A multi-axle transport trailer having a plurality of axles includes a suspension comprising air bags associated with each axle, the air bags in communication with an air source, wherein air bags associated with different axles are capable of having different air pressures therein. The trailer further optionally includes a steering system associated with at least one axle, the axle including a tie rod connected between wheels on both ends of the axle, the steering system comprising cylinders configured to articulate the wheels, and a sensing device configured to monitor movement of the tie rod and facilitate actuating the cylinders to turn the wheels.

Provided is a damper with which the energy efficiency for attenuating input vibration corresponding to the unsprung resonance frequency and the sprung resonance frequency can be improved. Also provided is a method for manufacturing this damper. In this damper the electrical resonance frequency, as specified by the inductance of an electromagnetic motor and the capacitance of a capacitor, is set within ±20% of the unsprung resonance frequency, thereby enabling the input vibration corresponding to the sprung resonance frequency as well as the input vibration corresponding to the unsprung resonance frequency to be reduced.

A vehicle incorporates a gravity-assist energy harvesting suspension system including one or more gravitational positive displacement pumps. The positive displacement pump has a cylinder and a reciprocating piston inside the cylinder. The piston is adapted for movement along a compression stroke and an opposite extension stroke in response to a gravitational bounce of the vehicle when in motion. A turbine comprising a rotor shaft and attached blades is mounted relative to a distal end of a fluid outlet hose connected to the pump. Fluid discharged through the outlet hose acts on the blades, thereby moving and imparting rotational energy to the rotor shaft. A generator is operatively connected to the turbine, and is adapted for converting the rotational energy generated by the rotor shaft to electrical energy.

A vehicle incorporates a gravity-assist energy harvesting suspension system including one or more gravitational positive displacement pumps. The positive displacement pump has a cylinder and a reciprocating piston inside the cylinder. The piston is adapted for movement along a compression stroke and an opposite extension stroke in response to a gravitational bounce of the vehicle when in motion. A turbine comprising a rotor shaft and attached blades is mounted relative to a distal end of a fluid outlet hose connected to the pump. Fluid discharged through the outlet hose acts on the blades, thereby moving and imparting rotational energy to the rotor shaft. A generator is operatively connected to the turbine, and is adapted for converting the rotational energy generated by the rotor shaft to electrical energy.

A mobile power station for the purpose of recharging electric vehicles is provided. The charging station includes separate, but different, types of electrical generation capabilities. For example, the charging station may include two or more of: wind power, solar power and power generated from suspension mounted oscillators, which charge its battery pack over land. If desired, the mobile power station can be amphibious, as well, with the ability to navigate small and large bodies of water.

A rotary damper includes a rotating input member rotating about a rotation axis; a first cylinder and a second cylinder coaxially arranged on opposite sides of the rotation axis; a first and a second pistons slidable inside the first and second cylinders and defining a first and a second working chambers containing incompressible working fluids, respectively; motion conversion mechanisms converting the rotary motion of the rotating input member about the rotation axis into reciprocating motion of the first and second pistons; a third cylinder; a fourth cylinder; and a third and fourth pistons, slidable inside the third and fourth cylinders, respectively and separating the inner volume of the respective cylinder into a respective main chamber in fluid communication with the first working chamber and auxiliary chambers; and the second working chamber and auxiliary chambers respectively.

Provided is a vehicle capable of suppressing an increase in weight. A vehicle includes an air suspension device (pneumatic apparatus), an accumulator, and an air pump. Compressed air is supplied to the air suspension device. The accumulator stores compressed air to be supplied to the air suspension device. The air pump is driven by a relative movement between a vehicle body and wheels, and generates compressed air to be stored in the accumulator.

Provided is a vehicle capable of suppressing an increase in weight. A vehicle includes an air suspension device (pneumatic apparatus), an accumulator, and an air pump. Compressed air is supplied to the air suspension device. The accumulator stores compressed air to be supplied to the air suspension device. The air pump is driven by a relative movement between a vehicle body and wheels, and generates compressed air to be stored in the accumulator.

An electrically powered suspension system includes: an electromagnetic actuator; an information acquisition unit configured to acquire time-series information related to stroke position of the electromagnetic actuator, information on stroke velocity, and an amount of change in stroke of the electromagnetic actuator and information on a stroke direction based on the time-series information; a damping force calculation unit configured to calculate target damping force based on the information on the stroke velocity; and a drive control unit configured to control driving of the electromagnetic actuator using target driving force obtained based on the target damping force. The damping force calculation unit calculates equivalent friction compensation force based on the amount of change in the stroke and the information on the stroke direction, and corrects the target damping force based on the calculated equivalent friction compensation force. The equivalent friction compensation force has elastic force component and dynamic friction force component.

An energy conversion assembly including an input shaft coupled to a first annular gear through a first direction limiting device configured to allow rotation of the first annular gear in a first direction and substantially inhibit rotation of the first annular gear in a second direction. The input shaft may be coupled to a second annular gear through a second direction limiting device configured to allow rotation of the second annular gear in the second direction and substantially inhibit rotation of the second annular gear in the first direction. The assembly may include a first transmitting gear engaged with the first annular gear, a second transmitting gear engaged with the second annular gear, a conversion gear operatively coupled to the second transmitting gear, and a transmitting shaft coupled to the first transmitting gear and the conversion gear.