With Leveling Device Patents (Class 180/41)
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Patent number: 10279642Abstract: Disclosed is an automotive road construction machine, particularly a recycler or a cold stripping machine, comprising an engine frame that is supported by a chassis, a working roller which is stationarily or pivotally mounted on the engine frame and is used for machining a ground surface or road surface. The chassis is provided with wheels or tracked running gears which are connected to the engine frame via lifting column and are vertically adjustable relative to the engine frame. Each individually vertically adjustable lifting column is equipped with a device for measuring the actual vertical state of the lifting column.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2017Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: Wirtgen America, Inc.Inventors: Peter Busley, Gunter Tewes
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Patent number: 10239379Abstract: A method for determining an actual level of a vehicle, includes determining an actual level of the vehicle as a function of a distance between at least one wheel of the vehicle and a superstructure of the vehicle, wherein the distance is determined by means of a signal detected by at least one chassis sensor, wherein the signal includes at least signal portions that correspond to an own movement of the vehicle and signal portions that correspond to an excitation by a road on which the vehicle actually drives; filtering the signal portions corresponding to the own movement of the vehicle out of the signal detected by the at least one chassis sensor by means of a filter function; calculating the actual level of the vehicle from a difference between the filtered signal without the signal portions that correspond to the own movement of the vehicle and the signal detected by the at least one chassis sensor.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2016Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: Audi AGInventors: Andreas Allgayer, Paul Spannaus, Julia Franz, Philipp Knuth
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Patent number: 10160277Abstract: A vehicle height adjustment system includes: a vehicle height adjustment actuator provided for each wheel of a vehicle; a pressure medium intake and exhaust device configured to supply and exhaust a pressure medium to and from the vehicle height adjustment actuator; and a vehicle height adjustment unit including a computer, the vehicle height adjustment unit configured to: adjust a vehicle height by controlling the pressure medium intake and exhaust device, the vehicle height being a distance between the wheel and a vehicle body; adjust the vehicle height when a get-in estimation condition is satisfied; and limit a number of times the vehicle height is adjusted within a set period to a number of times smaller than a set number of times.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2016Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hideki Ohashi, Katsuyuki Sano, Jun Tokumitsu, Ryo Kanda, Shogo Tanaka
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Patent number: 10144460Abstract: The invention relates to a suspension device for tracked vehicles, which vehicle comprises at least one pair of track assemblies, where each track assembly of the pair of track assemblies comprises a track support beam, at least one drive wheel, a plurality of support wheels and an endless track, wherein the drive wheel and the plurality of support wheels are rotatably secured to the track support beam. The drive wheel is arranged to drive the endless track running over the at least one drive wheel and the plurality of support wheels. The suspension device comprises a first suspension configuration constituting a support wheel suspension configuration configured to resiliently secure the support wheels to the track support beam, and a second suspension configuration configured to connect the track assembly pair with a centrally arranged center beam. The invention also relates to a tracked vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2014Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: BAE Systems Hägglunds AktiebolagInventors: Björn Hellholm, Björn Nordberg
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Patent number: 10114383Abstract: A dynamic jack reference control system may include a tilt sensor operatively associated with the vehicle so that the tilt sensor senses a tilt angle of the vehicle. A processor operatively connected to the tilt sensor produces a jack reference value based on the tilt angle of the vehicle. A speed controller operatively associated with the processor extends the at least one jack on the vehicle at a speed that is related to the jack reference value.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2016Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: Flanders Electric Motor Service, Inc.Inventor: Edward Curtis Stacy, II
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Patent number: 10065473Abstract: A control device of a vehicle suspension has a suspension device mounted between a supporting vehicle structure and a vehicle part that is movably mounted. The control device includes a blocking device for blocking a compression or rebound motion occurring at the suspension device in correspondence with a blocking command transmitted to a control unit. The control unit determines a characteristic weight value for a current loading of the suspension device when the blocking command is set and stores it as a pertinent value in a memory unit. The control unit determines a value for the weight when the blocking command is reset in order to cancel a blocking of the suspension device according to the result of a comparison with the value stored in the memory unit.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2016Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Christian von Holst, Tobias Hegler, Mathias Klittich, Michael Kremb, Norman Rössel, Andreas Wehle, Günther Wolf
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Patent number: 10011310Abstract: A vehicle or machine suitable for operation on uneven or inclined surfaces, such as a forest work unit, comprises at least three frame parts and two rotational planes. Each frame part has rotational planes, in each particular case, on an interface between two successive frame parts of the vehicle or machine. The rotational planes are, in each particular case, planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle or machine in the neutral position. The frame parts are thus arranged to be independently rotatable in relation to the rotational plane.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2012Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: PONSSE OYJInventor: Pentti Hukkanen
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Patent number: 9988083Abstract: A wheel end assembly comprising upper and lower arms and a tie rod coupled to a wheel carrier at an outer tie rod joint. A pin member is disposed between upper and lower mounting extensions of the wheel carrier or extends from a single mounting extension. The pin member comprises a first end, a second end and an expanded ball portion between the first and second end. The expanded ball portion is offset toward one of the first and second ends. The tie rod joint is defined by a pivotal coupling of the tie rod end to the pin member. A pivot point is defined between the tie rod end and the expanded ball portion, wherein the pivot point is closer to one of the first and second ends of the pin member to align the tie rod with the arms in a substantially parallel orientation to reduce bump steer.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2017Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Inventor: Justin Smith
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Patent number: 9969321Abstract: A control device of a vehicle lamp device includes a reception unit and a control unit. The control unit includes a timing determination unit configured to determine a driving timing of an actuator configured to change a posture of the vehicle lamp device. The timing determination unit drives the actuator when an acquisition number of the output values of the acceleration sensor reaches a first number while a vehicle speed is less than a predetermined value, and drives the actuator when the acquisition number of the output values of the acceleration sensor reaches a second number smaller than the first number while the vehicle speed is equal to or greater than the predetermined value.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2016Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Yuichi Watano, Takahisa Nakamura
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Patent number: 9938737Abstract: Aspects herein relate to using motor velocity (RPM) as feedback for controlling the extension or retraction of jacks for control of the angular orientation of a structure, or other means for accomplishing the same. Such includes a structure orientation control apparatus comprising one or more jacks configured to support a structure, one or more jack drive mechanisms coupled to at least one of the one or more jacks, the one or more jack drive mechanisms configured to extend or retract the one or more jacks, and a jack controller configured to cause the one or more jack drive mechanisms to extend or retract the one or more jacks based on a jack command. The jack controller monitors one or more jack velocities during extension or retraction.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2015Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: NORCO INDUSTRIES, INC.Inventors: Bernard F. Garceau, Timothy D. Schultz
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Patent number: 9931900Abstract: An air suspension system includes a controller that controls opening/closing of normally-closed electromagnetic switching valves constituting a control valve, a first supply/discharge switching valve, a second supply/discharge switching valve, a first tank switching valve, and a second tank switching valve. The controller controls opening/closing of the electromagnetic switching valves in an order of first control, second control, and third control. In the first control, the control valve is opened. In the second control, the first supply/discharge switching valve and the second supply/discharge switching valve are opened in an opened state of the control valve. In the third control, the control valve, the first supply/discharge switching valve, and the second supply/discharge switching valve are closed.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2017Date of Patent: April 3, 2018Assignees: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Masaaki Oishi, Hideki Ohashi, Jun Tokumitsu, Ryo Kanda
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Patent number: 9908379Abstract: The present application relates to a control system (49) for controlling a motor vehicle suspension (3). The suspension (3) has a plurality of adjustable height suspension units (19, 21, 23, 25) and a suspension control means (53) is provided to control the suspension units (19, 21, 23, 25). The control system (49) has a receiver for receiving height data form height sensors (41, 43, 45, 47) to provide height measurements for each suspension unit (19, 21, 23, 25). A suspension modelling means is provided for modelling the height of each suspension unit (19, 21, 23, 25). The control system (49) is configured to detect an unrequested suspension height change when the difference between the modelled height and the measured height of one or more suspension units (19, 21, 23, 25) exceeds a threshold. The present application also relates to a motor vehicle; and a method of detecting an unrequested suspension height change.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2014Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover LimitedInventor: Philip Guest
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Patent number: 9890024Abstract: A leveling assembly for a lift device includes a carrier arm, an axle, a first actuator, and a second actuator. The carrier arm includes a base that defines a first interface configured to pivotally couple the carrier arm to a chassis of the lift device to facilitate a pitch adjustment of the leveling assembly, a projection that defines a second interface, and a transition that extends angularly between the base and the projection such that the projection is elevated relative to the base. The axle defines a third interface positioned to engage with the second interface to pivotally couple the axle to the carrier arm to facilitate a roll adjustment of the leveling assembly. The first actuator is pivotally coupled to a first lateral end of the axle. The second actuator is pivotally coupled to an opposing second lateral end of the axle.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2017Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: Oshkosh CorporationInventors: JiHong Hao, Ignacy Puszkiewicz
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Patent number: 9879745Abstract: An air spring includes a cover, a base element and a flexible bellows clamped in a pressure-tight fashion between the cover and base element. A level-measuring device, integrated at least partially into the bellows, detects the height of the air spring.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2015Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbHInventor: Stefan Prams
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Patent number: 9845129Abstract: A stabilizing arrangement for a tilting running gear of a non-rail-borne vehicle is disclosed. The stabilizing arrangement includes a balance beam configured to have each end coupled to a respective suspension side of a multi-track running gear axle of the tilting running gear. A pivot bearing is connected to a frame or body of the vehicle and defines a stationary axis of rotation. The pivot bearing rotatably supports the balance beam about the stationary axis of rotation. At least one stabilizing element is connected to the balance beam and is supported with respect to a frame or body of the vehicle. The at least one stabilizing element is configured to provide a reaction force to counteract a tilting moment of the vehicle. A non-rail-borne vehicle comprising the stabilizing arrangement also is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2015Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Marc Simon, Advait Valluri, Robert Spahl, Thomas Gerhards, Martin Saeger
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Patent number: 9834423Abstract: A lift truck comprises a chassis (1) movable on wheels (2) and a rotating platform (3) which supports an operating arm (4); stabilizing means are provided for resting on the ground and positioned at the front as well as at the back. The stabilizing means consist of two pairs of two telescopically extensible arms (5), each one comprising a first segment (6) and a second segment (7). The arms (5) have their ends hinged to opposite sides of the chassis (1), so as to swivel about parallel axes, and have the opposite free ends intended to lean against the ground by means of plates or stabilizing feet (8). The two arms (5) of each pair are arranged side by side at a short distance from each other on parallel planes and are individually bound to the chassis (1) by means of hydraulic cylinders (11).Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2014Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: C.M.C. S.R.L.—SOCIETA UNIPERSONALEInventor: Riccardo Magni
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Patent number: 9809077Abstract: A method for operating a shock-absorber system with shock-absorber devices, in particular switching shock-absorber devices, wherein discretely selectable shock-absorber characteristic curves are provided. The method determines a driving behavior of the driver and/or of the motor vehicle on the basis of one or more driving state data items and/or one or more operating variables and, in automatic mode, automatically sets a shock-absorbing behavior of the shock-absorber system by selecting one of the selectable shock-absorber characteristic curves of the shock-absorber devices as a function of the determined driving behavior.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2014Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: Volkswagen AGInventors: Denis Stoof, Eckhard Babbel, Ulrich Sonnak, Matthias Klöpping
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Patent number: 9745177Abstract: A level-controllable crawler crane includes two crawler supports with rotating crawlers, which crawler supports are connected by a transversal bridge. A superstructure of the crawler crane includes a crane jib pivotable about a vertical axis and connected to the transversal bridge. A pivotable articulation connects the transversal bridge to the crane superstructure. At least one of the crawler supports is connected to the transversal bridge by a double link having a lower and an upper link. The lower link is articulated on the crawler support by a crawler support lower pivotable axis and on the transversal bridge by a transversal bridge lower pivotable axis. The upper link is articulated on the crawler support by a crawler support upper pivotable axis and on the transversal bridge by a transversal bridge upper pivotable axis. A drive pivots the links about the pivotable axis associated therewith.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2013Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: Terex Global GmbHInventors: Ingo Nöske, Alfons Weckbecker, Werner Rutz
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Patent number: 9744825Abstract: A method for controlling an active suspension system which includes at least on spring and at least one damper as actuators and electromechanical controllers which are assigned to the actuators and can be either operated as a generator or as a motor.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2015Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: AUDI AGInventor: Andreas Schindler
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Patent number: 9738321Abstract: An arrangement and method are provided for enabling rotation movement between a tandem or caterpillar axle and a body of a vehicle. This type of vehicle includes at least one body part that is provided with a tandem or caterpillar axle. At least one body part includes a main body and an auxiliary body connected to it to rotate around the longitudinal axis of the vehicle or an essentially parallel axis thereto. The tandem or caterpillar axle is connected substantially rigidly to the main body, and the body part has at least one actuator for controlling the rotation movement between the main body and auxiliary body. In this way, changes in the position and motion status of the auxiliary body, especially in relation to the rotation around the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, are arranged to cause in the actuator a pushing or pulling motion that steers the auxiliary body to a rotation movement for the purpose of arranging the auxiliary body to a substantially horizontal position.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2014Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: PONSSE OYJInventor: Pentti Hukkanen
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Patent number: 9685029Abstract: Wagering game systems including gaming chairs are described herein. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving, in a wagering game machine, access information identifying a wagering game player, and determining the wagering game players motion profile associated with a gaming chair connected to the wagering game machine, wherein the motion profile indicates movements of the gaming chair that are acceptable to the wagering game player. The method also includes determining prescribed motions for the gaming chair, wherein the prescribed motions are associated with wagering game events, and determining that one of the wagering game events occurred on the wagering game machine. The method also includes moving the gaming chair in accordance with the prescribed motions for the gaming chair and the wagering game players motion profile.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2010Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.Inventors: Eric V. Erickson, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Joel R. Jaffe, Paul M. Lesley, Scott A. Massing, Alfred Thomas
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Patent number: 9644415Abstract: Described herein is a method for controlling a motor-powered hatch arrangement of a motor vehicle, wherein the hatch arrangement has an upwardly deflectable hatch, in particular an upwardly pivotable hatch, a drive arrangement which is assigned to the hatch and a control arrangement which is assigned to the drive arrangement, wherein the motor-powered deflection of the hatch in the opening direction is limited to a maximum hatch deflection by means of a control arrangement. It is proposed that the chassis of the motor vehicle can be adjusted vertically as required in order to set different vehicle body levels, and in that the maximum hatch deflection is adapted to a change in the vehicle body level by means of the control arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2012Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, HallstadtInventors: Sebastian Trombke, Heiko Loehnert
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Patent number: 9598079Abstract: The engine control device is applied to a vehicle equipped with a suspension control device for driving stepping motors for changing damping forces of shock absorbers. The suspension control device performs an initializing process for resolving the step-out of the stepping motors by driving the stepping motors when an initialization performing condition is satisfied. The engine control device continues the engine operation when a signal for inhibiting the automatic stop of the operation of the engine is sent to the engine control device and the engine control device judges that no malfunction occurs in the suspension control device even if the engine stop condition is satisfied. The engine control device automatically stops the operation of the engine when the engine stop condition is satisfied and the engine control device judges that a malfunction occurs in the suspension control device even if the signal is sent to the engine control device.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2015Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kenichi Ishii, Hiroto Miura, Hideki Ohashi, Yosuke Yamashita, Masataka Okuda
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Patent number: 9591812Abstract: An apparatus, such as for tree trimming, includes a mobile carriage having a frame and a pedestal supported by the frame. The apparatus further includes a boom, such as a telescoping boom that is secured to the pedestal through a boom support. The pedestal is pivotable with respect to the carriage frame so that the boom may be selectively operated in a variety of orientations. The mobile carriage of the apparatus is sufficiently compact to fit though tight openings, while also being capable of stably supporting boom extension for operation of a distal end of the boom at elevated heights.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2013Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: Jarraff Industries, Inc.Inventors: Jacob Schmotter, James Prohaska
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Patent number: 9591811Abstract: An apparatus, such as for tree trimming, includes a mobile carriage having a frame and a pedestal supported by the frame. The apparatus further includes a boom, such as a telescoping boom that is secured to the pedestal through a boom support. The pedestal is pivotable with respect to the carriage frame so that the boom may be selectively operated in a variety of orientations. The mobile carriage of the apparatus is sufficiently compact to fit though tight openings, while also being capable of stably supporting boom extension for operation of a distal end of the boom at elevated heights.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2011Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: Jarraff Industries, Inc.Inventor: James Prohaska
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Patent number: 9552679Abstract: A vehicle damper monitoring system of the present disclosure may include at least one height sensor and at least one controller configured to receive signals from the at least one height sensor and generate a notification if the signals indicate that one or more suspension dampers of a vehicle need to be serviced.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2013Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: David John Rutkowski, Brian D. Rutkowski, Russ Lee Norton
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Patent number: 9499348Abstract: Material handling solutions for a mobile conveyor vehicle are provided. In one aspect, a vehicle having an infeed and output conveyor is provided, one of the conveyors being mounted non-rotatably to the vehicle and positioned by rotation-in-place of the vehicle via four wheel steering. In another aspect, a dust control cover for a telescoping conveyor is provided, having a pair of flexible flaps which are parted by a plough-shaped chute which travels through a gap between the flaps and delivers material to the lower conveyor section. In another aspect, a hydraulic fluid transmission system for a mobile conveyor vehicle is provided which makes use of at least one hollow structural element to route the hydraulic fluid. The structural member may radiate heat from the fluid for example to melt snow on the vehicle structure.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2014Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: Ty-Crop Manufacturing Ltd.Inventors: Gary Wayne Teichrob, Michael Perry Mazurenko, Allen Peter Heinrichs
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Patent number: 9475193Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (600) for providing a robotic vehicle (100) with tip over prevention. The methods involve: determining a stability footprint, attitude and orientation of the robotic vehicle; computing a center of gravity of the robotic vehicle; projecting the center of gravity onto the stability footprint; determining whether the center of gravity is within an acceptable region of the stability footprint; calculating a new desired configuration for a movable component of the robotic vehicle when a determination is made that the center of gravity is within the acceptable region of the stability footprint; and commanding the movable component (106) to the new desired configuration.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2015Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: Harris CorporationInventors: Paul M. Bosscher, Matthew D. Summer
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Patent number: 9428022Abstract: The present invention provides a control system operable to raise and lower the height of a vehicle based in part on the response characteristics of the vehicle's suspension and vehicle loading. The control system may develop a vehicle suspension system response by mapping a correlation between changes in air pressure of air springs in the vehicle's suspension and a test valve-open-time. During operation, the control system may predict a valve-open-time in response to a command relating to a target air pressure for the air springs, and then inflate or deflate one or more of the air springs for a duration substantially equal to the predicted valve-open-time. This process may be iterated until the control system achieves, within an acceptable degree of error, the target air pressure for the one or more air springs.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2012Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: Air Lift CompanyInventors: Joshua D. Coombs, Aaron Mulder, Brian R. Vinson
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Patent number: 9393849Abstract: A vehicle height adjustment apparatus includes: vehicle height adjustment units respectively provided to correspond to wheels of a vehicle body, and adjusting a vehicle height in response to the supply and discharge of a working fluid; a supply source of the working fluid; opening and closing valves interposed between the vehicle height adjustment units and the supply source; and a control unit adjusting the vehicle height for the vehicle height adjustment unit in a storage vehicle height range which is present within a vehicle height adjustable range of the vehicle height adjustment unit, and is set to be lower than a center value of a travelling vehicle height range attainable while travelling, wherein when a predetermined vehicle stop condition is satisfied, the control unit adjusts the vehicle height for the vehicle height adjustment unit to any position in the storage vehicle height range.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2014Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Takanori Suzuki, Atsuto Ogino
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Patent number: 9377074Abstract: The invention relates to a device comprising a suspension system, which suspension system comprises a first part to which a mass is applied, a second part and an air spring arranged between said first part and said second part, at least one additional volume means for air being provided, the volume of which can be connected in a controlled manner, and a control means for connecting the volume of the additional volume means, wherein, via the control means, a pressure accumulator and the additional volume means are in fluid communication with the air spring such that a force/displacement characteristic line of the air spring can itself be modified depending on a deflection displacement and/or rebound displacement and/or speed and/or acceleration of the first part in a presettable manner, by connecting the additional volume and/or the pressure accumulator by means of the control means during the deflection and/or rebound of the first part.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2014Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: GRAMMER AGInventor: Konstantin Lorey
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Patent number: 9321319Abstract: The system includes: a first pair of hydraulic linear actuators between a vehicle body and a respective rear wheel such that extension and compression the actuators causes increase and a decrease, respectively, in the height of the body from the ground at the rear axle; a second pair of actuators between the body and a respective front wheel such that extension and compression of the actuators causes increase and a decrease, respectively, in the height of the vehicle body from the ground at the front axle; a supply unit for generating a flow of fluid under pressure; a tank; a hydraulic circuit connecting the pairs of actuators, supply unit, and tank; and a flow controller arranged to control the fluid between the pairs of actuators such that, during raising or lowering of the vehicle body, the height at the front axle is always less than that at the rear axle.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2013Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: SISTEMI SOSPENSIONI S.P.A.Inventor: Massimo Seminara
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Patent number: 9302731Abstract: A vehicle height adjustment device includes a jack chamber for supporting a spring receiver supporting a suspension spring's one-side end portion and a fluid-pressure driving unit for supplying/discharging an operating fluid into/out of the jack chamber and elevating up/down the spring receiver. The fluid-pressure driving unit includes a pump for selectively supplying the operating fluid to a first or second channel and a tank connected to the first or second channel not receiving an operating fluid's supply from the pump. The vehicle height adjustment device further includes a jack channel allowing the first channel and the jack chamber to communicate with each other, a valve body closing the jack channel, capable of opening/closing, a spring for urging the valve body in a direction for shutting off the jack channel, and a pilot line for having a second channel's pressure act on the valve body so the jack channel is opened.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2014Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: KYB CorporationInventor: Takahisa Mochizuki
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Patent number: 9284167Abstract: A dynamic jack reference control system may include a tilt sensor operatively associated with the vehicle so that the tilt sensor senses a tilt angle of the vehicle. A processor operatively connected to the tilt sensor produces a jack reference value based on the tilt angle of the vehicle. A speed controller operatively associated with the processor extends the at least one jack on the vehicle at a speed that is related to the jack reference value.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2009Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: Flanders Electric Motor Service, Inc.Inventor: Edward Curtis Stacy, II
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Patent number: 9174488Abstract: A pivoting axle system for an aerial lift vehicle with a chassis includes a left axle supporting a left wheel and a right axle supporting a right wheel. The left and right axles are pivotable between a transport position and a working position. A first hydraulic cylinder is connected at one end to the chassis on a right side of a vehicle center line and at an opposite end to the left axle, and a second hydraulic cylinder is connected at one end to the chassis on a left side of the vehicle center line and at an opposite end to the right axle. In the working position, the first and second hydraulic cylinders are prevented from deflection beyond a yield point.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2014Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: JLG INDUSTRIES, INC.Inventors: Dave Berry, Andrew J. Bean, Justin R. Dean
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Patent number: 9156498Abstract: A road finishing machine includes a control panel that can be moved between end positions on the left and right sides of the road finishing machine in a control platform. The control panel comprises a bearing roller fixed by means of a thrust bearing, and the bearing roller is engaged with a fixed bearing rail provided at the control platform.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2013Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: JOSEPH VOEGELE AGInventor: Ingo Herzberg
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Publication number: 20150060162Abstract: A standing wheelchair device includes a wheeled base for enabling the device to move on a supporting surface. A harness assembly includes a plurality of braces for attaching to parts of a body of a user of the device, at least some adjacent braces of being connected by joints. A lifting unit mounted on the base, supports a hip joint of the harness assembly, and is configured to raise or lower the hip joint. When the user is attached to the harness assembly and is in a sitting position, raising a height of the hip joint causes the user to assume a standing position. When the when the user is attached to the harness assembly and is in a standing position, lowering the hip joint causes the user to assume a sitting or reclining position.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2013Publication date: March 5, 2015Inventor: Amit GOFFER
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Patent number: 8876122Abstract: A level control for vehicles has at least one air spring cushioning a vehicle body relative to a vehicle axle. A compressed air generator is connected to the air spring by an air dryer and to the atmosphere by a check valve opening in the intake direction of the generator. The air spring can be connected to the atmosphere for discharge via a pneumatically controllable first directional valve. The air spring pressure is applied to a pneumatic control input of the first directional valve via a second controllable directional valve. The input of the first directional valve can be connected to the atmosphere for ending discharge of the spring. A line with a compressed air accumulator branches off from the air spring supply line via a first changeover valve. The accumulator is connected to the intake side of the generator via a second changeover valve.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2013Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: AMK Arnold Müller GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Thomas Gall
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Publication number: 20140316662Abstract: A portable, foldable, and multifunctional mobility aid apparatus that assists a user in standing, sitting, and/or walking process. The apparatus has an integrated power source and is based on 4 wheels. Users can stand on it and drive it as an electric mobility device, or disable it and use it as a passive walker. The apparatus has a pair of supporting beams with adjustable width to be placed under the user armpits and support the user in standing up, sitting down, and/or moving around. The apparatus can be controlled by a control panel mounted on a pair of handles, and its functions can be controlled by the user with no need for help from another person. The apparatus can be minimized by a combination of multiple telescopic vertical minimization mechanisms and multiple folding mechanisms.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2014Publication date: October 23, 2014Inventor: Ahmad AlSayed M. ALGHAZI
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Patent number: 8818700Abstract: The motor vehicle of the invention is provided with at least three wheels and includes a driving cab capable of accommodating a single person in the width direction. The motor vehicle comprises a bend-balancing means that acts by the inclination of at least the portion of the chassis that bears the driving cab. According to the invention, the vehicle is also provided with speed, acceleration and/or inclination sensors, and the balancing means are automatically controlled when the information supplied by the sensors is lower than a main predetermined threshold. The invention also provides that the automatic control of the balancing means is deactivated when the information provided by the sensors is higher than said main threshold.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2014Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Inventors: Daniel Moulene, Thierry Moulene
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Patent number: 8761999Abstract: A level control system for a vehicle includes a pressure generator (10) for generating a pressure difference between a reservoir (11) containing a pressurized medium and at least one pressure-controlled actuating mechanism (12i) in order to adjust a predefined vehicle chassis level (di,soll), and a valve unit (13) for performing an overflow process between the reservoir (11) containing the pressurized medium and the at least one pressure-controlled actuating mechanism (12i). An evaluation unit (24) decides whether and to what extent the predefined vehicle chassis level (di, soll) can be adjusted by exclusively actuating the valve unit (13) based on a vehicle chassis level (di,erw) that is to be expected in case the overflow process is performed.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2006Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: Continental AktienesellschaftInventors: Heike Ilias, Marc Nettelmann, Thomas Sprengel
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Patent number: 8602137Abstract: A self-propelled implement may include a suspension arrangement with a suspension spring, an elevation toggling linkage, and a wheel. The suspension spring may support a main frame of the self-propelled implement at a sprung end. The elevation toggling linkage may be mounted at an unsprung end of the suspension spring. The elevation toggling linkage may be used to configure the self-propelled implement at a raised elevation or a lowered elevation.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2011Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: AGCO CorporationInventors: Glen D. Kroese, Brian T. Coulter, Adam Thurmer
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Patent number: 8584534Abstract: A seat apparatus for a vehicle includes a slide rail arranged slidably relative to a vehicle floor in a longitudinal direction, a bracket including a first end portion fixed to the slide rail, a second end portion, and a connecting portion connecting the first end portion to the second end portion, a vehicle seat supported by the bracket, and a load detection device arranged between the slide rail and the second end portion of the bracket and detecting a load applied to the vehicle seat, wherein rigidity of the connecting portion of the bracket in a vertical direction of the vehicle is set to be lower than rigidities of the first end portion and the second end portion of the bracket in the vertical direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2011Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Muneto Inayoshi, Hiroyuki Fujii, Yoshiaki Tomatsu
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Publication number: 20130302122Abstract: The present disclosure relates to double acting suspension axle assemblies that can be used to facilitate mobility of a heavy load transporter and/or to adjust a deck height of the heavy load transporter. Each axle assembly includes a wheel assembly and a double-acting hydraulic cylinder. The double acting suspension axle provides the ability to force the hydraulic cylinder of each axle assembly to fully retract without relying solely on gravity. The double acting suspension axle assembly may be incorporated directly into or permanently affixed to other large structures, such as mobile robots, large tooling structures, gantry cranes, or other large machinery to provide the precise control of mobility and forced lowering capabilities.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2012Publication date: November 14, 2013Applicant: DOERFER COMPANIESInventors: David M. Tetzlaff, John R. Burnett, Jason Van Clark, Melvin D. Terry
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Patent number: 8573420Abstract: The invention relates to a crawler crane comprising two crawler supports (9) with rotating crawlers (8). Both crawler supports (9) are connected by a transversal bridge (10). A superstructure (3) of the crawler crane comprises at least one crane jib that can pivot about a vertical axis and is connected to the transversal bridge (10). A pivotable articulation connects the transversal bridge (19) in a pivotable manner to the crane superstructure (3). At least one of the crawler supports (9) is connected to the transversal bridge (10) by means of a double link (11). A lower link (12) of the double link (11) is articulated on the crawler support (9) by means of a crawler support lower pivotable axis (13) and on the transversal bridge (10) by means of a transversal bridge lower pivotable axis (14).Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2009Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: Terex Cranes Germany GmbHInventors: Ingo Nöske, Alfons Weckbecker, Werner Rutz
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Patent number: 8498780Abstract: An embodiment of a method of controlling a road vehicle having a number of wheels; a frame housing a passenger compartment; and a number of suspensions suspending the frame from respective wheels, and expandable or contractable to adjust the height of the frame with respect to the ground; the method including the steps of: determining a collision; and raising the frame with respect to the ground by expanding at least some of the suspensions on determining a collision.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2011Date of Patent: July 30, 2013Assignee: Ferrari S.p.a.Inventor: Veniero Pizzagalli
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Publication number: 20130168165Abstract: A mass transit vehicle includes one or a combination of the following: floor portions that are angled for creating an incline of a floor of the buss; a door or entranceway that is angle relative to a fore-aft axis of the vehicle; and/or an entranceway that opens a relatively low height relative to the ground.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2013Publication date: July 4, 2013Applicant: ARBOC TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventor: ARBOC TECHNOLOGIES LLC
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Publication number: 20130121796Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a vertical hydraulic cylinder axle arrangement that can receive flexible power lines through the cylinder. In particular, a hollow piston rod having a longitudinally extending passage through which hydraulic hoses and electrical lines can pass is incorporated into a heavy-load transporter. A portion of the piston rod defines a splined shaft to mechanically engage a rotating slew gear drive to permit omnidirectional steering. The piston rod extends downward to form a trunnion mount on which drive wheels can articulate laterally to conform to irregularities in various surfaces and other inclinations.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2011Publication date: May 16, 2013Applicant: INTELLIPORT CORPORATIONInventor: Melvin Dean Terry
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Publication number: 20120318588Abstract: A self-propelled implement may include a suspension arrangement with a suspension spring, an elevation toggling linkage, and a wheel. The suspension spring may support a main frame of the self-propelled implement at a sprung end. The elevation toggling linkage may be mounted at an unsprung end of the suspension spring. The elevation toggling linkage may be used to configure the self-propelled implement at a raised elevation or a lowered elevation.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2011Publication date: December 20, 2012Applicant: AGCO CorporationInventors: Glen D. Kroese, Brian T. Coulter, Adam Thurmer
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Patent number: 8302711Abstract: A utility vehicle is disclosed. The utility vehicle may include storage areas under the dash. The utility vehicle may include suspension systems for utility vehicles having shocks with both a fluidic stiffness adjustment and a mechanical stiffness adjustment. The utility vehicle may include an electrical power steering.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2011Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.Inventors: Anthony J Kinsman, Kelly J Knutson, Louis J Brady, D Brett Gass