Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic system for (a) raising and lowering the tag axle assembly and (b) applying a variable downward force to the wheels of the tag axle assembly when the wheels are in their ground engaging position. This system disclosed is intended to be tied into the pneumatic brake system which comes standard on most heavy duty work vehicles. The entire system is also controllable from the vehicle's cab.

Abstract: An active suspension control system employs a strategy minimum fluid pressure in the working chamber of an inside suspension system is reached at greater lateral acceleration than that via which at which the maximum fluid pressure in the working chamber of an outside suspension system is reached. The system also takes a strategy for adjusting the fluid pressure in the working chambers of the inside and outside suspension system inversely proportional to each other while the lateral acceleration is maintained smaller than a predetermined pressure at which the maximum fluid pressure in the working chamber of the outside suspension system is reached. This assures driving stability and riding comfort by permitting vehicular rolling in response to a lateral acceleration greater that a given lateral acceleration criterion.

Abstract: An active suspension system and an active suspension control method for a vehicle having a first wheel set and a second wheel set, comprising a power actuator interposed between the vehicle body and each of the wheels; a sensor for detecting turning maneuver of the vehicle; and a control unit for controlling operation of the actuators according to data obtained from the sensor so as to reduce a vertical load acting on the inner wheel of the second wheel set which bears a less vertical load than the first wheel set during the turning maneuver. Thereby, the shifting of the vertical load between the wheels of the first wheel set is reduced with the result that the overall cornering force of the vehicle is maximized because of the saturating property of the maximum cornering force of the tire in relation with the vertical load acting thereon.

Abstract: A vehicular height control system, according to the invention employs mutually different first and second target vehicular heights, about which normal vehicular height range is determined. The first target height is used during normal vehicle driving conditions, in which the power is supplied. On the other hand, the second target height is used during vehicular parking. The vehicular height control system according to the invention is responsive to turning OFF of the power supply to perform height adjustment utilizing the second target height to sligthly raise the vehicular height and maintains the raised height during parking. In order to maintain the vehicular height at a slightly higher level, slightly greater suspension force than that required for maintianing the vehicular height at a height level in the normal driving condition is provided. This reduces height adjustment when power supply is resumed.

Abstract: Vehicle height control for a motor vehicle which has height adjusting means for each of wheel suspensions and which is stationary on a distorted road surface. Height control is carried out for either one of the front wheel suspension pair and the rear wheel suspension pair to attain a reference vehicle height for both the left and right wheels of the one pair whereby the vehicle part having said one pair assumes an attitude parallel to the inclination of the road surface in a direction transverse to the vehicle part. For the other pair of the wheel suspensions, height control is carried out such that the opposite part of the vehicle with the other pair of the wheel suspension will assume an attitude substantially equivalent to the attitude of the first mentioned vehicle part, whereby a good balance is obtained between the contact loads of the wheels.

Abstract: A monorail vehicle support system for supporting a vehicle body along a monobeam rail having top and side running surfaces. An attachment frame is secured to opposed ends of the vehicle chassis. A single steerable load carrying wheel is supported in a vertical plane by the attachment frame for support engagement with the top running surface of the rail. A pair of side wheels, having pneumatic tires, are supported spaced-apart in parallel horizontal planes below the carrying wheel and on one side thereof for frictional engagement with one of the side running surfaces of the rail. A load arm secured at one end to an axle of the carrying wheel is provided with an air bag and a levelling system for maintaining the vehicle chassis at a substantially constant level with respect to the beam by compensating for vertical displacement of the pneumatic suspension element (airbag) caused by the load variations.

Abstract: Selectively engagable auxiliary leaf springs (38 or 138) for vertically supporting a vehicle chassis (32) on an axle assembly (22 or 102) in parallel with main suspension springs (34 or 114). In three of the disclosed embodiments, both ends (38b,38a) of the auxiliary springs (38) are pivotally atached. In two other embodiments, one end (138a) of the auxiliary leaf springs (142) is pivotally attached and the other end (138b) is rigidly affixed in cantilever fashion. Actuators (56 or 142) are employed to selectively enable or increase load supporting of the auxiliary leaf springs. One of the actuators is a hydraulic actuator (142) which receives pressurized fluid from a pump (148) driven by jounce of the axle assembly (22 or 102).

