Abstract:
Hydraulic shock absorber and leveler unit for vehicles incorporating an exhaust-only valve movable with a pressure cylinder and actuated by a dust tube movable with a piston rod mounted in the pressure cylinder to control vehicle height. The unit has an accumulator with a gas chamber separated from an oil reservoir by an elastomeric diaphragm to accommodate oil displaced by the piston rod and to provide means for increasing oil pressure for vehicle lifting force. An exhaust chamber in the unit provides an auxiliary oil source for the working chambers in the unit when the accumulator has insufficient oil to meet rebound control requirements.
Abstract:
An automotive leveling system of the semiclosed-loop pneumatic type, wherein a flow sensor and switch are operatively connected between the height-control valve and air drier, the flow sensor including a diaphragm responsive to pressurized gas flow from the height-control valve. A relief valve is mounted on the diaphragm, and a switch is mounted adjacent thereto. In response to movement of the diaphragm, the switch alternately energizes two indicator lamps indicative of the sprung mass being either at or below trim height.
Abstract:
A reciprocal compressor and accumulator assembly for an automatic vehicle leveling system including auxiliary lift units receiving pressurized fluid from the accumulator when the vehicle is loaded and being pumped down by the compressor when the vehicle is unloaded to maintain a constant vehicle suspension height. The compressor is of a low displacement variety and is driven by a high-speed permanent magnet motor at approximately 3,000 r.p.m. whereby combined with the fact that the compressor receives supercharged air from the auxiliary lift units, the pumpdown time is significantly reduced and the electrical drain on the vehicle battery is held to a minimum. The compressor assembly is suspended on coil springs within the accumulator preventing motor and compressor vibrations from being transmitted through the accumulator to the vehicle and consequently the accumulator may be mounted directly to the vehicle chassis.