US 6,669,217 B2 · Anti-roll suspension valve body

Abstract

A suspension system that restricts side-to-side airflow between air springs on opposite sides of a vehicle or trailer. In one embodiment, active airflow discs in suspension ports of a valve operate in two modes; restrictive and non-restrictive. A disc attains a non-restrictive mode when air is exhausted from an air spring. A disc attains a restrictive mode when air is injected into the suspension port from the valve toward an air spring. Airflow discs in opposing suspension ports both attain a non-restrictive state to rapidly dump air from the springs and lower vehicle ride height. In another embodiment, a pneumatic circuit includes one-way check valves, in fluid communication with opposing air springs, aligned to restrict airflow between the opposing springs under uneven loading conditions. A pair of electronic solenoids acts in concert with the check valves to selectively inflate or deflate the air springs.

Claims28

Dependent claims

A system for restricting side-to-side air transfer between first and second suspension elements on opposite sides at least one of a vehicle and a trailer comprising:

a first one-way valve, in fluid communication with the first suspension element and the second suspension element, oriented to allow fluid flow from the first suspension element and to prevent fluid flow from the second suspension element to the first suspension element;
a second one-way valve, in fluid communication with the first suspension element and the second suspension element, oriented to allow fluid flow from the second suspension element and to prevent fluid flow from the first suspension element to the second suspension element;
and
a relief line in fluid communication with the first suspension element and the second suspension element, said relief line providing restricted fluid communication between the first and second suspension elements.

1 more element

A suspension system for regulating transfer of air between suspension elements on opposite sides of at least one of a vehicle and a trailer, comprising:

a first air spring for mounting on a first side of the at least one of a vehicle and a trailer including a first spring line;
a second spring for mounting on a second side of the at least one of a vehicle and a trailer, opposite said first side, including a second spring line;
supply means in fluid communication with said first spring line and said second spring line for filling with air said first air spring and said second air spring;
dumping means in fluid communication with said first spring line and said second spring line for dumping air from said first air spring and said second air spring;
a pneumatic circuit in fluid communication with said first spring line, said second spring line, said supply means and said dumping means including a plurality of one-way valves oriented to selectively allow air to be filled into said first air spring and said second air spring, but to selectively allow air to be dumped from said first air spring and said second air spring, but to prevent air from passing from said first air spring to said second air spring when the at least one of a vehicle and a trailer traverses a corner;
and
a relief line that provides restricted air transfer between the first and second air springs.

4 more elements

A pneumatic circuit for air springs for at least one of a trailer and a vehicle having a ride height comprising:

a supply regulator for raising the ride height when said supply regulator is actuated;
a dump regulator for lowering the ride height when said dump regulator is actuated;
a first suspension element in fluid communication with said supply regulator and said dump regulator;
a second suspension element in fluid communication with said supply regulator and said dump regulator;
a plurality of one-way valves in fluid communication with said supply regulator, said dump regulator, said first suspension element and said second suspension element, and oriented to prevent air from transferring from said first suspension element to said second suspension element and vice versa, to selectively allow the dump regulator to lower the ride height when actuated, and to selectively allow the supply regulator to raise the ride height when actuated;
and
at least one relief line that provides restricted fluid communication between said first suspension element and said second suspension element.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Anti-roll suspension valve body

Life of this patent

Anti-roll suspension valve body

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims28