weight it carries (as the pressure within the rear suspension is equal to the weight it carries). So the rear brakes will come in significantly harder the more the rear is loaded.
- It is a matter of minutes for the home mechanic to replace an old sphere—which includes the "spring" and "damper" in one—using a simple tool that can be home-made. Also, one is free to try various sphere combinations on his car, selecting from the several varieties available for the various Citroën models, thus going for a more "comfortable" or more "sporty" set up.
- Compact suspension design, lies horizontally under the rear of the car avoiding suspension turrets taking up luggage space
- Maintenance, for a do-it-yourselfer, is relatively easy, once you know what you are doing. It doesn't require any specific tools.
- Replacement of a suspension sphere is much easier and safer than replacing a conventional spring and shock-absorber arrangement.
- Inexpensive in mass production; for vehicles that would otherwise have a conventional power steering pump, hydropneumatic suspension adds no new equipment and in many cases results in a lower unsprung mass. Also, the same system pressure produced from one central pump is used for braking (up to and including the Xantia).
- Upon body roll, the pressure exerted between the tires of the same axle is not subject to the same differential as on some other cars. The pressure in one suspension strut equals the pressure in the other through Pascal's lawPascal's lawIn the physical sciences, Pascal's law or the Principle of transmission of fluid-pressure states that "pressure exerted anywhere in a confined incompressible fluid is transmitted equally in all directions throughout the fluid such that the pressure ratio remains the same." The law was established...
, potentially giving the 'light' tire more footprint pressure. - Can be conveniently interconnected in the roll plane to improve roll stiffness and thus roll stability limit, especially for heavy vehicles.
- Can be connected in the pitch plane to improve braking dive and traction squat.
- If they are interconnected in the three-dimensional full car model, the interconnected hydro-pneumatic suspension could realize enhanced roll and pitch control during excitations arising from steering, braking/traction, road input and crosswind, as with the Hydractive arrangement
- Flexibility in the suspension strut design in the interconnected suspension system to realize desirable vertical, roll and pitch properties for different types of vehicles.
- Horizontal orientation of the rear suspension cylinders below the boot floor makes the full width of the boot available for cargo.
- Mechanical steel spring suspension systems that try to replicate only some of the inherent advantages of hydropneumatic suspension (electronically adjustable shock absorbers) end up being lesser solutions and more complex to build and maintain than the straightforward hydropneumatic layout.
- People who are prepared to carry out simple maintenance can acquire a used luxury car for a fraction of the cost, as hydropneumatic suspension scares potential buyers and dealers despite more complex and maintenance-intensive systems on other cars. Most of the components are not repairable by a DIY mechanic, but they are easily exchanged for new or re-conditioned units. Pumps, height correctors, accumulators (including suspension "spheres"), steering units, etc. can all be reconditioned, and simply interchanged with the use of ordinary automotive mechanics' tools. Hydraulic fluid is drained and refilled with fresh, much like changing engine oil. Later Citroën automatic transmissions are conventional modern units similar to those of other makes.
Disadvantages
- Service sometimes requires a specifically trained mechanic, but can be done by any DIYer with knowledge of the system or the correct manual.
- Hydropneumatic suspension systems can be expensive to repair or replace, if poorly maintained or contaminated with incompatible fluids.
- Failure of the hydraulic system will cause a drop in ride height and braking power will decrease. However, an acute failure will not lead to acute brake failure as the accumulator sphere holds enough reserve pressure to ensure safe braking far beyond that needed to bring a vehicle with a failed system to a standstill.
Hydractive
Hydractive Suspension is a new automotive technology introduced by the French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
manufacturer Citroën
Citroën
Citroën is a major French automobile manufacturer, part of the PSA Peugeot Citroën group.Founded in 1919 by French industrialist André-Gustave Citroën , Citroën was the first mass-production car company outside the USA and pioneered the modern concept of creating a sales and services network that...
in 1990.
It describes a development of the 1954 Hydropneumatic suspension design using additional electronic sensors and driver control of suspension performance. The driver can make the suspension stiffen (sport mode) or ride in outstanding comfort (soft mode). Sensors in the steering, brakes, suspension, throttle pedal and gearbox feed information on the car's speed, acceleration, and road conditions to on-board computers. Where appropriate, and within milliseconds, these computers switch an extra pair of suspension spheres in or out of the circuit, to allow the car a smooth supple ride in normal circumstances, or greater roll resistance for better handling in corners. This development keeps Citroën in the forefront of suspension design, given the widespread goal in the auto industry of an active suspension system. All auto suspension is a compromise between comfort and handling. Auto manufacturers try to balance these aims and locate new technologies that offer more of both.
