Patent classifications
B60G17/04
Military vehicle
A brake system includes a brake actuator configured to engage a brake to limit movement of a tractive element, an air-to-hydraulic intensifier coupled to the brake actuator where the air-to-hydraulic intensifier is configured to receive a supply of air and provide a hydraulic fluid to the brake actuator based on the supply of air to overcome a brake biasing force of the brake actuator to disengage the brake actuator from the brake to permit movement of the tractive element, a hydraulic reservoir coupled to the air-to-hydraulic intensifier, and a valve. The valve includes a first port fluidly coupled to the air-to-hydraulic intensifier, a second port fluidly coupled to the hydraulic reservoir, a third port fluidly coupled to the brake actuator, and a valve gate that is repositionable between a first position that couples the first port to the third port and a second position that couples the second port to the third port.
Military vehicle
A brake system includes a brake actuator configured to engage a brake to limit movement of a tractive element, an air-to-hydraulic intensifier coupled to the brake actuator where the air-to-hydraulic intensifier is configured to receive a supply of air and provide a hydraulic fluid to the brake actuator based on the supply of air to overcome a brake biasing force of the brake actuator to disengage the brake actuator from the brake to permit movement of the tractive element, a hydraulic reservoir coupled to the air-to-hydraulic intensifier, and a valve. The valve includes a first port fluidly coupled to the air-to-hydraulic intensifier, a second port fluidly coupled to the hydraulic reservoir, a third port fluidly coupled to the brake actuator, and a valve gate that is repositionable between a first position that couples the first port to the third port and a second position that couples the second port to the third port.
UTILITY VEHICLE
A utility vehicle is configured for off-road terrain and may include a plurality of mounting members configured to support a load and/or support the vehicle during transport. The utility vehicle also includes an upper frame assembly which is movable between a first position and second position. The upper frame assembly may be moved to the second position during transportation of the utility vehicle. Further, the utility vehicle includes a plurality of configurations for a rear cargo area, thereby allowing for passengers or cargo to be supported.
Vehicle suspension damper
A vehicle suspension damper for providing a variable damping rate. The vehicle suspension damper comprises a first damping mechanism having a variable first threshold pressure, a second damping mechanism having a second threshold pressure, and a compressible chamber in communication with a damping fluid chamber, wherein the second damping mechanism is responsive to a compression of said compressible chamber.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LOAD MANAGEMENT
A method for analyzing and managing a vehicle load carried by a vehicle, the vehicle having a fluid suspension system, the method including sampling, at a manifold of the fluid suspension system, a set of fluid pressure corresponding to a set of fluid springs of the fluid suspension system, wherein the set of fluid springs supports the vehicle load; determining an existing stiffness distribution, the existing stiffness distribution including a stiffness value associated with each of the set of fluid springs; determining a contextual dataset during vehicle operation; determining a desired stiffness distribution based on the contextual dataset; automatically controlling the set of fluid springs at the plurality of actuation points based on the desired stiffness distribution, wherein controlling the set of fluid springs includes setting the stiffness value of the fluid spring associated with each of the plurality of actuation points.
LOAD SPAN TAG AXLE SYSTEM
Systems and apparatuses include a tag axle system including an axle assembly, a linkage coupling the axle assembly to a vehicle chassis, and a hydraulic cylinder coupled between the vehicle chassis and the axle assembly. The hydraulic cylinder actuates the axle assembly between a raised position and a lowered position, and acts as a spring damper suspension component.
LOAD SPAN TAG AXLE SYSTEM
Systems and apparatuses include a tag axle system including an axle assembly, a linkage coupling the axle assembly to a vehicle chassis, and a hydraulic cylinder coupled between the vehicle chassis and the axle assembly. The hydraulic cylinder actuates the axle assembly between a raised position and a lowered position, and acts as a spring damper suspension component.
Concurrent leveling system for a vehicle
A concurrent leveling system includes a pressurized air source. A manifold block, having a body defining an air feed inlet, is disposed between air springs and the pressurized air source. The body includes front and rear suspension valves. Each of the suspension valves defines a suspension valve orifice having a first predetermined diameter. The body includes at least one restrictor valve parallel to and in fluid communication with the front suspension valves. The at least one restrictor valve includes a first check valve and a first blocker valve orifice defining a first orifice diameter. The first check valve and the first blocker valve orifice are disposed parallel to one another and in series with the front suspension valves and in fluid communication with the air feed inlet and the front suspension valves for reducing fluid back flow to allow the vehicle to be lowered in nominal loading conditions.
Fully-actuated suspension system
Some embodiments provide a fully-actuated suspension system which can provide adjustable displacement of a sprung mass from a neutral suspension position over an unsprung mass. The system includes a variable pressure air spring which can adjust the neutral suspension position and execute low-frequency displacements and a hydraulically-driven piston which can execute high-frequency displacements. The system can communicate information to a driver, via haptic feedback provided via actuator displacements, which can augment the driver's situational awareness. The system can provide augmented vehicle braking via displacing the unsprung mass of the vehicle towards the surface upon which the vehicle rests to increase the normal force and contact area of the unsprung mass on the surface, unload torsion of the wheel induced by applied braking pressure to the wheel, etc. The system can compensate for vehicle oscillations at frequencies below the primary ride frequency, thereby mitigating the risk of occupant motion sickness.