Abstract: An air spring for a heavy-duty vehicle axle/suspension system includes a bellows chamber operatively connected to a piston chamber. An opening is disposed between the bellows chamber and the piston chamber in order to allow fluid to communicate between the bellows chamber and the piston chamber. The cross-sectional area of the opening and the volumes of the bellows chamber and the piston chamber are tuned in order to optimize the damping characteristics of the air spring.

Abstract: A vehicle tire inflation system includes an air supply that is connected to a vehicle tire by a pneumatic conduit. A pump that is independent of and pneumatically parallel to the vehicle air supply includes an inlet and an outlet. The pump inlet receives air from atmosphere, the pump compresses the air, and the pump outlet is fluidly connected to the pneumatic conduit. When the air pressure in the pneumatic conduit drops below a predetermined level, compressed air from the pump is introduced into the pneumatic conduit, thus increasing the air pressure in the conduit to increase the air pressure that is available to the tire. A reservoir tank, which is also independent of the vehicle air supply, may be in fluid communication with the pump outlet and the pneumatic conduit.

Abstract: An axle-to-beam connection for a vehicle axle/suspension system includes an axle having at least one depression formed therein. A sleeve is formed with at least one depression and disposed about the axle so that the axle depression and the sleeve depression matingly engage one another to form a mated pair of depressions. A method of forming the axle-to-beam connection includes providing an axle and disposing a sleeve about the axle. At least one mated pair of depressions is simultaneously formed in the axle and the sleeve. The sleeve is immovably mounted to a vehicle axle/suspension system.

Abstract: A piston for an air spring of a heavy-duty vehicle includes a sidewall and a central hub. The sidewall and the central hub are attached to a first bottom plate of the piston. A top plate is removeably attached to a top portion of the sidewall and a top portion of the central hub. A bottom portion of said central hub includes a second bottom plate that is recessed relative to the first bottom plate for attachment to a piston mounting pedestal that is in turn mounted to a beam of a suspension assembly of the heavy-duty vehicle.

Abstract: A brake system component axle mount for a vehicle axle/suspension system includes an axle having at least one depression formed therein. A sleeve is formed with at least one depression and disposed about the axle so that the axle depression and the sleeve depression matingly engage one another to form a mated pair of depressions. A brake mount assembly is rigidly attached to the sleeve. A method of forming the brake system component axle mount includes providing an axle and disposing a sleeve about the axle. At least one mated pair of depressions is simultaneously formed in the axle and the sleeve. A brake mount assembly is rigidly attached to the sleeve.

Abstract: An axle-to-beam connection for a vehicle axle/suspension system includes an axle having at least one depression formed therein. A sleeve is formed with at least one depression and disposed about the axle so that the axle depression and the sleeve depression matingly engage one another to form a mated pair of depressions. A method of forming the axle-to-beam connection includes providing an axle and disposing a sleeve about the axle. At least one mated pair of depressions is simultaneously formed in the axle and the sleeve. The sleeve is immovably mounted to a vehicle axle/suspension system.

Abstract: An air spring for a heavy-duty vehicle axle/suspension system includes a bellows chamber operatively connected to a piston chamber. An opening is disposed between the bellows chamber and the piston chamber in order to allow fluid to communicate between the bellows chamber and the piston chamber. The cross-sectional area of the opening and the volumes of the bellows chamber and the piston chamber are tuned in order to optimize the damping characteristics of the air spring.

Abstract: A highly roll stable suspension system for a truck, trailer, or semi-trailer. In at least one embodiment, the suspension includes at least three beam structures, one beam being located beneath each respective longitudinal side frame member of the vehicle, and a third beam being located midpoint between the side frame members and which occupies substantially less space than the space between these opposing longitudinal side frame members of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle tire inflation system includes an air supply that is connected to a vehicle tire by a pneumatic conduit. A pump that is independent of and pneumatically parallel to the vehicle air supply includes an inlet and an outlet. The pump inlet receives air from atmosphere, the pump compresses the air, and the pump outlet is fluidly connected to the pneumatic conduit. When the air pressure in the pneumatic conduit drops below a predetermined level, compressed air from the pump is introduced into the pneumatic conduit, thus increasing the air pressure in the conduit to increase the air pressure that is available to the tire. A reservoir tank, which is also independent of the vehicle air supply, may be in fluid communication with the pump outlet and the pneumatic conduit.

Abstract: A highly roll stable suspension system for a truck, trailer, or semi-trailer which achieves its roll stability by the use of at least three beam structures, one beam being located beneath a respective longitudinal side frame member of the vehicle, and the other being located midpoint between the side frame members and which occupies substantially less space than the space between these opposing longitudinal side frame members of the vehicle.

Abstract: A parallelogram lift axle suspension system includes an in-line lift bellows located between and vertically aligned with a pair of upper and lower control arms so as to provide bi-directional expansion and contraction of the lift bellows for raising and lowering the suspension while increasing the space available between the longitudinal frame rails enabling use of the suspension in certain vehicles by avoiding interference with other vehicle components of the vehicle located in this space.