Abstract: A height control device for vehicle for maintaining constant a height from a wheel-side member to a body-side member of a vehicle, including expansive operation means provided on the wheel-side member to support the body-side member and adapted to be expanded and contracted in a direction of the vehicle height by supplying and discharging an operating fluid with respect thereto; link means provided between the wheel-side member and the body-side member to connect each other and adapted to be operated in response to a change in the height between the wheel-side member and the body-side member; control means connected to an operation output portion of the link means to control supply, discharge and stop of the operating fluid with respect to the expansive operation means in response to the operation of the link means; damper means provided at the operation output portion of the link means to damp a relatively short fluctuating operation of the link means to restrict a responsive operation of the control means a

Abstract: A height adjustment system for a vehicle including a solenoid valve arrangement that controls air flow to and from an air spring of an air suspension arranged between a vehicle body and a wheel axle, a sensor unit for determining a height between the vehicle body and the wheel axle and a velocity of vertical movement of the vehicle body relative to the wheel axle, and a control unit that controls operation of the solenoid valve arrangement in accordance with the velocity of vertical movement of the vehicle body relative to the wheel axle as well as a comparison between threshold height values and the distance between the vehicle body and the wheel axle. The air suspension may also be provided with an oscillating damper of substantially constant damping characteristics, such as a shock absorber.

Abstract: According to the present vehicle height control system, vehicle height adjustment does not begin unless the difference found between outputs of any two of sensors is within a predetermined range, each of which detects a height between a rotating center of a corresponding wheel and a body of the vehicle. Thus, upon the occasion of any one of the following events, the vehicle height adjustment may not be performed unnecessarily: (1) a vehicle is parking with its engine operating in such a manner that any one of its wheels is run onto the sidewalk which is considerably higher than a road surface, (2) a body of a vehicle is jacked-up at a position near any one of the wheels in a service shop, or (3) any one of the wheels has fallen into a gutter or pothole along a road and the engine is operating.

Abstract: A pressure control system for suspension delivers a pressure which is proportional to a current level chosen to energize a solenoid of a pressure control valve to a shock absorber of a suspension. A change in the pressure of a return path which supplies a low pressure to the pressure control valve causes the pressure which is applied to the suspension to change. In order to suppress such change, a junction of the pressure control valve with the return path has an orifice interposed therein or is connected to a low pressure accumulator. On the other hand, in the event a depression occurs in the output of the high pressure piping, a cut valve which functions to isolate the suspension from the pressure control valve may be temporarily cut off in response to a pressure fluctuation in the high pressure piping. In order to prevent this, an orifice is interposed between the high pressure piping and a pilot chamber of the cut valve.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a brake corrector subject to the load of a vehicle despite the possible variation in the height of the seating of the latter. According to the invention, the corrector comprises a fluidic pressure sensor arranged between the vehicle chassis and the corresponding end of a suspension spring of the vehicle, a body (1) in which a slidably mounted at least one piston (2, 3) controlled by an actuating rod (10) and arranged so as to interact with a valve element in order to control a passage of the corrector, the body and the fluidic sensor being connected fluidically in such a way that a variation in pressure determines a first force exerted on the piston, and a sensor of the height of seating of the vehicle, the response of which determines a second force likewise exerted on the piston, the first and second forces combining to act on the piston (2, 3).

Abstract: An actively controlled suspension system includes a fail-safe system which is associated with a pressure control valve and detective of failure of a control circuit to perform fail-safe operation. The fail-safe system operates the pressure control valve in response to failure of the control circuit, to fix the valve position corresponding to a working fluid pressure in a working chamber defined in a suspension cylinder disposed between a vehicular body and a suspension member rotatably supporting a vehicular wheel, at a pressure value at or in the vicinity of a predetermined initial or neutral pressure.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension strut incorporating an airspring around a hydraulic shock absorber is disclosed. The airspring design and orientation relative to the shock absorber axis creates a side acting force which counteracts the bending torque acting on the strut during operation in a vehicle and prevents binding of the shock absorber piston. The horizontal acting side load can be achieved by using an airspring piston eccentrically mounted on the shock absorber. Alternatively the airspring may be mounted offset and/or at an angle to the shock absorber axis. The flexible membrane of the airspring may also be cut in a plane oblique to the shock axis and mounted on the airspring piston to form asymmetric rolling lobes about the circumference of the piston.

