# US 2014/0197615 A1 · Directional damper for heavy-duty vehicle axle/suspension systems > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0197615 A1 - Document ID: US20140197615A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/153,134 - Filed: 2014-01-13 - Published: 2014-07-17 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-16 - Assignees: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C. - Applicants: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C. - Inventors: Matthew J. Boler; R. Scott Fulton; Thomas J. Long - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140197615A1 ## CPC - B60G 9/02: the axle or housing being pivotally mounted on the vehicle {, e.g. the pivotal axis being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle (B60G9/003 takes precedence)} - B60G 9/003: {the axle being rigidly connected to a trailing guiding device} - B60G 11/27: wherein the fluid is a gas - B60G 13/003: {characterised by the mounting on the vehicle body or chassis of the damper unit} - B60G 13/005: {characterised by the mounting on the axle or suspension arm of the damper unit} - B60G 2200/31: with two trailing arms rigidly connected to the axle - B60G 2202/1524: with two air springs per wheel, arranged before and after the wheel axis - B60G 2204/128: Damper mount on vehicle body or chassis - B60G 2204/129: Damper mount on wheel suspension or knuckle - B60G 2204/4232: Sliding mounts - B60G: VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS (air-cushion vehicles B60V; {cycle suspensions B62K25/00}) ## Abstract A directional damper for heavy-duty vehicle axle/suspension systems includes damping means disposed at least between the vehicle and a suspension assembly of the vehicle. The damping means provides directional damping to the suspension assembly with respect to a selected datum, such as the beam or the main member of the vehicle. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A heavy-duty vehicle axle/suspension system having damping features comprising: a damping means disposed between a frame of said vehicle and a suspension assembly of said axle/suspension system of said vehicle for providing directional damping to said suspension assembly with respect to a selected datum. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The heavy-duty vehicle axle/suspension system having damping features of claim 1, said damping means further comprising a first end and a second end, said first end of said damping means slidably connected to a main member of said vehicle, said second end of said damping means fixedly connected to a beam of said suspension assembly of said axle/suspension system. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The heavy-duty vehicle axle/suspension system having damping features of claim 1, said damping means further comprising a first end and a second end, said first end of said damping means fixedly connected to a main member of said vehicle, said second end of said damping means slidably connected to a beam of said suspension assembly of said axle/suspension system. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The heavy-duty vehicle axle/suspension system having damping features of claim 2, wherein said slidable connection of said damping means first end to said main member further comprises a main member bracket connected to said main member, said main member bracket including an elongated opening, said damping means first end fastened into said elongated opening. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The heavy-duty vehicle axle/suspension system having damping features of claim 3, wherein said slidable connection of said damping means second end to said beam of said suspension assembly further comprises a beam bracket connected to said beam, said beam bracket including an elongated opening, said damping means second end fastened into said elongated opening. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The heavy-duty vehicle axle/suspension system having damping features of claim 4, wherein said main member bracket elongated opening is generally parallel to said main member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The heavy-duty vehicle axle/suspension system having damping features of claim 5, wherein said beam bracket elongated opening is generally parallel to said beam. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The heavy-duty vehicle axle/suspension system having damping features of claim 1, said damping means further comprising a first air bag disposed between and connected to a beam of said suspension assembly of said vehicle and a main member of said vehicle, and a second air bag disposed between and connected to said beam and a hanger of said vehicle, said first and second air bags being fluidly connected to each other via a conduit. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The heavy-duty vehicle axle/suspension system having damping features of claim 8, further comprising a beam bracket attached to an underside of said beam, a hanger bracket attached to said hanger, said second air bag disposed between and connected to said hanger bracket and said beam bracket. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The heavy-duty vehicle axle/suspension system having damping features of claim 1, said selected datum being chosen from the group consisting of a beam of said suspension assembly of said vehicle and a main member of said vehicle. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The heavy-duty vehicle axle/suspension system having damping features of claim 1, said damping means further comprising a first chamber and a second chamber, a diaphragm located between said chambers, said diaphragm including an opening, wherein said first chamber of said damping means is in fluid communication with said second chamber of said damping means. ### Claim 12 (depends on 2) The heavy-duty vehicle axle/suspension system having damping features of claim 2, said slidable connection of said first end of said damping means to said main member further comprises a pivotable and slidable connection. ### Claim 13 (depends on 3) The heavy-duty vehicle axle/suspension system having damping features of claim 3, said slidable connection of said second end of said damping means to said beam of said suspension assembly further comprises a pivotable and slidable connection. ### Claim 14 A heavy-duty vehicle axle/suspension system having damping features comprising: a damping means disposed between a frame of said vehicle and a suspension assembly of said axle/suspension system of said vehicle, said damping means further comprising a first end and a second end, said first end or said second end of said damping means fixedly connected to said vehicle.