Patent US4789038A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4789038A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Axle weight distribution controller
Assignee: STRUCTURAL INSTRUMENTATION Inc 4611 SOUTH 134TH PLACE TUKWILA WA 98168 A CORP OF WASHINGTON
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Filing: 1987-03-12
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Granted: 1988-12-06
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Expires: 2007-03-12
Abstract
Abstract An axle weight distribution controller for maintaining the weight borne by the steering axle of a load-carrying vehicle. A load transducer attached to the steering axle produces an electrical signal that is compared with signals representing desired minimum and maximum loads to be borne by the steering axle. If the load borne by the steering axle falls outside of the predetermined load interval, the pressure in an air spring supporting a third axle is adjusted so as to redistribute the weight borne by each of the other axles in the vehicle and to bring the load borne by the steering axle within desired limits.
Inventors
- 👤 Phong T. Nguyen
- 👤 Charles L. Keith
- 👤 Jerry L. McCauley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 14:58
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60G; B60G17/00; B60G17/015; B60G17/0152; B60G17/0155; B62; B62D; B62D61/00; B62D61/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
An axle load distribution controller for use on a vehicle having first and second load-bearing axles, said second axle defining an axis, said axles being spaced apart in a direction perpendicular to said axis, said load distribution controller being operative to maintain the load borne by said first axle between predetermined minimum and maximum loads, said load distribution controller comprising: a transducer adapted to produce a first signal representing the load borne by said first axle; an electrical circuit receiving said first signal and producing a second signal in response thereto, said second signal having a first value if the load borne by said first axle is greater than said predetermined maximum load, a second value if the load borne by said first axle is less than said predetermined minimum load and a third value if the load borne by said first axle is between said predetermined minimum and maximum loads; a third load-bearing axle located between said first and second axles; and an actuator receiving said second signal and connected to said third load-bearing axle, for biasing said third axle so as to change the load borne by said third axle in response to said second signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
198 words
An axle load distribution controller for use on a vehicle having first and second load-bearing axles, said second axle defining an axis, said axles being spaced apart in a direction perpendicular to said axis, said load distribution controller being operative to maintain the load borne by said first axle between predetermined minimum and maximum loads, said load distribution controller comprising: a transducer adapted to produce a first signal representing the load borne by said first axle; an electrical circuit receiving said first signal and producing a second signal in response thereto, said second signal having a first value if the load borne by said first axle is greater than said predetermined maximum load, a second value if the load borne by said first axle is less than said predetermined minimum load and a third value if the load borne by said first axle is between said predetermined minimum and maximum loads; a third load-bearing axle located between said first and second axles; and an actuator receiving said second signal and connected to said third load-bearing axle, for biasing said third axle so as to change the load borne by said third axle in response to said second signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The load distribution controller of claim 1 wherein said electrical circuit comprises adjustable means to designate said predetermined minimum and maximum loads.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The load distribution controller of claim 1 wherein said actuator biases said third axle by pneumatic pressure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The load distribution controller of claim 3 wherein said electrical circuit comprises means for detecting a failure in the actuator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The load distribution controller of claim 1 wherein said actuator reduces the load borne by said third axle if the load borne by the first axle is less than said predetermined minimum load.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The load distribution controller of claim 1 wherein said actuator increases the load borne by said third axle if the load borne by the first axle is greater than said predetermined maximum load.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
180 words
A vehicle, comprising: a longitudinal frame adapted to carry a load; first and second load-bearing axles supporting said frame, said axles being spaced apart in the longitudinal direction; a transducer adapted to produce a first signal representing the load borne by said first axle; an electrical circuit adapted to receive the first signal and to produce a second signal in response thereto, said second signal having a first value if the load borne by said first axle is greater than a predetermined maximum load, a second value if the load borne by said first axle is less than a predetermined minimum load, and a third value if the load borne by said first axle is between said predetermined minimum and maximum loads; and a third axle located between said first and second axles in the longitudinal direction, said third axle being positionable by pneumatic pressure in response to said second signal, so as to vary the load borne by said third axle, in order that the load borne by said first axle is maintained between predetermined minimum and maximum loads.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
180 words
A vehicle, comprising: a longitudinal frame adapted to carry a load; first and second load-bearing axles supporting said frame, said axles being spaced apart in the longitudinal direction; a transducer adapted to produce a first signal representing the load borne by said first axle; an electrical circuit adapted to receive the first signal and to produce a second signal in response thereto, said second signal having a first value if the load borne by said first axle is greater than a predetermined maximum load, a second value if the load borne by said first axle is less than a predetermined minimum load, and a third value if the load borne by said first axle is between said predetermined minimum and maximum loads; and a third axle located between said first and second axles in the longitudinal direction, said third axle being positionable by pneumatic pressure in response to said second signal, so as to vary the load borne by said third axle, in order that the load borne by said first axle is maintained between predetermined minimum and maximum loads.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The vehicle of claim 7 wherein said third axle is relatively closer to said second axle than to said first axle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The vehicle of claim 7, further including a fourth load-bearing axle located between said second and third axles in the longitudinal direction.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The vehicle of claim 7 wherein said electrical circuit comprises adjustable means to designate said predetermined minimum and maximum loads.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The vehicle of claim 7 wherein said third axle is positioned by a pneumatic actuator responsive to said second signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The vehicle of claim 11 wherein said electrical circuit comprises means for detecting a failure in said pneumatic actuator.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
197 words
A vehicle, comprising: a longitudinal frame adapted to carry a load; a forward load-bearing steering axle; at least one rear load-bearing axle; a transducer adapted to produce a first signal representing the load borne by said steering axle; an electrical circuit adapted to receive the first signal and to produce a second signal in response thereto, said second signal having a first value if the load borne by said first axle is greater than a predetermined maximum load, a second value if the load borne by said first axle is less than a predetermined minimum load, and a third value if the load borne by said first axle is between said predetermined minimum and maximum loads; and a positionable axle located between said steering axle and said at least one rear load-bearing axle, said axle being located relatively closer to said at least one rear load-bearing axle than to said steering axle and being positionable by pneumatic pressure in response to said second signal, so as to vary the load borne by said at least one rear load-bearing axle, in order that the load borne by said steering axle is maintained between predetermined minimum and maximum loads.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
197 words
A vehicle, comprising: a longitudinal frame adapted to carry a load; a forward load-bearing steering axle; at least one rear load-bearing axle; a transducer adapted to produce a first signal representing the load borne by said steering axle; an electrical circuit adapted to receive the first signal and to produce a second signal in response thereto, said second signal having a first value if the load borne by said first axle is greater than a predetermined maximum load, a second value if the load borne by said first axle is less than a predetermined minimum load, and a third value if the load borne by said first axle is between said predetermined minimum and maximum loads; and a positionable axle located between said steering axle and said at least one rear load-bearing axle, said axle being located relatively closer to said at least one rear load-bearing axle than to said steering axle and being positionable by pneumatic pressure in response to said second signal, so as to vary the load borne by said at least one rear load-bearing axle, in order that the load borne by said steering axle is maintained between predetermined minimum and maximum loads.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The vehicle of claim 13 wherein said electrical circuit comprises adjustable means to designate said predetermined minimum and maximum loads.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-12-06 | 1992-06-06 | 1992-12-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-12-06 | 1996-06-06 | 1996-12-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-12-06 | 2000-06-06 | 2000-12-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |