Abstract: A subframe for heavy-duty vehicles, the subframe comprising a pair of elongated, longitudinal main members; at least one pair of hangers; and a battery storage structure integrated into the subframe. Each hanger of the at least one pair of hangers is attached to a respective one of the main members.

Abstract: A guide pin assembly for use with heavy-duty vehicle disc brake systems, the guide pin assembly comprising a hollow guide pin, a fastener, a separate torque-separable shear adaptor. The guide pin mounts a component of the disc brake system. The fastener is at least partially disposed through the guide pin and engages another component of the disc brake system to attach the guide pin to the other component. The shear adaptor is at least partially disposed within the guide pin and is removably attached to the fastener.

Abstract: A slack adjuster assembly for use with a heavy-duty vehicle drum brake system, the slack adjuster assembly comprising a slack adjuster, a cam tube assembly, and an inboard sealing assembly and an outboard sealing assembly. The outboard sealing assembly includes a tubular sealing ring having an L-shaped projection extending radially-inward. The inboard sealing assembly engages an inboard side of the slack adjuster to form a 360-degree interface, and the outboard sealing assembly engages an outboard side of the slack adjuster to form another 360-degree interface. The L-shaped projection limits grease being purged from the cam tube assembly.

Abstract: A sensor mounting arrangement for a drum brake assembly of a heavy-duty vehicle comprising a sensor assembly mounted on a cam tube of the drum brake assembly. The cam tube is formed with an opening. The sensor assembly includes a detector that is at least partially disposed in or adjacent to the opening of the cam tube and a target that is disposed about an outer surface of a camshaft of the drum brake assembly.

Abstract: A slack adjuster assembly for use in a heavy-duty vehicle drum brake system, the slack adjuster assembly comprising a slack adjuster, an inboard sealing assembly, and a sensor arrangement. The slack adjuster is mounted on an inboard end of a camshaft of the drum brake system. The inboard sealing assembly sealingly engages with an inboard side of the slack adjuster. The sensor arrangement measures rotation of the camshaft and is at least partially disposed within the inboard sealing assembly to protect the sensor arrangement from impact damage, water, chemicals, and debris.

Abstract: A control apparatus for heavy-duty vehicle lift axle/suspension systems, the control apparatus comprising a source of fluid pressure, a primary controller, and a secondary controller. The primary controller is located remote from the lift axle/suspension system. The secondary controller is located proximate to the lift axle/suspension system and the source of fluid pressure and is in fluid communication with the primary controller, the source of fluid pressure, and at least one lift bag and at least one air spring of the lift axle/suspension system. The secondary controller includes a pilot-operated poppet assembly and a discrete or integrated relay valve assembly wherein the primary controller transmits at least a pneumatic pilot signal to the secondary controller in order to selectively inflate and deflate the at least one air spring and the at least one lift bag to selectively control and maintain the extension and retraction of the lift axle/suspension system.

Abstract: A lift axle suspension system incorporating a lift paddle is disclosed. The lift paddle comprising a first pad, a second pad and a rigid support arm securing the first pad and the second pad in fixed relation to one another. The first pad is attached to a lift spring, the second pad is secured to the bottom surface of the main support member/leaf spring. Actuation of the lift spring causes the axle to be lifted out of contact with the ground surface.

Abstract: An axle-to-beam connection for an axle/suspension system of a heavy-duty vehicle that includes an axle, a beam with an alignment assembly, and an axle mount assembly. The alignment assembly is integrally formed with or is rigidly attached to the beam. The axle mount assembly intimately contacts and captures the axle. The axle is rigidly secured to the axle mount assembly without line welds. The axle mount assembly is removably connected to the alignment assembly to secure the axle to the beam.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system includes a wishbone-shaped linkage having a base, with two limbs extending from the base. Each limb is configured to support a laterally and longitudinally oriented bushing assembly, which may include a bushing assembly received by a laterally and longitudinally oriented mounting tube associated with a free end of the limb. The base includes upper and lower plates wrapping only partially around a laterally extending cross tube. A modular bushing assembly including a pair of bushing lobes and a bar pin is partially received within the cross tube, with the bushing lobes being adjustably positioned on the bar pin to allow for adjustment of the conical rate of the bushing assembly. A mounting assembly includes a pair of mount blocks secured to a vehicle axle, with the bar pin being secured with respect to the axle via the mount blocks, thereby associating the linkage to the axle.

Abstract: A fabricated torque arm for use in a vehicle suspension, including a rod having a solid rectangular cross-section, the rod having a first end and an oppositely disposed second end, a first bushing hub, and wherein the rod is only a single piece cut from a metal plate or sheet, wherein the first bushing hub comprises cut tubing, wherein the first end of the rod has a radius that conforms to an outer surface of the first bushing hub, and wherein the first end of the rod is welded to the outer surface of the first bushing hub.

