Abstract: The adjustable suspension system for cargo vehicles of this invention includes of a cargo bed, at least two coaxial wheels and an adjustable suspension member equipped with a pneumatic system. The adjustable suspension member includes a pivotal axle parallel to the wheel axis, a rigid plate mounted under to the cargo bed, a movable support attached to the pivotal axle, an actuating member located between the movable support and the plate, lateral arms essentially perpendicular to the axle and attached at one of their extremities to a respective end of the axle and at the other extremity to a spindle connected to each wheel. The basic mechanism of these components allows for controlled change of the air pressure in the actuating member to position the cargo bed in a transport or a loading position with greater efficiency and maneuverability while leaving the greatest clearance possible under the cargo bed.

Abstract: To enable a rider to control in real time the type of ride he desires, a snowmobile is equipped with a suspension system that includes at least one fluid actuated device which can be adjusted in real time to control the relative distance between the body of the snowmobile onto which the rider sits and the frame, or the slide tracks about which the drive belt is mounted. By setting a constant predetermined desirable distance between the body and the slide tracks, or the frame, of the snowmobile, an optimal cushioned ride for the rider is obtained. The control of the fluid actuated device(s) may be effected at any time manually by the rider, or be effected by a feedback system. The snowmobile is also equipped with an ABS system for enhancing the traction of the drive belt on snow and therefore the control of the snowmobile by the rider.

Abstract: A level control system controls the distance between the vehicle axles and the vehicle frame of a vehicle. The suspension is a full or partial air suspension, wherein the vehicle frame over the vehicle axles is supported via air suspension bellows. A vehicle inclination, i.e. a non-parallel alignment between vehicle frame and one or more of vehicle axles may occur as a result of various situations which may be dramatically different from one another. Uneven support of the vehicle represents one cause of vehicle inclination, for example, when one wheel of a vehicle axle is standing on the sidewalk. In order to avoid air losses, a vehicle level is not compensated for while the vehicle is stopped. Instead, the existing inclination is maintained and is entered into the control system as a target level. All level changes which occur due to changes in the load of the vehicle are compensated for by means of this prescribed target value.

Abstract: A body leveling system for a motor vehicle including a rigid axle housing, a pair of dirigible wheels on the rigid axle housing, and a pair of air springs between the body and the rigid axle housing. During a turn, links between the body and the rigid axle housing effect roll understeer by turning the axle housing toward the center of the turn in response to pivotal movement of the body about its longitudinal roll axis. When the load on the vehicle body is in a moderate range from empty to four average passengers, the air springs are selectively inflated and deflated to maintain the body at curb trim. When the load on the body exceeds the moderate range in either a high range or an overload range, the air springs are sealed closed and incrementally vertically deflect as the load increases. The GVW trim of the vehicle body is below its curb trim and its center of gravity is lower at GVW than at curb trim for improved dynamic performance at GVW.

Abstract: An override system for use in combination with an automatic air suspension leveling system for a vehicle is provided The override system includes a cylinder having a piston and a piston rod associated therewith. The cylinder is mounted to the chassis so that the piston rod extends from the cylinder so as to be engageable with a control arm of the air suspension leveling system to move the control arm to an up position upon moving the piston rod from a retracted position to an extended position. The piston and the piston rod are actuated by a pressurized fluid source from the retracted position wherein the control arm is maintained in the neutral position to the extended position wherein the piston rod engages the control arm and causes the control arm to be pivoted to the up position so as to open the regulating valve to cause additional air to be introduced into the air spring thus resulting in the chassis being raised relative to the axle.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle suspension system includes a respective gas leveler (42) at each of multiple wheels. A compressor (12) and reservoir (46) serve the gas levelers. The compressor has an internal gas compressing mechanism (26) for charging the reservoir, an internal electric-operated exhaust valve (20), and a port (30) through which the gas compressing mechanism and the exhaust valve communicate with the reservoir and gas levelers. A respective branch (32, 34, 36, 38, 40) from each gas leveler and the reservoir to the compressor port contains a respective electric-operated valve (44, 48) in series with the respective gas leveler and reservoir. An electric pressure sensor (50) provides an actual pressure measurement within a range of pressures at a node that is common to the branches and to the compressor port. Apparent hoisting or jacking of the vehicle is detected (FIG.