A vehicle, variable spring system and method of operating a corner actuator coupled to wheel of the vehicle. The vehicle includes the corner actuator and the variable spring system. The variable spring system includes a control chamber coupled to the corner actuator, a first spring, a second spring, and a valve. An applied resistance for the corner actuator is selected by selecting an amount of fluid coupling between the control chamber and each of the first spring and the second spring. A force is absorbed at the wheel using the applied resistance.

A suspension system for a wheel assembly of a vehicle includes a telescopic damper configured to mediate between respective sprung and unsprung portions of the wheel assembly, a rebound spring arranged to moderate wheel travel, and a force-transfer system operative to apply a force to change one or more parameters of the suspension system. The application of the force by the force-transfer system is effective in a first operating mode to change a length of the telescopic damper and in a second operating mode to regulate a wheel rate of the wheel assembly. The force-transfer system is controllable to modify a wheel-travel value at which the wheel rate of the wheel assembly changes in the second mode of suspension operation.

A compressor system for generating compressed air for a compressed air supply system in a vehicle. The compressor system includes a brushed direct current electric motor (BDC electric motor); a compressor configured to be driven by the BDC electric motor; and a control unit for controlling the BDC electric motor and allocated to the BDC electric motor so as to delimit an operating current of the electric motor. A free-running current path is allocated to the control unit, the free-running current path being configured to delimit the operating current of the electric motor in a variable manner. A switch controller is allocated to the control unit, the switch controller being configured to specify a switched-on time period (t_ON) and/or a switched-off time period (t_OFF) for the electric motor in a variable manner.

Disclosed herein are hydraulic actuators and methods for the operation of actuators having variable relative pressure ratios. Further disclosed are methods for designing and/or operating a hydraulic actuator such that the actuator exhibits a variable relative pressure ratio. In certain embodiments, the relative pressure ratio of the hydraulic actuator may be dependent on one or more characteristics (such as, for example, frequency or rate of change) of an oscillating input to the hydraulic actuator.

The invention relates to a retaining ring for securing a component. The retaining ring includes a ring segment having an outer circumference for fixing the retaining ring in the axial direction, a recess extending along a circumferential direction of the ring segment, and a closure element for closing off the recess. In embodiments, the ring segment forms a contact surface to fix the component in the axial direction, and the retaining ring has a locking device for locking the closure element in the recess. In embodiments, the locking device is concealed at least on one side of the retaining ring facing away from the contact surface.

A pneumatic suspension system may include, for each wheel of a vehicle, a strut and an adjustment cylinder in fluid communication with the strut. Adjustment cylinders associated with an end of the vehicle may be mechanically coupled while keeping the cylinders isolated pneumatically. A suspension control system can control fluid flow at each of the adjustment cylinders to selectively engage or disengage an anti-roll feature. By allowing fluid flow at the adjustment cylinders, the struts are free to oscillate in response to forces at the associated wheel, e.g., caused by an uneven road. By inhibiting fluid flow at the adjustment cylinders, forces experienced at the struts can be transferred between multiple struts. In some examples, the fluid flow at the adjustment cylinders can be controlled to vary the travel distance of the struts, to selectively provide a stiffer or looser suspension.

A compressed-air supply installation for operating a pneumatic installation includes a compressed-air feed, a compressed-air connection to the pneumatic installation, and a ventilation connection to a surrounding environment. The compressed-air supply installation further includes a pneumatic main line between the compressed-air feed and the compressed-air connection, the pneumatic main line having an air dryer, a ventilation line between the compressed-air feed and the ventilation connection, and a valve arrangement having a control valve configured to control a ventilation valve. The control valve is connected by a control valve connection in a pneumatic control line that is connected to a pressure control connection of the ventilation valve, the ventilation valve is connected by a ventilation valve connection in the ventilation line, and the control valve is assigned a control valve ventilation connection that is configured to be switchably connected to the ventilation connection or to the surrounding environment.

A compressed-air supply system for operating a pneumatic installation. The compressed-air supply system includes an air supply, the air supply comprising an air compressor unit configured to supply compressed air to a compressed air supply. The compressed-air supply system further includes a compressed air port to the pneumatic installation, an air removal port configured to release air to the environment, and a pneumatic main line between the compressed air supply and the compressed air port, the pneumatic main line comprising an air dryer and a throttle. Furthermore, the compressed-air supply system includes an air removal line between the compressed air port and the air removal port and an exhaust valve connected in the air removal line. The exhaust valve includes a pressure control port connected to the compressed air supply and a pressure counter control port connected to the compressed air port.

Disclosed herein are hydraulic actuators and methods for the operation of actuators having variable relative pressure ratios. Further disclosed are methods for designing and/or operating a hydraulic actuator such that the actuator exhibits a variable relative pressure ratio. In certain embodiments, the relative pressure ratio of the hydraulic actuator may be dependent on one or more characteristics (such as, for example, frequency or rate of change) of an oscillating input to the hydraulic actuator.

An air suspension control system (ECAS, electronic controlled air suspension) (10) for a utility vehicle, such as a truck or the like, or for a passenger car, includes a main control unit (12) for operating the air suspension control system (10)and at least two auxiliary control units (14) connected to the main control unit (12) via a data link (16). The auxiliary control units (14) each have at least one output (18) for actuating at least one actuator (20) which can be connected to the output (18), in particular an adjustment drive (28) for a valve (30). Furthermore, at least one function for generating control signals at the output (18) can be stored in the auxiliary control units (14), and the main control unit (12) is adapted to call up and/or to parameterize at least the stored functions by transmitting commands via the data link (16).