Abstract: Selectively engagable auxiliary leaf springs (38 or 138) for vertically supporting a vehicle chassis (32) on an axle assembly (22 or 102) in parallel with main suspension springs (34 or 114). In three of the disclosed embodiments, both ends (38b,38a) of the auxiliary springs (38) are pivotally attached. In two other embodiments, one end (138a) of the auxiliary leaf springs (142) is pivotally attached and the other end (138b) is rigidly affixed in cantilever fashion. Actuators (56, 139 or 159) are employed to selectively enable or increase load supporting of the auxiliary leaf springs.

Abstract: Selectively engagable auxiliary leaf springs (38) for vertically supporting a vehicle chassis (32) on an axle assembly (22 or 102) in parallel with main suspension springs (34 or 114). Forward and rear ends (38b,38a) of the auxiliary leaf springs are pivotally attached to the vehicle chassis and the axle assembly, and pivotal movement of the forward ends (38b) is inhibited or prevented by actuators (56) to engage the auxiliary leaf springs.

Abstract: Selectively engagable auxiliary leaf spings (38 or 138) for vertically supporting a vehicle chassis (32) on an axle assembly (22 or 102) in parallel with main suspension springs (34 or 114). In three of the disclosed embodiments, both ends (38b,38a) of the auxiliary springs (38) are pivotally attached. In two other embodiments, one end (138a) of each auxiliary leaf spring (138) is pivotally attached and the other end (138b) is rigidly affixed in cantilever fashion. Actuators (140 or 170) are employed to selectively enable or increase load supporting of the auxiliary leaf springs.

Abstract: Selectively engagable auxiliary leaf springs (38) for vertically supporting a vehicle chassis (32) on an axle assembly (22 or 102) in parallel with main suspension springs (34 or 114). Forward and rear ends (38b,38a) of the auxiliary leaf springs are pivotally attached to the vehicle chassis and the axle assembly, and pivotal movement of the forward ends (38b) is inhibited or prevented by actuators (56) to engage the auxiliary leaf springs.

Abstract: Selectively engagable auxiliary leaf springs (38 or 142) for vertically supporting a vehicle chassis (32) on an axle assembly (22 or 102) in parallel with main suspension springs (34 or 114). In three of the disclosed embodiments, both ends (38b,38a) of the auxiliary leaf springs (38) are pivotally attached. In two other embodiments, one end (142a) of each auxiliary leaf spring (142) is pivotally attached and the other end (142b) is rigidly affixed in cantilever fashion. A manually operated hand crank (60) or ratchet mechanism (87) employed to drive a speed reducer actuator (62) to selectively enable or increase load supporting of the auxiliary leaf springs.

Abstract: Selectively engagable auxiliary leaf springs (38 or 138) for vertically supporting a vehicle chassis (32) on an axle assembly (22 or 102) in parallel with main suspension springs (34 or 114). In three of the disclosed embodiments, both ends (38b,38a) of the auxiliary springs (38) are pivotally atached. In two other embodiments, one end (138a) of the auxiliary leaf springs (142) is pivotally attached and the other end (138b) is rigidly affixed in cantilever fashion. Actuators (56 or 142) are employed to selectively enable or increase load supporting of the auxiliary leaf springs. One of the actuators is a hydraulic actuator (142) which receives pressurized fluid from a pump (148) driven by jounce of the axle assembly (22 or 102).

Abstract: A closed hydraulic system (22) is provided for transmitting steering movement to a rear wheel steering assembly (16) in response to steering movement of a front wheel steering assembly (14). The front wheel steering assembly is controlled by a steering wheel (18) and a power steering assembly (20). The closed hydraulic system (22) includes a pump assembly (56) and an actuator assembly (58) connected together by conduits (60,62) to define closed fluid flow branches (164,166) for moving a piston (112) in the actuator assembly in response to movement of a piston (78) in the pump assembly. Movement of the actuator piston is transmitted to the rear wheel steering assembly via first and second cam assemblies (122,124) which effect same direction rear wheel steering for rather small front wheel steering angles and which effect opposite direction rear wheel steering for greater front wheel steering angles.

