# US 2017/0282671 A1 · Ride Height Leveling with Selectable Configurations: System and Method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0282671 A1 - Document ID: US20170282671A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/090,558 - Filed: 2016-04-04 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2016-04-04 - Assignees: Barksdale, Inc. - Applicants: Barksdale Inc. - Inventors: Jinesh Gandhi; Angel Ching - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170282671A1 ## CPC - B60G 17/0525: {Height adjusting or levelling valves} - B60G 17/0155: {pneumatic unit} - F16K 11/074: with flat sealing faces - F16K 31/602: {Pivoting levers, e.g. single-sided (F16K31/605 takes precedence)} - B60G 2500/30: Height or ground clearance - B60G: VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS (air-cushion vehicles B60V; {cycle suspensions B62K25/00}) - F16K: VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING {(devices for emptying and evacuating the excess liquid in valves or conduits F16L55/07)} ## Abstract Disclosed is a configurable dynamic valve. In various embodiments the valve operates to control a pneumatic leveling system for vehicles and provide the capability for an operator to select an elevated or lowered ride height, to block air flow in and out of the leveling air bags, or to dump air from the air bags controlling the ride height. In various embodiments, the valve utilizes rotary disks which contain actuate apertures, wherein the disks form seals between ports which connect various inlet and outlet chambers such that the pneumatically selected operative disk apertures and ports provide air flow in or out of leveling air bags dynamically at a selected ride height during varying load and road conditions. In various embodiments, the modular design of the valve components allows for an easily configurable valve which may be customized to a particular application with a minimum of effort and manufacturing cost. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A valve comprising; an inlet port; a common inlet chamber:, a first inlet chamber; a second inlet chamber; a first rotor valve incorporating a plurality of apertures, wherein the first rotor valve separates the common inlet chamber and the first inlet chamber, a second rotor valve incorporating a plurality of apertures, wherein the second rotor valve separates the common inlet chamber and the second inlet chamber, at least one pressure seal incorporating an aperture abutting each rotor valve and having the aperture open to the common inlet chamber, a first outlet orifice, a second outlet orifice, a shaft assembly which includes a shaft member and each of the rotor valves being mounted on the shaft member; a lever mounted on the shaft assembly wherein the rotor valves are angularly configurable to be keyed to the lever and to each other at configurable angular offsets; wherein the inlet port is pneumatically connected to the at least one pressure seal abutting each rotor valve through the aperture in each pressure seal and the pressure seals are pneumatically connected to either, one, or both the first inlet chamber and the second inlet chamber according to the rotational orientation of the shaft and positions of pressure seals against the corresponding rotor valve, wherein according to configurable rotational positions of the incorporated apertures and shaft, the inlet port is pneumatically connected to either; one or both the first outlet orifice and the second outlet orifice. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A valve as in claim 1 also comprising: an exhaust port, wherein the exhaust port is pneumatically connected to the common inlet chamber, wherein the common inlet chamber connects pneumatically to either, one, or both the first inlet chamber and the second inlet chamber according to the rotational orientation of the shaft and positions of pressure seals against the corresponding rotor valve, wherein according to configurable rotational positions of the incorporated apertures and shaft, the inlet port is pneumatically connected to either, one or both the first outlet orifice and the second outlet orifice. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A valve as in claim 1 also comprising: a controllable shuttle valve assembly being movable between an actuated and a not actuated position, wherein when not actuated the shuttle valve pneumatically connects the first orifice to one or more air bag ports, wherein when actuated the shuttle valve pneumatically connects the second orifice to one or more ports. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A valve as in claim 3 wherein the shuttle valve assembly is controlled by a pneumatic pilot signal to move it from the not actuated position to the actuated position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A valve as in claim 1 also comprising: a controllable shuttle valve assembly, wherein when not actuated the shuttle valve pneumatically connects the first orifice to one or more ports, wherein when actuated the shuttle valve pneumatically connects the second orifice to a dump chamber wherein the dump chamber is pneumatically connected to one or more ports. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A valve as in claim 1 also comprising: a controllable dump valve assembly comprising a controllable valve and a dump chamber, wherein when not actuated, the dump valve assembly pneumatically connects the first or second outlet orifices to one or more air bag, wherein when actuated the air bag are pneumatically connected to a dump port. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) A valve as in claim 6 wherein the dump valve assembly is controlled by a pneumatic pilot signal. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) A valve as in claim 6 wherein the second orifice is pneumatically blocked from the air bag ports, whereby when the shuttle valve assembly is actuated, the pneumatic connection between the inlet and air bag ports is blocked. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) A valve as in claim 6 wherein the valve shaft is configurable by angular offset to modify the fixed angular differences between the first rotor and the second rotor. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) A valve as in claim 6 wherein the valve rotors are configured by angular offset of the aperture locations to modify the shaft angular changes wherein the inlet and first orifice and the inlet and second orifices are pneumatically connected in configurable angular positions. ### Claim 11 A leveling control system of the type having a duplex rotor valve module and a pilot selection module and which is built to exercise a plurality of configurations and being designed such that it can be built to operate according to designated configuration specifications with minimal custom parts requirements comprising: a common structure portion that is fully operable as a leveling valve except for a least one specific part that is custom made for the intended use comprising: a shaft assembly having a shaft and an upper rotor valve and a lower rotor valve wherein the custom parts requirements will require an angular offset between the upper rotor valve and the lower rotor valve and the shaft assembly has a lower rotor valve mounting key for mounting the lower rotor valve and has an upper rotor valve mounting key for mounting the upper rotor valve wherein all the configurations can be exercised by a selected angular offset between the upper rotor valve and the lower rotor valve wherein the upper rotor valve and the lower rotor valve are identical the lower rotor valve key is made at an angle to the upper rotor valve mounting key such that when the lower rotor valve is mounted on the lower rotor valve mounting key, the selected angular offset will be in place between the upper rotor valve and the lower rotor valve. ### Claim 12 The leveling control system of claim i.1 wherein the common structure is constructed to execute designated configurations A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, B3, C1 and C3. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The leveling system of claim 11 wherein the shaft has an upper shaft portion on which the upper rotor valve is key mounted and a lower shaft portion on which the lower rotor valve is key mounted and custom construction for a secondary ride height is controlled by the lower rotor valve by making the lower shaft portion mounting key at the angular offset to the upper shaft portion mounting key needed to mount the lower rotor shaft for operation in a secondary ride height mode ### Claim 14 A leveling control system adapted for operation with pressurized air from a pressurized air source through flow paths and valves to provide configuration modes of operation comprising: a common structure having a duplex rotor valve module and a pilot selection module that permit customized parts for adapting the leveling control system to selected optional operation wherein the optional operation is selected from the group consisting of; an elevated ride height option that provides configuration modes A1, A2 and A3; an lowered ride height option that provides configuration modes B1, B2 and B3; and a blocking option that provides configuration modes C1, C2 and C3. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The leveling control system of claim 14 wherein the elevated ride height option is constructed from the common structure with the exception that a lower rotor valve is a custom design with an angular offset relative to an upper rotor valve the offset being adapted to cause an elevated ride height defined as mode A2 from a default ride height defined as mode A1 and further wherein a dump shuttle is operative to block any flow due to each of modes A1 and A2 and is operative to open air bags to atmosphere thereby causing dump. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The leveling control system of claim 14 wherein the lowered ride height option is constructed from the common structure with the exception that a lower rotor valve is a custom design with an angular offset relative to an upper rotor valve the offset being adapted to cause a lowered ride height defined as mode B2 from a default ride height defined as mode B1 and further wherein a dump shuttle is operative to block any flow due to each of modes A1 and A2 and is operative to open air bags to atmosphere thereby causing dump. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The leveling control system of claim 14 wherein the blocking option is constructed from the common structure with the exception that a seat has no orifice thereby blocking any flow from a lower rotor valve and the common structure has a shuttle that is in a position to block any flow from an upper rotor valve whereby no flow into or out of air bags may occur. ### Claim 18 A method for configurable dynamic vehicle leveling comprising: linking a vehicle chassis and a vehicle axle with a physical link wherein the link translates a vertical distance between the vehicle chassis and the vehicle axle to an angular translation of a rotational valve which valve may be configured in at least two configurations and for each configuration to operate in at least two modes, wherein each of the valve configurations comprises a default operating mode wherein the valve forms a pneumatic connection according to the valve configuration and operator selected mode according to the vehicle chassis to axle distance, wherein the valve comprises two rotor valves wherein the rotor valves and associated valve chambers are configured to enable operation of the valve within a default range of vehicle heights and a second operating mode when signaled by an operator, wherein the second condition is either a second vehicle height range or a mode wherein air flow in and out of the leveling air bags is blocked; selecting the operating mode as the default condition, or the second condition by actuating a pilot signal sent to a shuttle valve assembly; leveling the vehicle by inflating or deflating one or more leveling air bags positioned to raise or lower the vehicle chassis above the axle respectively to maintain a default height or if so configured a second height according to a signal from the operator; whereby the valve is configured to operate in at least two modes for at least two configurations, the first configuration having operating modes of at least the default tide height range and a second ride height range, and the second configuration having operating modes of at least the default ride height range and the blocking mode. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) A method for configurable dynamic vehicle leveling as in claim 18 also comprising: selecting a third operating mode as a dump mode by sending a second pilot signal to a controllable dump valve, wherein when the dump valve operation is actuated by the second pilot signal, a pneumatic connection is opened directly from the leveling air bags to a dump port without regard to the height of the chassis above the axle, wherein during the dump mode the rotor valve control of pneumatic leveling is blocked; whereby the valve is configured to operate in at least three modes for at least two configurations, the first configuration having operating modes of at least the default ride height range, a second ride height range and a dump mode, and the second configuration having operating modes of at least the default ride height range, the blocking mode and the dump mode. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) A method for configurable dynamic vehicle leveling as in claim 18 wherein the second rotor valve is configured to operate to a raised second ride height range or a lowered second ride height range; whereby the valve is configured to operate in at least two modes for at least three configurations, the first configuration having operating modes of at least the default ride height range and the raised second ride height range, the second configuration having operating modes of at least the default ride height range and the lowered second ride height range, and a third configuration having operating modes of at least the default ride height range and the blocking mode. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) A method for configurable dynamic vehicle leveling as in claim 20 wherein the second rotor valve is configured to operate to a raised second ride height range or a lowered second ride height range; whereby the valve is configured to operate in at least three modes for at least three configurations, the first configuration having operating modes of at least the default ride height range, the raised second ride height range and the dump mode, the second configuration having operating modes of at least the default ride height range, the lowered second ride height rang and the dump mode, and a third configuration having operating modes of at least the default ride height range, the blocking mode and the dump mode. ### Claim 22 (depends on 18) A method for configurable dynamic vehicle leveling as in claim 18 wherein the valve is configurable to operate in at least two configurations wherein a second operating mode for a raised or lowered second ride height range made be accomplished by configuration of no more than the configuration of at least a portion of the shaft connecting the rotor valves by configuration of a keyed angular offset of either of the rotor valve keyed angular positions. ### Claim 23 (depends on 18) A method for configurable dynamic vehicle leveling as in claim 18 wherein the valve is configurable to operate in a blocking mode by configuration of no more than one valve component chosen from the group consisting of: a rotor valve configured without valve apertures; a blocked pneumatic passage from a rotor valve to one or more air bags; blocked pressure seals; and a blocked valve seat. ### Claim 24 (depends on 18) A method for configurable dynamic vehicle leveling as in claim 18 the valve configuration is selected from the group consisting of: the elevated ride height option that provides configuration modes A1, A2 and A3; the lowered ride height option that provides configuration modes B1, B2 and B3; and the blocking option that provides configuration modes C1, C2 and C3. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) A method for configurable dynamic vehicle leveling as in claim 24 wherein the elevated ride height option operates wherein the two rotor valves comprise a lower rotor valve which is a custom design with an angular offset relative to an upper rotor valve the offset being adapted to cause the elevated ride height defined as mode A2 from a default ride height defined as mode A1, and further wherein a dump shuttle is operative to block any flow due to each of modes A1 and A2 and is operative to open air bags to atmosphere thereby causing dump. ### Claim 26 (depends on 24) A method for configurable dynamic vehicle leveling as in claim 24 wherein the lowered ride height option operates wherein the two rotor valves comprise a lower rotor valve which is a custom design with an angular offset relative to an upper rotor valve the offset being adapted to cause the lowered ride height defined as mode A2 from a default ride height defined as mode A1, and further wherein a dump shuttle is operative to block any flow due to each of modes A1 and A2 and is operative to open air bags to atmosphere thereby causing dump. ### Claim 27 (depends on 24) A method for configurable dynamic vehicle leveling as in claim 24 wherein the blocking option operates wherein the two rotor valves further comprise a seat which has no orifice thereby blocking any flow from a lower rotor valve and a shuttle that is in a position to block any flow from an upper rotor valve whereby no flow into or out of air bags may occur. ### Claim 28 (depends on 18) A method for configurable dynamic vehicle leveling as in claim 18 wherein the two rotor valves further comprise: a shaft assembly having a shaft and an upper rotor valve and a lower rotor valve wherein a custom design will require an angular offset between the upper rotor valve and the lower rotor valve and the shaft assembly has a lower rotor valve mounting key for mounting the lower rotor valve and has an upper rotor valve mounting key for mounting the upper rotor valve wherein all the configurations can be exercised by a selected angular offset between the upper rotor valve and the lower rotor valve wherein the upper rotor valve and the lower rotor valve are identical, and wherein the lower rotor valve key is made at an angle to the upper rotor valve mounting key such that when the lower rotor valve is mounted on the lower rotor valve mounting key, the selected angular offset will be in place between the upper rotor valve and the lower rotor valve. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) A method for configurable dynamic vehicle leveling as in claim 28 wherein the two rotor valves and shaft assembly are constructed to execute designated configurations A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, B3, C1 and C3. ### Claim 30 (depends on 28) A method for configurable dynamic vehicle leveling as in claim 28 wherein the shaft assembly has an upper shaft portion on which the upper rotor valve is key mounted and a lower shaft portion on which the lower rotor valve is key mounted and the custom design for a secondary ride height is controlled by the lower rotor valve by making the lower shaft portion mounting key at the angular offset to the upper shaft portion mounting key needed to mount the lower rotor shaft for operation in a secondary ride height mode.