Vehicle leveling system

Claim 2

A leveling system for a vehicle having sprung and unsprung portions, at least one air pressure operated leveling strut for varying the attitude between the sprung and unsprung vehicle portions, an electrically energized source of pressurized gas for supplying pressurized gas to said strut, a pressurized gas circuit including a gas conduit directly connecting said source with said strut for directly communicating pressurized gas between said source and said strut, an electrical circuit for communicating electrical energy to said compressor from a source thereof, and a vehicle attitude sensing device responsive to variations in attitude between the sprung and unsprung portions of a vehicle, said device including a valve communicable with said gas circuit and an electrical switch for opening and closing said electrical circuit, and actuating means responsive to orientation of the sprung vehicle portion below some predetermined position for closing said valve and actuating said switch so as to energize said gas source and cause pressurized gas to be communicated from said gas source to said strut and thus expand said strut, and to orientation of said sprung vehicle portion above some predetermined position for opening said valve means and deactivating said switch, whereby a portion of said gas circuit is connected with a relatively lower pressure condition to permit said strut to collapse.

Claim 3

A leveling system as set forth in claim 1 which includes a pressurized reservoir, and wherein said last mentioned means is responsive to orientation of said sprung vehicle portion below some predetermined position for completing said second circuit means, and is responsive to orientation of said sprung vehicle portion above some predetermined position for opening said valve means and communicating said first circuit means with said reservoir.

Claim 4

The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said lower pressure condition consists of atmospheric pressure.

Claim 5

The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said pressurized gas comprises compressed air.

Claim 6

The invention as set forth in claim 1 which includes a second means for opening and closing an electrical circuit in response to a predetermined operating condition in the system.

Claim 7

The invention as set forth in claim 5 wherein said second means comprises a second switch means for opening and closing said electrical circuit in response to the internal pressure of said system.

Claim 8

The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said vehicle attitude sensing device is mounted on one of said vehicle portions, and which includes an operating lever connected to one of said vehicle portions and movable in response to changes in attitude between said vehicle portions for opening and closing said electrical circuit means and operating said valve means.

Claim 9

The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said lower pressure condition consists of atmospheric pressure, wherein said pressurized gas comprises compressed air, and which includes a pressure control means responsive to the gas pressure in said strut for opening and closing said electrical circuit to said compressor.

Claim 10

The invention as set forth in claim 8 wherein said pressure control means comprises a second switch means responsive to the internal pressure of said strut, wherein said vehicle attitude sensing device is mounted on one of said vehicle portions, and which inCludes an operating lever connected to the other of said vehicle portions and movable in response to changes in attitude between said vehicle portions for opening and closing said electrical circuit means and operating said valve means.

Claim 11

A vehicle leveling system including a pair of leveling struts interposed between the sprung and unsprung portions of a vehicle, said system also including an electrically energized compressor, electrical circuit means for communicating electrical energy from a source thereof to said compressor, conduit means defining a first gas flow path between said compressor and said struts and a second gas flow path between said struts and a lower pressure condition, electrical switch means for opening and closing said circuit means, pressure control means for effecting deenergization of said compressor in response to the internal gas pressure of said struts, flow control means for selectively connecting said first and second flow paths, and a vehicle attitude sensing device responsive to orientation of the sprung portion of the vehicle below some predetermined position for actuating said switch means to close said circuit and thereby energize said compressor and simultaneously actuate flow control means to block communication between said first gas flow path and said second flow path, said sensing device also being responsive to orientation of the sprung portion of the vehicle above some predetermined position to actuate said switch means to open said circuit and simultaneously actuate said flow control means to connect said first and second flow paths, whereby said compressor will be deenergized and said struts will be communicated with said lower pressure condition.

Claim 12

A vehicle leveling system including a pair of leveling struts interposed between the sprung and unsprung portions of a vehicle, said system also including an electrically energized compressor, electrical circuit means for communicating electrical energy from a source thereof to said compressor, conduit means defining a first gas flow path between said compressor and said struts and a second gas flow path between said struts and a lower pressure condition, electrical switch means for opening and closing said circuit means, pressure control means for effecting deenergization of said compressor in response to the internal gas pressure of said struts, flow control means for selectively connecting said first and second flow paths, and a vehicle attitude sensing device responsive to orientation of the sprung portion of the vehicle below some predetermined position for actuating said switch means to close said circuit and thereby energize said compressor and simultaneously actuate flow control means to block communication between said first gas flow path and said second flow path, said sensing device also being responsive to orientation of the sprung portion of the vehicle above some predetermined position to actuate said switch means to open said circuit and simultaneously actuate said flow control means to connect said first and second flow paths, whereby said compressor will be deenergized and said struts will be communicated with said lower pressure condition.

Claim 13

The invention as set forth in claim 10 wherein said lower pressure condition consists of atmospheric pressure.

Claim 14

The invention as set forth in claim 10 wherein said pressurized gas comprises compressed air.

Claim 15

The invention as set forth in claim 10 wherein said pressure control means comprises means for opening and closing an electrical circuit to said compressor.

