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:
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.