# US 9,751,374 B2 · Vehicle and a height adjustment system for the vehicle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,751,374 B2 - Document ID: US9751374B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/827,993 - Filed: 2015-08-17 - Published: 2016-03-24 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2014-09-22 - Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Applicants: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Inventors: Robert G. Izak - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9751374B2 ## CPC - B60G 17/08: Characteristics of fluid dampers (adjusting fluid dampers in general F16F9/44 - F16F9/53) - B60G 3/20: all arms being rigid - B60G 17/0152: {characterised by the action on a particular type of suspension unit (B60G17/01941 takes precedence)} - B60G 17/0272: {the mechanical spring being a coil spring} - B60G 17/0525: {Height adjusting or levelling valves} - B60G 17/056: Regulating distributors or valves {for hydropneumatic systems}(B60G17/044 - B60G17/048, {B60G17/0416} take precedence; {Fluid interconnection systems to control vehicle inclination B60G21/06, B60G21/10}; valves per se F16K) - B60G 17/0565: {Height adjusting valves} - B60G 21/067: between wheels on different axles on the same side of the vehicle, i.e. the left or the right side - B60G 21/073: between wheels on the same axle but on different sides of the vehicle, i.e. the left and right wheel suspensions being interconnected - B60G 2200/144: with two lateral arms forming a parallelogram - B60G 2202/312: The spring being a wound spring - B60G 2202/32: The spring being in series with the damper and/or actuator - B60G 2202/413: Hydraulic actuator - B60G 2202/414: using electrohydraulic valves - B60G 2202/415: using other types of valves, e.g. mechanically operated valves - B60G 2204/8304: using a fluid - B60G 2500/02: Supply or exhaust flow rates; Pump operation - B60G 2500/30: Height or ground clearance - B60G 2600/70: Computer memory; Data storage, e.g. maps for adaptive control - B60G: VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS (air-cushion vehicles B60V; {cycle suspensions B62K25/00}) ## Abstract A vehicle and a height adjustment system for the vehicle are disclosed. A valve includes a member movable between a first position operating first and second piston mechanisms to raise an end of the vehicle to a first height, a second position operating the first and second piston mechanisms to lower the end of the vehicle to a second height and a third position maintaining the end of the vehicle at one of the first height and the second height. A first fluid line extends between the first piston mechanism and the valve to fluidly connect the first piston mechanism and the valve. Additionally, a second fluid line extends between the second piston mechanism and the valve to fluidly connect the second piston mechanism and the valve. The first fluid line and the second fluid line are fluidly connected to the valve independently of each other. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A height adjustment system for a vehicle, the system comprising: a first piston mechanism adapted to be coupled to a first suspension assembly; a second piston mechanism adapted to be coupled to a second suspension assembly; a valve including a member movable between a first position operating the first and second piston mechanisms to raise an end of the vehicle to a first height, a second position operating the first and second piston mechanisms to lower the end of the vehicle to a second height, and a third position maintaining the end of the vehicle at one of the first height and the second height; a first fluid line extending between the first piston mechanism and the valve to fluidly connect the first piston mechanism and the valve; and a second fluid line extending between the second piston mechanism and the valve to fluidly connect the second piston mechanism and the valve, with the first fluid line and the second fluid line fluidly connected to the valve independently of each other; an inlet line extending to the valve and the inlet line splits into a first segment and a second segment; an outlet line extending to the valve and the outlet line splits into a first segment and a second segment. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the valve includes an actuator selectively energized to move the member to one of the first position and the second position; and wherein the valve includes a plurality of biasing members continuously biasing the member to the third position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system as set forth in claim 2 further including a controller in communication with the actuator to selectively energize the actuator. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system as set forth in claim 1 further including a pump selectively actuated to deliver a fluid to the first and second piston mechanisms, with the inlet line extending between the pump and the valve to fluidly connect the pump and the valve, and further including a reservoir selectively receiving the fluid from the first and second piston mechanisms, with the outlet line extending between the valve and the reservoir to fluidly connect the valve and the reservoir. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The system as set forth in claim 4 further including a one-way valve disposed along the inlet line upstream from the split into the first and second segments of the inlet line which prevents backflow to the pump. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The system as set forth in claim 4 further including: a first one-way valve disposed along the first segment of the inlet line between the pump and the valve which prevents backflow to the pump; a second one-way valve disposed along the second segment of the inlet line between the pump and the valve which prevents backflow to the pump; a third one-way valve disposed along the first segment of the outlet line between the valve and the reservoir which prevents backflow to the valve; and a fourth one-way valve disposed along the second segment of the outlet line between the valve and the reservoir which prevents backflow to the valve. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the member defines a first path and a second path spaced from each other, with the first path aligning with the first fluid line when the member is in the first position and the second path aligning with the second fluid line when the member is in the first position. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The system as set forth in claim 7 wherein the inlet line is fluidly connected to the first and second fluid lines through the first and second paths when the member is in the first position; and wherein the first and second paths are spaced from the inlet line when the member is in the third position. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The system as set forth in claim 8 wherein the first segment of the inlet line and the first fluid line are fluidly connected through the first path when the member is in the first position, and the second segment of the inlet line and the second fluid line fluidly connected through the second path when the member is in the first position. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The system as set forth in claim 9 wherein the first fluid line splits into a first portion and a second portion, with the first portion of the first fluid line and the first segment of the inlet line fluidly connected through the first path when the member is in the first position. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The system as set forth in claim 10 wherein the first segment of the outlet line and the second fluid line are fluidly connected through the second path when the member is in the second position, and the second segment of the outlet line and the second portion of the first fluid line are fluidly connected through the first path when the member is in the second position. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The system as set forth in claim 7 wherein the outlet line is fluidly connected to the first and second fluid lines through the first and second paths when the member is in the second position; and wherein the first and second paths are spaced from the outlet line when the member is in the third position. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The system as set forth in claim 12 wherein the first segment of the outlet line and the second fluid line are fluidly connected through the second path when the member is in the second position, and the second segment of the outlet line and the first fluid line are fluidly connected through the first path when the member is in the second position. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The system as set forth in claim 13 wherein the second fluid line splits into a first portion and a second portion, with the second portion of the second fluid line and the first segment of the outlet line fluidly connected through the second path when the member is in the second position. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The system as set forth in claim 14 wherein the first segment of the inlet line and the first fluid line are fluidly connected through the first path when the member is in the first position, and the second segment of the inlet line and the first portion of the second fluid line are fluidly connected through the second path when the member is in the first position. ### Claim 16 A vehicle comprising: a body including an end; a first suspension assembly coupled to the body; a first piston mechanism coupled to the first suspension assembly; a second suspension assembly coupled to the body; a second piston mechanism coupled to the second suspension assembly; a valve including a member movable between a first position operating the first and second piston mechanisms to raise the end to a first height, a second position operating the first and second piston mechanisms to lower the end to a second height, and a third position maintaining the end at one of the first height and the second height; a first fluid line extending between the first piston mechanism and the valve to fluidly connect the first piston mechanism and the valve; and a second fluid line extending between the second piston mechanism and the valve to fluidly connect the second piston mechanism and the valve, with the first fluid line and the second fluid line fluidly connected to the valve independently of each other; wherein the member defines a first path and a second path spaced from each other, with the first path aligning with the first fluid line when the member is in the first position and the second path aligning with the second fluid line when the member is in the first position; an inlet line extending to the valve and fluidly connected to the first and second fluid lines through the first and second paths when the member is in the first position; an outlet line extending to the valve and fluidly connected to the first and second fluid lines through the first and second paths when the member is in the second position; wherein the first and second paths are spaced from the inlet line and the outlet line when the member is in the third position; wherein the inlet line splits into a first segment and a second segment, with the first segment of the inlet line and the first fluid line fluidly connected through the first path when the member is in the first position, and the second segment of the inlet line and the second fluid line fluidly connected through the second path when the member is in the first position; wherein the outlet line splits into a first segment and a second segment, with the first segment of the outlet line and the second fluid line fluidly connected through the second path when the member is in the second position, and the second segment of the outlet line and the first fluid line fluidly connected through the first path when the member is in the second position. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The vehicle as set forth in claim 16 wherein: the first fluid line splits into a first portion and a second portion, with the first portion of the first fluid line and the first segment of the inlet line fluidly connected through the first path when the member is in the first position, and the second portion of the first fluid line and the second segment of the outlet line fluidly connected through the first path when the member is in the second position; and the second fluid line splits into a first portion and a second portion, with the first portion of the second fluid line and the second segment of the inlet line fluidly connected through the second path when the member is in the first position, and the second portion of the second fluid line and the first segment of the outlet line fluidly connected through the second path when the member is in the second position. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The vehicle as set forth in claim 16 further including a pump selectively actuated to deliver a fluid to the first and second piston mechanisms, with the inlet line extending between the pump and the valve to fluidly connect the pump and the valve, and further including a reservoir selectively receiving the fluid from the first and second piston mechanisms, with the outlet line extending between the valve and the reservoir to fluidly connect the valve and the reservoir. ### Claim 19 A height adjustment system for a vehicle, the system comprising: a first piston mechanism adapted to be coupled to a first suspension assembly; a second piston mechanism adapted to be coupled to a second suspension assembly; a valve including a member movable between a first position operating the first and second piston mechanisms to raise an end of the vehicle to a first height, a second position operating the first and second piston mechanisms to lower the end of the vehicle to a second height, and a third position maintaining the end of the vehicle at one of the first height and the second height; a first fluid line extending between the first piston mechanism and the valve to fluidly connect the first piston mechanism and the valve; and a second fluid line extending between the second piston mechanism and the valve to fluidly connect the second piston mechanism and the valve, with the first fluid line and the second fluid line fluidly connected to the valve independently of each other; wherein the member defines a first path and a second path spaced from each other; an outlet line extending to the valve and fluidly connected to the first and second fluid lines through the first and second paths when the member is in the second position; wherein the outlet line splits into a first segment and a second segment, with the first segment of the outlet line and the second fluid line fluidly connected through the second path when the member is in the second position. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The system as set forth in claim 19 wherein: the first and second paths are spaced from the outlet line when the member is in the third position; and the second segment of the outlet line and the first fluid line are fluidly connected through the first path when the member is in the second position. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The system as set forth in claim 19 wherein the second fluid line splits into a first portion and a second portion, with the second portion of the second fluid line and the first segment of the outlet line fluidly connected through the second path when the member is in the second position.