Hydropneumatic suspension system

A wheel suspension unit for mounting a wheel to a vehicle frame, said unit comprising a housing, a mounting flange on said housing for attachment to a vehicle frame, movable support means for such wheel carried by said housing, fluid actuator means operatively connected to said support means for urging said support means in a direction for supporting the vehicle frame off the ground, accumulator means in fluid communication with said actuator means for supplying fluid under pressure to said actuator means, and valve means for controlling the flow of fluid between said actuator means and accumulator means in response to pressure variations therein, said valve means being located in close proximity to said mounting flange in heat transfer relation thereto to facilitate transfer of heat generated by the fluid passing through said valve means to said mounting flange and subsequent dissipation of such heat to the vehicle frame, said valve means comprising a first valve means for permitting flow of fluid from said actuator means to said accumulator means in response to a rapid increase in fluid pressure in said actuator means, and a second valve means for permitting return flow of fluid from said accumulator means to said actuator means when the fluid pressure in said actuator means decreases, said first and second valve means including fluid passageways for directing the fluid between said actuator means and accumulator means in close heat transfer relation to said mounting flange, one of said fluid passageways being between said second valve means and said actuator means and extending around said mounting flange to provide for direct transfer of heat to said mounting flange from the fluid passing therearound.

A wheel suspension unit for mounting a wheel to a vehicle frame, said unit comprising a housing, a mounting flange on said housing for attachment to a vehicle frame, movable support means for such wheel carried by said housing, fluid actuator means operatively connected to said support means for urging said support means in a direction for supporting the vehicle frame off the ground, accumulator means in fluid communication with said actuator means for supplying fluid under pressure to said actuator means, and valve means for controlling the flow of fluid between said actuator means and accumulator means in response to pressure variations therein, said valve means being located in close proximity to said mounting flange in heat transfer relation thereto to facilitate transfer of heat generated by the fluid passing through said valve means to said mounting flange and subsequent dissipation of such heat to the vehicle frame, said valve means being located in said housing closely adjacent said mounting flange, fluid passageways in said housing for flow of fluid between said actuator means and accumulator means through said valve means, said actuator and accumulator means including actuator and accumulator cylinders, respectively, each having inboard ends attached to said housing and outboard ends extending outwardly from said housing, said housing being the cover for said inboard end of said accumulator cylinder, said accumulator cylinder containing a piston, means for introducing fluid into the inboard end of said accumulator cylinder, means for introducing gas into the outboard end of said accumulator cylinder, and gauge means for ascertaining the level of such fluid and gas in said accumulator cylinder by the location of said accumulator piston within said accumulator cylinder, said housing having an opening in communication with said inboard end of said accumulator cylinder for receipt of said gauge means which extends from said opening into said inboard end of said accumulator cylinder.

A wheel suspension unit for mounting a wheel to a vehicle frame, said unit comprising a housing, a mounting flange on said housing for attachment to a vehicle frame, movable support means for such wheel carried by said housing, fluid actuator means operatively connected to said support means for urging said support means in a direction for supporting the vehicle frame off the ground, accumulator means in fluid communication with said actuator means for supplying fluid under pressure to said actuator means, and valve means for controlling the flow of fluid between said actuator means and accumulator means in response to pressure variations therein, said valve means being located in close proximity to said mounting flange in heat transfer relation thereto to facilitate transfer of heat generated by the fluid passing through said valve means to said mounting flange and subsequent dissipation of such heat to the vehicle frame, said valve means comprising a first valve means for permitting flow of fluid from said actuator means to said accumulator means in response to a rapid increase in fluid pressure in said actuator means, and a second valve means for permitting return flow of fluid from said accumulator means to said actuator means when the fluid pressure in said actuator means decreases, said first and second valve means including fluid passageways for directing the fluid between said actuator means and accumulator means in close heat transfer relation to said mounting flange, and a small capacity orifice in said second valve means for maintaining the pressure in said actuator means and accumulator means in equilibrium when said support means encounters high frequency vibrations without necessitating opening and closing of said first and second valve means.

