Abstract: A rear wheel suspension system replaces the lower control arms, coil springs, and anti-roll bar assembly in the prior art with a simple composite beam. By carefully designing the shape of the beam, the material system and the pivot locations, the ride and roll rates and camber and toe characteristics of the original prior art suspension system can be preserved.

Abstract: A roll control actuator (34) for installation between first and second axially aligned parts (14,16) of a torsion bar comprises a first cylindrical housing (36) connectable at one end (38) to the first part of the torsion bar and having a cylindrical wall (44) with an inner surface (68) and a second cylindrical housing (40) connectable at one end (42) to the second part of the torsion bar and having a cylindrical wall (46) with an inner surface (50,72). The cylindrical wall of the first housing is coaxial with, rotatable relative to, and axially fixed relative to, the cylindrical wall of the second housing. A shaft (62) positioned inside the first and second housings is capable of moving in the axial direction relative to the first and second housings. A first tripot joint (76) is mounted on the shaft and has rollers (80) positioned in helically extending grooves (70) formed in the inner surface of the cylindrical wall of the first housing.

Abstract: An X-type hydro-pneumatic vehicle suspension system has diagonally opposite wheel support cylinders cross connected rod side to bore side to make a pair of discrete hydraulic circuits for each pair of diagonally opposite wheels of the vehicle. Each discrete circuit has two gas charged accumulators, one near the front and one near the rear. The gas chambers of accumulators in the two pairs of discrete hydraulic circuits are connected in a variety of ways to equalize pressures between the pairs of circuits.

Abstract: A pneumatic type of stabilizer for an automobile uses pressurized air as an elastic means of the stabilizer. The stabilizer comprises a cylindrical case in which a left rotating rod and a right rotating rod, each having a radial blade, respectively, are pivotally mounted, a rotator connected with an outer end of the rotating rods and protrudes out of the cylindrical case, a connecting rod connected with the ends of the rotators, and two arms connecting the connecting rods with two suspension arms of a suspension system.

Abstract: A zero roll suspension system for a vehicle that includes a vehicle frame and a wheel assembly has an axis of rotation. The present system preferably includes first and second crossing members, each of which has a first end and a second end. One of the first and second ends of each of the first and second crossing members is adapted to be mated to a portion of the wheel assembly. The other of the first and second ends of each of the first and second crossing members is adapted to be mated to the vehicle frame. The first and second crossing members are oriented so as to cross one another in superposition along a crossing axis. The other of the first and second ends of each of the first and second crossing members is mated to the vehicle frame at a location which a vehicle centerline.

Abstract: An improved tilting trailer suspension is disclosed, including hitch means for attachment to a tow vehicle, comprising generally a main frame including a tongue portion, having left and right side swingarms pivotally mounted to main frame, said swingarms providing a pair of forwardly mounted stub axles oriented outwardly for wheel attachment. A second frame is provided consisting of parallel frame members pivotally mounted to the rearward end of said swingarms, extending forward over the swingarms and providing latch means for detachable connection to the tongue of the main frame. A spring device is provided above the stub axles between the swingarm and the second frame members to provide resilient support to the load through the wheels. Tilting is accomplished by unlatching the secondary frame from the tongue portion of the main frame allowing the swingarm to pivot about its connection to the main frame.

Abstract: A vehicular suspension system for a vehicle includes at least one pair of transversely adjacent front surface engaging members and at least one pair of transversely adjacent back surface engaging members for supporting a body of the vehicle. The suspension system further includes a first force transmitting device interconnecting the at least one pair of transversely adjacent front surface engaging members, and a second force transmitting device interconnecting the at least one pair of transversely adjacent back surface engaging members. The force transmitting devices transfer forces between the interconnected surface engaging members. Each force transmitting device includes an adjustment device for progressively varying the magnitude and direction of the force transferred between the associated surface engaging members by the force transmitting devices as a function of the relative positions of and the load applied to at least two pairs of the interconnected surface engaging members.

Abstract: An automobile stabilizing assembly consisting of a hydraulic fluid filled right cylinder, the interior space of the right cylinder having first, second, and third walls, such walls dividing the right cylinder into first and second chambers, the first and second walls having a piston shaft apertures therethrough, the right cylinder having first and second hydraulic fluid exchange ports extending into its first chamber; a right piston assembly having first and second pistons slidably mounted within the chambers of the right cylinder, and a right piston shaft extending through the piston shaft apertures, the right piston shaft interconnecting the first and second pistons, the second piston having motion damping apertures extending therethrough, the first piston being positioned for sliding motion between the first and second hydraulic fluid exchange ports; a left cylinder similarly configured with the right cylinder; a left piston assembly within the left cylinder, the left piston assembly being similarly config

Abstract: A roll control system for installation between axially aligned wheels of a motor vehicle, the roll control system comprising a torsion bar; a first hydraulic actuator attached to one end of the torsion bar and attachable to one of the wheels; a second hydraulic actuator attached to the other end of the torsion bar and attachable to the other wheel; and an electronic control unit monitoring one or more predetermined vehicle operating conditions; wherein the first and second hydraulic actuators are substantially identical, each comprising a compression chamber containing hydraulic fluid, a rebound chamber containing hydraulic fluid, a movable piston between and fluidly isolating the compression chamber and the rebound chamber, a piston rod connected to the piston and extending through the rebound chamber, a gas chamber containing pressurised gas acting on the hydraulic fluid in the rebound chamber, and an electrically operated valve between the compression chamber and the rebound chamber and actuated by the con

Abstract: A load distribution unit is utilized in a vehicle suspension system having at least one pair of laterally adjacent forward wheel assemblies, and at least one pair of laterally adjacent rear wheel assemblies. A wheel ram is associated with each of the wheel assemblies, each wheel ram including a major chamber therein. The load distribution unit includes a plurality of fluid chambers, each fluid chamber being divided into at least two control chambers by at least one piston supported therein. Two pairs of the control chambers which vary in volume proportionally and in opposite senses therein with piston motion are system chambers, and at least two of the remaining control chambers are bump chambers. The pistons are interconnected by at least one connection device. The major chamber of each wheel ram is in fluid communication with a respective system chamber. The vehicle suspension system provides a roll stiffness and a pitch stiffness while providing minimum cross-axial articulation stiffness.

Abstract: An independent suspension system for vehicles including wheel uprights which move in different directions relative to the chassis when negotiating curves. The system automatically adjusts the wheel camber based on the forces effective on the vehicle when negotiating curves. The relative movement with respect to the chassis of the parts of the wheel suspension having mutually different movements when negotiating curves is registered, and the wheel camber angle and/or the steering angle of the wheels is controlled with the aid of actuators.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system (1) which provides roll control comprises a pair of hydraulic actuators (2, 3) mounted at wheels on opposite sides of the vehicle chassis, each hydraulic actuator (2, 3) being connected between the wheel and the chassis. Each hydraulic actuator (2, 3) has a fluid filled variable volume fluid chamber (8, 9) defined by a cylinder (4, 5) and piston (6, 7), one part being connected to the wheel and the other part to the chassis. An hydraulic accumulator (12, 13) is connected to each fluid chamber via a fluid transfer line (14, 15) to act as a spring with damping means being provided by a flow restrictor orifice (10, 11). A pump (16) communicates via fluid transfer lines (14, 15) between both hydraulic actuator fluid chambers (8, 9) through a control valve (19) which is operable to isolate both chambers (8, 9) from each other and from the pump (16) or to selectively connect one chamber (8, 9) to an inlet (17) of the pump (16) and the other chamber (8, 9) to an outlet of the pump (16).

Abstract: A driving stabilizer has a rotary actuator located between spider parts supporting stabilizer arms. Flanges associated with the spider parts and supported by the spider parts form end covers of the rotary actuator. A central part adjacent to the flanges includes an outer body formed by an annular jacket spanning a gap between the flanges and an inner body. The outer body and inner body are mutually rotatable and axially secured with respect to one another and each non-rotatably connected to a respective one of the spider parts via a respective one of the flanges.

Abstract: An X-type hydro-pneumatic vehicle suspension system has diagonally opposite wheel support cylinders cross connected rod side to bore side to make a pair of discrete hydraulic circuits for each pair of diagonally opposite wheels of the vehicle. Each discrete circuit has two gas charged accumulators, one near the front and one near the rear. The gas chambers of accumulators in the two pairs of discrete hydraulic circuits are connected in a variety of ways to equalize pressures between the pairs of circuits.

