A vehicle stabilization system including a frame; a wheel; a control arm connected to the frame and the wheel; a fluid spring connected to the frame and the control arm; a stabilizer connected to the frame and operable between a retracted and extended position; a reservoir; and a fluid manifold connected to the fluid spring and the chamber, fluidly coupling the spring interior and stabilizer chamber to the reservoir interior. A vehicle stabilization method including maintaining an orientation of the vehicle frame, coupling the frame to a support surface using a stabilizer by introducing a fluid to a chamber of the stabilizer, and retracting a wheel by reducing a quantity of fluid within a fluid spring coupling the wheel to the frame.

An air suspension system, comprising a manifold, defining a first and second port, each port defining a receiving region at the second end, wherein the first and second ports are arranged in a common plane, a channel intersecting the first and second port, a cavity intersecting each port, and a pressure sensor port, positioned between the first and second port, defining a sensor insertion axis normal to the common plane, the pressure sensor port separated from the first port, the second port, and the channel by a thickness; a first and second solenoid valve, each solenoid valve arranged within the cavity and coaxially arranged with the first and second ports, each solenoid valve comprising a connector; a pressure sensor arranged within the pressure sensor port, the pressure sensor comprising a connector; and an electronics module arranged parallel the common plane, the electronics module configured to electrically couple to the connectors.

An air suspension system, comprising a manifold, defining a first and second port, each port defining a receiving region at the second end, wherein the first and second ports are arranged in a common plane, a channel intersecting the first and second port, a cavity intersecting each port, and a pressure sensor port, positioned between the first and second port, defining a sensor insertion axis normal to the common plane, the pressure sensor port separated from the first port, the second port, and the channel by a thickness; a first and second solenoid valve, each solenoid valve arranged within the cavity and coaxially arranged with the first and second ports, each solenoid valve comprising a connector; a pressure sensor arranged within the pressure sensor port, the pressure sensor comprising a connector; and an electronics module arranged parallel the common plane, the electronics module configured to electrically couple to the connectors.

Methods and systems are provided for operating an electric supercharger as an on-board air pump and/or vacuum pump. During conditions when a vehicle is not being propelled and the vehicle engine is idling, a portion of an air intake passage is sealed and the supercharger is operated to deliver compressed air into the sealed portion. Compressed air can then be picked up directly from the sealed portion for use in tire inflation, or picked up via an ejector to provide vacuum for vacuum actuators.

A vehicle stabilization system including a frame; a wheel; a control arm connected to the frame and the wheel; a fluid spring connected to the frame and the control arm; a stabilizer connected to the frame and operable between a retracted and extended position; a reservoir; and a fluid manifold connected to the fluid spring and the chamber, fluidly coupling the spring interior and stabilizer chamber to the reservoir interior. A vehicle stabilization method including maintaining an orientation of the vehicle frame, coupling the frame to a support surface using a stabilizer by introducing a fluid to a chamber of the stabilizer, and retracting a wheel by reducing a quantity of fluid within a fluid spring coupling the wheel to the frame.

A trailer having a liftable first axle and an air suspended second axle includes a controller, a first valve coupled to the first axle and a second valve coupled to the second axle. The controller receives an air suspension exhaust request signal and a pressure signal from an air suspension bellows coupled to the second axle. The controller transmits an air suspension control signal to the second valve in response to the air suspension exhaust request signal and transmits a lift axle control signal to the first valve to lower the first axle in response to the pressure signal being less than a predetermined pressure value.

A pneumatic control system includes a manifold that defines: a channel for conveying a fluid, a discharge port, a drain port, and an expansion chamber defining a chamber axis. The discharge port defines a flow axis extending between a first end and second end and a receiving region at the second end. The pneumatic control system also includes a filter assembly with a filter member disposed in the expansion chamber, and an actuator configured to selectively control fluid communication between the channel and the discharge port. The chamber axis is substantially coplanar with the flow axis. A filter cap assembly includes a filter cap body enclosing an end of the expansion chamber and selectively removable from the manifold to provide access to the filter assembly. A purge valve body is configured to selectively control fluid flow between the expansion chamber and the drain port.

Methods and systems are provided for operating an electric supercharger as an on-board air pump and/or vacuum pump. During conditions when a vehicle is not being propelled and the vehicle engine is idling, a portion of an air intake passage is sealed and the supercharger is operated to deliver compressed air into the sealed portion. Compressed air can then be picked up directly from the sealed portion for use in tire inflation, or picked up via an ejector to provide vacuum for vacuum actuators.

A method of decreasing tire pressure includes opening a wheel valve (22) to allow pressurized air from a tire (10) to be directed to a first valve assembly (14) and to atmosphere. A target pressure is selected for a fluid control conduit (28). The fluid conduit (28) is in fluid communication with the first valve assembly (14) and a second or control valve assembly (30). The pressure in the fluid conduit (28) is measured. If the measured pressure is greater than the target pressure, then the second valve assembly (30) is de-energized. If the measured pressure is less than the target pressure, then the second valve assembly (30) is energized. A valve (42) prone to leak under very low temperatures may be subjected to repeated cycles of pressure application and pressure release in order to form a fluid-tight seal.

A method is for operating a pneumatic system having a compressed air supply and an air spring arrangement, which is pneumatically connected to the compressed air supply, for a vehicle. Before the compressed air supply is vented, the compressed air supply is activated by the control device in such a way that compressed air is discharged from the air dryer and/or the air distributor module into a first air spring of the air spring arrangement with the exhaust valve closed and the compressor inactive. Compressed air from the air dryer and/or the air distributor module is initially discharged into an air spring ascertained to be the first air spring, and chronologically following the discharge of compressed air into the first air spring, compressed air remaining in the air dryer and/or the air distributor module is discharged into a second air spring of the air spring arrangement and/or an intermediate volume.