A wheel suspension unit for mounting a wheel to a vehicle frame, said unit comprising a housing, a mounting flange on said housing for attachment to a vehicle frame, movable support means for such wheel carried by said housing, fluid actuator means operatively connected to said support means for urging said support means in a direction for supporting the vehicle frame off the ground, accumulator means in fluid communication with said actuator means for supplying fluid under pressure to said actuator means, and valve means for controlling the flow of fluid between said actuator means and accumulator means in response to pressure variations therein, said actuator and accumulator means including actuator and accumulator cylinders, respectively, each having inboard ends attached to said housing and outboard ends extending outwardly from said housing, and there is a fluid connection between the outboard end of said actuator cylinder and the inboard end of said accumulator cylinder through said housing and valve means, said fluid connection comprising a pipe extending from the outboard end of said actuator cylinder to said housing in communication with a fluid passageway in said housing leading to said inboard end of said accumulator cylinder through said valve means, said pipe being exposed to the atmosphere for dissipation of heat thereto, said outboard end of said actuator cylinder having a closure member with a generally U-shape extension thereon, said extension having a corresponding U-shape passage therein, the inner end of said extension remote from said closure member facing in the direction of said housing and having a recess therein for receipt of one end of said pipe.

A wheel suspension unit for mounting a wheel to a vehicle frame, said unit comprising a housing, a mounting flange on said housing for attachment to a vehicle frame, movable support means for such wheel carried by said housing, fluid actuator means operatively connected to said support means for urging said support means in a direction for supporting the vehicle frame off the ground, accumulator means in fluid communication with said actuator means for supplying fluid under pressure to said actuator means, and valve means for controlling the flow of fluid between said actuator means and accumulator means in response to pressure variations therein, said actuator and accumulator means including actuator and accumulator cylinders, respectively, each having inboard ends attached to said housing and outboard ends extending outwardly from said housing, said housing comprising the cover for said inboard end of said accumulator cylinder, said accumulator cylinder containing a piston, means for introducing fluid into the inboard end of said accumulator cylinder, means for introducing gas into the outboard end of said accumulator cylinder, and gauge means for ascertaining the level of such fluid and gas in said accumulator cylinder by the location of said accumulator piston within said accumulator cylinder, said housing containing an opening for receipt of said gauge means, said opening being in communication with said inboard end of said accumulator cylinder, and said gauge means extending from said opening into said inboard end of said accumulator cylinder.

A wheel suspension unit for mounting a wheel to a vehicle frame, said unit comprising a housing, a mounting flange on said housing for attachment to a vehicle frame, movable support means for such wheel carried by said housing, fluid actuator means operatively connected to said support means for urging said support means in a direction for supporting the vehicle frame off the ground, accumulator means in fluid communication with said actuator means for supplying fluid under pressure to said actuator means, and valve means for controlling the flow of fluid between said actuator means and accumulator means in response to pressure variations therein, said actuator and accumulator means including actuator and accumulator cylinders, respectively, each having inboard ends attached to said housing and outboard ends extending outwardly from said housing exposed to the atmosphere for dissipation of heat thereto, said valve means being located in said housing adjacent the inboard ends of said actuator and accumulator cylinders and closely adjacent said mounting flange in heat transfer relation thereto to facilitate transfer of heat generated by the fluid passing through said valve means to said mounting flange and subsequent dissipation of such heat to the vehicle frame, said housing having fluid passageways therein for flow of fluid between said actuator means and accumulator means through said valve means.

