Fluid-operated leveling valve systems

In apparatus for leveling a supported structure relative to a supporting structure with a fluid suspension system between said supporting structure and said supported structure, said suspension system being non-reactive to vibrations up to a certain vibration amplitude, the improvement comprising in combination:

• a valve having first and second valve parts coupled to said supported structure and to said supporting structure, respectively, said first and second valve parts being on opposite sides of a plane for movement relative to each other along said plane in response to movements of said supporting structure and said supported structure relative to each other;
• spaced first and second ports in one of said first and second valve parts connectable to a fluid supply and a fluid spring, respectively, of said suspension system;
• the other of said first and second valve parts having a first aperture at said first port and a second aperture at said second port, and a fluid passage between said first and second ports;
• a fluid outlet in said other valve part at said second port for a removal of fluid from said fluid spring;
• there being in a neutral position of said valve a first physical separation along said plane between said first aperture and said first port, a second physical separation along said plane between said second aperture and said second port, and a third physical separation along said plane between said fluid outlet and said second port;
• fluid-tight seals between said first aperture and said first port, between said second aperture and said second port, and between said fluid outlet and said second port for the extent of said first, second and third separations, with each of said first, second and third separations being made proportional to said vibration amplitude;
• an extension along said plane of one of said seals for said first aperture by a distance in a direction away from said first port also proportional to said amplitude;
• an extension along said plane of another of said seals for said second aperture by a distance in a direction away from said second port proportional to said amplitude;
• a further fluid outlet at said valve;
• means for deflating said fluid spring through said further outlet in response to an operator-controlled signal;
• an auxiliary fluid supply;
• and
• means for blocking said deflation of said fluid spring through said further outlet until a cessation of fluid pressure in said auxiliary fluid supply.

In apparatus for leveling a supported structure relative to a supporting structure with a fluid suspension system between said supporting structure and said supported structure, said suspension system being non-reactive to vibrations up to a certain vibration amplitude, the improvement comprising in combination:

• a valve having first and second valve parts coupled to said supported structure and to said supporting structure, respectively, said first and second valve parts being on opposite sides of a plane for movement relative to each other along said plane in response to movements of said supporting structure and said supported structure relative to each other;
• spaced first and second ports in one of said first and second valve parts connectable to a fluid supply and a fluid spring, respectively, of said suspension system;
• the other of said first and second valve parts having a first aperture at said first port and a second aperture at said second port, and a fluid passage between said first and second ports;
• a fluid outlet in said other valve part at said second port for a removal of fluid from said fluid spring;
• there being in a neutral position of said valve a first physical separation along said plane between said first aperture and said first port, a second physical separation along said plane between said second aperture and said second port, and a third physical separation along said plane between said fluid outlet and said second port;
• fluid-tight seals between said first aperture and said first port, between said second aperture and said second port, and between said fluid outlet and said second port for the extent of said first, second and third separations, with each of said first, second and third separations being made proportional to said vibration amplitude;
• an extension along said plane of one of said seals for said first aperture by a distance in a direction away from said first port also proportional to said amplitude;
• an extension along said plane of another of said seals for said second aperture by a distance in a direction away from said second port proportional to said amplitude;
• a further fluid outlet in said one valve part at said second port;
• an auxiliary valve blocking fluid discharge through said further outlet during operation of said suspension system;
• and
• an actuator for said auxiliary valve, whereby said fluid spring is deflatable through said further outlet upon a cessation of operation of said suspension system.

In apparatus for leveling a supported structure relative to a supporting structure with a fluid suspension system for a vehicle, having a fluid spring between said supporting structure and said supported structure, said suspension system being non-reactive to vibrations due to road irregularities up to a certain vibration amplitude, the improvement comprising in combination:

• a valve having first and second valve parts coupled to said supported structure and to said supporting structure, respectively, said first and second valve parts being on opposite sides of a plane for detentless movement relative to each other along said plane in response to movements of said supporting structure and said supported structure relative to each other;
• a port in one of said first and second valve parts connected to said fluid spring of said suspension system;
• the other of said first and second valve parts including a fluid passage having an aperture at said port for a supply of fluid through said port to said fluid spring in a first relative position of said first and second valve parts;
• a fluid outlet in said other valve part at said port, for a removal of fluid from said fluid spring through the same port through which fluid is supplied to said fluid spring;
• there being in a neutral position of said valve a first physical separation along said plane between said aperture and said port, and a second physical separation along said plane between said fluid outlet and said port;
• and
• a fluid-tight seal between said aperture and said port, and between said fluid outlet and said port for the extent of said first and second separations, with each of said first and second separations being made proportional along said plane to an amplitude of said vibrations to be tolerated without reaction of said suspension system to vibrations within said amplitude;
• and
• an extension along said plane of said seal for said aperture by a distance in a direction away from said port also proportional to said amplitude.

