Patent · US Expired

Dual rate equalizer suspension

US4798398A · kind A · utility

20Cited by
27References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateAug 12, 1987
Grant dateJan 17, 1989
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 12, 2007

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB60G21/073
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A suspension system for a vehicle in which each suspension system at each wheel has a dual spring rate. An external accumulator is used in connection with the main oil/gas strut but is charged to a higher initial pressure than the pressure of the main strut. Thus, the external accumulator has no effect until the load on the vehicle reaches a predetermined amount. At this time, the external accumulator becomes effective and the total suspension system, including the strut assembly and the accumulator, produces a different spring rate function. In another embodiment load equalization between two rear wheels is obtained by a connecting conduit connecting the oil chambers of the two oil/gas strut systems.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.