SEAT HEIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM

• US 20090096268A1
• Filed: 10/12/2007
• Published: 04/16/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Norgren GT Development
• Original Assignee: GT Development Corporation (IMI PLC)
• Inventors: Stephens, Charles, Morris, John Michael
• Granted Patent: US 8,074,684 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/358
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0228 Hand-activated mechanical switches B60N2/0229 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/502 attached to the base of the seat B60N2/504 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/505 Adjustable suspension including height adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/525 using gas
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 11/074 with flat sealing faces
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86638 Rotary valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86831 Selective opening of plural ports

Abstract

The present invention relates to a leveling valve including a first port, a second port, a third port, a valve, and a clutch. The clutch is provided with an engaged position and a disengaged position. At least a portion of the clutch may move relative to the valve when the clutch is in the disengaged position. The clutch moves the valve when the clutch is in the engaged position. The valve is movable between a first position, a second position, and a third position. When the valve is in the first position, the valve blocks a first pathway, which extends from the first port, from connecting with a second pathway, which extends from the second port. When the valve is in the second position, the valve allows the first pathway to connect with the second pathway. When the valve is in the third position, the valve allows the second pathway to connect with a third pathway, which extends from the third port.

Claims

1. A leveling valve, comprising:

a first port, a second port, and a third port;

a valve;

a clutch that is provided with an engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein at least a portion of the clutch may move relative to the valve when the clutch is in the disengaged position and wherein the clutch moves the valve when the clutch is in the engaged position;

the valve being movable between a first position, a second position, and a third position, whereby;

when the valve is in the first position, the valve blocks a first pathway, which extends from the first port, from connecting with a second pathway, which extends from the second port;

when the valve is in the second position, the valve allows the first pathway to connect with the second pathway; and

when the valve is in the third position, the valve allows the second pathway to connect with a third pathway, which extends from the third port.

2. The leveling valve according to claim 1, wherein, when the valve is in the first position, the valve blocks the second pathway from connecting with the third pathway.

3. The leveling valve according to claim 1, wherein, when the valve is in the third position, the valve blocks the first pathway from connecting with the second pathway.

4. The leveling valve according to claim 1, wherein, when the valve is in the second position, the valve blocks the second pathway from connecting with the third pathway.

5. The leveling valve according to claim 1, wherein, when the valve is in the first, second, or third positions, the valve blocks the first pathway from connecting with the third pathway.

6. The leveling valve according to claim 1, wherein the clutch selectively moves the valve in a first direction from the first position to the second position or the clutch selectively moves the valve in a second direction from the first position to the third position.

7. The leveling valve according to claim 1, wherein, when the clutch is in the disengaged position, upon moving relative to the valve, the clutch eventually moves the valve to the second position or the third position.

8. A leveling valve, comprising:

a first port from which a first pathway extends;

a second port from which a second pathway extends;

a third port from which a third pathway extends;

a valve;

a clutch provided with a clutch arm, a first clutch member, and a second clutch member, wherein;

the clutch arm is connected to the first clutch member and moves the first clutch member when the clutch is in an engaged position and a disengaged position;

the first clutch member moves the second clutch member when the clutch is in the engaged position;

the first clutch member may move relative to the second clutch member when the clutch is in the disengaged position;

the second clutch member moving the valve between a first position, a second position, and a third position when the first clutch member moves the second clutch member, whereby;

when the valve is in the first position, the valve blocks the first pathway from connecting with the second pathway;

when the valve is in the second position, the valve allows the first pathway to connect with the second pathway; and

when the valve is in the third position, the valve allows the second pathway to connect with the third pathway.

9. The leveling valve according to claim 8, wherein, when the valve is in the first position, the valve blocks the second pathway from connecting with the third pathway.

10. The leveling valve according to claim 8, wherein, when the valve is in the third position, the valve blocks the first pathway from connecting with the second pathway.

11. The leveling valve according to claim 8, wherein, when the valve is in the second position, the valve blocks the second pathway from connecting with the third pathway.

