Systems and methods for automated air suspension pressure drop

• US 9,227,476 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2013
• Issued: 01/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations LLC (Bridgestone Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations LLC (Bridgestone Corporation)
• Inventors: Grimm, John Harvey
• Primary Examiner(s): VERLEY, NICOLE T
• Application Number:
  US14/068,145
• Publication Number:
  US 20150115562A1
• Time in Patent Office: 796 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 11/27 wherein the fluid is a gas
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/0155 pneumatic unit
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/04 fluid spring characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/052 Pneumatic spring characteristics B60G17/048 takes precedence ; valves per se F16K
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/152 Pneumatic spring
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/154 with an accumulator
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/04 Trailers
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/36 Independent Multi-axle long vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/60 Load
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2401/12 Strain gauge
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2500/201 Air spring system type

Abstract

Various systems and methods for automated air suspension pressure drop are disclosed.

Claims

1. A system for decreasing air pressure in an air spring, comprising:

a trailer, comprising;

a first axle, a second axle, and at least one beam,

wherein the first axle is operatively connected to the at least one beam;

at least one air spring;

a strain gauge operatively connected to the at least one beam; and

a control unit operatively connected to the strain gauge and the at least one air spring;

wherein the strain gauge is configured to identify a lateral bending strain in the at least one beam, wherein the lateral bending strain is about an axis substantially normal to the trailer'"'"'s plane of travel.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to decrease pressure in the at least one air spring in response to identification of the lateral bending strain.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first axle and the second axle are separated by a distance of at least about 8 ft.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the beam comprises a center, and wherein the strain gauge is oriented substantially in the center of the beam.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the beam comprises a web portion, and wherein the strain gauge is oriented on the web portion.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one air spring is oriented between the first axle and the at least one beam.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the control unit is configured to decrease pressure in the at least one air spring in response to identification of the lateral bending strain, and wherein decreasing pressure in the at least one air spring decreases a distance between the first axle and the at least one beam.

8. A system for decreasing air pressure in an air spring, comprising:

a trailer, comprising;

a first axle and a second axle,

wherein at least one of the first axle and the second axle is operatively

connected to at least one air spring;

a strain gauge operatively connected to the trailer; and

a control unit operatively connected to the strain gauge and the at least one air spring;

wherein the strain gauge is configured to identify a lateral bending strain in the trailer, wherein the lateral bending strain is about an axis substantially normal to the trailer'"'"'s plane of travel.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the control unit is configured to decrease pressure in the at least one air spring in response to identification of the lateral bending strain.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the trailer further comprises at least one beam, and wherein the strain gauge is operatively connected to the at least one beam.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the beam comprises a center, and wherein the strain gauge is oriented substantially in the center of the beam.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the beam comprises a web portion, and wherein the strain gauge is oriented on the web portion.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the trailer further comprises at least one beam, and wherein the strain gauge is configured to identify a lateral bending strain in the at least one beam.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein the first axle and the second axle are separated by a distance of at least about 8 ft.

15. The system of claim 8, wherein the trailer further comprises at least one beam, and wherein the at least one air spring is oriented between the first axle and the at least one beam.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the control unit is configured to decrease pressure in the at least one air spring in response to identification of the lateral bending strain, and wherein decreasing pressure in the at least one air spring decreases a distance between the first axle and the at least one beam.