A method for adapting a system air volume in an air suspension system of a motor vehicle, wherein a setpoint system air volume is determined on the basis of a vehicle body weight of the motor vehicle, wherein the setpoint system air volume is set as discretely or variably increasing in relation to the vehicle body weight.

A suspension arrangement for a vehicle, in particular a utility vehicle having a base and a structure, is disclosed. This arrangement includes at least one first spring and at least one second spring, the at least one first spring and the at least one second spring having spring attachments which are connected to attachment apparatuses of the structure on one side and of the base on the other. The at least one second spring is fastened to the base by way of at least one adjustment device. An adjustable air spring suspension arrangement and methods for controlling the suspension arrangements are disclosed.

A control apparatus for heavy-duty vehicle lift axle/suspension systems, the control apparatus comprising a source of fluid pressure, a primary controller, and a secondary controller. The primary controller is located remote from the lift axle/suspension system. The secondary controller is located proximate to the lift axle/suspension system and the source of fluid pressure and is in fluid communication with the primary controller, the source of fluid pressure, and at least one lift bag and at least one air spring of the lift axle/suspension system. The secondary controller includes a pilot-operated poppet assembly and a discrete or integrated relay valve assembly wherein the primary controller transmits at least a pneumatic pilot signal to the secondary controller in order to selectively inflate and deflate the at least one air spring and the at least one lift bag to selectively control and maintain the extension and retraction of the lift axle/suspension system.

A control apparatus for heavy-duty vehicle lift axle/suspension systems, the control apparatus comprising a source of fluid pressure, a primary controller, and a secondary controller. The primary controller is located remote from the lift axle/suspension system. The secondary controller is located proximate to the lift axle/suspension system and the source of fluid pressure and is in fluid communication with the primary controller, the source of fluid pressure, and at least one lift bag and at least one air spring of the lift axle/suspension system. The secondary controller includes a pilot-operated poppet assembly and a discrete or integrated relay valve assembly wherein the primary controller transmits at least a pneumatic pilot signal to the secondary controller in order to selectively inflate and deflate the at least one air spring and the at least one lift bag to selectively control and maintain the extension and retraction of the lift axle/suspension system.

An air spring may include a first member, a second member, a flexible bellows, and/or an isolator/bumper. The first member may include a first member axial extension that may extend in an axial direction. The second member may include a second member axial extension that may extend in the axial direction. The flexible bellows may be connected to the first member and the second member. The flexible bellows may define a pressurized fluid volume. The isolator/bumper may include an inner radial portion and an outer radial portion. The inner radial portion may be disposed radially inward of the first member axial extension or the second member axial extension. The outer radial portion may be disposed radially outward of the first member axial extension or the second member axial extension.

A gas spring for use in a gas suspension system. The gas spring includes a gas inlet port configured to receive compressed gas and a gas inlet chamber connected via an inlet conduit to the gas inlet port and via an opening to an internal volume of the gas spring. The inlet conduit is connected to the gas inlet chamber at a position offset from a central axis of the gas inlet chamber such that an angle between a longitudinal axis of the gas inlet port and a surface of an interior wall of the gas inlet chamber opposing the gas inlet port is acute.

The present invention discloses an air springs monitoring system for a transport vehicle having multiple air springs, air spring sensors for measuring interior air spring pressure, a communication module for gathering measurement data from the sensors, and a base station for deriving suspension outputs based on the collected data. The system enables real-time monitoring and analysis of air spring conditions, facilitating suspension performance and vehicle safety.

Assemblies include a gas spring and gas damper assembly and a mounting member with an elongated passage extending therethrough. The gas spring and gas damper assembly includes a flexible spring and first and second end member assemblies. The second end member assembly includes an end member chamber as well as a first passage in fluid communication between a spring chamber and the end member chamber. The second end member assembly includes a second passage in fluid communication between the spring chamber and an external connection port. The mounting member is secured to the second end member such that the elongated passage of the mounting member is in fluid communication with the second passage through the external connection port. Suspension systems are also included.