Abstract: A suspension system can include an air spring, an air reservoir external to the air spring, and a flow control device which variably restricts flow of air between the air spring and the air reservoir. Flow between the air spring and the air reservoir may be permitted in response to compliance of the suspension system, and the air spring can have an internal air volume at least 2½ times as great may permit flow between the air spring and the air reservoir in response to a predetermined pressure differential level across the flow control device. Multiple air reservoirs can be internal to an axle, or other suspension system or vehicle component, and can be isolated from each other.

Abstract: A hanger for axle/suspension systems of a heavy-duty vehicle includes an outboard wall spaced apart from an inboard wall. The outboard wall is connected to the inboard wall via a front wall. The outboard wall and the inboard wall are formed with an aligned opening extending through the outboard wall and the inboard wall. A top plate connected to the inboard wall, the outboard wall and the front wall. The top plate is formed with at least one circular opening or laterally oriented oblong-round opening and at least one laterally slotted opening. A fastener is disposed through the at least one circular opening or oblong-round opening. A second fastener is disposed through the at least one laterally slotted opening for mounting the hanger to a frame of the heavy-duty vehicle.

Abstract: A hanger for axle/suspension systems of a heavy-duty vehicle includes an outboard wall spaced apart from an inboard wall. The outboard wall is connected to the inboard wall via a front wall. The outboard wall and the inboard wall are formed with an aligned opening extending through the outboard wall and the inboard wall. A top plate connected to the inboard wall, the outboard wall and the front wall. The top plate is formed with at least one circular opening or laterally oriented oblong-round opening and at least one laterally slotted opening. A fastener is disposed through the at least one circular opening or oblong-round opening. A second fastener is disposed through the at least one laterally slotted opening for mounting the hanger to a frame of the heavy-duty vehicle.

Abstract: A suspension system can include an air spring, an air reservoir external to the air spring, and a flow control device which variably restricts flow of air between the air spring and the air reservoir. Flow between the air spring and the air reservoir may be permitted in response to compliance of the suspension system, and the air spring can have an internal air volume at least 2½ times as great may permit flow between the air spring and the air reservoir in response to a predetermined pressure differential level across the flow control device. Multiple air reservoirs can be internal to an axle, or other suspension system or vehicle component, and can be isolated from each other.

Abstract: A shock mount support assembly for a shock absorber of a suspension assembly of an axle/suspension system includes a shock support bracket formed with an opening. A fastener is disposed through the opening in the shock support bracket and an eyelet of the lower end of the shock absorber to loose-fit the shock support bracket to the shock absorber, and to the suspension assembly beam in a transverse direction. The shock support bracket includes at least one transversely elongated or oversized opening that aligns with an opening formed in the beam. A fastener is disposed through the pair of aligned openings in order to loose-fit attach the shock support bracket to the beam. During assembly, the eyelet fastener is tightened first drawing the shock support bracket transversely outboardly. The fastener disposed through the shock support bracket-to-beam attachment is tightened, rigidly attaching the shock support bracket to the suspension assembly.

Abstract: An air-ride beam-type axle/suspension system for a heavy-duty vehicle with a gross axle weight rating of greater than 23,000 lbs./axle includes a pair of transversely spaced beams. Each one of the beams includes inboard and outboard sidewalls. A large diameter axle extends between and is rigidly connected to the beams via a pair of axle-to-beam connections. Each one of the axle-to-beam connections includes a sleeve having an increased thickness rigidly connected to the axle and the beam. Each sleeve is formed with at least a front and a rear window located between the beam sidewalls. The inboard and/or outboard edges of the sleeve windows are spaced relatively far from the beam sidewalls. The sleeve windows are asymmetrically angled with respect to the horizontal centerline of the axle at design ride height. The axle/suspension system reduces weight while maintaining desired stiffness and durability of the axle/suspension system.

Abstract: A shock mount support assembly for a shock absorber of a suspension assembly of an axle/suspension system includes a shock support bracket formed with an opening. A fastener is disposed through the opening in the shock support bracket and an eyelet of the lower end of the shock absorber to loose-fit the shock support bracket to the shock absorber, and to the suspension assembly beam in a transverse direction. The shock support bracket includes at least one transversely elongated or oversized opening that aligns with an opening formed in the beam. A fastener is disposed through the pair of aligned openings in order to loose-fit attach the shock support bracket to the beam. During assembly, the eyelet fastener is tightened first drawing the shock support bracket transversely outboardly. The fastener disposed through the shock support bracket-to-beam attachment is tightened, rigidly attaching the shock support bracket to the suspension assembly.

Abstract: An air-ride beam-type axle/suspension system for a heavy-duty vehicle with a gross axle weight rating of greater than 23,000 lbs./axle includes a pair of transversely spaced beams. Each one of the beams includes inboard and outboard sidewalls. A large diameter axle extends between and is rigidly connected to the beams via a pair of axle-to-beam connections. Each one of the axle-to-beam connections includes a sleeve having an increased thickness rigidly connected to the axle and the beam. Each sleeve is formed with at least a front and a rear window located between the beam sidewalls. The inboard and/or outboard edges of the sleeve windows are spaced relatively far from the beam sidewalls. The sleeve windows are asymmetrically angled with respect to the horizontal centerline of the axle at design ride height. The axle/suspension system reduces weight while maintaining desired stiffness and durability of the axle/suspension system.

Abstract: Apparatus for holding materials including a container having a container wall, a non-circular container opening extending through the container wall, a non-circular container flange connected to the exterior of the container wall and surrounding the container opening. A non-metallic, non-circular access hatch connectable to the container flange by bolting and having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough is provided. The non-metallic, non-circular access hatch preferably includes a primary opening having a removable cover and a variety of associated components being accommodated by respective apertures such as a recirculation line, a pressure relief valve, a vacuum relief valve, and a fluid level indicator. Preferably the hatch apparatus and the primary opening cover are made of an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene material.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding materials comprising: a container including a container wall and having a first container opening extending through the container wall; a first container flange connected to the exterior of the container wall surrounding the first container opening; and a non-metallic blanking hatch connectable to the first container flange by bolting. The non-metallic blanking hatch has a plurality of apertures extending therethrough which provide access to the interior of the container.The inventive apparatus preferably also comprises: (a) a second container flange connected to the exterior of the container wall and surrounding a second container opening extending through the container wall and (b) a non-metallic manway hatch connectable to the second container flange.

Abstract: A tank handling and protection apparatus is particularly suitable for handling tanks carrying liquid additives for oil field servicing operations on offshore vessels. The apparatus includes a frame base and first and second mounting racks attached to the frame base each of those mounting racks having a full-size tank base location defined thereon. Releasable connecting devices are provided for releasably connecting at least one tank to each mounting rack. A protective cage is I0 attached to the frame base and surrounds the tank locations. The protective cage includes removable side walls which allow the tanks to be placed on the frame base with a forklift or the like. The protective cage also has top openings which allow the tanks to be placed on the mounting racks with a sling and crane lifting them through the top openings. The apparatus itself may also be handled with either the forklift or crane and sling.