In apparatus for leveling a supported structure relative to a supporting structure with a fluid suspension system, having a fluid spring between said supporting structure and said supported structure, said suspension system being non-reactive to vibrations up to a certain vibration amplitude, the improvement comprising in combination:

• a valve having first and second valve parts coupled to said supported structure and to said supporting structure, respectively, said first and second valve parts being on opposite sides of a plane for movement relative to each other along said plane in response to movements of said supporting structure and said supported structure relative to each other;
• a port in one of said first and second valve parts connected to said fluid spring of said suspension system;
• the other of said first and second valve parts including a fluid passage having an aperture at said port for a supply of fluid through said port to said fluid spring in a first relative position of said first and second valve parts;
• a fluid outlet in said other valve part at said port, for a removal of fluid from said fluid spring through the same port through which fluid is supplied to said fluid spring;
• there being in a neutral position of said valve a first physical separation along said plane between said aperture and said port, and a second physical separation along said plane between said fluid outlet and said port;
• a fluid-tight seal between said aperture and said port, and between said fluid outlet and said port for the extent of said first and second separations, with each of said first and second separations being made proportional along said plane to an amplitude of said vibrations to be tolerated without reaction of said suspension system to vibrations within said amplitude;
• an extension along said plane of said seal for said aperture by a distance in a direction away from said port also proportional to said amplitude;
• a further fluid outlet at said valve;
• means for deflating said fluid spring through said further outlet in response to an operator-controlled signal;
• an auxiliary fluid supply;
• and
• means for blocking said deflation of said fluid spring through said further outlet until a cessation of fluid pressure in said auxiliary fluid supply.

In apparatus for leveling a supported structure relative to a supporting structure with a fluid suspension system, having a fluid spring between said supporting structure and said supported structure, said suspension system being non-reactive to vibrations up to a certain vibration amplitude, the improvement comprising in combination:

• a valve having first and second valve parts coupled to said supported structure and to said supporting structure, respectively, said first and second valve parts being on opposite sides of a plane for movement relative to each other along said plane in response to movements of said supporting structure and said supported structure relative to each other;
• a port in one of said first and second valve parts connected to said fluid spring of said suspension system;
• the other of said first and second valve parts including a fluid passage having an aperture at said port for a supply of fluid through said port to said fluid spring in a first relative position of said first and second valve parts;
• a fluid outlet in said other valve part at said port, for a removal of fluid from said fluid spring through the same port through which fluid is supplied to said fluid spring;
• there being in a neutral position of said valve a first physical separation along said plane between said aperture and said port, and a second physical separation along said plane between said fluid outlet and said port;
• a fluid-tight seal between said aperture and said port, and between said fluid outlet and said port for the extent of said first and second separations, with each of said first and second separations being made proportional along said plane to an amplitude of said vibrations to be tolerated without reaction of said suspension system to vibrations within said amplitude;
• an extension along said plane of said seal for said aperture by a distance in a direction away from said port also proportional to said amplitude;
• a further fluid outlet in said one valve part at said port;
• an auxiliary valve blocking fluid discharge through said further outlet during operation of said suspension system;
• and
• an actuator for said auxiliary valve, whereby said fluid spring is deflateable through said further outlet upon a cessation of operation of said suspension system.

In apparatus for leveling a supported structure relative to a supporting structure with a fluid suspension system, having a fluid spring and having a leveling valve having first and second valve parts movable relative to each other, and an actuating lever for angularly moving one of said first and second valve parts relative to the other of said first and second valve parts, said leveling valve and lever connected between said supporting structure and said supported structure, and including a fluid supply connected through said leveling valve to said fluid spring, the improvement comprising in combination:

• a fluid outlet;
• means independent of said actuating lever for deflating said fluid spring through said fluid outlet in response to an operator-controlled signal;
• and
• means independent of said actuating lever and independent of said one of said first and second valve parts for blocking said fluid supply against discharge in response to said signal.

In apparatus for leveling a supported structure relative to a supporting structure with a fluid suspension system, having a fluid spring between said supporting structure and said supported structure and having a leveling valve for said fluid spring, the improvement comprising in combination:

• a leveling valve actuator lever connected to said leveling valve;
• a valve port in said leveling valve connectable to said fluid spring of said suspension system for selective inflation and deflation of the fluid spring;
• a fluid outlet in said leveling valve;
• an actuator issuing a first operator-controlled signal, said actuator being independent of said leveling valve;
• means connected to said actuator and independent of said actuator lever for deflating the fluid spring through said valve port and said fluid outlet in response to said first operator-controlled signal;
• means independent of said actuator and independent of said actuator lever for blocking said fluid outlet in said leveling valve against discharge in response to a second operator-controlled signal;
• and
• means independent of said actuator for selectively inflating said fluid spring through said valve port from a fluid supply in response to a third operator-controlled signal independent of said actuator lever while blocking said fluid outlet in said leveling valve.

In a method of leveling a supported structure relative to a supporting structure with a fluid suspension system for a vehicle, said fluid suspension system located between said supporting structure and said supported structure, the improvement comprising in combination the steps of:

• providing a valve having first and second valve parts coupled to said supported structure and to said supporting structure, respectively, said first and second valve parts being on opposite sides of a plane and being movable relative to each other along said plane in response to movements of said supporting structure and said supported structure relative to each other;
• providing one of said first and second valve parts with spaced first and second ports connected to a fluid supply and a fluid spring, respectively, of said suspension system;
• providing the other of said first and second valve parts with a first aperture at said first port and a second aperture at said second port, and interconnecting said first and second apertures internally of said other valve part for passage of fluid between said first and second ports in a first relative position of said first and second valve parts;
• providing a fluid outlet in said other valve part spaced from said second port in said first relative position of said first and second valve parts, and communicating with said second port for a removal of fluid from said fluid spring in a second relative position of said first and second valve parts;
• providing said valve in a neutral position between said first and second relative positions with a first physical separation along said plane between said first aperture and said first port, with a second physical separation along said plane between said second aperture and said second port, and with a third physical separation along said plane between said fluid outlet and said second port;
• said first and second valve parts being detentlessly movable among said neutral position and said first and second positions in response to movements of said supporting structure and said supported structure relative to each other;
• and
• reducing reaction of said suspension system to vibrations due to road irregularities by providing fluid-tight seals between said first aperture and said first port, between said second aperture and said second port, and between said fluid outlet and said second port for the extent of said first, second and third separations, with each of said first, second and third separations being made proportional along said plane to an amplitude of said vibrations due to road irregularities to be tolerated without reaction of said suspension system to vibrations within said amplitude, and by extending one of said seals for said first aperture by a distance along said plane in a direction away from said first port also proportional to said amplitude and by also extending another of said seals for said second aperture by a distance along said plane in a direction away from said second port proportional to said amplitude.

In a method of leveling a supported structure relative to a supporting structure with a fluid suspension system between said supporting structure and said supported structure, the improvement comprising in combination the steps of:

• providing a valve having first and second valve parts coupled to said supported structure and to said supporting structure, respectively, said first and second valve parts being on opposite sides of a plane and being movable relative to each other along said plane in response to movements of said supporting structure and said supported structure relative to each other;
• providing one of said first and second valve parts with spaced first and second ports connected to a fluid supply and a fluid spring, respectively, of said suspension system;
• providing the other of said first and second valve parts with a first aperture at said first port and a second aperture at said second port, and interconnecting said first and second apertures internally of said other valve part for passage of fluid between said first and second ports in a first relative position of said first and second valve parts;
• providing a fluid outlet in said other valve part spaced from said second port in said first relative position of said first and second valve parts, and communicating with said second port for a removal of fluid from said fluid spring in a second relative position of said first and second valve parts;
• providing said valve in a neutral position between said first and second relative positions with a first physical separation along said plane between said first aperture and said first port, with a second physical separation along said plane between said second aperture and said second port, and with a third physical separation along said plane between said fluid outlet and said second port;
• reducing reaction of said suspension system to vibrations by providing fluid-tight seals between said first aperture and said first port, between said second aperture and said second port, and between said fluid outlet and said second port for the extent of said first, second and third separations, with each of said first, second and third separations being made proportional along said plane to an amplitude of said vibrations to be tolerated without reaction of said suspension system to vibrations within said amplitude, and by extending one of said seals for said first aperture by a distance along said plane in a direction away from said first port also proportional to said amplitude and by also extending another of said seals for said second aperture by a distance along said plane in a direction away from said second port proportional to said amplitude;
• providing a further fluid outlet at said valve;
• deflating said fluid spring through said further outlet in response to an operator-controlled signal;
• providing an auxiliary fluid supply;
• and
• blocking said deflation of said fluid spring through said further outlet until a cessation of fluid pressure in said auxiliary fluid supply.

In a method of leveling a supported structure relative to a supporting structure with a fluid suspension system between said supporting structure and said supported structure, the improvement comprising in combination the steps of:

• providing a valve having first and second valve parts coupled to said supported structure and to said supporting structure, respectively, said first and second valve parts being on opposite sides of a plane and being movable relative to each other along said plane in response to movements of said supporting structure and said supported structure relative to each other;
• providing one of said first and second valve parts with spaced first and second ports connected to a fluid supply and a fluid spring, respectively, of said suspension system;
• providing the other of said first and second valve parts with a first aperture at said first port and a second aperture at said second port, and interconnecting said first and second apertures internally of said other valve part for passage of fluid between said first and second ports in a first relative position of said first and second valve parts;
• providing a fluid outlet in said other valve part spaced from said second port in said first relative position of said first and second valve parts, and communicating with said second port for a removal of fluid from said fluid spring in a second relative position of said first and second valve parts;
• providing said valve in a neutral position between said first and second relative positions with a first physical separation along said plane between said first aperture and said first port, with a second physical separation along said plane between said second aperture and said second port, and with a third physical separation along said plane between said fluid outlet and said second port;
• reducing reaction of said suspension system to vibrations by providing fluid-tight seals between said first aperture and said first port, between said second aperture and said second port, and between said fluid outlet and said second port for the extent of said first, second and third separations, with each of said first, second and third separations being made proportional along said plane to an amplitude of said vibrations to be tolerated without reaction of said suspension system to vibrations within said amplitude, and by extending one of said seals for said first aperture by a distance along said plane in a direction away from said first port also proportional to said amplitude and by also extending another of said seals for said second aperture by a distance along said plane in a direction away from said second port proportional to said amplitude;
• providing in said one valve part a further fluid outlet at said second port;
• blocking fluid discharge through said further outlet during operation of said suspension system;
• and
• deflating said fluid spring through said further outlet upon a cessation of operation of said suspension system.

In a method of leveling a supported structure relative to a supporting structure with a fluid suspension system for a vehicle, having a fluid spring between said supporting structure and said supported structure, the improvement comprising in combination the steps of:

• providing a valve having first and second valve parts coupled to said supported structure and to said supporting structure, respectively, said first and second valve parts being on opposite sides of a plane and being movable relative to each other along said plane in response to movements of said supporting structure and said supported structure relative to each other;
• providing one of said first and second valve parts with a port connected to said fluid spring of said suspension system;
• providing the other of said first and second valve parts with a fluid passage having an aperture at said port for a supply of fluid through said port to said fluid spring in a first relative position of said first and second valve parts;
• providing a fluid outlet in said other valve part spaced from said port in said first relative position of said first and second valve parts, and communicating with said port for a removal of fluid from said fluid spring in a second relative position of said first and second valve parts through the same port through which fluid is supplied to said fluid spring;
• providing said valve in a neutral position between said first and second relative positions with a first physical separation along said plane between said aperture and said port, with a second physical separation along said plane between said fluid outlet and said port;
• said first and second valve parts being detentlessly movable among said neutral position and said first and second positions in response to movements of said supporting structure and said supported structure relative to each other;
• and
• reducing reaction of said suspension system to vibrations due to road irregularities by providing a fluid-tight seals between said aperture and said port, and between said fluid outlet and said port for the extent of said first and second separations being made proportional along said plane to an amplitude of said vibrations due to road irregularities to be tolerated without reaction of said suspension system to vibrations within said amplitude, and by extending said seal for said aperture by a distance in a direction away from said port along said plane also proportional to said amplitude.

In a method of leveling a supported structure relative to a supporting structure with a fluid suspension system, having a fluid spring between said supporting structure and said supported structure, the improvement comprising in combination the steps of:

• providing a valve having first and second valve parts coupled to said supported structure and to said supporting structure, respectively, said first and second valve parts being on opposite sides of a plane and being movable relative to each other along said plane in response to movements of said supporting structure and said supported structure relative to each other;
• providing one of said first and second valve parts with a port connected to said fluid spring of said suspension system;
• providing the other of said first and second valve parts with a fluid passage having an aperture at said port for a supply of fluid through said port to said fluid spring in a first relative position of said first and second valve parts;
• providing a fluid outlet in said other valve part spaced from said port in said first relative position of said first and second valve parts, and communicating with said port for a removal of fluid from said fluid spring in a second relative position of said first and second valve parts through the same port through which fluid is supplied to said fluid spring;
• providing said valve in a neutral position between said first and second relative positions with a first physical separation along said plane between said aperture and said port, and with a second physical separation along said plane between said fluid outlet and said port;
• reducing reaction of said suspension system to vibrations by providing a fluid-tight seal between said aperture and said port, and between said fluid outlet and said port for the extent of said first and second separations, with each of said first and second separations being made proportional along said plane to an amplitude of said vibrations to be tolerated without reaction of said suspension system to vibrations within said amplitude, and by extending said seal for said aperture by a distance in a direction away from said port along said plane also proportional to said amplitude;
• providing a further fluid outlet at said valve;
• deflating said fluid spring through said further outlet in response to an operator-controlled signal;
• providing an auxiliary fluid supply;
• and
• blocking said deflation of said fluid spring through said further outlet until a cessation of fluid pressure in said auxiliary fluid supply.

In a method of leveling a supported structure relative to a supporting structure with a fluid suspension system, having a fluid spring between said supporting structure and said supported structure, the improvement comprising in combination the steps of:

• providing a valve having first and second valve parts coupled to said supported structure and to said supporting structure, respectively, said first and second valve parts being on opposite sides of a plane and being movable relative to each other along said plane in response to movements of said supporting structure and said supported structure relative to each other;
• providing one of said first and second valve parts with a port connected to said fluid spring of said suspension system;
• providing the other of said first and second valve parts with a fluid passage having an aperture at said port for a supply of fluid through said port to said fluid spring in a first relative position of said first and second valve parts;
• providing a fluid outlet in said other valve part spaced from said port in said first relative position of said first and second valve parts, and communicating with said port for a removal of fluid from said fluid spring in a second relative position of said first and second valve parts through the same port through which fluid is supplied to said fluid spring;
• providing said valve in a neutral position between said first and second relative positions with a first physical separation along said plane between said aperture and said port, and with a second physical separation along said plane between said fluid outlet and said port;
• reducing reaction of said suspension system to vibrations by providing a fluid-tight seal between said aperture and said port, and between said fluid outlet and said port for the extent of said first and second separations, with each of said first and second separations being made proportional along said plane to an amplitude of said vibrations to be tolerated without reaction of said suspension system to vibrations within said amplitude, and by extending said seal for said aperture by a distance in a direction away from said port along said plane also proportional to said amplitude;
• providing in said one valve part a further fluid outlet at said port;
• blocking fluid discharge through said further outlet during operation of said suspension system;
• and
• deflating said fluid spring through said further outlet upon a cessation of operation of said suspension system.

In a method of leveling a supported structure relative to a supporting structure with a fluid suspension system, having a fluid supply, a fluid spring, and a leveling valve having first and second valve parts movable relative to each other, and an actuating lever for angularly moving one of said first and second valve parts relative to the other of said first and second valve parts, said leveling valve and lever connected between said supporting structure and said supported structure, the improvement comprising in combination the steps of:

• providing said leveling valve in said first valve part with a valve port connected to said fluid spring of said suspension system for selective inflation of the fluid spring from said fluid supply and for selective deflation of said fluid spring;
• providing a fluid outlet;
• deflating the fluid spring through said fluid outlet in response to an operator-controlled signal independently of said actuating lever;
• and
• blocking said fluid supply against discharge through said port in response to said signal independently of said actuating lever and independently of said one of said first and second valve parts.

In a method of leveling a supported structure relative to a supporting structure with a fluid suspension system, having a fluid spring between said supporting structure and said supported structure and having a leveling valve for said fluid spring, the improvement comprising in combination the steps of:

• providing said leveling valve with a lever for actuating said leveling valve;
• connecting said lever to one of said supporting structure and said supported structure;
• providing said leveling valve with a valve port connected to said fluid spring of said suspension system for selective inflation and deflation of the fluid spring;
• providing said leveling valve with a fluid outlet;
• providing an actuator for issuing a first operator-controlled signal, said actuator being independent of said leveling valve;
• deflating the fluid spring through said valve port and said fluid outlet in response to said first operator-controlled signal independently of said lever;
• blocking said fluid outlet in said leveling valve against discharge in response to a second operator-controlled signal independently of said lever and independently of said actuator;
• and
• selectively inflating said fluid spring through said valve port from a fluid supply in response to a third operator-controlled signal independently of said lever and independently of said actuator while blocking said fluid outlet in said leveling valve.