Claim 16

The invention as set forth in claim 13 wherein said second means comprises a second switch means for opening and closing said electrical circuit in response to the internal pressure of said system.

Claim 17

The invention as set forth in claim 10 wherein said vehicle attitude sensing device is mounted on one of said vehicle portions, and which includes an operating lever connected to one of said vehicle portions and movable in response to changes in attitude between said vehicle portions for opening and closing said electrical circuit means and operating said valve means.

Claim 18

The invention as set forth in claim 10 wherein said lower pressure condition consists of atmospheric pressure, wherein said pressurized gas comprises compressed air, and which includes a second means for opening and closing said electrical circuit in response to a predetermined operating condition in the system.

Claim 19

The invention as set forth in claim 16 wherein said second means for opening and closing said electrical circuit comprises a second switch means responsive to the internal pressure of said system, wherein said vehicle attitude sensing device is mounted on one of said vehicle portions, and which includes an operating lever connected to the other of said vehicle portions and movable in response to changes in attitude between said vehicle portions for opening and closing said electrical circuit means and operating said valve means.

Claim 20

A vehicle leveling system including a pair of leveling struts interposed between the sprung and unsprung portions of a vehicle, said system also including an electrically energized compressor, electrical circuit means for communicating electrical energy from a source thereof to said compressor, conduit means defining a first gas flow path between said compressor and said struts and a second gas flow path between said struTs and a lower pressure condition, said conduiit means defining said first gas flow path directly connecting said compressor with said struts, first electrical switch means for opening and closing said circuit means, second electrical switch means for opening and closing said circuit means in response to preselected operating conditions of said system, flow control means for selectively connecting said first and second flow paths, and a vehicle attitude sensing device responsive to orientation of the sprung portion of the vehicle below some predetermined position for actuating said first switch means to close said circuit and thereby energize said compressor and simultaneously actuate said flow control means to block communication between said first gas flow path and said second flow path, said sensing device also being responsive to orientation of the sprung portion of the vehicle above some predetermined position for actuating said switch means to open said circuit and simultaneously actuate said flow control means to connect said first and second flow paths, whereby said compressor will be deenergized and said struts will be communicated with said lower pressure condition.

Claim 21

A vehicle leveling system including a pair of leveling struts interposed between the sprung and unsprung portions of a vehicle, said system also including an electrically energized compressor, electrical circuit means for communicating electrical energy from a source thereof to said compressor, conduit means defining a first gas flow path between said compressor and said struts and a second gas flow path between said struTs and a lower pressure condition, said conduiit means defining said first gas flow path directly connecting said compressor with said struts, first electrical switch means for opening and closing said circuit means, second electrical switch means for opening and closing said circuit means in response to preselected operating conditions of said system, flow control means for selectively connecting said first and second flow paths, and a vehicle attitude sensing device responsive to orientation of the sprung portion of the vehicle below some predetermined position for actuating said first switch means to close said circuit and thereby energize said compressor and simultaneously actuate said flow control means to block communication between said first gas flow path and said second flow path, said sensing device also being responsive to orientation of the sprung portion of the vehicle above some predetermined position for actuating said switch means to open said circuit and simultaneously actuate said flow control means to connect said first and second flow paths, whereby said compressor will be deenergized and said struts will be communicated with said lower pressure condition.

Claim 22

The invention as set forth in claim 18 wherein said lower pressure condition consists of atmospheric pressure.

Claim 23

The invention as set forth in claim 18 wherein said pressurized gas comprises compressed air.

Claim 24

The invention as set forth in claim 18 wherein said second means comprises a second switch means for opening and closing said electrical circuit in response to the internal pressure of said system.

Claim 25

The invention as set forth in claim 18 wherein said vehicle attitude sensing device is mounted on one of said vehicle portions, and which includes an operating lever connected to one of said vehicle portions and movable in response to changes in attitude between said vehicle portions for opening and closing said electrical circuit means and operating said valve means.

Claim 26

The invention as set forth in claim 18 wherein said lower pressure condition consists of atmospheric pressure, wherein said pressurized gas comprises compressed air, and which includes a pressure control means for opening and closing said electrical circuit in response to a predetermined operating condition in the system.

Claim 27

The invention as set forth in claim 23 wherein said second means for opening and closing said electrical circuit comprises a second switch means responsive to the internal gas pressure of said struts, wherein said vehicle attitude sensing device is mounted on one of said vehicle portions, and which includes an operating lever connected to the other of said vehicle portions and movable in response to changes in attitude between said vehicle portions for opening and closing said electrical circuit means and operating said valve means.

Claim 28

A vehicle leveling system including a pair of leveling struts interposed between the sprung and unsprung portions of a vehicle, said system also including an electrically energized compressor adapted to compress ambient air, electrical circuit means for communicating electrical energy from a source thereof to said compressor, conduit means defining a first compressed air flow path directly between said compressor and said struts and a second compressed air flow path between said struts and the atmosphere, first electrical switch means for opening and closing said circuit means, a second electrical switch comprising a pressure control means for opening and closing said circuit means directly in response to the compressed air pressure directly in said struts, flow control means for selectively connecting said first and second flow paths, and a vehicle attitude sensing device responsive to orientation of the sprung portion of the vehicle below some predetermined position for actuating said first switch means to close said circuit and thereby energize said compressor and simultaneously actiVate said flow control means to block communication between said first gas path and said second flow path, said sensing device also being responsive to orientation of the sprung portion of the vehicle above some predetermined position for actuating said switch means to open said circuit and simultaneously actuate said flow control means to connect said first and second flow paths, whereby said compressor will be deenergized and said struts will be communicated with the atmosphere.

