A suspension actuator includes an upper mount, a lower mount, a first actuator mechanism, and a second actuator mechanism. The upper mount is connectable to a sprung mass of a vehicle. The lower mount is connectable to an unsprung mass of the vehicle. The first actuator mechanism forms a first load path between the upper mount and the lower mount. The first actuator mechanism is one of an electromagnetic linear actuator mechanism or a ball screw actuator mechanism. The second actuator mechanism forms a second load path in parallel with the first load path between the upper mount and the lower mount. The second actuator mechanism is one of a mechanical linear actuator mechanism, an air spring actuator mechanism, or a hydraulic actuator mechanism.

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.

In an air suspension system, starting of a compressor is facilitated in a condition in which there exists a pressure difference. There is provided an air suspension system in which air compressed by a compressor is supplied to a plurality of air chambers provided between a vehicle body side and a wheel side and configured to perform vehicle height adjustment in accordance with the supply and discharge of air. The compressor has a needle connected to a piston and extending in a moving direction of the piston, and an armature reciprocating the needle in the moving direction of the piston.

A vehicle height control system includes a fluid feeder and a vehicle height control unit. The vehicle height control unit includes a communication control unit. In a first communication state, a high-pressure source and a common passage are made to communicate with each other via the first passage and the second passage. In a second communication state, the first passage is shut off and the high-pressure source and the common passage are made to communicate with each other via the second passage. The communication control unit selects one from among the plurality of communication states based on at least one of a content of a start condition, a target vehicle height of a height increasing control and a number of wheels to be controlled in the height increasing control, when the start condition of the height increasing control is satisfied.

A vehicle load-bearing member includes an electro-active material, a lead wire for delivering an electric current to the electro-active material, and a controller in communication with a power supply for supplying electric current to the electro-active material for changing dynamic characteristics of the electro-active material, wherein changing dynamic characteristics of the electro-active material changes at least one of dampening and stiffness of the vehicle load-bearing member by changing the shape of the electro-active material.

An air suspension system is provided with air spring devices, a pressure accumulation tank, a compressor device that supplies compressed air at least to the pressure accumulation tank, and that includes an electric motor, a pump device, and a dryer, and a control device that performs a vehicle height increase control, a vehicle height decrease control, an air suction control, and a regeneration air discharge control. The control device performs a heat accumulation control, by actuating the pump device with the communication between the compressor device and the air spring devices being blocked, supplying the compressed air discharged through the dryer to the pump device to be circulated, and accumulating heat of compression of the compressed air in the dryer, to regenerate the dryer.

Adjustable spring support comprising a spring plate which is axially adjustable by an annular actuator, wherein the actuator is supplied with pressure medium via a pressure medium supply system, wherein the annular actuator has a pressure medium connection to the pressure medium supply system, and the housing of the actuator is connected directly to a housing of the pressure medium supply system.

An exemplary energy delivery system includes a housing. The housing includes a linear motor including a translational member and an electromagnetic field generating member. Energization of the electromagnetic field generating member induces translation of the translational member along a longitudinal axis of the linear motor. The housing further includes a first cylinder including a first chamber and a movable first piston and a second cylinder including a second chamber and a movable second piston. The first and second cylinders are coupled in-line with the linear motor within the housing and translation of the translational member along the longitudinal axis translates the first piston within the first chamber in a first direction and translates the second piston within the second chamber in a second direction opposite the first direction.

Air damping systems for lift axles are described herein. In some embodiments, lift axle systems configured in accordance with the present technology can include one or more air springs for carrying vehicle sprung mass (load springs) and one or more air springs (or, for example, air cylinders) for raising the lift axle (lift springs). One or more air lines can be connected between the load springs and the lift springs so that, in operation, compression and extension of the load springs in response to axle movement causes pressurized air to flow back and forth between the load springs and the lift springs. As a result, the lift springs provide an additional volume to receive the pressurized air and provide an opposing spring force to the suspension. Additionally, in some embodiments the air line or lines extending between the load springs and the lift springs can include an air flow restriction and/or other air damping feature. In operation, the air damping feature dampens the flow of air between the load springs and the lift springs to provide damping of the vehicle suspension without the additional costs or disadvantages often associated with conventional hydraulic shock absorbers.

A method for the treatment of air of a compressed air system for a motor vehicle, the compressed air system comprising an air compressor, an air dryer and an ambient temperature sensor, wherein an exchange operation of a system air volume is performed by the air compressor, wherein during the exchange operation a part of the system air from the compressed air system is released into the surroundings and ambient air is filled into the compressed air system. The method includes determining a current ambient temperature value (T.sub.U) using the ambient temperature sensor, checking a first condition, whether or not the current ambient temperature value (T.sub.U) is lower than a temperature limit value (T.sub.G), and performing the exchange operation to lower the dew point of the system air by the air dryer if the first condition is satisfied.