US3836166A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pneumatic suspension systems for vehicles
Assignee: Whitnash PLC
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Filing: 1972-11-13
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Granted: 1974-09-17
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Expires: 1992-11-13
Abstract
Abstract A pneumatic vehicle suspension system in which the part of the weight of the vehicle supported by each wheel is transmitted thereto through compressed gas contained in a variable volume chamber, the variable volume chamber associated with each wheel being included in a gas-containing system the volume of which is arranged to be varied by control means responsive to dynamic forces acting in at least one horizontal direction to vary the weight distribution between the vehicle wheels, so as to resist tilting of the vehicle due to the changed weight distribution, the response of said control means being limited by feed-back mechanism.
Inventors
- 👤 W Bainbridge
- 👤 R Pitcher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 07:47
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60G; B60G17/00; B60G17/02; B60G17/033; B60G17/015; B60G17/019; B60G17/01908; B60G17/01925
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
A pneumatic vehicle suspension system for use with each wheel of a vehicle, comprising a first variable volume chamber containing compressed gas through which the weight of the vehicle supported by each wheel is transmitted thereto, with the volume of said chamber tending to be decreased by an increase in the supported weight and increased by a decrease in the supported weight, a second variable volume chamber in communication with said first variable volume chamber, a gas-containing system operatively connected with said second variable volume chamber, control means for varying the volume of said second variable volume chamber, including fluid pressure ram cylinder means, a control valve operatively connected to said ram means for actuation thereof and a source of fluid pressure for said control valve to actuate it, and vehicle attitude sensitive means operatively connected to said ram cylinder means for actuation thereby, and responsive to the variation in the wheel weight to restore the volume in said first volume chamber to its normal condition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
166 words
A pneumatic vehicle suspension system for use with each wheel of a vehicle, comprising a first variable volume chamber containing compressed gas through which the weight of the vehicle supported by each wheel is transmitted thereto, with the volume of said chamber tending to be decreased by an increase in the supported weight and increased by a decrease in the supported weight, a second variable volume chamber in communication with said first variable volume chamber, a gas-containing system operatively connected with said second variable volume chamber, control means for varying the volume of said second variable volume chamber, including fluid pressure ram cylinder means, a control valve operatively connected to said ram means for actuation thereof and a source of fluid pressure for said control valve to actuate it, and vehicle attitude sensitive means operatively connected to said ram cylinder means for actuation thereby, and responsive to the variation in the wheel weight to restore the volume in said first volume chamber to its normal condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A pneumatic vehicle suspension system according to claim 1, wherein the fluid pressure ram-and-cylinder devicE is operated by liquid pressure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
72 words
A pneumatic vehicle suspension system according to claim 2, wherein said sensitive means comprises a spring assembly acting on a pendulum to oppose the dynamic forces acting thereon, and linkage connecting said spring assembly to said ram-and-cylinder device in such a way that movement of the ram-and-cylinder device increases the force exerted by said spring assembly to oppose the movement of the control valve to effect such movement of the ram-and-cylinder means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3323810A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-09-16 | 1978-03-18 | 1978-09-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-16 | 1982-03-18 | 1982-09-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-16 | 1986-03-18 | 1986-09-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |