Abstract:
IN PREFERRED FORM, A VEHICLE LEVELING SYSTEM COMPRESSOR OPERATED PROPORTIONAL TO VEHICLE ENGING SPEED TO DIRECT COMPRESSED AIR INTO A PRESSURIZABLE AIR CONTROL CHAMBER OF A LEVELER UNIT. AN EXHAUST OPENING FROM THE LEVELER UNIT IS CONTROLLED BY AN UNDAMPED ON-OFF EXHAUST VALVE CONTINUALLY OPERATED IN RESPONSE TO NORMAL VEHICLE ROAD MOVEMENTS AND CHANGES IN LOADING TO EFFECT AN ON-OFF RATIO FOR EXHAUST FLOW FROM THE CONTROL CHAMBER INTO AN AIR COLLECTOR TANK. THE AIR COLLECTOR TANK SERVES TO COLLECT EXCESS AIR DUMPED FROM THE LEVELER UNIT TO PREVENT EXHAUST TO ATMOSPHERE DURING DYNAMIC OPERATION. AN INTAKE VALVE AND A RELIEF VALVE ON THE TANK AND A DESICCANT CARTRIDGE IN THE TANK COOPERATE TO ELIMINATE WATER IN THE SYSTEM DURING ITS OPERATION.
Abstract:
In the preferred form, a vehicle leveling system having an electrically motor driven compressor that is directly communicated with a pair of fluid springs for maintaining a predetermined height relationship between the sprung and unsprung mass of a vehicle. A controller includes vehicle door operated light switches normally opened when the vehicle doors are closed. When the door is opened and closed a hold circuit is closed for a relay-operated motor energization switch. The hold circuit includes a normally closed pressure responsive switch. Following a predetermined pump-up phase a mechanically operated height controller exhausts the spring and conditions the pressure switch to open the hold circuit to deenergize the electric motor.
Abstract:
IN PREFERRED FORM, A SEMIAUTOMATIC VEHICLE LEVELING SYSTEM INCLUDING FLUID SPRING MEANS CONNECTED BETWEEN THE SPRUNG AND UNSPRUNG MASS OF A VEHICLE FOR MAINTAINING A PREDETERMINED HEIGHT RELATIONSHIP THEREBETWEEN. IT INCLUDES AN ELECTRIC MOTOR DRIVEN COMPRESSOR HAVING AN INLET CONNECTED TO ATMOSPHERE AND AN OUTLET IN DIRECT COMMUNICATION WITH THE FLUID SPRING MEANS. THE DRIVE MOTOR IS ENERGIZED BY CIRCUIT MEANS INCLUDING A FIRST CIRCUIT HAVING A MANUALLY OPERATED START SWITCH TO MOMENTARILY ENERGIZE THE DRIVE MOTOR. THE CIRCUIT MEANS FURTHER IN- CLUDES A SECOND CIRCUIT HAVING A RELAY OPERATED SWITCH THEREIN WHICH COMPLETES AN ENERGIZATION HOLDING CIRCUIT FOR THE DRIVE MOTOR. THE SYSTEM FURTHER INCLUDES A MECHANICAL HEIGHT CONTROLLER RESPONSIVE TO CHANGES IN THE HEIGHT RELATIONSHIP OF THE SPRUNG AND UNSPRUNG MASS TO EXHAUST FLUID FROM THE FLUID SPRING MEANS. A FLOW SENSING UNIT INCLUDES MEANS RESPONSIVE TO A PREDETERMINED EXHAUST OF FLUID TO CONDITION THE RELAY OPERATED SWITCH SO AS TO DEENERGIZE THE MOTOR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS LEVEL.
Abstract:
IN PREFERRED FORM, A COMPRESSOR HAVING AN OPEN ENDED HOUSING ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED TO A CAM PORT ON AN ENGINE BLOCK. AN OPERATING ARM IS DRIVEN BY AN ENGINE CAM TO RECIPROCATE A PISTON WITHIN AN OIL FILLED CYLINDER WHICH INCLUDES AN INTAKE VALVE TO A SUMP IN THE HOUSING AND A RELIEF VALVE FOR FLOW OF EXCESSIVE OIL FROM THE CYLINDER BACK TO THE PUMP. A PUMP DIAPHRAGM IS OPERATED BY RECIPROCATION OF THE PISTON IN THE CYLINDER TO DRAW AIR INTO AND DISCHARGE AIR FROM AN AIR PUMPING CHAMBER WHICH INCLUDES A PLURALITY OF SHALLOW, NORROW RELIEF PASSAGEWAYS THEREIN TO REDUCE RE-EXPANSION OF COMPRESSED AIR IN THE CHAMBER. AN IMPROVED OIL BAFFLING ARRANGEMENT PREVENTS AERATION ON THE OIL SIDE OF THE DIAPHRAGM.