Abstract: A closed hydraulic system (22) is provided for transmitting steering movement to a rear wheel steering assembly (16) in response to steering movement of a front wheel steering assembly (14). The front wheel steering assembly is controlled by a steering wheel (18) and a power steering assembly (20). The closed hydraulic system (22) includes a pump assembly (56) and an actuator assembly (58) connected together by conduits (60,62) to define closed fluid flow branches (164,166) for moving a piston (112) in the actuator assembly in response to movement of a piston (78) in the pump assembly. Movement of the actuator piston is transmitted to the rear wheel steering assembly via first and second cam assemblies (122,124) which effect same direction rear wheel steering for rather small front wheel steering angles and which effect opposite direction rear wheel steering for greater front wheel steering angles.

Abstract: A vehicle engine throttle valve control device (10) is applied intermediate the vehicle operator's accelerator pedal (14) and the engine's throttle body (12) to selectively override or modify the operator's ability to control vehicle/engine speed and to assert independent control thereof as a function of various input parameters (49,50,52,54). Linkages (26,28) interconnect opposed ends of an assembly of half levers (21,23) with accelerator and throttle. The half levers rotate upon a pivot (20) which is selectively displacable to effectively shorten or lengthen the linkage in response to an operator independent signal from a control circuit (42). A half lever stop (27) fixes the relative positions of the half levers whenever the throttle body is in an off-idle position.

Abstract: A closed hydraulic system (22) is provided for transmitting steering movement to a rear wheel steering assembly (16) in response to steering movement of a front wheel steering assembly (14). The front wheel steering assembly is controlled by a steering wheel (18) and a power steering assembly (20). The closed hydraulic system (22) includes a pump assembly (44) and an actuator assembly (46) connected together by conduits (48,50) to define closed fluid flow branches or fluid links (49,51) for moving a piston (94) in the actuator assembly in response to movement of a piston (72) in the pump assembly. Movement of the actuator piston is transmitted to the rear wheel steering assembly via a cam assembly (92) which effects same direction rear wheel steering for rather small front wheel steering angles and which effects opposite direction rear wheel steering for greater front wheel steering angles.

Abstract: A closed hydraulic system (22) is provided for transmitting steering movement to a rear wheel steering assembly (16) in response to steering movement of a front wheel steering assembly (14). The front wheel steering assembly is controlled by a steering wheel (18) and a power steering assembly (20). The closed hydraulic system (22) includes a pump assembly (44) and an actuator assembly (46) connected together by conduits (48,50) to define closed fluid flow branches or fluid links (49,51) for moving a piston (94) in the actuator assembly in response to movement of a piston (72) in the pump assembly. Movement of the actuator piston is transmitted to the rear wheel steering assembly via a cam assembly (92) which effects same direction rear wheel steering for rather small front wheel steering angles and which effects opposite direction rear wheel steering for greater front wheel steering angles.

Abstract: A tire valve assembly (300) for a central tire inflation system (10) comprising a single valve body (302) having only a first (304) and a second (306) fluid connection from the exterior to the interior thereof is provided. The first fluid connection comprises a first port (304) connected to a selectively pressurized and exhausted conduit (52) and the second fluid connection comprises a second port (306) connected to the interior pressurized chamber (74) of an inflatable tire (12). The assembly includes first valve means (314) responsive to pressurization and exhausting of said selectively pressurized and exhausted conduit to establish or block, respectively, fluid communication between said first and second ports and second valve means (316) responsive to pressurization in said interior tire chamber to maintain said first valve means in the closed position thereof if said interior tire chamber is pressurized below a predetermined reference pressure.

Abstract: An improved supercharger (10) of the Roots-type. The supercharger includes a three-piece housing assembly (14, 16, 18) defining generally cylindrical chambers containing two rotors (20, 22) having meshed lobes (20c, 22c) of modified involute profile which pump air from an unshown inlet to an outlet (56). The rotors are fixed to stepped diameter shafts (24, 26) pressed into centrally located through bores in the rotors. Straight splines (24e, 26e) on the shafts form mating splines in the rotor bores to prevent rotation of the shafts in the bores. Bearing assembly (28, 30) disposed at adjacent ends (20a, 22a) of the rotors support one end of the rotors in the housing and fix the axial position of that end of rotors relative to the housing. Bearing assemblies (32, 34) at the outer adjacent ends (20b, 22b) of the rotors support the other end of the rotors in the housing.