Abstract: A clamp group mounting of a leaf spring to a round axle including alignment features is disclosed, which includes a round axle, a leaf spring and a clamp group connecting the leaf spring to a laterally extending axle. A locator ring is welded to an upper arcuate surface of the axle and is received in a recess in a spring seat. The clamp group includes the spring seat, a top pad and a plurality of fasteners that connect the top pad, leaf spring, and spring seat to the axle. The leaf spring extends longitudinally and at least forward or rearward relative to the axle, and includes a bore that receives a locator element that extends at least upward or downward from the leaf spring.

Abstract: A damping air spring for heavy-duty vehicle axle/suspension systems. The damping air spring includes a piston chamber and a bellows chamber and at least one opening between the chambers to provide restricted fluid communication between the chambers. A relationship between a cross-sectional area of the at least one opening in square inches to a volume of the piston chamber in cubic inches to a volume of the bellows chamber in cubic inches to a mean effective area of the air spring in square inches, or of the at least one opening in square inches to a volume of the piston chamber in cubic inches to a volume of the bellows chamber in cubic inches to a unitless ratio of the volume of the bellows chamber to the volume of the piston chamber, provides damping characteristics to the air spring over a first and second critical range of frequencies.

Abstract: A rotary union for a tire inflation system of a heavy-duty vehicle that includes energy harvesting structure for generating electricity to power electronic components of the heavy-duty vehicle. The energy harvesting structure is integrated with and protected by the rotary union. The energy harvesting structure includes components that are attached to respective static and rotatable components of the rotary union that generate electricity for powering the electronic components during rotational movement of the rotatable components relative to the static components during operation of the heavy-duty vehicle. The components of the energy harvesting structure can be entirely removed or separated and sealed from a flow path of pressurized air through the rotary union.

Abstract: An under beam lift assembly for a heavy-duty vehicle that is removably connectable with an axle/suspension system of the heavy-duty vehicle. The under beam lift assembly includes structure that enables the lift assembly to pivot in an axis different than an axis of a pivotal connection between a suspension assembly and a hanger of the axle/suspension system. The under beam lift assembly is free of contact with the pivotal connection between the suspension assembly and the hanger of the axle/suspension system.

Abstract: An insert to a mold for a leaf spring comprises a substrate and a hole that extends through the substrate, A post protrudes from the substrate such that the insert, may be coupled to the mold. Further, the post covers the hole on a first end, so the hole is not exposed. On the other end of the hole, a thin overlay that covers the hole. Thus, during a process where resin is added to the mold, no resin enters the hole. The insert, when added to a leaf spring, offers reinforcement on areas where there is high stress. Therefore, holes may be added to a leaf spring at areas of high stress without overly weakening the leaf spring.

Abstract: An axle for heavy-duty vehicles, the axle comprising first and second grooves formed about the axle. The first and second grooves include a cross-sectional geometry that forms integrated annular fixturing locations about the axle for selectively mounting a component of a braking system.

Abstract: A knuckle for a heavy-duty vehicle self-steering axle/suspension system that includes integrally formed structure for mounting components of a drum brake system. The knuckle includes a spindle that is welded directly to the knuckle and a discrete tie rod arm bolted to the knuckle.

Abstract: A disc brake hub and rotor assembly for a heavy-duty vehicle. The disc brake hub and rotor assembly includes a hub receivable on and rotatable about an axle spindle of a heavy-duty vehicle. A rotor is connectable with the hub for rotation with the hub. The rotor includes a disc segment, a flange mounting segment, and a cylindrical sleeve segment connecting the disc segment and the flange mounting segment. A flange is connectable with the flange mounting segment and separately with the hub. The flange mounting segment of the rotor has an inboard facing surface at least part of which is for engaging head portions of wheel studs. The inboard facing surface is substantially planar and free of wheel stud clearance reliefs. A transition region is located between the flange mounting segment and sleeve segment and is also free of wheel stud clearance reliefs.

Abstract: A radial mounting torque plate for mounting a disk brake component for heavy-duty vehicles, the torque plate comprising an annular portion and a pair of mounting arms. The annular portion is formed with an opening for receiving an axle of the heavy-duty vehicle. The mounting arms are integrally formed with and extend longitudinally outward in opposite directions from the annular portion and have a T-shaped cross-section.

Abstract: A tandem mechanical spring axle/suspension system for heavy-duty vehicles includes a tandem assembly that comprises a front beam of a suspension assembly of a front axle/suspension system, a rear beam of a suspension assembly of a rear axle suspension system, and a mechanical spring. The mechanical spring operatively engages the front beam and the rear beam and extends longitudinally therebetween, as well as operatively engages a main member of the vehicle frame.