Claim 29

A vehicle leveling system including a pair of leveling struts interposed between the sprung and unsprung portions of a vehicle, said system also including an electrically energized compressor adapted to compress ambient air, electrical circuit means for communicating electrical energy from a source thereof to said compressor, conduit means defining a first compressed air flow path directly between said compressor and said struts and a second compressed air flow path between said struts and the atmosphere, first electrical switch means for opening and closing said circuit means, a second electrical switch comprising a pressure control means for opening and closing said circuit means directly in response to the compressed air pressure directly in said struts, flow control means for selectively connecting said first and second flow paths, and a vehicle attitude sensing device responsive to orientation of the sprung portion of the vehicle below some predetermined position for actuating said first switch means to close said circuit and thereby energize said compressor and simultaneously actiVate said flow control means to block communication between said first gas path and said second flow path, said sensing device also being responsive to orientation of the sprung portion of the vehicle above some predetermined position for actuating said switch means to open said circuit and simultaneously actuate said flow control means to connect said first and second flow paths, whereby said compressor will be deenergized and said struts will be communicated with the atmosphere.

Claim 30

The invention as set forth in claim 25 wherein said vehicle attitude sensing device is mounted on one of said vehicle portions, and which includes an operating lever connected to one of said vehicle portions and movable in response to changes in attitude between said vehicle portions for opening and closing said electrical circuit means and operating said valve means.

Claim 31

The invention as set forth in claim 26 wherein said operating lever is operatively connected to said upsprung portion of the vehicle.

Claim 32

A vehicle leveling system including a pair of leveling struts interposed between the sprung and unsprung portions of a vehicle, said system also including an electrically energized compressor, electrical circuit means for communicating electrical energy from a source thereof to said compressor, conduit means defining a first gas flow path between said compressor and said struts and a second gas flow path between said struts and a lower pressure condition, said conduit means defining said first gas flow path directly connecting said compressor with said struts, electrical switch means for opening and closing said circuit means, valve means for selectively connecting said first and second flow paths, and pressure control means for selectively deenergizing said compressor in response to the gas pressure in said struts, a vehicle attitude sensing device having said first electrical switch means and said valve means therein, said device being mounted on one of the vehicle portions and including an operating lever connected to the other of the vehicle portions and responsive to orientation of the sprung portion of the vehicle below some predetermined position for actuating said switch means to close said circuit and thereby energize said compressor and simultaneously actuate said valve means to block communication between said first gas flow path and said second flow path, said operating lever also being responsive to orientation of the sprung portion of the vehicle above some predetermined position for actuating said switch means to open said circuit and simultaneously actuate said valve means to connect said first and second flow paths, whereby said compressor will be deenergized and said struts will be communicated with said lower pressure condition.

Claim 33

A vehicle leveling system including a pair of leveling struts interposed between the sprung and unsprung portions of a vehicle, said system also including an electrically energized compressor, electrical circuit means for communicating electrical energy from a source thereof to said compressor, conduit means defining a first gas flow path between said compressor and said struts and a second gas flow path between said struts and a lower pressure condition, said conduit means defining said first gas flow path directly connecting said compressor with said struts, electrical switch means for opening and closing said circuit means, valve means for selectively connecting said first and second flow paths, and pressure control means for selectively deenergizing said compressor in response to the gas pressure in said struts, a vehicle attitude sensing device having said first electrical switch means and said valve means therein, said device being mounted on one of the vehicle portions and including an operating lever connected to the other of the vehicle portions and responsive to orientation of the sprung portion of the vehicle below some predetermined position for actuating said switch means to close said circuit and thereby energize said compressor and simultaneously actuate said valve means to block communication between said first gas flow path and said second flow path, said operating lever also being responsive to orientation of the sprung portion of the vehicle above some predetermined position for actuating said switch means to open said circuit and simultaneously actuate said valve means to connect said first and second flow paths, whereby said compressor will be deenergized and said struts will be communicated with said lower pressure condition.

Claim 34

The invention as set forth in claim 28 wherein said lower pressure condition consists of atmospheric pressure.

Claim 35

The invention as set forth in claim 28 wherein said pressurized gas comprises compressed air.

Claim 36

The invention as set forth in claim 28 which includes a second means for opening and closing an electrical circuit in response to a predetermined operating condition in the system.

Claim 37

The invention as set forth in claim 28 wherein said pressure control means comprises a second switch means for opening and closing an electrical circuit in response to the internal pressure of said struts.

Claim 38

The invention as set forth in claim 28 wherein said operating lever is operatively connected to said unsprung portion of the vehicle.