A hydropneumatic system for suspensions of vehicle wheel assemblies is provided, for each suspension, with a respective hydropneumatic cylinder having a first and a second body, which can move axially relative to each other and define respective chambers, axially separated from each other via a piston element; the latter is coupled in a fluid-tight manner to the second body and floats between two stroke end positions in response to the pressures in the two chambers; the two chambers of each hydropneumatic cylinder communicate respectively with a hydraulic supply line and with a pneumatic supply line; the system further has a pressurization device which sets the pressure in the pneumatic supply line to a value at least equal to the pressure in the hydraulic supply line.

A suspension device includes a damper, a pump, an accumulator, a hydraulic pressure circuit disposed between the pump and the accumulator, and the damper configured to adjust a thrust of the damper, a blow flow passage connecting the accumulator to a reservoir, and a relief valve disposed in the blow flow passage and opening when the relief valve reaches a relief pressure to allow a flow from the accumulator side to the reservoir side.

An actuator includes a first housing, a second housing fixed to the first housing, and a piston configured to translate relative to each of the first housing and the second housing. The actuator also includes a locking device configured to selectively restrain the piston in a predetermined position relative to each of the first housing and the second housing and release the piston. The actuator additionally includes an actuation mechanism configured to activate the locking device to thereby restrain the piston in the predetermined position. Also disclosed is a suspension system for a vehicle employing such an actuator at a suspension corner, wherein the actuator is used to set a ride height of the vehicle at the suspension corner.

A valve control device is configured to execute a specific valve control when a valve switching condition at high pressure is satisfied. The specific valve control switches the spring constant change valves for front wheel to a blocking state and switches a spring constant change valves for rear wheel to a communication permission state. The valve switching condition at high pressure is satisfied when oil pressure of hydraulic oil of rear wheel side oil hydraulic cylinders, which is detected by rear wheel side oil pressure detection means, is more than or equal to a predetermined oil pressure threshold and the traveling state determination means determines that a vehicle is in a predetermined traveling state.

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 pressures 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.

A pneumatic suspension system for a vehicle, in which the pneumatic suspension system includes a supply tank, a first set of air springs positioned on a first side of the vehicle; a second set of air springs positioned on a second side of the vehicle, and a dual-action dynamic valve positioned between the first set of air springs and the second set of air springs. The dual-action dynamic valve is connected to the supply tank, the first set of air springs, and the second set of air springs by a series of air hoses. The dual-action dynamic valve is adapted to supply air to either one of the first set of air springs or the second set of air springs while simultaneously exhausting air from the other one of the first set of air springs or the second set of air springs.

An air spring assembly for a vehicle having a reservoir which is adaptable to meet different packaging requirements. The air spring assembly includes a damper body, at least one piston connected to the damper body, and a bellow connected to the piston, the bellow having a cavity. A top cap is connected to the bellow, and a fitting is connected to the top cap. A reservoir is connected to the fitting such that the reservoir is in fluid communication with the cavity. Air flows between the bellow and the reservoir as a result of movement of the piston and damper body during travel of the vehicle. The reservoir may be tube-shaped, having a consistent diameter, or a varying diameter. The reservoir may also be spherical-shaped, rectangular-shaped, square-shaped, or may be shaped to fit specific packaging requirements such that the reservoir may be positioned in any area of the vehicle.

Pressure-sensitive vales are incorporated within a dampening system to permit user-adjustable tuning of a shock absorber. In one embodiment, a pressure-sensitive valve includes an isolated gas chamber having a pressure therein that is settable by a user.

A bidirectional vehicle may be capable of traveling in either of two directions and may change its direction of travel at any point for various reasons. In response to a change in the direction of travel, systems of a bidirectional vehicle may adjust one or more suspension components using various techniques to configure the vehicle with a higher ride frequency at the trailing axle than at the leading axle to enhance the ride quality and handling capabilities of the vehicle.

A pneumatic suspension system for a vehicle, in which the pneumatic suspension system includes a supply tank, a first set of air springs positioned on a first side of the vehicle; a second set of air springs positioned on a second side of the vehicle, and a dual-action dynamic valve positioned between the first set of air springs and the second set of air springs. The dual-action dynamic valve is connected to the supply tank, the first set of air springs, and the second set of air springs by a series of air hoses. The dual-action dynamic valve is adapted to supply air to either one of the first set of air springs or the second set of air springs while simultaneously exhausting air from the other one of the first set of air springs or the second set of air springs.