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Lift axle drag reduction system and method

  • US 10,450,016 B2
  • Filed: 05/05/2017
  • Issued: 10/22/2019
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2017
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A lift axle system for a vehicle having a first axle, a first wheel, and a tire for supporting the vehicle on a road surface, the lift axle system comprising:

  • (a) a lift mechanism coupled to the vehicle, the lift mechanism being positioned adjacent to the first axle and configured to reciprocate a second axle between a stowed position and a deployed position;

    (b) a second wheel coupled to the second axle, the second wheel comprising a solid wear ring for engaging the road surface when the lift mechanism is in the deployed position, the solid wear ring being disengaged from the road surface when the lift mechanism is in the stowed position, and(c) a controller configured to cause the lift mechanism to selectively move the second axle between the deployed position and the stowed position,wherein the controller is configured to cause the lift mechanism to move the second axle from the deployed position to the stowed position based on receipt of a service brake signal indicative of a service brake engaged condition, and wherein the solid wear ring has a lower rolling resistance than the tire of the first wheel.

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