Patent · US Expired

Kneeling omnibus

US5193849A · kind A · utility

20Cited by
7References
9Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMar 29, 1991
Grant dateMar 16, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 29, 2011

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB60G2800/912
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A level control system for an omnibus, especially a low-loading omnibus, having an omnibus body supported on axles and wheel suspension, is comprised of a compressed air system that is self-contained for each axle. The following vertical adjustments are possible: during a stop of the omnibus at a bus stop, the omnibus body is pivoted about a longitudinal median floor level axis for lowering the omnibus body at a passenger boarding side and the opposite side is raised by internally pumping the compressed air from the pneumatic springs of the boarding side to the pneumatic springs on the opposite side at each axle. After the completion of the stop at the bus stop, the compressed air is returned to the pneumatic springs on the boarding side so that the omnibus resumes its normal position. In this manner, the compressed air is kept in a self-contained system and is not lost to the atmosphere. Accordingly, there is no need to provide further compressed air to the system, thus reducing the amount of energy required for operating such a system; the power necessary for the internal pumping or transfer of the compressed air is small in comparison.

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