Heavy-duty vehicle axle/suspension system
AssigneeHendrickson USA, L.L.C.
InventorJohn Edward Ramsey
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An axle/suspension system for a heavy-duty vehicle, in which the vehicle includes a frame that extends in a longitudinal direction relative to the vehicle. The axle/suspension system is attached to the vehicle frame via at least one hanger and includes at least one beam, which includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the beam is connected to the hanger, and the second end of the beam immovably captures an axle, which extends in a transverse direction relative to the vehicle. The beam is formed of a composite material and has a substantially constant cross section in the transverse direction to provide sufficient strength to control roll forces encountered by the vehicle during operation.
Claims14
An axle/suspension system for a heavy-duty vehicle, said vehicle having a frame extending in a longitudinal direction relative to the vehicle, said axle/suspension system being attached to said vehicle frame via at least one hanger, the axle/suspension system comprising:
- an axle extending in a transverse direction relative to said vehicle frame;
- and
- at least one beam extending in said longitudinal direction, said beam being formed of a composite material and including:
- a first end being connected to said hanger by a connection that provides minimal compliance;
- a second end being immovably attached to and capturing said axle;
- a spring rate that provides sufficient compliance to said axle/suspension system;
- and
- a substantially constant cross section in said transverse direction relative to said vehicle frame, such that any cross section of said beam taken along a longitudinally-extending line is substantially the same, whereby the beam provides said sufficient compliance to said axle/suspension system and exhibits sufficient strength to control roll forces encountered by said vehicle during operation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.