A vehicle suspension system for use with a vehicle includes a first hydraulic cylinder, a second hydraulic cylinder, and a fluid circuit. The first hydraulic cylinder and the second hydraulic cylinder each include an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The fluid circuit is hydraulically coupled to th
A vehicle suspension system for use with a vehicle includes a first hydraulic cylinder, a second hydraulic cylinder, and a fluid circuit. The first hydraulic cylinder and the second hydraulic cylinder each include an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The fluid circuit is hydraulically coupled to the first hydraulic cylinder and the second hydraulic cylinder and includes a valve that is movable between a first position and a second position. When the valve is in the first position, the upper and lower chambers of each hydraulic cylinder are hydraulically coupled to the opposite chamber of the other cylinder. When the valve is in the second position, the upper chamber of each hydraulic cylinder is coupled to the lower chamber of the same cylinder. The valve is configured to move between the first position and the second position in response to manual input.
대표청구항▼
What is claimed is: 1. A vehicle for use by an operator comprising: a sprung portion; and an unsprung portion, the unsprung portion including: a first wheel on a first side of the sprung portion; a second wheel on a second side of the sprung portion, the second side being opposite the first side of
What is claimed is: 1. A vehicle for use by an operator comprising: a sprung portion; and an unsprung portion, the unsprung portion including: a first wheel on a first side of the sprung portion; a second wheel on a second side of the sprung portion, the second side being opposite the first side of the sprung portion; a first hydraulic cylinder coupled between the first wheel and the sprung portion, the first hydraulic cylinder having an upper chamber and a lower chamber, the upper chamber and the lower chamber each having a volume configured to change as the first wheel and sprung portion move relative to one another; a second hydraulic cylinder coupled between the second wheel and the sprung portion, the second hydraulic cylinder having an upper chamber and a lower chamber, the upper chamber and the lower chamber each having a volume configured to change as the second wheel and sprung portion move relative to one another; and a fluid circuit hydraulically coupled to the first hydraulic cylinder and the second hydraulic cylinder and including a valve movable between a first position and a second position, wherein when the valve is in the first position the upper chamber of the first hydraulic cylinder is hydraulically coupled to the lower chamber of the second hydraulic cylinder and the lower chamber of the first hydraulic cylinder is hydraulically coupled to the upper chamber of the second cylinder, and wherein when the valve is in the second position the upper chamber of the first hydraulic cylinder is hydraulically coupled to the lower chamber of the first hydraulic cylinder and the upper chamber of the second hydraulic cylinder is hydraulically coupled to the lower chamber of the second hydraulic cylinder; a central tire inflation system operably coupled to the first wheel and the second wheel, and having a switch movable between a first setting representative of a highway operation mode and a second setting representative of one or more non-highway operation modes; a control unit operable to monitor the position of the switch and move the valve to the first position when the switch is moved to the first setting and to move the valve to the second position when the switch is moved to the second setting. 2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the switch is configured to be actuated by the operator of the vehicle to selectively move the valve between the first position and the second position. 3. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the valve is configured to move in response to manual input. 4. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising at least one accumulator hydraulically coupled to the circuit. 5. The vehicle of claim 4, further comprising a first accumulator hydraulically coupled to the circuit between the upper chamber of the first hydraulic cylinder and the lower chamber of the second hydraulic cylinder, and a second accumulator hydraulically coupled to the circuit between the lower chamber of the first hydraulic cylinder and the upper chamber of the second hydraulic cylinder. 6. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first and second hydraulic cylinders are hydro-pneumatic springs. 7. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the vehicle has a first ride height when the fluid circuit has a first volume of fluid and wherein the vehicle has a second ride height different than the first ride height when the fluid circuit has a second volume of fluid different than the first volume of fluid. 8. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first hydraulic cylinder and the second hydraulic cylinder each include a tube portion defining a main chamber, a piston movable within the main chamber, and a rod coupled to the piston, wherein the piston divides the main chamber into the upper chamber and the lower chamber, wherein the rod extends through the lower chamber, and wherein the piston has an upper surface area defining a portion of the upper chamber and the piston has a lower surface area surrounding the rod defining a portion of the lower chamber, the lower surface area being less than the upper surface area. 9. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the ratio of the lower surface area of the piston to the upper surface area of the piston is between 1:2 and 1:4. 10. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a third wheel on the first side of the sprung portion and a fourth wheel on the second side of the sprung portion. 