Abstract: An actively controlled suspension system arranges a pressure control valve so arranged as to longitudinally direct a valve bore in which a movable valve spool for establishing and blocking fluid communication between a fluid pressure source and a working chamber in a hydraulic cylinder, is disposed. The longitudinal force to be exerted on the vehicle body is smaller in comparison with the lateral and vertical force. Therefore, a force of spring for restricting movement of the valve spool can be minimized.

Abstract: A hydraulic circuit for an actively controlled suspension system employs first and second pressure relief valves disposed in a hydraulic pressure source circuit for relieving excessive pressure. The second pressure relief valve is provided a lower relief pressure than that of the first pressure relief valve. Means for selectively connecting and disconnecting the second pressure relief valve is disposed in the hydraulic pressure source circuit at an orientation upstream of the second pressure relief valve. The means is positioned at shut-off position to disconnect the second pressure relief valve when a vehicle traveling speed is higher than a predetermined speed. The means is responsive to the vehicle speed lower than the predetermined speed for establishing connection between a pressurized fluid source to the second relief valve for relieving the pressure at lower level than that established when the vehicle speed is higher than the predetermined speed.

Abstract: An actively controlled suspension system includes a hydraulic circuit connecting a pressure source unit to a pressure control valve unit which controls working fluid pressure in a working chamber of a hydraulic cylinder serving as principle component of a suspension system for supporting a vehicle body on a suspension member. The hydraulic circuit includes a supply line for supplying a pressurized fluid to the pressure control valve and a drain line for draining the pressurized fluid from the pressure control valve. A one-way check valve is disposed between the pressure source and the pressure control valve for presenting surge flow of the working fluid from the pressure control valve unit to the pressure source. An operational one-way check valve is disposed in the drain line for preventing surge flow from the pressure source to the pressure control valve unit.

Abstract: An automotive suspension system can provide higher response characteristics in height adjustment. The height control system detects occurrence of vehicular load change, such as boarding and unboarding of passenger or passengers. The system also detects variation of vehicular height output of a predetermined range. When the vehicular height variation to be output of the predetermined range is detected at the occurrence of the load change, the system becomes active to temporarily adjust the vehicular height according to a preset schedule and maintains the vehicular height at adjusted position for a given period of time.

Abstract: An active suspension system for use with a mass suspended relative to a movable structure and subject to external forces such as the chassis of off-road vehicles, and in particular the hull of heavy combat vehicles, has a passive hydropneumatic suspension system (PHSS) connected to a servopump and an accumulator, and wherein the servopump transfers fluid energy between the accumulator and the suspension system, in accordance with sensed operating conditions which are inputted to a processor whose output commands the velocity of the servopump to control the pressure and volume relationships of the PHSS and accumulator to improve the ride of said vehicle and to substantially reduce energy requirements when operating off-road.

Abstract: Disclosed is a level regulator for automotive vehicles, including a hydraulically operating level adjusting device located on at least one axle of the automotive vehicle. A fluid separator provided in the level regulator includes a hydraulic cylinder having at least one inlet pressure chamber confined by a hydraulic piston and separated from at least one outlet pressure chamber capable of being connected to the level adjusting device. Pressure is applied to the hydraulic piston by a restoring force acting in opposition to the pressure in the inlet pressure chamber. The inlet pressure chamber, through switch valves is capable of being temporarily connected to a primary hydraulic pressure source such as that for the brake system of the vehicle and, normally, is capable of being connected to a hydraulic fluid return reservoir. The fluid separator includes an input cylindrical housing in which is disposed a first piston portion closing the inlet pressure chamber.

