Invention Grant
- Patent Title: Hydraulic suspension hitch system
- Patent Title (中): 液压悬挂系统
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Application No.: US14242650Application Date: 2014-04-01
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Publication No.: US09255380B2Publication Date: 2016-02-09
- Inventor: David E. Ault , Jeffrey L. Kuehn
- Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
- Applicant Address: US IL Peoria
- Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
- Current Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
- Current Assignee Address: US IL Peoria
- Agent Bart Fisher
- Main IPC: E02F3/65
- IPC: E02F3/65 ; E02F9/00 ; B60G17/0165 ; E02F9/22 ; B62D53/02

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
- US20140210184A1 HYDRAULIC SUSPENSION HITCH SYSTEM Public/Granted day:2014-07-31
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