11. The vehicle of claim 10, further comprising a third hydraulic cylinder coupled between the third wheel and the sprung portion and a fourth hydraulic cylinder coupled between the fourth wheel and the sprung portion, wherein the third hydraulic cylinder includes an upper chamber and a lower chamber, the upper chamber and the lower chamber each having a volume configured to change as the third wheel and sprung portion move relative to one another, and wherein the fourth hydraulic cylinder includes an upper chamber and a lower chamber, the upper chamber and the lower chamber each having a volume configured to change as the fourth wheel and sprung portion move relative to one another. 12. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the circuit is hydraulically coupled between the first hydraulic cylinder, the second hydraulic cylinder, the third hydraulic cylinder, and the fourth hydraulic cylinder. 13. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein when the valve is in the first position, the upper chamber of at least one of the first hydraulic cylinder and the third hydraulic cylinder is hydraulically coupled to the lower chamber of at least one of the second hydraulic cylinder and the fourth hydraulic cylinder and the lower chamber of the at least one of the first hydraulic cylinder and the third hydraulic cylinder is hydraulically coupled to the upper chamber of the at least one of the second hydraulic cylinder and the fourth hydraulic cylinder. 14. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein when the valve is in the second position, the upper chamber of the first hydraulic cylinder is hydraulically coupled to the lower chamber of at least one of the first hydraulic cylinder and the third hydraulic cylinder, the upper chamber of the second hydraulic cylinder is hydraulically coupled to the lower chamber of at least one of the second hydraulic cylinder and the fourth hydraulic cylinder, the upper chamber of the third hydraulic cylinder is hydraulically coupled to the lower chamber of at least one of the third hydraulic cylinder and the first hydraulic cylinder, and the upper chamber of the fourth hydraulic cylinder is hydraulically coupled to the lower chamber of at least one of the fourth hydraulic cylinder and the first hydraulic cylinder. 15. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein the first wheel and the second wheel are disposed proximate the front of the sprung portion, and wherein the third wheel and the fourth wheel are disposed proximate the rear of the sprung portion. 16. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein the first wheel, the second wheel, the third wheel, and the fourth wheel are disposed proximate the rear of the sprung portion. 17. A vehicle suspension system for use with a vehicle configured to be operated by an operator, the vehicle comprising a sprung portion, a first wheel and a third wheel on a first side of the sprung portion, and a second wheel and a fourth wheel on a second side of the sprung portion, the suspension system comprising: a first hydraulic cylinder coupled between the first wheel and the sprung portion, the first hydraulic cylinder having an upper chamber and a lower chamber, each of the upper chamber and the lower chamber having a volume configured to change as the first wheel and sprung portion move relative to one another; a second hydraulic cylinder coupled between the second wheel and the sprung portion, the second hydraulic cylinder having an upper chamber and a lower chamber, each of the upper chamber and the lower chamber having a volume configured to change as the second wheel and sprung portion move relative to one another; a fluid circuit hydraulically coupled to the first hydraulic cylinder and the second hydraulic cylinder and including a valve movable between a first position and a second position, wherein when the valve is in the first position the upper chamber of the first hydraulic cylinder is hydraulically coupled to the lower chamber of the second hydraulic cylinder and the lower chamber of the first hydraulic cylinder is hydraulically coupled to the upper chamber of the second cylinder, and wherein when the valve is in the second position the upper chamber of the first hydraulic cylinder is hydraulically coupled to the lower chamber of the first hydraulic cylinder and the upper chamber of the second hydraulic cylinder is hydraulically coupled to the lower chamber of the second hydraulic cylinder; and wherein the valve is coupled to a switch in a central tire inflation system, the switch being movable between a first setting representative of a highway operation mode and a second setting representative of a non-highway operation mode, and a control unit operable to monitor the position of the switch and to move the valve to the first position when the central tire inflation system is in the highway operation mode, and to move the valve to the second position when the central tire inflation system is in the non-highway operation mode. 18. The vehicle suspension system of claim 17, wherein the switch is configured to be actuated by the operator of the vehicle. 19. The vehicle suspension system of claim 17, wherein the control unit is configured to adjust a ride height of the vehicle in response to the position of the switch in the central tire inflation system. 20. The vehicle suspension system of claim 17, further comprising at least one accumulator hydraulically coupled to the circuit. 21. The vehicle suspension system of claim 20, further comprising a first accumulator hydraulically coupled to the circuit between the upper chamber of the first hydraulic cylinder and the lower chamber of the second hydraulic cylinder, and a second accumulator hydraulically coupled to the circuit between the lower chamber of the first hydraulic cylinder and the upper chamber of the second hydraulic cylinder. 22. The vehicle suspension system of claim 17, wherein the first and second hydraulic cylinders are hydro-pneumatic springs. 