Abstract: A vehicle tire inflation system includes an axle assembly with an axle housing having an air supply conduit. Air is provided to the air supply conduit from an air tank mounted on the vehicle. The axle includes least one wheel hub rotatably supported on the axle housing by bearings. A hub cap is mounted at one end of the wheel hub and has an air passageway for conducting an air supply through the hub cap to a tire. A filter is installed within the passageway to remove any debris from the air supply.

Abstract: An improved suspension system includes a plurality of slider pins which are biased radially outwardly into engagement with openings in the suspension rails of the suspension system and the mating openings in the slider rail. The slider pins are provided with spring clamp structure and a wedged surface. The wedged surface forces the spring clamp radially outwardly into engagement with the openings in the suspension rails to secure the slider pins. Upon withdrawal of the slider pins, the spring clamp is biased radially inwardly to facilitate removal.

Abstract: A vehicle tire inflation system includes an axle assembly with an axle housing having an air supply conduit. Air is provided to the air supply conduit from an air tank mounted on the vehicle. The axle includes least one wheel hub rotatably supported on the axle housing by bearings. A hub cap is mounted at one end of the wheel hub and has an air passageway for conducting an air supply through the hub cap to a tire. A filter is installed within the passageway to remove any debris from the air supply.

Abstract: Suspensions for a heavy-duty trailer are mounted by first locating parallel and equidistantly-spaced mounting points. A laser apparatus, including a laser source, laser targets, and laser beam diverters, is utilized to locate and mark the mounting points along an undercarriage frame of the trailer such that the suspensions, when mounted, are aligned and the ride characteristics of the heavy-duty trailer are optimized.

Abstract: A vehicle tire inflation system includes an axle assembly with an axle housing having an air supply conduit. Air is provided to the air supply conduit from an air tank mounted on the vehicle. The axle includes least one wheel hub rotatably supported on the axle housing by bearings. A hub cap is mounted at one end of the wheel hub and has an air passageway for conducting an air supply through the hub cap to a tire. A filter is installed within the passageway to remove any debris from the air supply.

Abstract: A vehicle tire inflation system includes an axle assembly with an axle housing having an air supply conduit. Air is provided to the air supply conduit from an air tank mounted on the vehicle. The axle includes least one wheel hub rotatably supported on the axle housing by bearings. A hub cap is mounted at one end of the wheel hub and has an inlet and an outlet interconnected by a passageway. Air flows from the air supply conduit to the inlet, through the passageway, and out the outlet. At least one pneumatic tire is mounted for rotation with the wheel hub and has a tire inlet. A hose connects the hub cap to the tire to route air from the hub cap outlet to the tire inlet.

Abstract: A seal assembly having first and second annular seal elements each having a generally axially extending base and an annular radial lip. Each of the bases includes a wear surface portion, a central portion and an end portion. Each of the annular radial lips extend from a respective end portion. Each of the central portions include at least one bore therethrough. The first and second seal elements are mounted on respective members and are arranged such that the wear surface portion of each seal element provides a wearing surface for the radial lip portion of the other seal element. Furthermore, when assembled, the seal assembly forms a fluid tight annular cavity between this first and second annular seal elements and the bores permit the passage of a fluid medium into and out of the annular cavity.