Abstract: A height control valve including a leveling valve integral with a dump valve for controlling air flow to and from an air spring supporting a vehicle frame above an axle is disclosed. The height control valve includes a valve body defining first and second internal chambers. The leveling valve is defined by a leveling seal assembly received within the first internal chamber. The leveling seal assembly controls fluid flow into the first internal chamber through an intake port and fluid flow out of the first internal chamber through an exhaust port. The leveling seal assembly includes a rocker arm alternatively engagable with intake and exhaust pins which are adapted for sealingly engaging the intake and exhaust ports, respectively. Pivoting movement of the rocker arm results in one of the intake and exhaust pins being forced away from the respective intake or exhaust port resulting in fluid flow therethrough.

Abstract: A shock absorber for automobile vehicle suspension comprises a cylinder containing a hydraulic fluid, a piston defining a first chamber and a second chamber in the cylinder, and a rod which extends through the second chamber and is connected to the piston. A hydraulic fluid reservoir is able to communicate with the first chamber via a restriction during a rapid compression movement. A control valve is capable of opening a fluid passage between the first and second chambers. The control valve is subject on one hand to the pressure of hydraulic fluid in the first chamber tending to open the valve and, on the other hand, to the actions tending to close the valve, of a return spring and of substantially constant pressure of a fluid contained in a reference chamber, one wall of which is movable with the control valve. An external compensation casing, integral with the rod, grips the shock absorber in sealed manner, and the compensation casing is connected by a pipe to an external source of variable pressure.

Abstract: A vehicle fluid suspension circuit has an efficient cross-sectional area of the high pressure supply line is smaller than that of the low pressure exhaust line. The fluid supply and discharge speed can be equalized so that the vehicle height increasing speed and the vehicle height decreasing speed are equalized with each other, and the ride comfort is improved. Furthermore, the vehicle suspension circuit has two lines from fluid suspension to low pressure reserve tank are provided during fluid exhaust. A simplified construction can vary a speed of exhausted fluid from fluid suspension. Feeding and exhausting speeds, computation for the valve opening and closing time intervals is improved to be quite simple, and quick control is attained.

Abstract: An actively controlled vehicular suspension system is disclosed. The system has at least one gas filled distensible suspension member to which is attached a distensible belt that changes curvature in relation to the curvature of the suspension member. The belt has V-shaped grooves spaced longitudinally along the belt each groove carrying metallic contacts which close a conductor path when a change in curvature of the belt closes the associated groove. The distensible suspension member is changed in pressure in response to the closing of the conductor path to adjust the suspension system.

Abstract: A spring leg with load proportional limited damping for use on a vehicle, includes a telescoping shock absorber including a piston and cylinder and a load bearing air suspension connected to a gas pressure system and having the walls surrounding the air space thereof comprising an elastic jacket and two rigid walls fixed to the body and the axle gear of the vehicle wherein the binding units of the shock absorber are partly arranged in the air space of the air suspension. An auxiliary diaphragm has an inner rim fixed to the cylinder of the shock absorber and an outer rim fixed to one of the two rigid walls of the air suspension to define the auxiliary diaphragm as one of the bordering walls, of the air space of the air suspension. A pilot ring limits the outward movement of the cylinder of the telescopic hydraulic shock absorber from the air space of the air suspension and is fixed to the rigid wall bearing the outer rim of the auxiliary diaphragm.

Abstract: A control valve having a cylinder mounted to a frame of a motor vehicle and a piston rod mounted to an axle of a motor vehicle for controlling the amount of air introduced to or exhausted from an air suspension spring mounted between the axle and frame of the motor vehicle. The piston rod is connected to a piston which is slidable within a cylinder. Three ports, a port leading to an air spring, an exhaust port, and a supply port extend through the side wall of the cylinder. A piston has a passage therethrough with one outlet at the top surface of the piston and a second outlet at a side surface of the piston. The piston is movable to three positions; one position with the supply port in communication through the passage, with the air spring port, a second position which all three ports are sealed from one another, and a third position in which the air spring port is in communication with the exhaust port.

Abstract: A hydraulic seat cushioning device comprising a cylinder body and a piston has a concentric post-like upward projection in the cylinder body with a cylindrical surface in which there are a pressure fluid port and a vent port. An annular valving element closely slidably surrounding the post-like portion covers those ports when in a normal position but uncovers the vent port when above that position and uncovers the pressure fluid port when below it. The piston is so connected with the valving element as to move independently thereof in a lower portion of its stroke, but through the remainder of the piston stroke the valving element is constrained to move with the piston.

Abstract: A movable reaction member is provided which is normally prevented from being moved to have a dashpot delay movement of a piston with a levelling valve operating member and which, when it is desired to change the vehicle body level to an optional value, is quickly moved integrally with the piston to render the dashpot ineffective to satisfactorily reduce the time necessary for changing the vehicle body level.

Abstract: With the purpose of attaining effective reduction of vertical vibrations, there is arranged in vertical direction between the vibrating mass and the excitation source one or more little-damped springing systems which include compressed-air springing elements provided with a connecting pipe for the inlet or outlet of compressed air, whereby active intervention in the functioning of base springing systems is made possible. The active intervention concerns the vibrating of the mass in the resonance of the systems, and consequently, these systems may be provided only with the dampers which enable low damping or may be even without dampers at all. Moreover, between the vibrating mass and one or more springing systems, or between the springing systems and the excitation source, there is arranged one or more acceleration transformers in vertical direction.

Abstract: A control valve for controlling the supply of pressurized fluid to a working element, such as a pneumatic spring, comprises a housing having a bore comprising first and second bore sections with a smaller diameter middle bore section. A connection for a source of pressurized fluid communicates with the first bore section; an outlet opening with the second bore section; and a working element, such as a pneumatic spring, is fed from the middle bore section. A valve stem is slidable within the middle bore section in response to displacement of the working element, and has a duct therethrough which can interconnect the first and the second bore sections but which can be closed off by a closure member in the first bore section. The closure member can also isolate the middle bore section from the first bore section.

Abstract: An aircraft undercarriage includes a liquid filled telescopic suspension strut and a compressed gas chamber separated from the liquid in the strut by a floating piston. Liquid is added to or taken away from the strut by a ride control valve operated by a ride control mechanism sensitive to relative displacement of the airframe and undercarriage wheel so that the aircraft is maintained at a constant height during taxiing. Shut-off valves isolate the strut from the hydraulic system of the aircraft during flight and landing touchdown.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydropneumatic suspension device, comprising in the conventional manner a cylinder filled with a liquid in which a piston provided with spring-loaded valve is slidably mounted. This device comprises compensating apparatus for compensating the expansion of the liquid and gaseous media acting as a pneumatic spring, the compensating apparatus comprises an auxiliary space containing a gaseous fluid under pressure and a movable wall responsive on one side to the gas pressure and on the other hand to the pressure of the liquid contained in the device and also of the liquid contained in the device and also of the liquid filling the hollow rod of this device.