A trailer system for hauling material. The trailer system including a frame and a container attached to the frame. A lid is operatively associated with a first aperture and adapted to at least move between an open position and a closed position. When in the closed position the lid seals the first aperture such that the seal is watertight. A gate is operatively associated with a second aperture and adapted to at least move between an open position and a closed position. When in the closed position the gate seals the second aperture such that the seal is watertight. A pusher plate assembly is arranged with the container for pushing material contained in the container in a direction towards the second aperture.

A spring device (100) for a wheel suspension (200) for a vehicle (300) is described. The spring device (100) comprises an elongated elastic torsion device (102) configured to rotate about a central longitudinal axis (R) at a load (L). The torsion device (102) comprises elongated elastic elements (130) that comprise an internal cavity (132).

The present invention relates to a system for determining whether to inhibit lowering of the ride height of a vehicle when the vehicle speed exceeds a speed threshold value. The system includes a processor having an input configured to receive ride attribute data from at least one on-board vehicle ride attribute sensor, the ride attribute data being indicative of the roughness of the surface over which the vehicle is travelling, and a data memory configured to store at least one predetermined ride attribute threshold value for the or each ride attribute sensor. The processor is configured to calculate a ride attribute parameter in dependence on the received ride attribute data for the or each ride attribute sensor. The processor is also configured to compare the or each calculated ride attribute parameter with the corresponding at least one predetermined ride attribute threshold value to determine whether the vehicle is travelling on a smooth surface or a rough surface, and to inhibit lowering of the ride height when it is determined that the vehicle is travelling on a rough surface.

Methods and apparatus to determine vehicle weight are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a vehicle controller configured to control a motor operatively coupled to a suspension system to raise or lower a vehicle. The vehicle controller is to also determine a first parameter of the motor while controlling the motor to raise or lower the vehicle when the vehicle is unloaded. The vehicle controller is to also determine a second parameter of the motor while controlling the motor to raise or lower the vehicle when the vehicle is at least partially loaded. The vehicle controller is to also calculate a weight of the vehicle based on the first and second parameters of the motor.

An emergency egress system for a multi-passenger vehicle such as a school bus (10) includes a housing (30) that operatively supports a ramp (34) in movable connection therewith. Opening an emergency exit door (18) of the bus causes a housing door (24) to open and the ramp to move outwardly from a retracted position toward an extended position. Opening the emergency exit door also causes the suspension of the bus to be automatically lowered to place the emergency exit opening (16) closer to the ground (166).

A motion control system includes a top mount, a bottom mount, a rigid housing, an air spring, and a linear actuator. The air spring transfers force of a first load path between the top mount and the bottom mount. The air spring includes a pressurized cavity containing pressurized gas that transfers the force of the first load path. The linear actuator transfers force of a second load path between the top mount and the bottom mount in parallel to the first load path. The rigid housing defines at least part of the pressurized cavity and transfers the force of the second load path.

Particular embodiments may enable configuring settings of a vehicle in a designated mode. A signal to place the vehicle in a designated mode may be received. A roll angle and a pitch angle of the vehicle as parked may be assessed based on data received from a position sensor built into the vehicle. Signals to adjust an electronically controlled suspension of the vehicle to reduce the roll angle or the pitch angle so that the vehicle is level as parked may be sent based on the assessed roll angle and pitch angle exceeding a threshold value. One or more settings of the vehicle to change default operating characteristics by the vehicle while in the designated mode may be modified.

In a method for determining an axle load on a mechanically and/or pneumatically/hydraulically suspended vehicle, the axle load is determined with the aid of control and sensor means that are installed in the vehicle and/or functionally enhanced. Functions for axle load determination at mechanically suspended vehicle axles (4) and for axle load determination at pneumatically/hydraulically suspended vehicle axles (2) are available. In a mechanically suspended vehicle axle (4) a distance measuring unit (9), and in a pneumatically/hydraulically suspended vehicle axle (2) a pressure measuring unit (7) are used to determine the axle load. An initial plausibility check is implemented in an electronic control unit (10) of the level control system (1), on the basis of which the level control system (1) identifies the particular suspension type, mechanical or pneumatic/hydraulic, of a vehicle axle (2, 4) and, thereafter, the appropriate function for axle load determination is activated.

A shock absorber for a vehicle, the shock absorber having an absorber body with an outer surface, and a movable piston having a first end configured to couple with the vehicle, and a second end disposed within the absorber body. There is a magnet assembly disposed around and external of the movable piston at the second end. The absorber has a sensor assembly having a sensor body coupled with the outer surface. An inner sensor body has a sensor disposed therein configured to detect a change in a linear position of the magnet assembly.

Presented herein are systems and methods for attenuating certain pulsations in a hydraulic system comprising a pump and a hydraulic actuator. In certain aspects, an accumulator comprising an internal volume that is divided into a working chamber and a contained chamber may be utilized to at least partially attenuate propagation of certain pulsations in the system. The working chamber may be fluidically coupled to the pump via a first flow path and fluidically coupled to a chamber of the actuator via a second flow path. The system may be designed such that a first inertance of the first flow path is greater than a second inertance of the second flow path. Additionally or alternatively, the system may be designed such that a resonance associated with the first inertance and a compliance of the accumulator may occur at a resonance frequency of less than 90 Hz.