23. The vehicle suspension system of claim 17, wherein the first hydraulic cylinder, the second hydraulic cylinder, and the fluid circuit are configured to give the vehicle a first ride height when the fluid circuit has a first volume of fluid and a second ride height different than the first ride height when the fluid circuit has a second volume of fluid different than the first volume of fluid. 24. The vehicle suspension system of claim 17, wherein the first hydraulic cylinder and the second hydraulic cylinder each include a tube portion defining a main chamber, a piston movable within the main chamber, and a rod coupled to the piston, wherein the piston divides the main chamber into the upper chamber and the lower chamber, wherein the rod extends through the lower chamber, and wherein the piston has an upper surface area defining a portion of the upper chamber and the piston has a lower surface area surrounding the rod defining a portion of the lower chamber, the lower surface area being less than the upper surface area. 25. The vehicle suspension system of claim 24, wherein the ratio of the lower surface area of the piston to the upper surface area of the piston is between 1:2 and 1:4. 26. The vehicle suspension system of claim 17, further comprising a third hydraulic cylinder coupled between the third wheel and the sprung portion and a fourth hydraulic cylinder coupled between the fourth wheel and the sprung portion, wherein the third hydraulic cylinder includes an upper chamber and a lower chamber, the upper chamber and the lower chamber each having a volume configured to change as the third wheel and sprung portion move relative to one another, and wherein the fourth hydraulic cylinder includes an upper chamber and a lower chamber, the upper chamber and the lower chamber each having a volume configured to change as the fourth wheel and sprung portion move relative to one another. 27. The vehicle suspension system of claim 26, wherein the fluid circuit is hydraulically coupled between the first hydraulic cylinder, the second hydraulic cylinder, the third hydraulic cylinder, and the fourth hydraulic cylinder. 28. The vehicle suspension system of claim 27, wherein when the valve is in the first position, the upper chamber of at least one of the first hydraulic cylinder and the third hydraulic cylinder is hydraulically coupled to the lower chamber of at least one of the second hydraulic cylinder and the fourth hydraulic cylinder and the lower chamber of the at least one of the first hydraulic cylinder and the third hydraulic cylinder is hydraulically coupled to the upper chamber of the at least one of the second hydraulic cylinder and the fourth hydraulic cylinder. 29. The vehicle suspension system of claim 28, wherein when the valve is in the second position, the upper chamber of the first hydraulic cylinder is hydraulically coupled to the lower chamber of at least one of the first hydraulic cylinder and the third hydraulic cylinder, the upper chamber of the second hydraulic cylinder is hydraulically coupled to the lower chamber of at least one of the second hydraulic cylinder and the fourth hydraulic cylinder, the upper chamber of the third hydraulic cylinder is hydraulically coupled to the lower chamber of at least one of the third hydraulic cylinder and the first hydraulic cylinder, and the upper chamber of the fourth hydraulic cylinder is hydraulically coupled to the lower chamber of at least one of the fourth hydraulic cylinder and the first hydraulic cylinder. 30. A method of coupling a suspension system to a vehicle having a sprung portion, a first wheel on a first side of the sprung portion, a first hydraulic cylinder coupled between the first wheel and the sprung portion, a second wheel on a second side of the sprung portion opposite the first side, a second hydraulic cylinder coupled between the second wheel and the sprung portion, and a central tire inflation system, the method comprising the steps of: configuring the first hydraulic cylinder and the second hydraulic cylinder to move between a first state in which the first hydraulic cylinder and the second hydraulic cylinder are coupled to one another and a second state in which the first hydraulic cylinder and the second hydraulic cylinder are not coupled to one another; coupling the first hydraulic cylinder to the second hydraulic cylinder so that when the first hydraulic cylinder and the second hydraulic cylinder are in the first state, the first hydraulic cylinder applies fluid pressure to the second hydraulic cylinder that acts to resist the movement of the second hydraulic cylinder in a first direction and the second hydraulic cylinder applies fluid pressure to the first hydraulic cylinder that acts to resist the movement of the first hydraulic cylinder in a second direction opposite the first direction; providing a switch movable between a first position to operate the central tire inflation system in a first configuration representative of highway operation and a second configuration representative of non-highway operation; and providing a control unit operable to monitor the position of the switch and to move the first hydraulic cylinder and the second hydraulic cylinder between the first state and the second state in response to movement of the central tire inflation system between the first configuration and the second configuration. 31. The method of claim 30, wherein the step of coupling the first hydraulic cylinder to the second hydraulic cylinder further comprises the step of coupling an upper chamber of the first hydraulic cylinder to a lower chamber of the second hydraulic cylinder and coupling a lower chamber of the first hydraulic cylinder to an upper chamber of the second hydraulic cylinder when the first hydraulic cylinder and the second hydraulic cylinder are in the first state. 32. The method of claim 30, wherein the central tire inflation system is configured to move between the first configuration and the second configuration in response to a manual operation of the switch.
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