Abstract: A roll control system (20) for installation between axially aligned wheels of a motor vehicle, the roll control system comprising a torsion bar (22); a first hydraulic actuator (24) attached to one end (28) of the torsion bar and attachable to one of the wheels; a second hydraulic actuator (24) attached to the other end (28) of the torsion bar and attachable to the other wheel; and an electronic control unit (26) monitoring one or more predetermined vehicle operating conditions; wherein the first and second hydraulic actuators are substantially identical, each comprising a compression chamber (30) containing hydraulic fluid, a rebound chamber (32) containing hydraulic fluid, a movable piston (34) between and fluidly isolating the compression chamber and the rebound chamber, a piston rod (58) connected to the piston and extending through the rebound chamber, a gas chamber (38) containing pressurised gas acting on the hydraulic fluid in the compression chamber, a compressible spring means (80) biasing the pisto

Abstract: A tilting-body vehicle, in which the control system for the body tilt comprises an emergency system. In the event of a failure of a normally effective main system, the emergency system permits an emergency operation at least for a limited time. Three body positions are made possible depending on the transverse acceleration of the vehicle: namely, maximum tilt to the left, upright position and maximum tilt to the right. The emergency system is controlled via an inertia mass.

Abstract: A number of embodiments of suspension systems for vehicles having at least two wheels, each of which is independently suspended by a system including a respective shock absorber. The shock absorbers may be generally conventional in nature but are interconnected by a system that includes an accumulator and a flow control so as to provide a damping for vehicle characteristics that is independent of the individual damping of each wheel's shock absorber. The systems also provide constructions so that both the vehicle and individual wheel damping can be independently controlled to permit the use of smaller shock absorbers.

Abstract: An X type hydro-pneumatic vehicle suspension system has diagonally opposite wheel support cylinders cross connected rod side to bore side to make a pair of discrete hydraulic circuits for each pair of diagonally opposite wheels of the vehicle. Each discrete circuit has two gas charged accumulators, one near the front and one near the rear. The gas chambers of accumulators in the two pairs of discrete hydraulic circuits are connected in a variety of ways to equalize pressures between the pairs of circuits.

Abstract: A suspension system is provided for a vehicle having a chassis supported on at least one front pair of laterally spaced wheels and at least one rear pair of laterally spaced wheels. The suspension system includes vehicle support devices for supporting the chassis above each pair of wheels, and roll moment reaction devices for providing location of the chassis about a substantially level roll attitude. The roll moment reaction devices include a respective roll attitude control mechanism for each pair of laterally spaced wheels for passively controlling the position of the wheels relative to each other and the chassis. Each roll attitude control mechanism is connected to at least one other roll attitude control mechanism by roll mechanism interconnection devices. The roll mechanism interconnection devices are arranged such that the roll moment reaction devices resist roll of the vehicle chassis with respect to the wheels, while simultaneously permitting cross-axle articulation motions of the wheels.

Abstract: A vibration damper with variable damping force, including a cylinder, in which a piston with a piston rod is arranged in axially movable fashion, whereby an adjustable damping valve is activated in dependence on the deflection distance and the activation of the adjustable damping valve is carried out via a stabilizer. The vibration damper has further damping valves, whose damping effects are independent of activation by the stabilizer. The adjustable damping valve, during equilateral deflection and rebound travel of the piston rod on a vehicle axle or unilateral rebound travel, has a damping force setting that is smaller than the damping force of the further damping valves of the vibration damper.

Abstract: A hydraulic shock system adapter apparatus for use in combination with a pre-existing shock system and pre-existing steering arm which are typically installed on a vehicle. With the apparatus being actuated by the steering arm and automatically increases dampening compression on the outside shock and decreases dampening compression on the inside shock when the vehicle is turned.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension apparatus includes an axle. The axle includes a pair of trailing arms with a transverse beam. Resilient bushings connect the forward ends of the trailing arms to the vehicle superstructure. A linkage mechanism connects the beam to the vehicle superstructure. Under force causing lateral displacement of the axle, the linkage mechanism induces moment on the beam to counteract oversteer tendency due to the lateral displacement of the axle.

Abstract: A vehicle roll stabilizing system uses front and rear stabilizer assemblies (23, 24) which each use a stabilizer bar (24) and a hydraulic ram (33, 35) to resist vehicle roll. Selector valves (43, 44) select pressure from a pump (36) or return hydraulic oil to a reservoir (37) according to 4 modes, two of which the selector valve is in an on and an off condition, respectively. A diverter valve (73) operates to control the pump pressure in proportion to lateral acceleration to provide an actuator effort which resists roll during vehicle cornering. This effort is provided up to a limit equivalent to a lateral acceleration of approximately 0.4 g after which roll is allowed to increase, either by keeping the pump pressure (and hence effort) constant or by increasing the pump pressure at a reduced rate.