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 multi-stage height control valve for a pneumatic control system of a vehicle includes an air reservoir port, an exhaust port, an air spring port and a pilot port operatively connected to a rotor valve which is in turn operatively connected to the vehicle. The air reservoir port fluidly communicates with an air tank. The air spring port fluidly communicates with the air springs of the vehicle. The exhaust port opens to atmosphere. The pilot port fluidly communicates with a control/warning device such that, when a secondary ride height is reached by the vehicle, the pilot port signals the control/warning device in order to maintain the vehicle at the secondary ride height. The pilot port alternatively provides an air pressure boost in order to quickly re-inflate the air springs of the vehicle to return the vehicle to the primary design ride height.

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 pneumatic proportioning system for heavy-duty vehicle air springs includes an air supply, a height control valve and a solenoid valve in fluid communication with one another and with the air springs of at least one axle/suspension systems of a heavy-duty vehicle. A proportioning means is in fluid communication with the air supply, with the height control valve, with the solenoid valve, with the air springs and with atmosphere and operates to proportion loads between the air springs of the axle/suspension systems when the solenoid valve is activated during operation of the heavy-duty vehicle.

Abstract: A multi-stage height control valve for a pneumatic control system of a vehicle includes an air reservoir port, an exhaust port, an air spring port and a pilot port operatively connected to a rotor valve which is in turn operatively connected to the vehicle. The air reservoir port fluidly communicates with an air tank. The air spring port fluidly communicates with the air springs of the vehicle. The exhaust port opens to atmosphere. The pilot port fluidly communicates with a control/warning device such that, when a secondary ride height is reached by the vehicle, the pilot port signals the control/warning device in order to maintain the vehicle at the secondary ride height. The pilot port alternatively provides an air pressure boost in order to quickly re-inflate the air springs of the vehicle to return the vehicle to the primary design ride height.

Abstract: A pneumatic proportioning system for heavy-duty vehicle air springs includes an air supply, a height control valve and a solenoid valve in fluid communication with one another and with the air springs of at least one axle/suspension systems of a heavy-duty vehicle. A proportioning means is in fluid communication with the air supply, with the height control valve, with the solenoid valve, with the air springs and with atmosphere and operates to proportion loads between the air springs of the axle/suspension systems when the solenoid valve is activated during operation of the heavy-duty vehicle.