Hydractive 1 and Hydractive 2
Citroën
Citroën
Citroën is a major French automobile manufacturer, part of the PSA Peugeot Citroën group.Founded in 1919 by French industrialist André-Gustave Citroën , Citroën was the first mass-production car company outside the USA and pioneered the modern concept of creating a sales and services network that...
hydractive (Hydractive 1 and Hydractive 2) suspension was available on several models, including the XM
Citroën XM
The Citroën XM is an executive car that was produced by the French automaker Citroën between 1989 and 2000. Citroën sold 333,775 XMs during the model's 11 years of production...
and Xantia
Citroën Xantia
The Citroën Xantia, pronounced 'Zan-tia' is a large family car produced by the French automaker Citroën. First seen at the end of 1992, the car was produced between 1993 and 2001, with a facelift in 1998. Citroën sold over 1.2 million Xantias during its 8 years of production...
, which had a more advanced sub-model known as the Activa
Citroën Activa
The Citroën Activa and Activa 2 were two concept cars produced by the French manufacturer Citroën as a means to test and to showcase features intended for future use in their production cars...
. Hydractive 1 suspension systems had two user presets, Sport and Auto. In the Sport setting the car's suspension was always kept in its firmest mode. In the Auto setting, the suspension was switched from soft to firm mode temporarily when a speed-dependent threshold in accelerator pedal movement, brake pressure, steering wheel angle, or body movement was detected by one of several sensors.http://www.citroenet.org.uk/passenger-cars/psa/xm/xm-09.html
In Hydractive 2, the preset names were changed to Sport and Comfort. In this new version the Sport setting would no longer keep the suspension system in firm mode, but instead lowered the thresholds significantly for any of the sensor readings also used in Comfort mode, allowing for a similar level of body firmness during cornering and acceleration, without the sacrifice in ride quality the Sport mode in Hydractive 1 systems had caused.
Whenever the Hydractive 1 or 2 computers received abnormal sensor information, often caused by malfunctioning electrical contacts, the car's suspension system would be forced into its firm setting for the remainder of the ride.
Starting with Xantia model year 1994 and XM model year 1995, all models featured an additional sphere that functioned as a pressure reservoir, letting the car retain normal ride height for several weeks without running the engine.
Hydractive 3
The 2001 Citroën C5Citroën C5
The Citroën C5 is a large family car produced by the French manufacturer Citroën since early 2001. The C5 replaced the Citroën Xantia in the large family car class.-First generation :...
has continued development of Hydractive suspension with Hydractive 3. Compared to earlier cars, the C5 stays at normal ride height even when the engine is turned off for an extended period, through the use of electronics. The C5 also uses a new, incompatible orange LDS fluid, rather than the familiar green LHM mineral oil
Mineral oil
A mineral oil is any of various colorless, odorless, light mixtures of alkanes in the C15 to C40 range from a non-vegetable source, particularly a distillate of petroleum....
used in millions of hydropneumatic vehicles.
A further improved Hydractive 3+ variation was for cars with top engines on the Citroën C5
Citroën C5
The Citroën C5 is a large family car produced by the French manufacturer Citroën since early 2001. The C5 replaced the Citroën Xantia in the large family car class.-First generation :...
and in 2005 was standard on the Citroën C6
Citroën C6
The Citroën C6 is an executive car produced by the French luxury marque Citroën since 2005.-Overview:Inspired by the C6 Lignage prototype which was first shown at the Geneva Motor Show in the spring of 1999, but differs from the concept car's styling in minor details...
. Hydractive 3+ systems contain additional spheres that can be engaged and disengaged via a Sport button, resulting in a firmer ride.
The hydractive 3 hydraulic suspension has 2 automatic modes:
- Motorway position (lowering by 15 mm of the vehicle height above 110 km/h)
- Poor road surface position (raising by 13 mm of the vehicle height below 70 km/h)
The BHI of the hydractive 3 suspension calculates the optimum vehicle height, using the following information:
- Vehicle speed
- Front and rear vehicle heights
The 3+ hydractive hydraulic suspension has 3 automatic modes:
- Motorway position (lowering by 15 mm of the vehicle height above 110 km/h)
- Poor road surface position (raising by 13 mm of the vehicle height below 70 km/h)
- Comfort or dynamic suspension (variation of suspension firmness)
The BHI of the 3+ hydractive suspension calculates the optimum vehicle height, using the following information:
- Vehicle speed
- Front and rear vehicle heights
- Rotation speed of steering wheel
- Angle of rake of steering wheel
- Vehicle's longitudinal acceleration
- Vehicle's lateral acceleration
- Speed of suspension travel
- Movement of the accelerator throttle
C5 I (2001–2004)
- Hydractive hydraulic suspension 3: EW7J4 and DW10TD engines.
- Hydractive hydraulic suspension 3+: EW10J4, EW10D, ES9J4S and DW12TED4 engines.
C5 II (2004-2008)
- Hydractive hydraulic suspension 3: EW7J4, EW10A, DV6TED4 and DW10BTED4 engines.
- Hydractive hydraulic suspension 3+: ES9A and DW12TED4 engines (prior to RPO No 10645).
See also
See Hydragas for a type of automotive suspension system used in many carAutomobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
s produced by British Leyland and its successor companies.
External links
- http://www.tramontana.co.hu/citroen/guide/guide.php