A steering centering/damping mechanism for a steerable heavy-duty vehicle axle/suspension system which includes a mechanically operated structure that provides a positive steering centering force to the axle/suspension system at a zero steer angle. The mechanically operated structure of the steering centering/damping mechanism also provides a positive steering centering force that increases in intensity as the steer angle of the axle/suspension system increases. In an embodiment of the steering centering/damping mechanism, the mechanically operated structure is a flat spring integrated into one or more steering assemblies of the axle/suspension system. The flat spring is in a pre-loaded condition at a zero steer angle to provide the positive steering centering force to the axle/suspension system at the zero steer angle, and is increasingly elastically deformed with increasing steer angles to provide the positive steering centering force which increases in intensity as the steer angle of the axle/suspension system increases.

A vehicle corner system for a dual-axle wheels assembly may include: a sub-frame; a first wheel interface having a first spinning axis about which a first wheel spins when connected to the first wheel interface; a first suspension linkage connected to and being transverse to the first wheel interface and to the sub-frame; a second wheel interface having a second spinning axis about which a second wheel spins when connected to the second wheel interface; a second suspension linkage connected to and being transverse to the second wheel interface and to the sub-frame; and a motion restrainer comprising a spring interconnecting the first suspension linkage and the second suspension linkage.

Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for a dynamic Ackermann geometry control system. The system receives, at a processor aboard a tractor of an articulated vehicle, vehicle information associated with ongoing movement of the articulated vehicle as well as a driver optimization preference. The system then executes an Ackerman control algorithm, with inputs such as the vehicle information and/or at least one feedback item. The outputs of the Ackerman control algorithm can include estimations of tire forces for each tire of the articulated vehicle and estimations of cornering characteristics of the articulated vehicle. The system then calculates, based on the estimations of tire forces and based on the estimations of cornering characteristics, a desired Ackerman geometry for the articulated vehicle. The system then transmits a command to modify a turning angle associated with at least one wheel of the articulated vehicle.

A hoisting machinery comprises a steering wheel and wheels, wherein the active steering system comprises an active steering device, a hydraulic power steering gear and a hydraulic power steering system, the active steering device is arranged between the steering wheel and a pitman arm of the hoisting machinery, so as to adjust a steering ratio of the steering wheel to the pitman arm according to a driving cycle of the hoisting machinery, and the hydraulic power steering gear is arranged between the steering wheel and the pitman arm, so as to control the hydraulic power steering system to drive steering of the wheels. In the active steering system of the present invention, a hydraulic power steering system is adopted to drive steering of wheels, which can improve capability of overcoming steering resistance and can be applicable to multiple chassis of cranes, thereby enlarging application ranges of the active steering system.

A steerable vehicle suspension can include an axle, at least one retractor having a length that decreases in response to a pressure increase applied to the retractor, and at least one wheel spindle. Resistance to rotation of the wheel spindle relative to the axle increases in response to the pressure increase applied to the retractor. A method of operating a steerable vehicle suspension of a vehicle can include allowing steering knuckles rotatably mounted at opposite ends of an axle to rotate relative to the axle while the vehicle moves forward, and applying an inwardly directed force simultaneously to each of the steering knuckles. Another steerable vehicle suspension can include two rotatably mounted steering knuckles, and two retractors connected to the steering knuckles. An inwardly directed force is applied by each retractor to a respective one of the steering knuckles in response to pressure applied to the retractors.

A mobile self-leveling landing platform vehicle is disclosed that includes a landing surface and one or more wheel assemblies. Each wheel assembly includes a wheel, a control arm coupled with the wheel and the body of the landing platform vehicle, and an actuator coupled with the control arm and the body of the platform vehicle. Methods for self-leveling the landing platform vehicle are also disclosed.

A control device and method for controlling a tag axle steering system, configured to steer tag axle wheels of a tag axle, are provided. The method comprises, when the steering angle of the tag axle wheels is offset from a steering angle of a neutral position of the tag axle wheels and in response to a fault signal indicating malfunction of the tag axle steering system, locking the position of the tag axle wheels at a current steering angle of the tag axle wheels. A computer program and a computer-readable medium, as well as a vehicle, are also disclosed.

The invention discloses a steering mechanism and an independent suspension system. The steering mechanism comprises a steering rocker arm unit, a mid-position locking cylinder, a first power steering cylinder, a second power steering cylinder, a first steering linkage and a second steering linkage; one end of the mid-position locking cylinder is connected with the steering rocker arm unit, and the other end is hinged to a frame; one ends of the first power steering cylinder and the second power steering cylinder are connected with the steering rocker arm unit, and the other ends are hinged to the frame; and one ends of the first steering linkage and the second steering linkage are connected with the steering rocker arm unit, the other ends are connected with knuckle arms, and the knuckle arm is fixed on a wheel rim.

A commercial vehicle having various GVWR configurations with a vehicle body with two or more axles, and a cab that does not pivot relative to the vehicle body, and a battery-electric-powered or hydrogen-electric-powered propulsion system. The vehicle has a center of gravity that is substantially lower, and a track width which is substantially narrower, than an articulating tractor-trailer combination with a trailer size comparable to the vehicle body of the present invention, providing substantially increased stability, and with all axles steerable, substantially improving the turning and trailing of the vehicle. Additional attributes are improved safety, increased payload weight and cubic capacity, higher productivity and lower maintenance costs. Many other advantages flow from this vehicle design.

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.