Air spring control system and method
US4651838A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 15, 1984 |
| Grant date | Mar 24, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 15, 2004 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S280/01
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and system are set forth for determining the force necessary to separate a first and a second mass by using an inflatable member such as an air spring. More specifically, the invention includes a system and method for load leveling of a vehicle. The system and method includes means for determining the weight on each spring by inflating the spring at a substantially constant rate. The pressure of the gas within the air spring is sensed at time intervals and, through a microprocessor or the like, the sensed pressure at the time intervals is assembled into a pressure-time history. From the pressure time history, the pressure is determined at which the chassis begins to lift. The determined pressure is processed to give an indication of the weight of the chassis borne by the air spring. The foregoing procedure is repeated for each air spring so that a gross vehicle weight can be determined as well as the distribution of weight upon each air spring. Once weight borne by each spring is known, the control can supply the correct pressure to the air spring to support such weight at the desird height.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.