Fluidic Suspension Patents (Class 280/124.157)
  • Patent number: 11904963
    Abstract: Brackets for mounting auxiliary suspension systems, such as lift axle systems, to vehicles are disclosed herein. For example, brackets are disclosed for attaching lift axle hanger brackets and lift axle load springs to corresponding frame members. In some embodiments, the frame brackets can include physical features (e.g., a series of graduated steps in an edge portion thereof) to facilitate visual alignment of the lift axle with the vehicle frame members during installation. In other embodiments, the frame brackets can be two-piece brackets that enable the load springs to be removed and replaced without having to detach the frame bracket from the frame rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Link Mfg., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dale E. Jacobsma, Joel D. Van Den Brink, Michael S. Wetter
  • Patent number: 11827067
    Abstract: A reinforcing structure for suspension, includes: a spring seat coupled to a torsion beam and a trailing arm, and configured for supporting a spring; and a shock absorber bracket coupled to the spring seat and the trailing arm, and configured for supporting a shock absorber for damping vibrations of the spring, wherein the shock absorber bracket includes, a side coupling portion coupled to the trailing arm, wherein the side coupling portion is coupled to a side surface of the trailing arm in a width direction (Y) of a vehicle body in a state of being inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to each of a longitudinal direction (X) and a height direction (Z) of the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION, HWASHIN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Gi Ryung Jung, Bong Su Kim, Hye Jin Han, Hyun Jin Chung, Su Heon Seo
  • Patent number: 11827073
    Abstract: A suspension assembly for a commercial vehicle includes a first linkage, an air spring, a carriage, and a second linkage. The first linkage is pivotally coupled at a first end with a structural member of a frame. The structural member extends downwards from the frame. The air spring is coupled with the frame and a second end of the first linkage. The air spring drives the first linkage to pivot about the first end relative to the structural member. The carriage is pivotally coupled with the first linkage at a position between the first end and the second end of the first linkage. The second linkage is pivotally coupled at a first end with the structural member, and pivotally coupled with the carriage at a second end. The structural member, the first linkage, the second linkage, and the carriage define a four-bar linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Oshkosh Corporation
    Inventors: Austin Dowdy, Paul Dumitru
  • Patent number: 11796028
    Abstract: An apparatus and system are disclosed that provide position sensitive suspension damping. A damping unit includes a piston mounted in a fluid-filled cylinder. A vented path in the piston may be fluidly coupled to a bore formed in one end of the piston rod, creating a flow path for fluid to flow from a first side of the piston to a second side of the piston during a compression stroke. The flow path may be blocked by a needle configured to engage the bore as the damping unit is substantially fully compressed, thereby causing the damping rate of the damping unit to increase. In one embodiment, the piston includes multiple bypass flow paths operable during the compression stroke or the rebound stroke of the damping unit. One or more of the bypass flow paths may be restricted by one or more shims mounted on the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Everet Owen Ericksen, Christopher Paul Cox, Sante M. Pelot
  • Patent number: 11708125
    Abstract: Shock absorber having a main sheath and a main piston sliding inside the main sheath in a sliding direction (X-X), the main piston including a main rod coming out of the main sheath and a main head contained inside the main sheath, the main sheath being filled with hydraulic fluid, a secondary sheath fluidically connected to the main sheath and provided with at least one damping valve, where the secondary sheath is connected to the main sheath by a first and a second passage placed at opposite ends to the main head of the main piston, along the sliding direction (X-X), the secondary sheath including a control valve movable, according to a regulation stroke, between an unlocking position, in which it does not interfere with the first and second passages, and a blocking position, where it occludes the first and second passages so as to realize a selective two-way block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: PIAGGIO & C. S.P.A
    Inventor: Andrea Raffaelli
  • Patent number: 11642928
    Abstract: An agricultural vehicle suspension may comprise a spring and a first spindle operably coupled with the spring in a spindle axial direction. A stop body may be operably coupled to the first spindle in a cylinder axial direction. The stop body may be configured to limit an axial length of travel of the suspension relative to the first spindle. The first spindle may be a steering spindle or a suspension spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Thomas M. Wubben, Joshua J. Fausch, Daniel C. Jordan
  • Patent number: 11603901
    Abstract: Mounting assembly dimensioned for securement between a vehicle structure and a gas spring and damper assembly include a first end plate securable to the vehicle structure. A second end plate is attached in substantially fixed relation to the first end plate such that a mounting cavity is disposed therebetween. A connector housing is disposed within the mounting cavity and operatively connectable to the gas spring and damper assembly. A first bearing assembly is disposed between the connector housing and the first end plate and permits rotation of the connector housing relative to the first end plate while transferring forces acting longitudinally therebetween. A second bearing assembly is disposed between the connector housing and the second end plate and permits rotation of the connector housing relative to the second end plate while transferring forces acting longitudinally therebetween. Gas spring and damper assemblies are also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC
    Inventors: Rutger Zegveld, Jan van Aartsen
  • Patent number: 11597392
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed to perform a tank turn. An example vehicle includes a first wheel and a second wheel, the first wheel located on an end of a first axle, the second wheel located on an end of a second axle, the end of the first axle opposite to the end of the second axle, a first suspension coupled to the first wheel, a second suspension coupled to the second wheel, and a controller to drive the first axle in a first direction, drive the second axle in a second direction, the first direction different from the second direction, and decrease a first suspension load of the first suspension and a second suspension load of the second suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Patent number: 11590819
    Abstract: An air suspension system includes an air supply system block including one or more air spring valves, where the one or more air spring valves are disposed within the air supply system block, the air supply system block having a valve block housing. The system further includes the air supply system block pneumatically coupled with one or more air springs, and at least one reservoir coupled with the air supply system block, at least one motor and pump disposed within the air supply system block. The air suspension further includes fast down leveling valves disposed within the air supply system block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Letizio, Gerald Geck, Daniel Goodrich, Matthew Tuhro
  • Patent number: 11535068
    Abstract: A load-based tire inflation system for a heavy-duty vehicle comprises at least one source of fluid pressure, suspension structure of the heavy-duty vehicle, a tire and wheel assembly and a system to control fluid pressure in the tire and wheel assembly. The suspension structure is located between a frame member and an axle and has a condition indicative of a weight of the heavy-duty vehicle. The tire and wheel assembly is operatively mounted to the axle and is in fluid communication with the source of fluid pressure. The control system controls fluid pressure in the tire and wheel assembly in response to the condition of the suspension structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Matt J. Wilson, Jesse W. Cervantez, Jeff R. Zawacki
  • Patent number: 11519478
    Abstract: Vibratory screens and apparatus therefore are disclosed. In some embodiments, a damper is incorporated having a pin and pivot arm which cooperate to dampen high-amplitude vibratory motion of the screen. In some embodiments, a bumper is disposed transversely adjacent to a sidewall of the screen and mounted to a bracket supporting a damper. In some embodiments, one or more guards protect openings in a pivot arm of the damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: SUPERIOR INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Cody Tufford, Jarrod Felton
  • Patent number: 11478364
    Abstract: A vertical suspension system for a prosthetic foot includes a first member operatively coupleable to an amputee's residual leg. The suspension system can also include a second member coupleable to a prosthetic foot. One or more upper leaf springs and one or more lower leaf springs extend between and are attached to the first and second members such that at least one of the ends of each leaf spring is rotationally fixed to the first or second members, where the upper an lower leaf springs are spaced apart from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Össur Iceland ehf
    Inventors: Christophe Lecomte, Benedikt Skulason, Jeroen Nijman
  • Patent number: 11427445
    Abstract: A crane for lifting and transporting loads includes a base frame, for transferring the loads of the crane onto a support surface by a plurality of wheels having two steering wheels; and a steering system. The steering system includes a linear steering actuator, which is hinged, on one side, to the base frame and, on the other side, to a bar having two ends. Each end of the bar is hinged to a respective rotary element around a respective hinging axis. Each rotary element rotates around a respective rotation axis and is constrained in rotation to the respective steering wheel to steer it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Inventor: Jacques Tranchero
  • Patent number: 11400788
    Abstract: An air suspension system includes: an air suspension interposed between a vehicle body and an axle to adjust a vehicle height according to supply and exhaust of air; a compressor that compresses air; a tank that stores the air compressed by the compressor; and an air dryer provided on an ejection side of the compressor. When the tank has a predetermined pressure or less after air is supplied from the tank to the air suspension, a pressure of the tank is increased by the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD.
