Lift axle suspension with axle reservoir

In a vehicle supported on an axle with ground engaging wheels, the vehicle comprising:

• a frame;
• a source of pressurized air;
• a pair of trailing arm assemblies mounted to the vehicle frame in spaced relationship, each of the trailing arm assemblies comprising:
• a trailing arm having one portion pivotally mounted to the vehicle frame for pivotal movement about a pivot axis;
• and
• a spring operably mounted between the trailing arm and adapted to be mounted to the vehicle frame for resisting the pivotal movement of the trailing arm about the pivotal axis toward the frame;
• a pneumatic lift mechanism connected to the trailing arm for raising the trailing arm with respect to the frame when pressurized;
• the axle mounted to the trailing arms for movement therewith;
• and
• the improvement comprises:
• at least a portion of the axle has a sealed hollow interior forming a pressurized air reservoir and is connected to the source of pressurized air;
• and
• the air reservoir is pneumatically connected to the pneumatic lift mechanism for selectively raising the trailing arm with respect to the frame.

In a trailing arm suspension for supporting a vehicle with a pneumatic system and a vehicle frame on an axle with ground engaging wheels, the trailing arm suspension comprising:

• a pair of trailing arm assemblies adapted to be mounted to the vehicle frame is spaced relationship, each of the trailing arm assemblies comprising:
• a trailing arm having one portion adapted to be pivotally mounted to the vehicle frame for pivotal movement about a pivot axis;
• a spring mounted to the trailing arm and adapted to be mounted to the vehicle frame for resisting the pivotal movement of the trailing arm about the pivotal axis toward the frame;
• and
• at least a portion of the axle has a sealed hollow interior forming a pressurized air reservoir and is adapted to be connected to the pneumatic system;
• and
• the axle is mounted to the trailing arms for movement therewith;
• and
• the improvement comprises:
• a pneumatic lift mechanism mounted on the trailing arm for raising the trailing arm with respect to the frame when pressurized;
• and
• the air reservoir is connected to the pneumatic lift mechanism for selectively raising the trailing arm with respect to the frame.

In a trailing arm suspension for supporting a vehicle with a pneumatic system and a vehicle frame on an axle with ground engaging wheels, the trailing arm suspension comprising:

• a pair of trailing arm assemblies adapted to be mounted to the vehicle frame in spaced relationship, each of the trailing arm assemblies comprising:
• a trailing arm having one portion adapted to be pivotally mounted to the vehicle frame for pivotal movement about a pivot axis;
• an air spring mounted to the trailing arm and adapted to be mounted to the vehicle frame for resisting the pivotal movement of the trailing arm about the pivotal axis toward the frame and adapted to be coupled to the pneumatic system to supply pressurized air thereto;
• at least a portion of the axle has a hollow interior forming a pressurized air reservoir and is adapted to be pneumatically connected to the pneumatic system;
• the axle is carried by the trailing arms and connected thereto for movement therewith;
• and
• the improvement comprises:
• the air reservoir is connected to the air spring for pressurizing the air spring.

In an axle for use in a suspension that supports a vehicle with a pneumatic system and a vehicle frame on ground engaging wheels;

• the suspension comprising:
• an arm with one portion pivotally mounted to the vehicle frame for pivotal movement about a pivot axis;
• and an air spring operably connecting the arm to the frame for resisting the pivotal movement of the trailing arm about the pivotal axis toward the frame and adapted to be coupled to the pneumatic system to supply pressurized air to the air spring;
• the axle comprising a hollow interior portion forming a pressurized air reservoir that is adapted to be pneumatically connected to the pneumatic system and
• is adapted to connect to the air spring for pressurizing the air spring.