Pneumatically damped vehicle suspension system
First Claim
1. A pneumatic suspension system for a vehicle having a frame, the suspension system supporting the frame and having a first axle, comprising:
- a first pneumatic spring supported by a first end of the first axle;
a first pneumatic chamber;
a second pneumatic chamber;
a first damping means functionally connecting the pneumatic spring to the first pneumatic chamber for providing maximum damping at a first frequency;
a second damping means functionally connecting the pneumatic spring to the second pneumatic chamber for providing maximum damping at a second frequency that is higher than the first frequency;
a second pneumatic spring supported by a second end of the first axle;
a third pneumatic chamber;
a third damping means functionally connecting the second pneumatic spring to the third pneumatic chamber for providing maximum damping substantially at the first frequency;
a third pneumatic spring supported by a second axle of the vehicle, the second pneumatic chamber being part of the third pneumatic spring;
a fourth pneumatic spring supported by the second axle; and
a fourth damping means functionally connecting the fourth pneumatic spring to the second pneumatic spring for providing maximum damping substantially at the second frequency.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A pneumatically damped vehicle suspension system. The suspension system provides damping which is load-dependent, i.e., the amount of damping varies in approximate proportion to the load supported by the suspension system, thereby maintaining a nearly constant fraction of critical damping over the normal range of operating loads. The damping provided by the system is also frequency-dependent, a characteristic not achievable with hydraulic dampers. Two independent damping circuits provide maximum damping at the suspension'"'"'s two resonant frequencies, or modes of vibration--the bounce mode and the axlehop mode. Relatively little damping is provided at other frequencies, resulting in improved isolation of road inputs.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A pneumatic suspension system for a vehicle having a frame, the suspension system supporting the frame and having a first axle, comprising:
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a first pneumatic spring supported by a first end of the first axle; a first pneumatic chamber; a second pneumatic chamber; a first damping means functionally connecting the pneumatic spring to the first pneumatic chamber for providing maximum damping at a first frequency; a second damping means functionally connecting the pneumatic spring to the second pneumatic chamber for providing maximum damping at a second frequency that is higher than the first frequency; a second pneumatic spring supported by a second end of the first axle; a third pneumatic chamber; a third damping means functionally connecting the second pneumatic spring to the third pneumatic chamber for providing maximum damping substantially at the first frequency; a third pneumatic spring supported by a second axle of the vehicle, the second pneumatic chamber being part of the third pneumatic spring; a fourth pneumatic spring supported by the second axle; and a fourth damping means functionally connecting the fourth pneumatic spring to the second pneumatic spring for providing maximum damping substantially at the second frequency. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A pneumatic suspension system for a vehicle having a frame, the suspension system supporting the frame and having a first axle, comprising:
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a first pneumatic spring supported by the first axle; a first pneumatic chamber; a second pneumatic chamber; a first damping means functionally connecting the pneumatic spring to the first pneumatic chamber for providing maximum damping at a first frequency; a second damping means functionally connecting the pneumatic second pneumatic chamber for providing maximum damping at a second frequency that is higher than the first frequency; a second pneumatic spring supported by the first axle; and a third damping means functionally connecting the second pneumatic spring to the first pneumatic chamber for providing maximum damping substantially at the first frequency. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A pneumatic suspension system for supporting a vehicle frame on first and second axles, comprising:
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a first pneumatic spring supported by the first axle; a second pneumatic spring supported by the second axle; a first pneumatic chamber; a first damping means functionally connecting the first pneumatic spring to the first pneumatic chamber for providing maximum damping at a first frequency; and a second damping means functionally connecting the first pneumatic spring to the second pneumatic spring for providing maximum damping at a second frequency that is greater than the first frequency. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification