WHAT IS OLEO-PNEUMATIC TECHNOLOGY
Let’s start by breaking down the word oleo-pneumatic.
Oleo means "oil", and pneumatic means "containing air or gas under pressure."
Oleo-pneumatic technology was invented in the early 20th century. The first practical application is credited to the French engineer Paul Doumer, who developed the oleo-pneumatic shock absorber for military artillery in 1908. His invention allowed artillery to recoil smoothly without destabilizing its position, improving accuracy and operational efficiency.
The Vickers machine gun and other rapid-fire weapons incorporated oleo-pneumatic mechanisms later to manage the forces generated by their automatic fire. This adaptation allowed smoother operation and reduced wear and tear on the gun mechanisms, improving reliability in battlefield conditions.
In 1925, George Messier, a French engineer, had the idea to use this concept to install the first suspensions of this kind on a car. The "springless car" was an immediate success, with over 150 vehicles sold with this technology.
Later, as oleo-pneumatics became the standard for airplane landing gear, Citroën—followed by Mercedes and Rolls Royce—adopted this technology under the guidance of another French engineer called Paul Magès and used it for over 60 years with the legendary success we know.
The tech has come a long way since the early 1900s, but it's still the go-to solution when you're dealing with a heavy load and lots of oscillations in the terrain. And by the way, almost every commercial and governmental aircraft still uses oleo struts in their landing gears. It's a rock-solid technology that has stood the test of time.
More exclusive nowadays due to its production cost, it remains the only approach that can uncompromisingly ensure the trio of "comfort, safety, and performance.
WHAT IS OLEO-PNEUMATIC TECHNOLOGY
Let’s start by breaking down the word oleo-pneumatic.
Oleo means "oil", and pneumatic means "containing air or gas under pressure."
Oleo-pneumatic technology was originally developed more than a century ago, to cope with the serious kickback of the Vickers machine guns. The idea was to absorb those violent and repetitive shocks that would occur while firing over and over.
Advancing to the period between 1915 and the 1930s, oleo-pneumatic technology began making significant impacts in both the French automotive and aeronautical industries.
The first cars equipped with this technology were developed by French engineer Georges Dassier in 1915, and the initial oleo-pneumatic landing gear for aircraft emerged around the 1930s.
The tech has come a long way since the early 1900s, but it's still the go-to solution when you're dealing with a heavy load and lots of oscillations in the terrain. And by the way, almost every commercial and governmental aircraft still uses oleo struts in their landing gears. It's a rock-solid technology that has stood the test of time.
HOW DO OLEO-PNEUMATIC SUSPENSIONS WORK?
Nimbus oleo-pneumatic suspensions absorb and dissipate shock loads using a combination of hydraulic fluid (oil) and gas (nitrogen) inside the chamber.
The gas functions as a spring. It is compressed by the oil to absorb the impact of bumps.
The oil is directed through spring-loaded flaps and orifices to allow for different responses from the shock based on your desired driving settings. Increasing or decreasing the pressure adjusts the spring rate.
The oil, therefore, restricted by the flaps and orifices, acts to dampen the movement of the piston assembly during shock absorption and recoil.
HOW DO OLEO-PNEUMATIC SUSPENSIONS WORK?
Nimbus oleo-pneumatic suspensions absorb and dissipate shock loads using a combination of hydraulic fluid (oil) and gas (nitrogen) inside the chamber.
The gas functions as a spring. It is compressed by the oil to absorb the impact of bumps.
The oil is directed through spring-loaded flaps and orifices to allow for different responses from the shock based on your desired driving settings. Increasing or decreasing the pressure adjusts the spring rate.
The oil, therefore, restricted by the flaps and orifices, acts to dampen the movement of the piston assembly during shock absorption and recoil.
WHAT ABOUT SPRINGS?
Instead of having a regular helicoidal spring — a mainstream metal spring with a constant spring rate — we’ve replaced it with a pneumatic spring, compressed gas contained inside the tube that mixes with the oil to absorb and dissipate shocks.
WHAT ABOUT SPRINGS?
Instead of having a regular helicoidal spring — a mainstream metal spring with a constant spring rate — we’ve replaced it with a pneumatic spring, compressed gas contained inside the tube that mixes with the oil to absorb and dissipate shocks.
FEEL THE DIFFERENCE
It's easy to feel the benefits of oleo-pneumatic technology versus more conventional suspensions.
We chose the name Nimbus because driving a vehicle equipped with our suspensions feels like floating on a cloud. The “flying carpet effect” comes from the fact that air and oil compression are progressive — not linear, like metal shock absorbers.
Small bumps generate a soft quick response, almost annihilating them, where big bumps get a much stronger response, knowing that it’s virtually impossible for them to bottom out.
FEEL THE DIFFERENCE
It's easy to feel the benefits of oleo-pneumatic technology versus more conventional suspensions.
We chose the name Nimbus because driving a vehicle equipped with our suspensions feels like floating on a cloud. The “flying carpet effect” comes from the fact that air and oil compression are progressive — not linear, like metal shock absorbers.
Small bumps generate a soft quick response, almost annihilating them, where big bumps get a much stronger response, knowing that it’s virtually impossible for them to bottom out.
PRINCIPAUX AVANTAGES DES SUSPENSIONS OLEOPNEUMATIQUES NIMBUS
confort amélioré
La combinaison air et huile popularisée par Citroën et plus tard, Mercedes et Rolls Royce, offre un confort de conduite incomparable. La technologie oléopneumatique de Nimbus absorbe les petites imperfections de la route tout comme les pièges en tout-terrain, à haute comme à basse vitesse.
haute-performance
Les suspensions Nimbus offrent une adhérence et une capacité traction exceptionnelles grâce à un rebond ultra-rapide qui vient coller la roue au sol bien plus vite que les suspensions traditionnelles. Ainsi, le véhicule transforme mieux l'énergie en mouvement, améliorant ainsi la motricité, les performances et la sécurité de l'ensemble.
100% adaptables
Vos suspensions sont fabriquées sur mesure pour votre véhicule, et pour l'usage que vous souhaitez en faire. Mais à tout moment, la pression de l’air peut être ajustée, garantissant ainsi le même confort et les mêmes performances, quelle que soit la charge du véhicule et votre style de conduite.
haute sensibilité
Les suspensions Nimbus offrent une courbe de compression progressive avec une sensibilité accrue en début de course, qui vient absorber les petites imperfections du revêtement. C'est ce qui provoque cette sensation de flottement totalement contrôlé avec l'effet dit "Tapis Volant" ou "Nuage".
absence de talonnage
L’air est l'ingrédient secret qui empêche les suspensions de talonner même dans des conditions extrêmes. Là où les amortisseurs conventionnels apportent une réponse quasiment linéraire, les amortisseurs oléopneumatiques vont s'adapter à chaque sollicitation, les plus douces comme les plus violentes, empêchant ainsi tout talonnage.
légèreté
Les suspensions Nimbus sont plus légères que la plupart des systèmes de suspension conventionnels. L’utilisation d’aluminium de très haute qualité et d'autres matériaux venant, entre autres, de l'aérospatiale, nous permet de réduire le poids de nos produits tout en offrant une solidité et une résistance à la corrosion exceptionnelles.
Why Nitrogen?
The durability and reactivity of gas - in Nimbus case, Nitrogen - is almost infinite.
Today or in 10 years, the physical and chemical properties of the gas inside that shock will remain the same, therefore, it never has to be replaced.
Do you have questions about oleo-pneumatic technology? Wondering whether Nimbus is right for your vehicle? Just want to say hi? We'd love to chat!
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