A wheel suspension unit for mounting a wheel to a vehicle frame, said unit comprising a housing, a mounting flange on said housing for attachment to a vehicle frame, movable support means for such wheel carried by said housing, fluid actuator means operatively connected to said support means for urging said support means in a direction for supporting the vehicle frame off the ground, accumulator means in fluid communication with said actuator means for supplying fluid under pressure to said actuator means, and valve means for controlling the flow of fluid between said actuator means and accumulator means in response to pressure variations therein, said valve means being located in close proximity to said mounting flange in heat transfer relation thereto to facilitate transfer of heat generated by the fluid passing through said valve means to said mounting flange and subsequent dissipation of such heat to the vehicle frame, said valve means comprising a first valve means for permitting flow of fluid from said actuator means to said accumulator means in response to a rapid increase in fluid pressure in said actuator means, and a second valve means for permitting return flow of fluid from said accumulator means to said actuator means when the fluid pressure in said actuator means decreases, said first and second valve means including fluid passageways for directing the fluid between said actuator means and accumulator means in close heat transfer relation to said mounting flange, said first valve means comprising a valve member and a valve seat, said valve seat having a step therein defining a small differential area on said valve member which is acted upon by the fluid pressure in said actuator means, and a relatively light spring for biasing said valve member against said valve seat under normal operating conditions even though acted upon by relatively high fluid pressures in said actuator means.

A wheel suspension unit for mounting a wheel to a vehicle frame, said unit comprising a housing, a mounting flange on said housing for attachment to a vehicle frame, movable support means for such wheel carried by said housing, fluid actuator means operatively connected to said support means for urging said support means in a direction for supporting the vehicle frame off the ground, accumulator means in fluid communication with said actuator means for supplying fluid under pressure to said actuator means, and valve means for controlling the flow of fluid between said actuator means and accumulator means in response to pressure variations therein, said actuator and accumulator means including actuator and accumulator cylinders, respectively, each having inboard ends attached to said housing and outboard ends extending outwardly from said housing exposed to the atmosphere for dissipation of heat thereto, and there is a fluid connection between the outboard end of said actuator cylinder and the inboard end of said accumulator cylinder through said housing and valve means, said fluid connection comprising a pipe extending from the outboard end of said actuator cylinder to said housing in communication with a fluid passageway in said housing leading to said inboard end of said accumulator cylinder through said valve means, said pipe being exposed to the atmosphere for dissipation of heat thereto.

A hydropneumatic suspension system comprising a plurality of isolated wheel suspension units for mounting the wheels of a vehicle to the vehicle frame, each said wheel suspension unit comprising a housing, a mounting flange on said housing for attachment to a vehicle frame, movable support means for such wheel carried by said housing, fluid actuator means operatively connected to said support means for urging said support means in a direction for supporting the vehicle frame off the ground, accumulator means in fluid communication with said actuator means for supplying fluid under pressure to said actuator means, and valve means for controlling the flow of fluid between said actuator means and accumulator means in response to pressure variations therein, said actuator and accumulator means including actuator and accumulator cylinders, respectively, each having inboard ends attached to said housing and outboard ends extending outwardly from said housing exposed to the atmosphere for dissipation of heat thereto, said valve means being located in said housing adjacent the inboard ends of said actuator and accumulator cylinders and closely adjacent said mounting flange in heat transfer relation thereto to facilitate transfer of heat generated by the fluid passing through said valve means to said mounting flange and subsequent dissipation of such heat to the vehicle frame, said housing having fluid passageways therein for flow of fluid between said actuator means and accumulator means through said valve means.

A hydropneumatic suspension system comprising a plurality of isolated wheel suspension units for mounting the wheels of a vehicle to the vehicle frame, each said wheel suspension unit comprising a housing, a mounting flange on said housing for attachment to a vehicle frame, movable support means for such wheel carried by said housing, fluid actuator means operatively connected to said support means for urging said support means in a direction for supporting the vehicle frame off the ground, accumulator means in fluid communication with said actuator means for supplying fluid under pressure to said actuator means, and valve means for controlling the flow of fluid between said actuator means and accumulator means in response to pressure variations therein, said actuator and accumulator means including actuator and accumulator cylinders, respectively, each having inboard ends attached to said housing and outboard ends extending outwardly from said housing exposed to the atmosphere for dissipation of heat thereto, and there is a fluid connection between the outboard end of said actuator cylinder and the inboard end of said accumulator cylinder through said housing and valve means, said fluid connection comprising a pipe extending from the outboard end of said actuator cylinder to said housing in communication with a fluid passageway in said housing leading to said inboard end of said accumulator cylinder through said valve means, said pipe being exposed to the atmosphere for dissipation of heat thereto.

