The present invention relates to crawler vehicles and more particular to track chain suspension mechanisms, which provide for a smooth and levelled operation of the vehicle. The track chain suspension mechanism of the present invention is characterized in having a first and a second track frame, the first frame being suspended to the vehicle by means of a suspension shaft pivotally and slidable mounted to a suspension frame, the second track frame pivotally connected to the vehicle by means of a drive shaft mounted to a drive frame and wherein said first and second track frame pivotally connected to one another by means of a pivot shaft. In its application for concrete path laying machines the track chain suspension mechanism is further characterized in comprising only one idler at the front of the first track frame.

An air suspension assembly includes a top and a piston. A bellows connects the top and the piston defining a first chamber. The piston includes an upper portion defining a bore in communication with the first chamber. A body extends outwardly from the upper portion to a proximal end defining a second chamber. A decoupler is disposed in the bore in communication with the first chamber and the second chamber. The decoupler includes a partition member extending across the decoupler isolating the first chamber from the second chamber for changing pressure in response to a pressure applied to the air suspension assembly. The decoupler includes a cap portion disposed in the bore, defining a hole, and an extension portion extending outwardly from the cap portion to a distal end defining a third chamber in communication with the hole, the first chamber, and the second chamber to receive the partition member.

A suspension system for a vehicle and method for operating the same includes a shock absorber housing having a longitudinal axis, a spring disposed around the shock absorber housing, a retainer collar disposed around the shock absorber housing and an actuator engaged to the retainer collar. The actuator moves at least a portion of the retainer collar to move the spring in a direction corresponding the longitudinal axis. A switch generates a ride height position signal. A controller is coupled to the actuator and the switch. The controller controls a position of the actuator in response to the ride height position signal.

A suspension system for a vehicle and method for operating the same includes a shock absorber housing having a longitudinal axis, a spring disposed around the shock absorber housing, a retainer collar disposed around the shock absorber housing and an actuator engaged to the retainer collar. The actuator moves at least a portion of the retainer collar to move the spring in a direction corresponding the longitudinal axis. A switch generates a ride height position signal. A controller is coupled to the actuator and the switch. The controller controls a position of the actuator in response to the ride height position signal.

An air spring includes a closing member, a rolling piston, and an air spring bellows connected to the rolling piston and the closing member to form a fluid-filled pressure chamber. A level control system for supplying and/or discharging fluid may be integrated into the pressure chamber to control level position based on air spring stroke. The level control system may have a control valve and an actuator connected to the control valve. The actuator may include a guide tube coupled to the rolling piston or closing member, and movably arranged within the pressure chamber. An actuating member may include a pin member and may operate the control valve. A compression spring may have a central spring and a biasing spring, and the guide tube may include a control flange coupled to the pin member, and the biasing spring may be supported to press the pin member against the control valve.

An air spring includes a closing member, a rolling piston, and an air spring bellows connected to the rolling piston and the closing member to form a fluid-filled pressure chamber. A level control system for supplying and/or discharging fluid may be integrated into the pressure chamber to control level position based on air spring stroke. The level control system may have a control valve and an actuator connected to the control valve. The actuator may include a guide tube coupled to the rolling piston or closing member, and movably arranged within the pressure chamber. An actuating member may include a pin member and may operate the control valve. A compression spring may have a central spring and a biasing spring, and the guide tube may include a control flange coupled to the pin member, and the biasing spring may be supported to press the pin member against the control valve.

Suspension for a wheeled vehicle provided with at least one wheel and a frame, having at least one elastic element functionally combinable between the wheel and frame is disclosed. The suspension has at least one hydro-pneumatic spring functionally combined in series with the elastic element so that the equivalent spring modulus (Keq) of the elastic element and hydro-pneumatic spring is variable as a function of the distance between the frame and wheel. The hydro-pneumatic spring is shaped and sized to behave also as an energy dissipator in series to the elastic element.

Suspension for a wheeled vehicle provided with at least one wheel and a frame, having at least one elastic element functionally combinable between the wheel and frame is disclosed. The suspension has at least one hydro-pneumatic spring functionally combined in series with the elastic element so that the equivalent spring modulus (Keq) of the elastic element and hydro-pneumatic spring is variable as a function of the distance between the frame and wheel. The hydro-pneumatic spring is shaped and sized to behave also as an energy dissipator in series to the elastic element.

A longitudinal leaf spring device for suspending a motor vehicle body or chassis on a vehicle axle thereof. Leaf spring device including an elongated leaf spring unit, a coupling device connecting the leaf spring unit to the vehicle axle, and suspension unit arranged in a substantially vertical direction between a chassis and the axle. The suspension unit including suspension elements providing a spring-back force in the vertical direction and producing an active connection between the chassis and the axle when the distance between the chassis and axle exceeds a predetermined first deflection depth.

A kinetic energy shock absorber is shown and described. The kinetic energy shock absorber is comprised of a sleeve that has a first closed end and a second opened end. A piston is sized to fit within the sleeve and has at least one dosed end. The closed end of the sleeve has a protrusion attached to the closed end, wherein the protrusion has an aperture located therethrough. The dosed end of the piston has a protrusion, wherein the protrusion has an aperture therein. The piston will create electric energy when it enters the sleeve via an electric generation device. The kinetic energy shock absorber is a device that may be attached to an existing vehicle shock. The kinetic, energy shock absorber may also be used as a replacement shock for a motor vehicle.