# US 10,118,456 B2 · Load leveling emulsion suspension system

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- Number: US 10,118,456 B2
- Document ID: US10118456B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/402,056
- Filed: 2017-01-09
- Published: 2017-12-28
- Granted: 2018-11-06
- Earliest claimed: 2016-01-11
- Applicants: David Perrault; Ivan Davis
- Inventors: David Perrault; Ivan Davis
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10118456B2

## CPC

- B60G 17/048: with the regulating means inside the fluid springs (B60G17/044 takes precedence)
- B60G 3/14: the arm being rigid
- B60G 11/265: {hydraulic springs}
- B60G 11/27: wherein the fluid is a gas
- B60G 11/30: having pressure fluid accumulator therefor, e.g. accumulator arranged in vehicle frame {(dampers accumulating utilisable energy B60G13/14)}
- B60G 17/0152: {characterised by the action on a particular type of suspension unit (B60G17/01941 takes precedence)}
- B60G 17/0416: {regulated by varying the resiliency of hydropneumatic suspensions (B60G17/048 takes precedence)}
- B60G 2200/132: with a single trailing arm
- B60G 2202/154: with an accumulator
- B60G 2202/413: Hydraulic actuator
- B60G 2206/422: Accumulators for hydropneumatic springs
- B60G 2500/30: Height or ground clearance
- B60G 2800/914: Height Control System
- B60G: VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS (air-cushion vehicles B60V; {cycle suspensions B62K25/00})

## Abstract

A suspension system is disclosed utilizing oil addition and subtraction to actuate an accumulator to control position and stiffness in an Emulsion Shock/Oleo Pneumatic strut/Air spring strut. The strut maintains ride height for a wide variation in sprung mass and adjusts for the expansion/compression of the gas due to variations in temperature. The strut provides spring and damping characteristics.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A load leveling strut comprising:
a main strut body having a strut rod telescopically received within a sleeve, the strut rod and sleeve defining a volume that contains a first compressible fluid; and
a compensation unit defining:
a first chamber in fluid communication with the volume defined by the strut rod and sleeve, the first chamber containing the first compressible fluid retained by a first piston,
a second chamber having a stop ring that defines a second chamber volume, the stop ring limiting movement of the first piston in one direction, the second chamber configured to accept a volume of an incompressible fluid, and
a third chamber having a second piston and a closed end defining a third chamber volume that contains a second compressible fluid;
wherein the second chamber alters a vehicle ride height in response to the volume of the incompressible fluid in the second chamber.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The load leveling strut of claim 1 wherein the first compressible fluid is an oil and gas emulsion and the second compressible fluid is a gas, and the incompressible fluid is oil.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The load leveling strut of claim 1 wherein a bridge provides the fluid communication between the first chamber and the volume defined by the strut rod and sleeve.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The load leveling strut of claim 1 wherein the volume of compressible fluid introduced into the second chamber is varied based on at least one of a sensed condition indicating a vehicle level condition, a strut deflection amount, or a pressure in the first chamber.