Systems and methods for controlling a gas spring in a suspension system. The suspension system includes a gas spring and an accumulator coupled to the gas spring and having a bladder. The accumulator may be in a compressed state and an uncompressed state based on a pressure difference across the bladder. A target amount of gas in the gas spring is determined. The amount of gas in the gas spring is adjusted towards the target amount of gas in accordance with a pressure difference across the bladder based on the difference between the first pressure and the second pressure.

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.

An electric vehicle comprises: a main battery which is disposed under the floor of a vehicle interior; a front seat which is provided for a front part of the vehicle interior; a front housing chamber which is formed under a seating surface of the front seat; and an air-suspension device including an air spring which is made to expand and contract by air pressure, an air compressor which compresses air, and one or more first surge tanks which store high-pressure air or low-pressure air, in which the first surge tanks and the air compressor are disposed in a front housing chamber.

An air management system for a vehicle having a first pneumatic circuit and a second pneumatic circuit, in which the first and second pneumatic circuits are pneumatically connected in a neutral position via a cross-flow mechanism. The first pneumatic circuit includes a first leveling valve configured to adjust independently the height of a first side of the vehicle. The second pneumatic circuit includes a second leveling valve configured to adjust independently the height of a second side of the vehicle. The first and second leveling valves are configured to establish pneumatic communication between the first and second pneumatic circuits when the first leveling valve is not independently adjusting the height of the first side of the vehicle and the second leveling valve is not independently adjusting the height of the second side of the vehicle.

A vehicle stabilization system including a frame; a wheel; a control arm connected to the frame and the wheel; a fluid spring connected to the frame and the control arm; a stabilizer connected to the frame and operable between a retracted and extended position; a reservoir; and a fluid manifold connected to the fluid spring and the chamber, fluidly coupling the spring interior and stabilizer chamber to the reservoir interior. A vehicle stabilization method including maintaining an orientation of the vehicle frame, coupling the frame to a support surface using a stabilizer by introducing a fluid to a chamber of the stabilizer, and retracting a wheel by reducing a quantity of fluid within a fluid spring coupling the wheel to the frame.

A vehicle suspension system configured to utilize a compressed gas for operation of the vehicle suspension wherein the vehicle suspension system is operable in a first mode and a second mode. The vehicle suspension system includes a controller operably coupled to a compressor and a plurality of sensors. The compressor is coupled to a first input source and a second input source. The first input source is utilized in the first mode wherein the vehicle is in an environment that is above freezing. The second input source is utilized in an environment that is below freezing. An antifreeze introduction module is operably coupled to the second input source and is configured to provide introduction of an antifreeze compound into the second input source and subsequently the components of the vehicle suspension system. The vehicle suspension system further includes air springs, leveling valves being operably coupled by a network of lines.

A vehicle includes a sprung mass including a cabin coupled to a chassis, tractive assemblies each including at least one tractive element, springs coupling the tractive elements to the sprung mass, each spring imparting an upward force on the sprung mass, load sensors each configured to provide a signal indicative of the force imparted by one of the springs, and a controller operatively coupled to the load sensors. The controller is configured to determine a weight of the sprung mass using the signals from the load sensors and monitor at least one operational condition of the vehicle. The controller is configured to determine whether or not to disable determination of the weight based on the at least one operational condition.

A throttle assembly for a pressure control system in a vehicle includes at least one throttle valve. The at least one throttle valve defines an assembly cross-section of the throttle assembly, the assembly cross-section specifies a flow resistance acting on a pressure medium entering the throttle assembly, and the at least one throttle valve includes at least one controllable throttle valve configured to be controlled in accordance with an upstream pressure. The assembly cross-section of the throttle assembly is configured to be set, by control of the at least one controllable throttle valve, in such a way that an inlet volume flow of the pressure medium entering the throttle assembly can be limited to a limit volume flow in accordance with the upstream pressure, in order to set, in accordance with the upstream pressure, a power consumption of a pneumatic load in the pressure control system.

A shock absorber includes: a pressure tube defining a working chamber; a piston assembly slidably disposed within the pressure tube, the piston assembly dividing the working chamber into a first and second chambers; a piston rod including a first end that is attached to the piston assembly and that includes a second end that is configured to be attached to one of a sprung mass and an unsprung mass of a vehicle; an electronic valve that is positioned within the piston rod, the electronic valve including a spool moveable between first and second positions, where: when the spool of the electronic valve is in the first position, the spool allows fluid flow between the first and second chambers through the electronic valve and the piston rod; and when the spool of the electronic valve is in the second position, the spool restricts fluid flow between the first and second chambers.

This lift axle device comprises: a first air spring which corresponds to a first axle; a second air spring which corresponds to a second axle that reciprocates between a down position and lift position; an air bellows; a pneumatic circuit which has a solenoid valve; and a control circuit. The control circuit controls the supply of electric power to the solenoid valve. If the pressure transitions to less than a first pressure, the second axle is placed in the lift position. If the pressure transitions to at least a second pressure, the second axle is placed in the down position. If the pressure transitions to at least the first pressure and less than the second pressure, the second axle is caused to maintain the position thereof.