    Inventor: Toru Uchino
  • Patent number: 11220304
    Abstract: An example method includes receiving, at a first frequency, sensor information indicative of an actual pressure level of a pilot fluid signal in a pilot line connecting an outlet port of a pilot supply valve to a pilot port of a main valve; determining an estimated pressure for the pilot fluid signal in the pilot line at a second frequency greater than the first frequency; determining a pressure estimate error based on comparing the actual pressure level to the estimated pressure; determining a pressure level error based on comparing the estimated pressure to a commanded pressure value; and operating the pilot supply valve in an open state to provide the pilot fluid signal to the pilot port of the main valve until the pressure level error is less than a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Norgren GT Development LLC
    Inventor: Richard Bailey
  • Patent number: 11220151
    Abstract: An example valve assembly includes a mounting plate having an inlet port configured to be fluidly coupled to a source of fluid; a pilot supply valve mounted to the mounting plate, wherein the pilot supply valve comprises (i) an inlet port fluidly coupled to the inlet port of the mounting plate, and (ii) a first outlet port configured to be fluidly coupled to a pilot port of a main valve; and a pilot exhaust valve mounted to the mounting plate, wherein the pilot exhaust valve comprises (i) a vent port, (ii) a second outlet port that is fluidly coupled to the first outlet port of the pilot supply valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Norgren GT Development LLC
    Inventors: Scott Xin, Richard Bailey, Roman Suter
  • Patent number: 11186314
    Abstract: An articulated vehicle assembly comprising a master vehicle having a master steering system and an onboard sensor arrangement configured to monitor at least said master steering system; a slave vehicle having a slave steering system and an onboard actuator arrangement configured to manipulate at least said slave steering system; an articulation system for articulating in a queue the master and the slave vehicles along a common longitudinal axis; and a processing unit configured to receive input signals from the onboard sensor arrangement and produce corresponding output signals to the onboard actuator arrangement to manipulate said slave steering system so as to maintain the master vehicle and the slave vehicle aligned along the common longitudinal axis, at least when the master vehicle performs a turn on a horizontal plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: PLASAN SASA LTD.
    Inventors: Amir Ben Shoshan, Asaf Engel
  • Patent number: 10960724
    Abstract: A compressed air supply installation includes a compressed air supply, a compressed air port to a pneumatic installation, a vent port to a venting environment, and a pneumatic main line between the compressed air supply and the compressed air port. The pneumatic main line includes an air dryer. The installation further includes a vent valve arranged in the pneumatic main line, the vent valve being a first pilot valve having a pilot control port, a compressor having at least one compressor stage, and a second pilot valve and a pneumatic pilot control channel that pneumatically connects the second pilot valve to the pilot control port of the first pilot valve. A pressure-holding pneumatic valve device is connected to the pilot control port of the first pilot valve and is configured to provide a control pressure for the pilot control port of the first pilot valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: WABCO GMBH
    Inventor: Joerg Meier
  • Patent number: 10668782
    Abstract: An air suspension system is provided with air spring devices, a pressure accumulation tank, a compressor device that supplies compressed air at least to the pressure accumulation tank, and that includes an electric motor, a pump device, and a dryer, and a control device that performs a vehicle height increase control, a vehicle height decrease control, an air suction control, and a regeneration air discharge control. The control device performs a heat accumulation control, by actuating the pump device with the communication between the compressor device and the air spring devices being blocked, supplying the compressed air discharged through the dryer to the pump device to be circulated, and accumulating heat of compression of the compressed air in the dryer, to regenerate the dryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masaaki Oishi, Masakazu Ohashi, Hiroyuki Uehara, Satoshi Kimura, Taichi Mizuno
  • Patent number: 10421332
    Abstract: A gas spring for a vehicle suspension system includes a cylinder, a rod disposed within the cylinder, the rod and the cylinder at least partially defining a chamber, and an accumulator in communication with the chamber. The rod and the cylinder are configured such that a relative movement therebetween changes the volume of the chamber. Gas in the chamber and the accumulator are configured to cooperate to at least partially provide a spring rate that varies based on at least one of a deflection and a spring force associated with at least one of the rod and the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Oshkosh Defense, LLC
    Inventors: Roy Venton-Walters, Aaron J. Rositch, Jesse L Knoble, Erik S. Ellifson, Mark L. Steckling
  • Patent number: 10279644
