An apparatus for transporting a load is described, including: a body including a part or portion for engaging with or connecting to a load to be transported; a ground-engaging device supporting the body, the ground-engaging device for effecting movement of the body over a surface; a transmitter module; a receiver module; and a controller for communicating with the transmitter and receiver modules and the ground engaging device and for receiving status signals from components and/or devices of the apparatus, wherein the controller is capable of conducting a check as to the status of the components and/or devices of the apparatus, and after completing said check to provide an “apparatus operative” or “apparatus non-operative” signal to the transmitter module, wherein the transmitter module is configured to transmit the “apparatus operative” or “apparatus non-operative” signal, and wherein the receiver module is configured to receive from a first predetermined, or designated, other such apparatus its respective “apparatus operative” or “apparatus non-operative” signals.

A hydraulic rear axle steering for multi-axle vehicles, including a steering cylinder with a piston and two working chambers. The steering cylinder has a mechanical blocking device, which blocks the piston when it reaches a central position within the steering cylinder. The blocking device has a blocking member, which is retained in an engaged position by a locking element in the blocked state. The locking element is movable by a separate, hydraulically actuated actuator between a blocking position and a first unblocking position in which the locking element releases the blocking element. An admission-pressure-controlled load safety valve is provided for each working chamber, and control connections of the valves are connected to a pressure line leading to the respective other working chamber. The actuator is adjusted such that, when a lower, first pressure value is applied, the locking element moves into the unblocking position, and the valves are adjusted such that, when a higher, second pressure value is applied, the valves open towards the tank.

A booster for a trailer system is provided comprising a control system in communication with a sensor(s) for determining the direction and speed of the booster when in motion. The control system comprises instructions corresponding to one or more booster operations such as: detection of a reverse state, retraction of a suspension system when the reverse state is detected; engagement of a steer axle lock when the reverse state is detected; detection of a forward state; extension of the suspension system when the forward state is detected; disengagement of the steer axle lock when the forward state is detected; detection of a high-speed forward state; engagement of the steer axle lock when the high-speed forward state is detected; detection of a low-speed forward state; and disengagement of the steer axle lock when the low-speed forward state is detected.

A scalable tractive power system for vehicles (car, truck, bus, semi-trailer), integrated with all-wheel steering system which leverage synergies between plurality of differently designed electric traction-motors and all-wheel electric steering-motors is configured with plurality of sensors to virtually eliminate wheel-dragging and EPS, as part of virtually 100% dynamic efficiency. A fully automated electronic clutch-system attached to selected electric traction motors is configured to carry out above 90% traction efficiency by coupling to wheels selected electric traction-motors in their high efficiency range of operation, and de-coupling and replacing electric traction-motors with another electric traction-motors while the vehicle is changing speed or when the vehicle requires higher or lower tractive-power, from forward-motion start to top-rated speed of the vehicle. A holistic controller is configured with multi-objective optimization design (MOOD) procedures computing complex variable values and parameters, finding the required trade-off among design objectives, and improving the pertinence of solutions, while complying with NHTSA's ‘fail operational systems’ for steer-by-wire.

An air reservoir for a steering axle is mounted on a trailer, the steering axle comprising a pair of rotation pivoting wheel assemblies. Each wheel assembly has a rotation plate and a steering arm connected thereto. A rod pivotally connects the steering arms, each wheel assembly being rotatably connected to either end of the axle. An air stabilizer assembly is mounted on the axle and is connected to the rod, the air stabilizer assembly having an inflatable damper assembly thereon. An air supply is fluidly connected to an air inlet on the axle, the air inlet being fluidly connected to the damper assembly. The air stabilizer assembly dampens pivotal movement of the wheel assemblies when compressed air from the air reservoir fills the damper assembly. The air stabilizer assembly allows the wheel assemblies to rotate more freely when pressure of the compressed air within the damper assembly is reduced.

A steering unit for a vehicle, notably a bus. The steering unit is coupled with a suspension system and comprises: a support formed by a passenger platform and a wheel housing, a longitudinal axis, a steering knuckle with an in-wheel engine defining a transversal rotation axis which is arranged transversally with respect to the longitudinal axis, an actuator mechanism adapted for pivoting the steering knuckle. The steering knuckle further comprises a lever which is linked to the actuator mechanism and which includes a transversal portion extending transversally along the in-wheel engine. The steering unit is adapted for an articulated bus with at least two bodies, said bodies each exhibits four or eight identical and independent steering units.

The technology relates to fine maneuver control of large autonomous vehicles that employ multiple sets of independently actuated wheels. The control is able to optimize the turning radius, effectively negotiate curves, turns, and clear static objects of varying heights. Each wheel or wheel set is configured to adjust individually via control of an on-board computer system. Received sensor data and a physical model of the vehicle can be used for route planning and selecting maneuver operations in accordance with the additional degrees of freedom provided by the independently actuated wheels. This can include making turns, moving into or out of parking spaces, driving along narrow or congested roads, construction zones, loading docks, etc. A given maneuver may include maintaining a minimum threshold distance from a neighboring vehicle or other object.

A suspension system for liftable steerable axles has at least one steering knuckle; at least one pistonless bellows air spring actuator (ie., damper air spring); and a steering axle structure that has, at each end, a kingpin housing boss, a kingpin fixed into the kingpin boss, and a pair of steering knuckles that rotate around the kingpin and are supported by the kingpin housing; wherein the steering knuckles are connected at the bottom of each other side to side by a tie rod assembly that respond to each others rotational inputs; and further having the damper air spring being connected to the steering knuckle so that, given a supplied pneumatic air force, the damper air spring stabilizes and dampens the steering road inputs when in motion.

An apparatus for transporting a load is described, including: a body including a part or portion for engaging with or connecting to a load to be transported; a ground-engaging device supporting the body, the ground-engaging device for effecting movement of the body over a surface; a transmitter module; a receiver module; and a controller for communicating with the transmitter and receiver modules and the ground engaging device and for receiving status signals from components and/or devices of the apparatus, wherein the controller is capable of conducting a check as to the status of the components and/or devices of the apparatus, and after completing said check to provide an “apparatus operative” or “apparatus non-operative” signal to the transmitter module, wherein the transmitter module is configured to transmit the “apparatus operative” or “apparatus non-operative” signal to a receiver module of one or more other apparatus and to its own receiver module.

The invention relates to a power assisting steering system for a vehicle having at least a first and a second steered wheel, the system comprising a control unit configured to receive input on a desired change of steering angle, a first and a second power generating device configured to provide power assisted steering for turning the first and the steered wheel, respectively. The control unit, in response to the received input, is configured to alternatingly activate and deactivate the first and second power generating device, respectively, so as to repeatedly and alternatingly provide power assistance to the first and the second steered wheel as the first and second steered wheels are turned to achieve the desired change of steering angle. The invention also relates to a method of operating a power assisting steering system.