Axle air dump for multiple axle vehicles
US7976040B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 14, 2010 |
| Grant date | Jul 12, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 14, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60G2500/204
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A system and process for controlling vehicle loading on a multi-axle vehicle and improving maneuverability is disclosed. The system includes a reservoir of pressurized air and associated leveling valve that uses a relay valve to improve refill times when the vehicle returns from a dump mode operation to normal operation. The process reduces pressure in one or more of the axles when maneuvering the vehicle at predetermined slow speeds and maintaining that first predetermined pressure while the other axle(s) is at a greater pressure than the first axle. By preventing complete exhaustion of pressure from the suspension system, restoring air pressure is attained more quickly. Also, use of a relay valve enables higher flow rates to improve the refill time of the pneumatic suspension system after the dump operation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.