Invention Grant
- Patent Title: Hydraulic suspension hitch system
- Patent Title (中): 液压悬挂系统
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Application No.: US13169369Application Date: 2011-06-27
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Publication No.: US08683720B2Publication Date: 2014-04-01
- Inventor: David E. Ault , Jeffrey L. Kuehn
- Applicant: David E. Ault , Jeffrey L. Kuehn
- Applicant Address: US IL Peoria
- Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
- Current Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
- Current Assignee Address: US IL Peoria
- Agent Bart A. Fisher
- Main IPC: E02F3/65
- IPC: E02F3/65 ; E02F9/02

Abstract:
The present disclosure provides a hitch suspension system that reduces a transfer of energy (e.g., provides a smoother ride) between two bodies hitched together, such as between a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle/trailer. In an embodiment, the suspension system includes a hydraulic cylinder with an extendable rod in fluid communication with a fluid pump. A control valve is fluidly coupled between the hydraulic cylinder and the fluid pump and is configured to adjust an extension length of the rod. Additionally, a variable orifice that adjusts resistance to extension and retraction of the rod is fluidly coupled between the hydraulic cylinder and the control valve. A first fixed restrictive element is fluidly coupled in series with the variable orifice to dissipate energy ad the rod extends and a second fixed restrictive element is fluidly coupled in series with the variable orifice to dissipate energy as the rod retracts.
Public/Granted literature
- US20120324767A1 HYDRAULIC SUSPENSION HITCH SYSTEM Public/Granted day:2012-12-27
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