Patent classifications
B60G17/052
Throttle assembly and pressure control system having such a throttle assembly
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.
DRIVEN LIFT AXLES AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS
Driven lift axles and associated systems and components are provided for use on heavy duty trucks, trailers, and/or other vehicles. Driven lift axle systems may include one or more motors mounted to the lift axle to provide torque to drive one or more wheels of the lift axle. Various mounting configurations of such motors are possible, such as arranging a motor on the axle to provide torque at a conventional driveshaft input by interfacing with a differential drive gear, positioning a motor at each of the wheel ends of the axle to provide torque directly to the wheels, etc. Each wheel can be driven by a separate motor, allowing for independent control of the torque applied to each wheel. Lift axles described herein can be suitable for use with various motors capable of applying torque to the axle and/or wheels, such as electric motors, hydraulic motors, internal combustion engines, etc.
Suspension component for utility vehicles
A suspension component for a vehicle may include a spring section performing a support function for supporting a portion of the vehicle and a shock absorbing section performing a damping function to damp action of the spring section. The spring section may be adjustable to provide adjustable support characteristics and the shock absorbing section is adjustable to provide adjustable damping characteristics. The spring section may be adjustable independent of the shock absorbing section. The spring section of the suspension component may define a gas chamber for holding a quantity of a gas to provide a spring support for the vehicle, and the shock absorbing section of the suspension component may define a fluid chamber to provide damping of movement of the spring section.
Compressed-air supply system for operating a pneumatic installation, method and vehicle
The invention relates to a compressed-air supply system for operating a pneumatic installation in a pneumatic system of a vehicle, comprising: a compressed-air feed; a compressed-air connection point to the pneumatic installation; a venting connection point to the environment; a pneumatic main line between the compressed-air feed and the compressed-air connection point, which pneumatic main line has an air dryer; a venting valve, which is arranged on the pneumatic main line and is designed as a pilot valve and has a pilot connection point; a compressor having at least one compressor stage; and, in addition to the pneumatic main line, a pilot valve and a pneumatic pilot channel that connects the pilot valve to the pilot connection point of the venting valve. With respect to the compressed-air supply system, according to the invention, a pressure-holding pneumatic reservoir device is connected to the pilot connection point, which reservoir device is designed to provide a control pressure for the pilot connection point, in particular independently of a pressure in the pneumatic main line during venting of the pneumatic system, and the pressure-holding pneumatic reservoir device has at least one separate pilot pressure accumulator, which can be pneumatically connected to the pilot connection point via the control line.
METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR USING WASTE ENERGY FROM ELECTRIC MOTORS AND INVERTERS IN ELECTRIC VEHICLE AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEMS
An air suspension system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a suspension actuator, a reservoir, a compressor, and a first cooling circuit. The suspension actuator has a chamber. The reservoir includes a shell and an adsorptive material. The shell at least partially defines an interior region. The interior region is fluidly connected to the chamber. The adsorptive material is in the interior region. The compressor is fluidly connected to the interior region. The first cooling circuit includes a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, and a conduit. The first heat exchanger is in thermal contact with the interior region. The second heat exchanger is in thermal contact with an electric vehicle component. The conduit is adapted to circulate a fluid between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger. The present disclosure also provides a method of operating the air suspension system.
METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR USING WASTE ENERGY FROM ELECTRIC MOTORS AND INVERTERS IN ELECTRIC VEHICLE AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEMS
An air suspension system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a suspension actuator, a reservoir, a compressor, and a first cooling circuit. The suspension actuator has a chamber. The reservoir includes a shell and an adsorptive material. The shell at least partially defines an interior region. The interior region is fluidly connected to the chamber. The adsorptive material is in the interior region. The compressor is fluidly connected to the interior region. The first cooling circuit includes a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, and a conduit. The first heat exchanger is in thermal contact with the interior region. The second heat exchanger is in thermal contact with an electric vehicle component. The conduit is adapted to circulate a fluid between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger. The present disclosure also provides a method of operating the air suspension system.
Load-based tire inflation system for heavy-duty vehicles
A load-based tire inflation system for a heavy-duty vehicle comprises at least one source of fluid pressure, suspension structure of the heavy-duty vehicle, a tire and wheel assembly and a system to control fluid pressure in the tire and wheel assembly. The suspension structure is located between a frame member and an axle and has a condition indicative of a weight of the heavy-duty vehicle. The tire and wheel assembly is operatively mounted to the axle and is in fluid communication with the source of fluid pressure. The control system controls fluid pressure in the tire and wheel assembly in response to the condition of the suspension structure.
Load-based tire inflation system for heavy-duty vehicles
A load-based tire inflation system for a heavy-duty vehicle comprises at least one source of fluid pressure, suspension structure of the heavy-duty vehicle, a tire and wheel assembly and a system to control fluid pressure in the tire and wheel assembly. The suspension structure is located between a frame member and an axle and has a condition indicative of a weight of the heavy-duty vehicle. The tire and wheel assembly is operatively mounted to the axle and is in fluid communication with the source of fluid pressure. The control system controls fluid pressure in the tire and wheel assembly in response to the condition of the suspension structure.
Cleaning system connected to an air suspension system
A cleaning system connected to an air suspension system. The disclosed subject matter generally relates to a cleaning system for cleaning a surface of a device of a vehicle by means of applying an air jet to the surface. The proposed cleaning system is adapted to be combined with an air suspension system in such a way that the cleaning system receives exhaust air from the air suspension system which air may be used for cleaning of device surfaces. Thus, the proposed cleaning system can receive exhaust air from the air suspension system and apply the air to the device surface via nozzles without the need for a source of air dedicated to the cleaning system.
Spring-absorber system with variable spring rate
A spring-absorber system for a wheel suspension of a motor vehicle includes a suspension spring with a spring constant k.sub.T and an absorber filled with a fluid and mounted in parallel to the suspension spring. The spring-absorber system also includes at least two additional spring modules via which a total spring constant k.sub.G of the spring-absorber system can be varied.