An active suspension system is configured in a strut arrangement. The active suspension system comprises a hydraulic actuator and a hydraulic pump/electric motor assembly, wherein the actuator movement is preferably in lockstep with the hydraulic motor-pump and electric motor-generator combination. Torque in the electric motor is instantaneously controlled by a controller to create an immediate force change on the hydraulic actuator. The hydraulic actuator is configured so that it can be used as a strut whereby the actuator has sufficient structural rigidity to carry the applied suspension loads while capable of supplying damper forces in at least three quadrants of the force velocity graph of the suspension actuator operation. Embodiments disclosed include low cost active suspension systems for a MacPherson strut application.

An active suspension system is configured in a strut arrangement. The active suspension system comprises a hydraulic actuator and a hydraulic pump/electric motor assembly, wherein the actuator movement is preferably in lockstep with the hydraulic motor-pump and electric motor-generator combination. Torque in the electric motor is instantaneously controlled by a controller to create an immediate force change on the hydraulic actuator. The hydraulic actuator is configured so that it can be used as a strut whereby the actuator has sufficient structural rigidity to carry the applied suspension loads while capable of supplying damper forces in at least three quadrants of the force velocity graph of the suspension actuator operation. Embodiments disclosed include low cost active suspension systems for a MacPherson strut application.

A compressed air supply unit for operating a pneumatic unit by means of a compressed air flow, in particular of an air suspension unit of a vehicle, comprises an air dryer arrangement in a main pneumatic line that pneumatically links a compressed air feed line from an air compressor and a compressed air connection to the pneumatic unit. A valve arrangement is pneumatically connected to the main pneumatic line for controlling the compressed air flow. The air dryer arrangement has a drying container having a container outer wall. A partition along a length of the drying container divides an internal space delimited by the container outer wall into first and second chambers delimited by the partition and the container outer wall. The partition adjoins the container outer wall along the length of the drying container, and the first and second chambers are adjacent to one another along that length.

A plurality of traveling wheels are supported via expandable/contractible tubular support members to a vehicle body frame. A hydraulic operation type vehicle height adjustment mechanism provided for each one of the traveling wheels, the vehicle height adjustment mechanism being capable of switching a relative height of the traveling wheel relative to the vehicle body frame within a predetermined length range by expanding/contracting the support member by a hydraulic cylinder. There are provided a hydraulic control valve capable of controlling feeding state of work oil to each one of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders, a controlling section for controlling an operation of the hydraulic control valve to bring the vehicle body to a target state via vehicle height adjustment by the hydraulic cylinder in response to a change in the posture of the vehicle body and a plurality of accumulators connected oil chambers of the respective plurality of hydraulic cylinders.

An implement includes a hydraulic control to move rear wheels upward and downward. A hitch frame has a rear end pivotally connected to a front of the implement's frame about an upper hitch pivot axis and a front end connectable to a tractor drawbar. A tension link has a rear end pivotally connected to the front end of the implement about a lower hitch pivot axis located below and parallel to the upper hitch pivot, and a front end movably mounted to a front of the hitch frame. A front hydraulic cylinder moves the front end of the tension link forward and rearward. The hydraulic control activates the front hydraulic cylinder to move the tension link rearward as the rear hydraulic cylinder moves the rear wheels upward with respect to the implement frame, and to move the front end of the tension link forward as the rear wheels move downward.

An implement includes a hydraulic control to move rear wheels upward and downward. A hitch frame has a rear end pivotally connected to a front of the implement's frame about an upper hitch pivot axis and a front end connectable to a tractor drawbar. A tension link has a rear end pivotally connected to the front end of the implement about a lower hitch pivot axis located below and parallel to the upper hitch pivot, and a front end movably mounted to a front of the hitch frame. A front hydraulic cylinder moves the front end of the tension link forward and rearward. The hydraulic control activates the front hydraulic cylinder to move the tension link rearward as the rear hydraulic cylinder moves the rear wheels upward with respect to the implement frame, and to move the front end of the tension link forward as the rear wheels move downward.

A suspension system for a vehicle includes a knuckle defining a bore therethrough. The suspension system includes a wheel hub rotatably mounted on the knuckle. Further, the suspension system includes an axle at least partially received within the bore of the knuckle and operatively coupled to the wheel hub. The suspension system includes a pump driven by the axle and configured to generate pressurized fluid. The suspension system includes an actuator receiving pressurized fluid from the pump.

A vehicle includes a body, a pair of front gas springs coupling a pair of front wheel end assemblies to the body, and a pair of rear gas springs coupling a pair of rear wheel end assemblies to the body. At least one of the rear gas springs includes a cylinder, a rod extending within the cylinder and movable relative to the cylinder, the rod and the cylinder together at least partially defining a chamber having a variable volume and receiving a first pressurized gas therein, and an accumulator in communication with the chamber and containing a second pressurized gas therein. The second pressurized gas within the accumulator is held at a threshold pressure creating a first spring rate when the first pressurized gas is below the threshold pressure and a second spring rate when the first pressurized gas is above the threshold pressure.

A vehicle includes a body, a pair of front gas springs coupling a pair of front wheel end assemblies to the body, and a pair of rear gas springs coupling a pair of rear wheel end assemblies to the body. At least one of the rear gas springs includes a cylinder, a rod extending within the cylinder and movable relative to the cylinder, the rod and the cylinder together at least partially defining a chamber having a variable volume and receiving a first pressurized gas therein, and an accumulator in communication with the chamber and containing a second pressurized gas therein. The second pressurized gas within the accumulator is held at a threshold pressure creating a first spring rate when the first pressurized gas is below the threshold pressure and a second spring rate when the first pressurized gas is above the threshold pressure.

In one embodiment, one or more suspension systems of a vehicle may be used to mitigate motion sickness by limiting motion in one or more frequency ranges. In another embodiment, an active suspension may be integrated with an autonomous vehicle architecture. In yet another embodiment, the active suspension system of a vehicle may be used to induce motion in a vehicle. The vehicle may be used as a testbed for technical investigations and/or as a platform to enhance the enjoyment of video and/or audio by vehicle occupants. In some embodiments, the active suspensions system may be used to perform gestures as a means of communication with persons inside or outside the vehicle. In some embodiments, the active suspensions system may be used to generate haptic warnings to a vehicle operator or other persons in response to certain road situations.