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for providing task-specific ride-height control in a self-propelled agricultural product applicator utilize a controllable ride-height trailing arm suspension system for independently joining each wheel to a frame of the applicator. Each trailing arm suspension system includes upper and lower suspension arms, an extensible air strut, and an angular position sensor operatively interconnected to one another and disposed between a rolling axis of the ground engaging wheel independently supported by that suspension system and a point of attachment of the suspension system to the frame, such that the position sensor detects a relative angular position between the upper and lower suspension arms at a present extension of the air strut. An electronic control unit utilizes the angular positions detected by the sensors, in conjunction with a desired task input, to control the air struts in a manner providing a ride-height corresponding to the desired task input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Richard Kerner, Richard A. Moen, William A. Roach
  • Patent number: 10259284
    Abstract: An air suspension system, comprising a manifold, defining a first and second port, each port defining a receiving region at the second end, wherein the first and second ports are arranged in a common plane, a channel intersecting the first and second port, a cavity intersecting each port, and a pressure sensor port, positioned between the first and second port, defining a sensor insertion axis normal to the common plane, the pressure sensor port separated from the first port, the second port, and the channel by a thickness; a first and second solenoid valve, each solenoid valve arranged within the cavity and coaxially arranged with the first and second ports, each solenoid valve comprising a connector; a pressure sensor arranged within the pressure sensor port, the pressure sensor comprising a connector; and an electronics module arranged parallel the common plane, the electronics module configured to electrically couple to the connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Aktv8 LLC
    Inventors: Josh Coombs, Tom Zagotta, Gary Meyers
  • Patent number: 9829248
    Abstract: A dryer circuit for a pneumatic regulating device of a vehicle, comprising an air dryer, and a first compressor, wherein the first compressor is designed to compress system air present in the pneumatic regulating device, wherein the air dryer, the first compressor and subsystems, which can be connected to the first compressor, of the pneumatic regulating device are arranged in such a way that, in the operating mode of a closed air supply, air delivered between the components of one of the subsystems by the first compressor is delivered so as to bypass the air dryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Uwe Folchert, Dierk Hein, Christian Witala
  • Patent number: 9688112
    Abstract: A gas spring for a vehicle suspension system includes a cylinder, a rod disposed within the cylinder, the rod and the cylinder defining a chamber, and an accumulator in communication with the chamber. The rod and the cylinder are configured such that a relative movement therebetween changes the volume of the chamber. Gas in the chamber and the accumulator are configured to cooperate to at least partially provide a spring rate that varies based on at least one of a deflection and a spring force associated with at least one of the rod and the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Oshkosh Defense, LLC
    Inventors: Roy Venton-Walters, Aaron J. Rositch, Jesse L. Knoble, Erik S. Ellifson, Mark L. Steckling
  • Patent number: 9539991
    Abstract: A brake apparatus of a vehicle may include a detector configured to detect driving information including an operation status of a brake pedal, a vehicle speed, and a vehicle deceleration, an anti-lock braking system (ABS) configured to control a braking force supplied to wheels of the vehicle by detecting slip generated at the wheels, and a controller configured to determine a braking status of the vehicle from the operation status of the brake pedal detected by the detector, the vehicle speed, and the vehicle deceleration, and configured to selectively perform ABS control or pitch motion control for reducing a pitch motion of the vehicle according to the braking status of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Sung Do Kim
  • Patent number: 9476437
    Abstract: A boom driving device comprises a boom control valve causing a boom cylinder to elongate and contract. The boom control valve returns a hydraulic fluid discharged from an working chamber of the boom cylinder to a tank in a boom descending position A part of the discharged hydraulic fluid is branched in the upstream of the boom control valve and is supplied to a generator through a regenerative passage for power generation. The regenerative passage is provided with a regenerative control spool valve. The regenerative control spool valve is opened when a flow cross-sectional area of the hydraulic fluid flowing from the working chamber to the tank reaches a predetermined area while the boom control valve is in the descending position. According to this construction, it is possible to alleviate a shock that may be generated at the start of power generation by the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: KYB Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Egawa, Haruhiko Kawasaki, Yasuhiro Yonehara
  • Patent number: 9469175
    Abstract: A shock absorber system installed on a vehicle having four wheels in which a VSC control for giving a braking force to any of the wheels is to be executed to reduce an improper turning behavior of the vehicle due to an excessive side slip of any of the wheels, including: four hydraulic shock absorbers each configured to generate a damping force with respect to a relative movement of a corresponding sprung and unsprung portion and having a damping-force changer configured to change the damping force; and a controller configured to control the damping force by controlling the damping-force changer and configured such that, when the improper turning behavior of the vehicle occurs, the controller executes a reduction control in which the damping force to be generated by at least one of the four shock absorbers is controlled to reduce the improper turning behavior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshihisa Yamada
  • Patent number: 9428184
    Abstract: A vehicle control device includes a friction brake orientation control device, a damping force control device, a state quantity detection device, and an orientation control device. The damping force control device calculates a brake orientation control amount for a friction brake to change the orientation of a vehicle body to a target orientation. The damping force control device calculates a shock absorber orientation control amount for a variable-damping-force shock absorber to change the orientation of the vehicle body to the target orientation. The state quantity detection device detects a state quantity indicating vehicle body orientation. The orientation control device controls vehicle body orientation when the value of the detected state quantity is less than a predetermined value, and controls vehicle body orientation via the friction brake orientation control device when the value of the detected state quantity is equal to or greater than the predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hironobu Kikuchi, Katsuhiko Hirayama
  • Patent number: 9352628
    Abstract: A suspension system with an axle lift system for use on vehicles is described, the axle lift system having control arms with an offset lift air bag configuration. The suspension system includes offset control arms and an off-axis lift air bag. The off-axis lift air bag is disposed away from and sometimes at an angle to the axis of the control arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: RIDEWELL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bruce Barton, Matthew Koontz
  • Patent number: 9352678
    Abstract: A vehicle with a lowering suspension is provided where at least one axle can be moved between a raised position and a lowered position. A cargo area is located above the axle and can be raised and lowered with the axle. When the axle is in the lowered position, a spindle on the axle is located above a part of the frame, allowing the cargo area to be lowered. The cargo area includes an integral ramp that can be raised and lowered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Inventor: Ross Weldy
  • Patent number: 9346492
    Abstract: An off-road vehicle is provided with a body frame that supports a final drive unit and a rear suspension, the rear suspension that supports rear wheels with an upper arm and an lower arm and absorbs shock with a rear cushion unit disposed between the rear wheels and the body frame, and a drive shaft that transmits a driving force from the final drive unit to the rear wheels. The body frame that configures generally rectangular parallelepiped sides enclosing the area around the final drive unit is provided with a front rear side frame. The front rear side frame vertically extends the left and right of one side of either the front side or the back side of the final drive unit and supports the upper arm, the lower arm, and the rear cushion unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Oshima, Yasuo Hanafusa, Naoki Kuwabara
  • Patent number: 9120363
    Abstract: A piston assembly including an integral piston chamber with an increased volume that is maximized by providing a mounting arrangement whereby the piston can be mounted to a structural member such that the piston chamber surrounds at least two sides of the structural member. A gas damping passage is disposed in fluid communication with the piston chamber and is dimensioned such that pressurized gas transferred through the gas damping passage can dissipate kinetic energy acting on the piston assembly. The piston chamber can therefore utilize space adjacent the structural member to which it is mounted thereby resulting in a piston chamber of a greater volume than prior art designs. A gas spring and gas damper assembly utilizing such a piston assembly is also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua R. Leonard, Pradipta N. Moulik, Graham R. Brookes
  • Patent number: 9039020
    Abstract: An end member for a gas spring assembly is dimensioned to receivingly engage an end of a flexible wall. The end member can be formed from polymeric material and can include a side wall receiving the end of the flexible wall. The end member can also include a base wall extending transverse to the side wall and dimensioned to abuttingly engage a jounce bumper of the gas spring assembly. The end member can include a mounting ridge or a mounting channel for engaging an associated structural component. A gas spring assembly including such an end member is also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC
    Inventors: Michael E. Ratz, Stephen C. Street, Paul P. Koeske
  • Patent number: 9039021