A wheel suspension unit for mounting a wheel to a vehicle frame comprising a housing, a mounting flange on said housing for attachment to a vehicle frame, movable support means for such wheel carried by said housing, fluid actuator means operatively connected to said support means for urging said support means in a direction for supporting the vehicle frame off the ground, accumulator means in fluid communication with said actuator means for supplying fluid under pressure to said actuator means, and valve means for controlling the flow of fluid between said actuator means and accumulator means in response to pressure variations therein, said actuator and accumulator means including actuator and accumulator cylinders, respectively, each having inboard ends attached to said housing and outboard ends extending outwardly from said housing, a fluid connection extending from the outboard end of said actuator cylinder to said housing in communication with a fluid passageway in said housing leading to said inboard end of said accumulator cylinder through said valve means, said fluid connection being exposed to the atmosphere for dissipation of heat thereto, said valve means being located adjacent the inboard ends of said actuator and accumulator cylinders in close proximity to said mounting flange in heat transfer relation thereto to facilitate transfer of heat generated by the fluid passing through said valve means to said mounting flange and subsequent dissipation of such heat to the vehicle frame, said valve means comprising a first valve means for permitting flow of fluid from said actuator means to said accumulator means in response to a rapid increase in fluid pressure in said actuator means, and a second valve means for permitting return flow of fluid from said accumulator means to said actuator means when the fluid pressure in said actuator means decreases, said first and second valve means including fluid passageways for directing the fluid between said actuator means and accumulator means, one of said fluid passageways including a fluid path extending around said mounting flange between said second valve means and said actuator means adjacent the inner face of said mounting flange to provide for direct transfer of heat to said mounting flange from the fluid passing therearound.

A hydropneumatic suspension system comprising a plurality of isolated wheel suspension units for mounting the wheels of a vehicle to the vehicle frame, each said wheel suspension unit comprising a housing, a mounting flange on said housing for attachment to a vehicle frame, movable support means for such wheel carried by said housing, fluid actuator means operatively connected to said support means for urging said support means in a direction for supporting the vehicle frame off the ground, accumulator means in fluid communication with said actuator means for supplying fluid under pressure to said actuator means, and valve means for controlling the flow of fluid between said actuator means and accumulator means in response to pressure variations therein, said actuator and accumulator means including actuator and accumulator cylinders, respectively, each having inboard ends attached to said housing and outboard ends extending outwardly from said housing, a fluid connection extending from the outboard end of said actuator cylinder to said housing in communication with a fluid passageway in said housing leading to said inboard end of said accumulator cylinder through said valve means, said fluid connection being exposed to the atmosphere for dissipation of heat thereto, said valve means being located adjacent the inboard ends of said actuator and accumulator cylinders in close proximity to said mounting flange in heat transfer relation thereto to facilitate transfer of heat generated by the fluid passing through said valve means to said mounting flange and subsequent dissipation of such heat to the vehicle frame, said valve means comprising a first valve means for permitting flow of fluid from said actuator means to said accumulator means in response to a rapid increase in fluid pressure in said actuator means, and a second valve means for permitting return flow of fluid from said accumulator means to said actuator means when the fluid pressure in said actuator means decreases, said first and second valve means including fluid passageways for directing the fluid between said actuator means and accumulator means, one of said fluid passageways including a fluid path extending around said mounting flange between said second valve means and said actuator means adjacent the inner face of said mounting flange to provide for direct transfer of heat to said mounting flange from the fluid passing therearound, each said isolated wheel suspension unit being independent of the others and including its own fluid supply.