12. The leveling valve according to claim 8, wherein, when the valve is in the first, second, or third positions, the valve blocks the first pathway from connecting with the third pathway.

13. The leveling valve according to claim 8, wherein the clutch selectively moves the valve in a first direction from the first position to the second position or the clutch moves the valve in a second direction from the first position to the third position.

14. The leveling valve according to claim 8, wherein, when the clutch is in the disengaged position, the first clutch member moves relative to the second clutch member until the first clutch member contacts the second clutch member, whereupon the first clutch member moves the second clutch member.

15. A seat height control system, comprising:

at least one air bladder;

a leveling valve that includes a clutch that is provided with an engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein, when the clutch is in an engaged position, the leveling valve selectively introduces pressurized air to the air bladder, relieves pressurized air from the air bladder, or neither adds nor relieves pressurized air from the air bladder; and

one or more valves that deliver pressurized air to the leveling valve to disengage the clutch of the leveling valve and selectively introduce pressurized air to the air bladder, relieve pressurized air from the air bladder, or neither add pressurized air to the air bladder nor relieve pressurized air from the air bladder.

16. The seat height control system according to claim 15, further comprising an exit valve, wherein:

when a rapid deflation valve of the exit valve is in a first position, the leveling valve selectively delivers pressurized air to the air bladder, relieves pressurized air from the air bladder or neither adds nor relieves pressurized air from the air bladder;

when the rapid deflation valve of the exit valve is in a second position, the exit valve prevents the leveling valve from selectively introducing pressurized air to the air bladder or relieving pressurized air from the air bladder; and

when the rapid deflation valve of the exit valve is in a second position pressurized air in the air bladder is relieved via the exit valve.

17. The seat height control system according to claim 15, wherein the leveling valve further comprises:

a first port from which a first pathway extends;

a second port from which a second pathway extends;

a third port from which a third pathway extends;

a valve;

a clutch provided with a clutch arm, a first clutch member, and a second clutch member, wherein;

the clutch arm is connected to the first clutch member and moves the first clutch member when the clutch is in an engaged position and a disengaged position;

the first clutch member moves the second clutch member when the clutch is in the engaged position;

the first clutch member may move relative to the second clutch member when the clutch is in the disengaged position;

the second clutch member moving the valve between a first position, a second position, and a third position when the first clutch member moves the second clutch member, whereby;

when the valve is in the first position, the valve blocks the first pathway from connecting with the second pathway;

when the valve is in the second position, the valve allows the first pathway to connect with the second pathway; and

when the valve is in the third position, the valve allows the second pathway to connect with the third pathway.

18. The seat height control system according to claim 17, wherein, when the valve of the leveling valve is in the first position, the valve blocks the second pathway from connecting with the third pathway thereby preventing the leveling valve from relieving pressurized air from the air bladder.

19. The seat height control system according to claim 17, wherein, when the valve of the leveling valve is in the third position, the valve blocks the first pathway from connecting with the second pathway, thereby preventing the leveling valve from directing pressurized air to the air bladder.

20. The seat height control system according to claim 17, wherein, when the valve of the leveling valve is in the second position, the valve blocks the second pathway from connecting with the third pathway, thereby preventing the leveling valve from relieving pressurized air from the air bladder.

21. The seat height control system according to claim 17, wherein, when the valve of the leveling valve is in the first, second, or third positions, the valve blocks the first pathway from connecting with the third pathway, thereby preventing pressurized air introduced into the leveling valve via the first port from being vented via the third port.

22. The seat height control system according to claim 17, wherein the clutch selectively moves the valve of the leveling valve in a first direction from the first position to the second position or the clutch moves the valve in a second direction from the first position to the third position.

23. The seat height control system according to claim 17, wherein, when the clutch is in the disengaged position, the first clutch member moves relative to the second clutch member until the first clutch member contacts the second clutch member, whereupon the first clutch member moves the second clutch member.