Abstract: A hydraulic shock absorber is designed not only to support, for example, the body of a vehicle on an axle thereof, but also to adjust the level at which the body of the vehicle is disposed from the ground. The shock absorber has a shock absorber body, a piston axially slidably received in the body, and a piston rod having a hollow portion. The shock absorber further has a rod-shaped member secured at one end thereof to an inner portion of the shock absorber body and the other end thereof received in the hollow portion of the piston rod, and a detector for detecting a relative position of the piston rod and the rod-shaped member, the level detector being accommodated inside the piston rod. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of an erroneous detection and detect the level of the body of a vehicle with a high degree of accuracy.

Abstract: An air suspension system with an air drier that adjusts vehicle height quickly especially when lowering the height. This system also efficiently maintains the desiccating capacity of the air drier. In lowering the vehicle, all the air discharged from an air actuator is compressed by a compressor and supplied to an accumulator, thus reducing the load on the compressor. When vehicle height is not adjusted and the pressure in the accumulator exceeds a preset value, the air is released from the accumulator into the atmosphere through a throttle valve and the air drier to restore the capacity of the desiccating material in the air drier.

Abstract: A vehicular height control system detects lock condition of a drive wheel and a power train. When the lock condition of the drive wheel and the power train is detected, magnitude of the height adjustment is limited within a predetermined magnitude which corresponds to magnitude of rotation of the drive wheel allowed by play in the power train. By adjusting the vehicular height within a limited range, height difference between the predetermined height range and the actual vehicular height can be reduced. On the other hand, by limiting magnitude of height adjustment in the drive wheel and the power train clocked condition, overshooting in the height adjustment can be successfully prevented.

Abstract: An electronically controlled fluid suspension system for preventing the lateral roll of a vehicle computes a predetermined estimated lateral acceleration based on the running speed and the difference between the maximum steering angle and the minimum steering angle within a predetermined period. The supply and discharge of the air to and from the air springs is rapidly controlled corresponding to the estimated lateral acceleration so as to prevent the vehicle from rolling due to the steering operation. Moreover, the electronically controlled fluid suspension system computes a predetermined target vehicle height based on the lateral acceleration. After the air is supplied and discharged to and from the air springs and the increase of the lateral acceleration is stopped, the vehicle height is restored regardless of the external disturbance, by controlling the supply and discharge of the air corresponding to the vehicle height difference between the target vehicle height and the actual vehicle height.

Abstract: A valve system is disclosed which prevents a shrinkage or an elongation of a shock absorber in response to a compressive or tensile load applied thereto as a result of a rolling or pitching effect of a vehicle. The valve system comprises a switching valve movable among a second position in which a high pressure is introduced into an upper chamber of a shock absorber while a low pressure is introduced into a lower pressure which is separated from the upper chamber by a piston, a third position in which a low pressure is introduced into the upper chamber while a high pressure is introduced into the lower chamber, and a first position (holding position) in which the upper and the lower chamber are disconnected from a pressure source; a first and a second open/close valve which open or close a path between the switching valve on one hand and the upper and the lower chamber on the other hand; and a third open/close valve which opens or closes a path between the upper chamber and a gas spring bladder.

Abstract: A vehicle having an air suspension system including air bags supporting the rear cargo area thereof, a deflation control system with automatic reinflation and control reset for manually actuated lowering of the rear cargo area to the minimum height to facilitate loading and/or unloading to the ground. A manually operable control valve delivers an air pressure signal from a source to an inversion valve to exhaust the air from the air bags. A normally open electrically operated air solenoid is interposed between the control valve and the air supply and shuts off air flow to the control valve when the ignition switch is activated to restore air pressure to the air bags. The driver/operator can control the system only when the ignition switch is deactivated. Thus the system provides for operator actuable deflation and automatic reinflation and control reset.