Abstract: Tandem rear axle air suspensions for trucks and truck-tractors wherein a non-reactive, roll compliant drive axle suspension equipped with wheel slip sensing and control apparatus is combined with a roll stable, non-drive tag or pusher axle suspension equipped with apparatus for transferring weight to the drive axle suspension. The preferred technology for the non-drive tag or pusher axle suspension is a rigid beam suspension. The wheel slip sensing and control apparatus and the weight transfer apparatus may be either automatically or manually operated.

Abstract: A parallelogram lift axle suspension system includes an in-line lift bellows located between and vertically aligned with a pair of upper and lower control arms so as to provide bi-directional expansion and contraction of the lift bellows for raising and lowering the suspension while increasing the space available between the longitudinal frame rails enabling use of the suspension in certain vehicles by avoiding interference with other vehicle components of the vehicle located in this space.

Abstract: A suspension assembly for supporting an axle on a vehicle frame includes a pair of transversely spaced hangers mounted on and depending from the frame. Each one of a pair of longitudinally extending control arms is pivotally attached at one end of its ends to a respective one of the hangers, and at the other of its ends to a respective one of a pair of axle seats. The axle seats rigidly capture the transversely extending axle. A support member is attached to and extends longitudinally rearwardly from each of the axle seats for mounting an air spring and a shock absorber. Each of the air springs and shock absorbers extend upwardly from its respective support member and is attached to the frame. A generally rigid torque box is immovably attached at one of its ends to the frame, and at the other of its ends to the axle. The torque box is a hollow fabrication closed at each of its attachment ends by a mounting tube. A shaft having at least one bushing molded about the shaft is press fit into each of the tubes.

Abstract: A suspension assembly for supporting an axle on a vehicle frame includes a pair of transversely spaced hangers mounted on and depending from the frame. Each one of a pair of longitudinally extending control arms is pivotally attached at one end of its ends to a respective one of the hangers, and at the other of its ends to a respective one of a pair of axle seats. The axle seats rigidly capture the transversely extending axle. A support member is attached to and extends longitudinally rearwardly from each of the axle seats for mounting an air spring and a shock absorber. Each of the air springs and shock absorbers extend upwardly from its respective support member and is attached to the frame. A generally rigid torque box is immovably attached at one of its ends to the frame, and at the other of its ends to the axle. The torque box is a hollow fabrication closed at each of its attachment ends by a mounting tube. A shaft having at least one bushing molded about the shaft is press fit into each of the tubes.

Abstract: A substantially weld free frame bracket for connecting a suspension to the frame rail of a heavy duty vehicle which includes a plate member and an attached cradle having pivotally bolted to it one or more beams, the pivotal connecting bolts serving as the connection to the plate member. A cross-member connects opposing brackets on either side of the vehicle.

Abstract: A self-steering axle suspension system of the parallelogram type is provided with a tri-pivot cradle mechanism for changing the caster of the axle to provide for either a reverse or forward steerable axle mode while equalizing the forces on the pivots in the parallelogram to reduce pivot wear out.

Abstract: A fabricated high strength non-driven steer axle is provided so as to be cost effective to manufacture, the axle having a limited number of parts and steps of manufacture, as well as being of a reduced weight. The axle includes an integral one piece metallic form having a substantially U-shaped central portion in cross-section, and a pair of spaced arms extending from each end thereof toward a respective king pin mounting area. In order to simplify king pin mounting (e.g. eliminate the need for a bearing sleeve or tube), a separate king pin reinforcing plate is inserted between the spaced arms so that each king pin is received through an orifice in the reinforcing plate and a corresponding orifice defined in another plate, both in a bearing manner so as to efficiently support the king pin.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system particularly useful in the heavy duty truck and trailer industry is disclosed. The suspension features lower control rods that are pivotally connected at their leading ends to hangers attached to each side frame member. The rearward ends of the lower control rods are attached to axle seats, one at each end of the axle, which are connected to the axle of the vehicle. Air springs and shock absorbers or, alternatively, hydraulic cylinders with accumulators, are mounted between each axle seat and each side frame member. The lower control rods are in an inclined orientation with their forward ends above their trailing ends. Additionally, some embodiments of the suspension feature upper control rods with their forward ends pivotally attached to the two opposing truck side frame members. The rearward ends of the upper control rods are attached to the top center of the axle by either a bolt and bushing mount or a ball and socket mount so that the upper control rods form a "V".

Abstract: A lockout mechanism for a self-steering axle suspension system is provided by using the internal fluid reservoir and piston of a shock absorber normally used to dampen oscillations of the wheels in such a suspension, by employing a selectively actuatable valve in the fluid flow path provided by an orifice in the piston of the shock absorber to prevent or modulate the flow of fluid across the piston thereby to lock out the steerability of the system to the extent desired.