A crane for lifting and transporting loads includes a handling element, for supporting and handling the loads, and a chassis for transferring the loads of the crane onto a support surface by a contact arranged in contact with the surface, such as wheels. A drive transmission, such as a drive wheel, moves the crane on the support surface. The drive transmission is capable of translating relative to the chassis to adjust the force exerted by the drive transmission upon the support surface. The crane includes a sensor for detecting the force exerted by the drive transmission upon the support surface; and a control unit configured for adjusting the position of the drive transmission relative to the chassis, based on the detection of the sensor.

A crane for lifting and transporting loads includes a handling element, for supporting and handling the loads, and a chassis for transferring the loads of the crane onto a support surface by a contact arranged in contact with the surface, such as wheels. A drive transmission, such as a drive wheel, moves the crane on the support surface. The drive transmission is capable of translating relative to the chassis to adjust the force exerted by the drive transmission upon the support surface. The crane includes a sensor for detecting the force exerted by the drive transmission upon the support surface; and a control unit configured for adjusting the position of the drive transmission relative to the chassis, based on the detection of the sensor.

An overload suspension system configured for operative engagement to a vehicle having a first leaf spring and second leaf spring to provide auxiliary support to the vehicle when overloaded. A first control arm attached to a first torsion bar has a distal end positioned a separation distance from the first leaf spring. A second control arm attached to the second control arm has a distal end positioned substantially the same separation distance from the second leaf spring. The suspension system operates as an auxiliary suspension only when added weight to the vehicle deflects both leaf springs to contact a respective one of the control arms, thereby preserving the ride and suspension characteristics of the vehicle when the added weight is not present.

A height-adjustable spring-damper system for a vehicle for setting a ride position and payload compensation of the vehicle separately from one another includes a damper cylinder, a supporting spring, a first ring cylinder which has a first ring piston disposed displaceably in the first ring cylinder and which defines a first working chamber with a first working volume, and a second ring cylinder which has a second ring piston disposed displaceably in the second ring cylinder and which defines a second working chamber with a second working volume.

A shock absorber for a vehicle having a damper and a first and second springs mounted coaxially around the damper and a preload adjuster for partially compressing at least one of the springs independently of the compression stroke. In one embodiment the preload adjuster is remotely controllable. In another embodiment the shock absorber includes an additional mechanism for preloading at least one of the springs.

Integrated multiple actuator electro-hydraulic systems as well as their methods of use are described. Depending on the particular application, the integrated electro-hydraulic systems may exhibit different frequency responses and/or may be integrated into a single combined unit.

A height-adjustable spring arrangement for a vehicle includes a bearing spring, a first limiting cylinder with a first limiting cylinder pot and a first limiting piston, a second limiting cylinder with a second limiting cylinder pot and a second limiting piston, and a guide cylinder with a guide cylinder pot, a displaceable guide piston in the guide cylinder pot and a guide piston rod fixed on the guide piston and extending out of the guide cylinder pot along a longitudinal axis of a bearing spring and through the bearing spring. The guide piston rod is displaceable by the first and second limiting cylinders such that a spring preload acting on the bearing spring and a negative spring path of the bearing spring remain constant as a result of a height adjustment.

A suspension system for a vehicle and method for operating the same includes a shock absorber housing having a longitudinal axis, a spring disposed around the shock absorber housing, a retainer collar disposed around the shock absorber housing and an actuator engaged to the retainer collar. The actuator moves at least a portion of the retainer collar to move the spring in a direction corresponding the longitudinal axis. A switch generates a ride height position signal. A controller is coupled to the actuator and the switch. The controller controls a position of the actuator in response to the ride height position signal.

An air suspension system which includes a Dynamic Load Transfer (DLT) function. DLT is a process of transferring vehicle load, or varying normal loads applied to each wheel of the vehicle, using switchable volume or variable volume air spring assemblies. Switchable or variable volume air spring assemblies have the ability to change air spring volumes, which results in changes in air spring rates, which result in changes in normal loads applied to each wheel. Changes in wheel normal loads change wheel traction (slip) and vehicle dynamics (pitch, roll, yaw displacement, rate and acceleration). Each air spring assembly may have multiple volume air chambers that are switched “on” and “off,” a variable volume air chamber, or the air spring assembly may be coupled with other air springs, or air chambers, that are switched or varied.

An air suspension system which includes a Dynamic Load Transfer (DLT) function. DLT is a process of transferring vehicle load, or varying normal loads applied to each wheel of the vehicle, using switchable volume or variable volume air spring assemblies. Switchable or variable volume air spring assemblies have the ability to change air spring volumes, which results in changes in air spring rates, which result in changes in normal loads applied to each wheel. Changes in wheel normal loads change wheel traction (slip) and vehicle dynamics (pitch, roll, yaw displacement, rate and acceleration). Each air spring assembly may have multiple volume air chambers that are switched “on” and “off,” a variable volume air chamber, or the air spring assembly may be coupled with other air springs, or air chambers, that are switched or varied.