    Abstract: A control arrangement for a hydropneumatic suspension system and a hydropneumatic suspension system are provided. The control arrangement has a pressure supply connection, a return connection, a piston chamber connection adapted to be connected to the piston chamber of a suspension cylinder of the hydropneumatic suspension system, an annular chamber connection adapted to be connected to the annular chamber of the suspension cylinder, and at least one controllable valve arrangement comprising a plurality of switch positions via which the pressure supply connection and the return connection are connectable to the piston chamber connection and the annular chamber connection. The annular chamber connection is in flow connection with the return connection via a pressure-limiting line having a hydraulically controllable pressure-limiting element. The pressure-limiting element has a control input adapted to be acted upon via a control line by a control pressure which is limitable to a predefinable pressure limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: FSP Fluid Systems Partners Holding AG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Bauer
  • Patent number: 9022404
    Abstract: For adjusting the supporting load of a central axle trailer equipped with at least two axles having pneumatic suspensions and a pneumatic suspension system that includes separate pneumatic suspension circuits on the axles with pneumatic suspensions, a method and electronic control device are provided by which the respective quantities of air are separately adjustable. When the current supporting load exceeds a permitted supporting load range, the current supporting load is reduced by separate alteration of the quantity of air in at least one of the pneumatic suspension circuits; and, when the current supporting load is below the permitted supporting load range, the current supporting load is increased by separate alteration of the quantity of air in at least one of the pneumatic suspension circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: WABCO GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Risse, Axel Stender
  • Publication number: 20150115562
    Abstract: Various systems and methods for automated air suspension pressure drop are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventor: John Harvey Grimm
  • Patent number: 8991834
    Abstract: A gas spring for a vehicle suspension system includes a cylinder, a rod disposed within the cylinder, a relative movement between the rod and the cylinder changing the volume of a chamber formed between the rod and the cylinder, and an accumulator in communication with the chamber. Compression of gas in the chamber at least partially provides a first spring rate for deflections of the gas spring below a threshold, compression of gas in the chamber at least partially provides a second spring rate for deflections of the gas spring above the threshold, and the first spring rate is greater than the second spring rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Oshkosh Defense, LLC
    Inventors: Roy Venton-Walters, Aaron J. Rositch, Jesse L. Knoble, Erik S. Ellifson, Mark L. Steckling
  • Patent number: 8991832
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignees: Doefer Companies, Clover Industries Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Tetzlaff, John R. Burnett, Jason Van Clark, Melvin D. Terry
  • Patent number: 8991839
    Abstract: An axle suspension system for a vehicle. The axle suspension system may include a trailing arm assembly that may have a shock absorber passage. A shock absorber may extend through the shock absorber passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Steven George Saieg, Craig Allen Holt
  • Patent number: 8991841
    Abstract: An air spring that can be used in an air suspension system includes a hollow piston, a hollow shaft and a body. The hollow piston has a hole through it. The hollow shaft has a shaft interior volume in communication with the hole in the piston. The body has a body interior volume in communication with the hole in the hollow piston. The hole in the hollow piston in communication with the shaft interior volume and the body interior volume provides a total interior volume. Wherein, the total interior volume is greater than the body interior volume thereby providing a linearized spring rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: MSI Defense Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Holden, Andrew M. Wizorek, Todd J. Holbert
  • Patent number: 8973932
    Abstract: An air spring for vehicle undercarriages, including an air spring cover and rolling piston. The air spring cover and rolling piston are connected by an air spring bellows. The air spring cover accommodates a first and second clamping ring for clamping the air spring bellows to fix the air spring bellows to the air spring cover. The rolling piston and air spring bellows have a common first air volume. The end of the rolling piston closest to the undercarriage accommodates a third clamping ring to seal the first air volume from the external environment. The air spring cover has a second air volume. The first air volume and the second air volume are sealed off from the external environment. The first air volume is spatially separated from the second air volume. A switch valve enables a first air path to link the second air volume to the first air volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventor: Ralf Pielock
  • Patent number: 8967629
    Abstract: A first communication passage is coupled to a left wheel cylinder pressure chamber at an upper vehicle side and a right wheel cylinder pressure chamber at a lower vehicle side to be communicated with each other, and a second communication passage is coupled to a left wheel cylinder pressure chamber at the lower vehicle side and a right wheel cylinder pressure chamber at the upper vehicle side to be communicated with each other. Between the first and second communication passages is a valve mechanism so that the first and second communication passages are normally communicated with each other, and fluid flow from one of the first communication passage and the second communication passage to the other is blocked, when a pressure difference, caused when fluid moves from one of the first communication passage and the second communication passage to the other, becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Morito Oshita, Fumio Kojima, Katsuhiko Takasu
  • Patent number: 8967648
    Abstract: An active air suspension system includes an air spring assembly that has a piston airbag and a primary airbag mounted around the piston airbag to provide a variable force and rate dual air spring configuration. The air suspension system is configured to accurately control pressure within the system in a closed-loop manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventor: John Ashley Peterson
  • Patent number: 8967631
    Abstract: Representative implementations of devices and techniques provide an air assist suspension, for use in a wide range of vehicles and implements having multiple axles (such as agricultural equipment). The air assist suspension uses one or more air bags (e.g., fluid-filled bladders, containers, pistons, and the like) to assist in adjusting the loading of the implement with respect to the multiple axles. In one embodiment, the air assist suspension also uses one or more rocker assemblies, coupled to the air bag(s) and coupled to the axles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Papé Machinery
    Inventors: Dennis R. Solbrack, Christopher E. Wood
  • Publication number: 20150054247
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes a first portion and a second portion that reciprocate relative to one another. The shock absorber includes a gas spring chamber defined between an interior wall and a plunger. A seal including a lip portion minimizes gas pressure loss and friction between the two portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Darek C. Barefoot, Eric Prinster, Scott Winans
  • Patent number: 8960697
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension device includes a first fluid path through which a first upper port opening into a first hydraulic cylinder and a second lower port opening into a second hydraulic cylinder communicate with each other, a second fluid path through which a second upper port opening into the second hydraulic cylinder and a first lower port opening into the first hydraulic cylinder communicate with each other, a first hydraulic damping mechanism in the first fluid path, a second hydraulic damping mechanism in the second fluid path, a first accumulator connected to the first fluid path via a first branch fluid path having a first auxiliary hydraulic damping mechanism, a second accumulator connected to the second fluid path via a second branch fluid path having a second auxiliary hydraulic damping mechanism, and a bridge fluid path through which the first and second branch fluid paths are connected together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Kato, Takamasa Kato, Yoshifumi Ohtani, Katsuhiko Takasu, Masaaki Oishi
  • Publication number: 20150046031
    Abstract: A switchable mount system includes a switchable mount and an electronic control unit for switching the switchable mount between a first damping mode and a second damping mode. A method for controlling the switchable mount includes controlling the mount according to vehicle speed information, engine torque information, variable cylinder management information, and brake information. At least one of the damping modes may be tuned to damp vibrations approximately in the range approximately between 30 Hz and 60 Hz.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Charles J. Gagliano, Hajime Igami, Daniel S. McCain, John Louis Kern, Christopher L. Steinmeyer, Stephen D. Ebert, Dennis J. Plank
  • Patent number: 8950764
    Abstract: A jounce bumper can include a mounting wall and at least one helical thread. An end member can be at least partially formed from a quantity of polymeric material and can include a base wall and at least one helical thread integrally formed from the quantity of polymeric material. The end member and the jounce bumper can form a gas spring assembly. A method of assembly is also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen R. Egolf, Stephen C. Street
  • Patent number: 8950765
    Abstract: A mounting bracket assembly, such as for securing a suspension component to a receiving element of sprung or unsprung mass of a vehicle, can include an internal mounting element. An external mounting element can be secured to the receiving element using a securement element. A suspension assembly for a vehicle and a method of assembly including such a mounting bracket assembly are also included. A mounting bracket kit is also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC
    Inventors: Brad W. Munchel, Joseph A. Bounds
  • Patent number: 8925946
    Abstract: A vehicle (3) comprising at least two axles (6, 7, 8) fitted with at least two tires the axis of rotation of which are always mutually parallel from one axle to another. Each axle (6, 7, 8) bears at least 10% of the load of the vehicle and at least two axles (6, 7, 8) bear different loads during running. Also disclosed is a method for distributing the load between said at least two axles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignees: Michelin Recherche et Techniques S.A., Compagne Generale des Establissements Michelin
    Inventors: Loic Albert, Fabien Marlier, Philippe Mansuy