Self-propelled vehicles that adjust the pitch of the vehicle during use are disclosed. The vehicle may include a suspension system position sensor and a control unit that adjusts a suspension element based at least in part on a signal from the suspension system position sensor. In some embodiments, the self-propelled vehicle may include an inclinometer for measuring the pitch of the terrain.

An auto-leveling drive axle device for a wheel tractor, and leveling method. The device comprises a transmission device and a leveling device. The device of the present invention changes only a vertical position of a drive axle with respect to a wheel, and a wheel shaft distance and wheel center spacing are not changed, thus improving traveling stability of a vehicle.

A robot and a robot control method are provided. The robot includes: a robot body, a pose detector being mounted on the robot body; a chassis body provided at a bottom of the robot body; a moving assembly connected to the robot body through a suspension shock absorber, the moving assembly being further connected to a controllable damping rotating shaft, and rotationally connected to the chassis body through the controllable damping rotating shaft; and a controller electrically connected to the pose detector and the controllable damping rotating shaft, respectively, and used to control the controllable damping rotating shaft to change rotational resistance according to pose information of the robot detected by the pose detector.

An air management system and method are provided. The system includes a pressurized air source. A manifold block is coupled to the pressurized air source and includes a plurality of suspension valves in fluid communication with the pressurized air source for controlling air flow to and from a plurality of air springs. An accumulator is coupled to the manifold block for storing air. An accumulator valve is in fluid communication with the plurality of suspension valves and the accumulator to allow exhausted air from the plurality of air springs into the accumulator. An electronic control unit is electrically coupled to the plurality of suspension valves and the accumulator valve for controlling a sequence of operating the accumulator valve and the plurality of suspension valves to provide enhanced exhaust flow from the plurality of air springs to maintain the vehicle in a level orientation while lowering the vehicle.

A machine includes a frame, a suspension system mounted to the frame and including a plurality of struts, and a payload distribution monitoring system supported by the frame. The payload distribution monitoring system includes pressure sensors respectively arranged with the struts, a computer-readable medium bearing a payload distribution monitoring program, a controller, and an interface device. The controller is in operable communication with the pressure sensors to receive their signals and configured to execute the payload distribution monitoring program. The interface device is in operable communication with the controller and configured to display the payload distribution monitoring program's graphical user interface. The payload distribution monitoring program is configured to monitor the strut pressure signals for an unbalanced loading condition that occurs when a relative strut pressure differential, which is computed using the strut pressure signals from the pressure sensors, exceeds a differential limit.

The invention provides a trenching apparatus and a method of using a trenching apparatus. The trenching apparatus (100) may include a main body portion (10), trench cutting equipment (50) depending from the main body portion, at least two ground contacting units (16) arranged on opposed sides of the main body portion and on which the main body portion is supported, each of the ground contacting units being connected to the main body portion by a respective independently operable suspension assembly (20), the respective suspension assemblies being configured to compensate for unevenness of the ground thereby to maintain the trench cutting equipment in a desired angular orientation with respect to the vertical.

An electronic control suspension system for a vehicle is proposed. The electronic control suspension system includes a detection unit detecting information on a road in front of the vehicle, an electronic control suspension which damping force is controlled by current, and a control unit is configured to adjust the damping force of the electronic control suspension according to the information detected by the detection unit.

A method of operating a motor vehicle with a chassis system comprising at least two, preferably four vibration damper includes carrying out a body control and a wheel control with the chassis system, and controlling the energy supply for the chassis system via an energy control arrangement. A motor vehicle performing the method is also disclosed.

A hydraulic suspension system for a motor vehicle having at least a pair of road engaging wheels. The suspension system includes, a hydraulic cylinder coupled with the each of the pair of road engaging wheels, the hydraulic cylinder defining a cap end volume and a rod end volume separated by a piston. A hydraulic supply circuit for the hydraulic cylinder includes, a high pressure hydraulic source, a low pressure hydraulic drain, a pair of hydraulic sub circuits each coupled to one of the hydraulic cylinder cap and rod end volumes. Each hydraulic sub circuit includes, a proportional supply flow valve coupled with the high pressure hydraulic source and one of the cylinder volumes, a return flow control proportional valve coupled with the low pressure hydraulic drain and the one cylinder volume, and an accumulator coupled to the associated hydraulic cylinder volume through an accumulator fill control proportional valve.

Methods and systems are provided for conducting an evaporative emissions test on a fuel system and an emissions control system in a vehicle. In one example, in response to an indication that a vehicle parking condition may result in the isolation of the fuel system from the emissions control system via the unintentional closing of fuel tank valves, a vehicle's active suspension system may be employed in order to level the vehicle a determined amount such that the fuel system isolation issues may be mitigated prior to an evaporative emissions test procedure. In this way, the entire fuel system and emissions control system may be diagnosed for potential undesired emissions, and potential violations of regulatory requirements for evaporative emissions testing may be reduced.