US 2024/0383301 A1 · SINGLE AXLE HEAVE CONTROL SYSTEM

Abstract

A single axle suspension system that includes right and left dampers, first and second hydraulic circuits, and a pressurizing mechanism that is connected in fluid communication with at least one of the hydraulic circuits. The pressurizing mechanism is configured to provide active heave control by adding and removing hydraulic fluid to and from at least one of the hydraulic circuits to increase and decrease pressure inside at least one of the hydraulic circuits independent of damper movements. This in turn causes a simultaneous increase in the fluid pressure inside either the first working chambers of the right and left dampers or the second working chambers of the right and left dampers to provide pitch stiffness that counters fore and aft heave of the vehicle. The pressurizing mechanism is either a bi-directional pump or a ball/screw mechanism that actuates a variable volume chamber.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A single axle suspension system, comprising:

right and left dampers each including a damper housing, a piston rod, and one or more pistons mounted on the piston rod and arranged in sliding engagement inside the damper housing such that the one or more pistons divide the damper housing into at least a first working chamber and a second working chamber;
a first hydraulic circuit connecting the first working chamber of the right damper and the first working chamber of the left damper;
a second hydraulic circuit connecting the second working chamber of the right damper and the second working chamber of the left damper;
and
a first pressurizing mechanism connected in fluid communication with the second hydraulic circuit,
wherein the first pressurizing mechanism is configured to provide active heave control by adding and removing hydraulic fluid to and from the second hydraulic circuit to increase and decrease pressure inside the second hydraulic circuit independent of damper movements.

3 more elements

A single axle suspension system, comprising:

right and left dampers each including a damper housing, a piston rod, and a piston that is mounted on the piston rod and arranged in sliding engagement inside the damper housing such that the piston divides the damper housing into first and second working chambers;
a first hydraulic line extending between and connecting the first working chamber of the right damper and the first working chamber of the left damper;
a second hydraulic line extending between and connecting the second working chamber of the right damper and the second working chamber of the left damper;
and
a pressurizing mechanism connected in fluid communication with the second hydraulic line,
wherein the pressurizing mechanism includes a ball/screw mechanism to adjust the volume of a variable volume chamber and is configured to provide active heave control by adding and removing hydraulic fluid to and from the second hydraulic lines to increase and decrease pressure inside the second hydraulic line independent of damper movements.

3 more elements

A single axle suspension system, comprising:

right and left dampers each including a damper housing, a piston rod, and a piston that is mounted on the piston rod and arranged in sliding engagement inside the damper housing such that the piston divides the damper housing into first and second working chambers;
a first hydraulic circuit connecting the first working chamber of the right damper and the first working chamber of the left damper;
a second hydraulic circuit connecting the second working chamber of the right damper and the second working chamber of the left damper;
and
a pressurizing mechanism connected in fluid communication with the first and second hydraulic circuits,
wherein the pressurizing mechanism is a bi-directional pump that is configured to provide active heave control by adding and removing hydraulic fluid to and from the first and second hydraulic circuits to increase and decrease pressure inside the first and second hydraulic circuits independent of damper movements.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Single axle heave control system

Life of this patent

Single axle heave control system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20