Method and system for adjusting a vehicle aligned with an artificial horizon

A method of adjusting a suspension system of a vehicle that has a sprung mass and an unsprung mass, said method comprising:

• a) entering an operating mode in which a control system of the suspension system is capable of approximately aligning the sprung mass of a vehicle with a predetermined datum;
• b) adjusting the sprung mass into an approximately aligned condition with said predetermined datum using the suspension system, said approximately aligned condition occurring at a first leveled height;
• c) checking for approximate alignment of the sprung mass with said predetermined datum;
• d) generating and storing initial height target data corresponding to said first leveled height of the sprung mass;
• e) receiving an operator input corresponding to a desired change in said first leveled height of the sprung mass;
• f) modifying said initial height target data based at least in part on said operator input;
• g) checking for approximate positioning of the sprung mass at a second leveled height that corresponds to said height target data modified in f);
• h) determining that the sprung mass is at a leveled height that is different from said second leveled height which corresponds to said height target data modified in f);
• and,
• i) adjusting the sprung mass into approximate position at said second leveled height using said suspension system while maintaining the sprung mass in approximate alignment with said predetermined datum.

A vehicle suspension system operatively disposed between an associated sprung mass and an associated unsprung mass of an associated vehicle and adapted to approximately align the associated sprung mass with a predetermined datum and to adjust a leveled height of the associated sprung mass relative to a ground surface while maintaining the associated sprung mass in approximate alignment with said predetermined datum, said vehicle suspension system comprising:

• a plurality of fluid suspension members supported between the associated sprung and unsprung masses;
• a pressurized fluid source in fluid communication with said plurality of fluid suspension members;
• a control device fluidically disposed between said pressurized fluid source and said plurality of fluid suspension members and operative to selectively transfer pressurized fluid therebetween;
• an alignment sensor supported on the associated sprung mass and operative to output a signal indicative of an orientation of the associated sprung mass;
• a height sensor operatively connected between the associated sprung and unsprung masses and operative to output a signal indicative of a distance therebetween;
• and,
• a control system in communication with at least said control device, said alignment sensor and said height sensor, said control system including a memory and a determining device, and said control system adapted to operate said vehicle suspension system in a standard leveling mode during over-the-road usage of the associated vehicle and in a horizon leveling mode during stationary usage of the associated vehicle, said control system operative to:
• receive a signal from said alignment sensor and selectively activate said control device until said signal from said alignment sensor is indicative of the associated sprung mass being approximately aligned with said predetermined datum;
• receive said signal from said height sensor and store in said memory height target data having a relation to said signal as a target height;
• receive an operator input and modify said height target data based on said operator input;
• and,
• adjust said leveled height of the associated sprung mass based on said modified height target data.