Transport trailer load balancing suspension and steering systems

• US 10,350,954 B2
• Filed: 10/27/2017
• Issued: 07/16/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Premier Coil Solutions, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Premier Coil Solutions, Inc.
• Inventors: Behrens, Randall Dean
• Primary Examiner(s): Hurley, Kevin
• Application Number:
  US15/795,434
• Publication Number:
  US 20180043741A1
• Time in Patent Office: 627 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 11/27 wherein the fluid is a gas
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 13/14 having dampers accumulating utilisable energy, e.g. compressing air fluid springs with an accumulator B60G11/30
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 13/18 combined with energy-absorbing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/0163 the control involving steering geometry, e.g. four-wheel steering
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/242 Pneumatic damper
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/36 Independent Multi-axle long vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/40 Steering conditions
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2500/201 Air spring system type
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2500/32 of only one vehicle part or side
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/24 Steering, cornering
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 13/025 the pivoted movement being initiated by the coupling means between tractor and trailer
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 13/06 for backing a normally drawn trailer
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 15/02 Steering position indicators ; Steering position determination; Steering aids
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 5/26 for pivoted axles

Abstract

A multi-axle transport trailer having a plurality of axles includes a suspension comprising air bags associated with each axle, the air bags in communication with an air source, wherein air bags associated with different axles are capable of having different air pressures therein. The trailer further optionally includes a steering system associated with at least one axle, the axle including a tie rod connected between wheels on both ends of the axle, the steering system comprising cylinders configured to articulate the wheels, and a sensing device configured to monitor movement of the tie rod and facilitate actuating the cylinders to turn the wheels.

Claims

1. A steering system for at least one axle of a multi-axle transport trailer, the steering system comprising:

a hydraulic control valve that distributes fluid to one or more cylinders configured to turn wheels on either end of the at least one axle;

a sensing device that monitors turning movement of the wheels, wherein when the trailer is moved in reverse the sensing device prompts a switch to send a signal to the hydraulic control valve to cause the cylinders to turn or straighten the wheels based on the turning movement.

2. The multi-axle trailer of claim 1, further comprising a suspension system including air bags that are in communication with an air source and configured to be inflated to raise or deflated to lower the at least one axle.

3. A steering system for at least one axle of a multi-axle transport trailer, the steering system comprising:

a tie rod connected between wheels on ends of the at least one axle;

a hydraulic control valve that distributes fluid to one or more cylinders configured to turn the wheels on the ends of the at least one axle; and

a sensing device that monitors movement of the tie rod, wherein when the trailer is moved in reverse the sensing device prompts a switch to send a signal to the hydraulic control valve to cause the cylinders to turn or straighten the wheels based on the tie rod movement.

4. The multi-axle trailer of claim 3, further comprising a suspension system including air bags that are in communication with an air source and configured to be inflated to raise or deflated to lower the at least one axle.