Abstract: An electronically controlled fluid suspension system detects an average longitudinal or lateral acceleration within a predetermined period, computes an acceleration difference between a maximum average acceleration and a minimum average acceleration. Based on the acceleration difference, an estimated longitudinal or lateral acceleration is computed. In response to the estimated longitudinal or lateral acceleration, computed are a height-raising quantity of a lowered portion of a vehicle and a height-lowering quantity of a raised portion thereof. The supply and release of a fluid to and from fluid springs is rapidly controlled so that the height-raising quantity of the lowered portion of the vehicle is less than the height-lowering quantity of the raised portion thereof. The electronically controlled fluid suspension system, thus, prevents the vehicle from inclining due to changes in driving status, and enhances a road-adherence ability on an uneven road as well as a steering stability.

Abstract: An electronically controlled fluid suspension system for adjusting a vehicle's attitude rapidly controls the vehicle height: by providing and blocking the fluid communication between fluid springs and reserve tanks; and by shifting the damping force of shock absorbers to a higher degree in response to the change of the vehicle height. As a result, it can avoid the late control of the vehicle height and prevent the vibration of the vehicle body due to the vehicle height's adjustment, thereby enhancing riding comfort.

Abstract: A vehicle height sensor includes a switching circuit which is turned on and off in accordance with a vehicle height. When a drive signal is outputted to the vehicle height sensor, the vehicle height sensor is activated. A connector is connected to an output side of the switching circuit. A digital vehicle height data signal is transmitted from the switching circuit via the connector. A preset signal is outputted from the vehicle height sensor to the connector when a check signal is generated. The preset signal represents preset check data. A data receives the preset signal via the connector and reads the check data from the preset signal. The read check data is compared with a predetermined reference data. The connector is judged to be wrong when the read check data differs from the reference data.

Abstract: A mounting structure of a vehicle height sensor employs a reference height indicative marking put on a sensor body to be rigidly fixed onto a vehicle body, which marking represents a position of a movable sensor component corresponding to a predetermined vehicular height indicative signal level. On the other hand, a target height indicative marking is put on the vehicle body. Alignment of the vehicle height sensor can be adjusted with reference to the reference height indicative marking and the target height indicative marking. Alignment of the vehicle height sensor is achieved by aligning the reference height indicative marking to the target height indicative marking.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system including a hydraulic cylinder and a gas spring having a gas chamber and a hydraulic chamber which is connected with the hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic cylinder is located between the vehicle body and the wheel to support the body on the wheels. A control valve is provided for controlling the supply of hydraulic pressure to the cylidner in accordance with a signal from a control unit. The control unit receives a detection signal from a detector which detects the pressure in the cylinder and produces a control signal in accordance with a transfer function H(s)=R.times.S/(1+R.times.S).

Abstract: Provided is an electronic controlled air suspension system consuming less energy in preparing air in the high pressure reserve tank and low pressure reserve tank. Until the total sum of pressures of high pressure reserve tank and low pressure reserve tank reaches a predetermined first value, the pressure in the low pressure reserve tank is preferably controlled. After that, air in the low pressure reserve tank is supplied to the high pressure reserve tank until the pressure in the high pressure reserve tank reaches a desired value. In another feature of the invention, air is rapidly charged to the high pressure reserve tank regardless of the above procedure when a rapid charging to the reserve tanks are needed. This ensures continuous operations of rapid vehicle attitude control.

Abstract: A sensor for determining the operational position of an automotive suspension including two members relatively movable with respect to one another includes an assembly with the first component movable with respect to a second component, with the first and second components being relatively movable with respect to each other as a result of the movement of the vehicle suspension. A sensor according to this invention will further include, without limitation, a signal generation device associated with said first and second sensor components for generating a plurality of position signals including both unique and non-unique signals.

Abstract: A level and inclination regulating arrangement for a vehicle includes a compressor having an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber. At least two pneumatic or hydropneumatic resilient elements are each associated with one wheel of an axle of the vehicle and include a movable separating piston which is acted upon at one side by the wheel load, and a housing confining a gas cushion which exerts pneumatic pressure on and supports the separating piston at the other side. Supply and discharge conduits connect each of the gas cushions with the outlet chamber and with the inlet chamber of the compressor, respectively. An accumulator is incorporated into at least one of the supply and discharge conduits which communicates with the respective one of the outlet and inlet chambers.

Abstract: A system for compensating for changes in lateral forces exerted on a car's wheels during a turn comprises a device for sensing a change in the lateral forces. A second device is coupled to both a sensing device and the car's chassis which second device is responsive to the sensing device and acts to shift the relative cross-weight of the vehicle to tend to equalize the forces over the wheel.

Abstract: In this system for vehicle roll control, a plurality of duty radio controlled actuator assemblies are provided, one corresponding to each one of the vehicle wheels, and resiliently suspended from the vehicle body. These actuator assemblies have pressure chambers, and each is adapted to increase or decrease the vehicle height at a location corresponding to its corresponding vehicle wheel as a result of the supplying or discharging of working fluid to or from its pressure chamber. Working fluid supplying and discharging means supply working fluid to and discharge working fluid from the pressure chambers of the actuator assemblies. The system further includes means for sensing the road speed of the vehicle, and means for sensing the steering angle of the vehicle. Vehicle height detection means are also provided for sensing the heights of the vehicle above the vehicle wheels.

Abstract: An improved shock absorbing and leveling system for vehicles or the like is disclosed and includes a shock absorber sub-assembly and an airspring sub-assembly that can be used as either an assist device for a primary spring or as a primary spring itself. The preferred airspring sub-assembly includes a relatively rigid chamber member and a rolling flexible diaphragm member sealingly interconnected to one another, with an electrical inductance height sensor surrounding the shock absorber and contained substantially wholly within the chamber member. The airspring sub-assembly also preferably includes a diaphragm support member that laterally supports the diaphragm member on the shock absorber housing in a laterally spaced-apart relationship at least at two longitudinal positions thereon. Advantageously, the shock absorber sub-assembly and the airspring sub-assembly are independently removable from one another and replaceable as separate sub-assemblies.

Abstract: A vehicle height control system controls suspension assemblies to adjust the vehicle height within a predetermined height range. The vehicle height control system is further active to reduce differences in height at respective positions of the vehicle body so as to be within a predetermined acceptable height difference range.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system (10) has a spring (11) operatively arranged to act between sprung (15) and unsprung (13) masses. The coil (24) of an LVDT (22) is mounted on the sprung mass. The core (23) of the LVDT is connected to an intermediate portion (25) of the spring. Thus, displacement of the core relative to the coil will be a proportional fraction of the relative displacement between the masses. This arrangement allows the use of a short-stroke position-sensing transducer to measure the relative displacement between the two masses.

Abstract: A hydropneumatic suspension including, for each wheel, a suspension jack having a hydropneumatic accumulator and, for each axle, an additional hydropneumatic accumulator, a stiffness regulator adapted for placing this additional accumulator in or out of circuit under the effect of a hydraulic pressure acting against return means, and a height corrector adapted for connecting the suspension jacks, depending on the axle load, either with a pressurized liquid source or with the exhaust. The height corrector is connected, on the one hand, to the stiffness regulator so as to be connected or not to the suspension jacks at the same time as the additional accumulator and, on the other hand, to an auxiliary duct connecting the suspension jacks together.

Abstract: A motor vehicle with a pneumatic leveling unit and an electrically operated compressor associated with the leveling unit which is energized only under specific pre-conditions, and with a trunk compartment with trunk lid, wherein the compressor is energized by the opening of the trunk lid, with the internal combustion engine not running, when a minimum level limit value is reached or exceeded.

Abstract: An air spring, for suspension of a vibrating body on a base, comprising a bellows with an air-filled interior which can be connected as needed by a control valve to a compressed-gas reservoir or to the atmosphere. The control valve is actuated by a piston whose front face is acted upon by the internal pressure of the air spring bellows and whose rear face is acted upon by a gas cushion of variable pressure contained in a pressure chamber, and which produces a compensation of vibration-caused pressure changes in the bellows by feeding additional compressed air in or letting compressed air out. The pressure chamber is provided with a signal-operated inlet valve and a signal-operated outlet valve, and these valves are electrically connected to the signal transmitter of a displacement detector.

Abstract: This controller controls a varible damping force shock absorber taking the cycle time and the oscillating phase of the body vibration. The controller increases the damping force when the body is moving toward its mean position. Before that, the damping force is kept weak so that the body vibration is hastened to become moving toward the mean position. Some criteria for determining that the body is moving toward its mean position are proposed.

Abstract: A suspension control method for controlling suspensions equipped with variable damping force shock absorbers. First, an ideal movement pattern for restoring the sprung mass from a local highest or lowest position to a neutral position is previously determined. After the sprung mass has attained its local highest or lowest position, the control amount for altering the damping force of the shock absorber is successively calculated so that the sprung mass actually follows the ideal movement pattern. As a result, the sprung mass in its local lowest or highest position can swiftly returned to the neutral position in a semi-cycle.

Abstract: In combination for use in a vehicle having a front, a back and sides to level the vehicle relative to gravity. A plurality of devices each disposed at an individual position relative to the vehicle and in displaced relationship to the other devices for adjusting the vertical position of the vehicle relative to gravity in accordance with the operation of pairs of adjacent devices. A sensor disposed relative to the vehicle for sensing the tilting of the vehicle from a level disposition relative to gravity. An operating structure responsive to the sensor for operating pairs of adjacent devices in a particular order to obtain an adjustment in the vertical position of the vehicle from side to side and front to back to obtain a resultant leveling of the vehicle relative to gravity.

Abstract: An air spring suspension for a vehicle includes a remote air inlet connected to an inlet duct, and an inlet duct purge system which allow the air compressor of the system to be mounted under the floor of the vehicle in an environmentally hostile location.

Abstract: A wheeled building and constructional machine of the mechanical shovel, bulldozer or the like type has an articulated steering system and comprises a vehicle chassis, a plurality of wheel axles, a hydraulic suspension system for the wheel axles, and at least one transversely stabilizing valve. The hydraulic suspension system comprises a plurality of fluid cylinders which are disposed between pivoting levers which are rotatably mounted and hold the wheel axles, and the vehicle chassis, and rotatably mounted on these vehicle parts. The fluid cylinders are adapted for action upon both of sides and are connected to the stabilizing valve or valves.

Abstract: The suspension system of the present invention includes an elongated spring having one end attached to the vehicle frame and having a second end. A pneumatic bag includes an upper end which is attached to the vehicle frame and a lower end. A securing bracket attaches the lower end of the bag and the second end of the elongated spring to the axle so that the weight of the vehicle frame above the axle is supported in combination by the spring and the air bag. A pneumatic control system is in communication with the bag for selectively introducing air to the bag so as to control the pressure within the bag and thereby control the height that the bag supports the vehicle frame above the axle. A stabilizer bar is pivotally connected at one end to the vehicle frame and at the other end to the axle so as to cause the vehicle frame to be centered over the axle while at the same time permitting the vehicle frame to move vertically with respect to the axle.

Abstract: An ultra-sonic senor system suitable for monitoring movement of a vehicle, relative to the horizontal employs two or more coordinated ultra-sonic sensors. The sensors may be mounted at opposite ends or on opposite sides of the vehicle, depending on whether pitch or roll respectively is to be monitored. Each sensor broadcasts ultra-sonic waves and receives ultra-sonic waves reflected by the road surface. The transmission time is known; the reception time is measured upon detection of the peak of the reflected waves. The difference between the two above times yields the distance between the vehicle and the road. The difference between the distances measured by two sensor yields the inclination of the vehicle relative to the horizontal plane.

Abstract: In order to detect relative linear displacements between two members, the transducer includes a fixed part or stator connectible to one of the members and a movable part or rotor rotatably supported by the fixed part. A flexible traction member has one end anchored to the other member and its other end connected to the rotor in such a way as to cause rotation of the latter in one sense relative to the stator when the members move away from each other. The transducer also includes a return spring which tends to rotate the rotor in the opposite sense of rotation when the two members move towards each other. Electrical sensor means output electrical signals indicative of the angular position of the rotor relative to the stator and hence of the relative position of the two members.