Driven lift axles and associated systems and components are provided for use on heavy duty trucks, trailers, and/or other vehicles. Driven lift axle systems may include one or more motors mounted to the lift axle to provide torque to drive one or more wheels of the lift axle. Various mounting configurations of such motors are possible, such as arranging a motor on the axle to provide torque at a conventional driveshaft input by interfacing with a differential drive gear, positioning a motor at each of the wheel ends of the axle to provide torque directly to the wheels, etc. Each wheel can be driven by a separate motor, allowing for independent control of the torque applied to each wheel. Lift axles described herein can be suitable for use with various motors capable of applying torque to the axle and/or wheels, such as electric motors, hydraulic motors, internal combustion engines, etc.
B60G 9/00 - Resilient suspensions for a rigid axle or axle housing for two or more wheels
B60G 17/015 - Resilient suspensions having means for adjusting the spring or vibration-damper characteristics, for regulating the distance between a supporting surface and a sprung part of vehicle or for locking suspension during use to meet varying vehicular or s the regulating means comprising electric or electronic elements
B62D 61/12 - Motor vehicles or trailers, characterised by the arrangement or number of wheels, not otherwise provided for, e.g. four wheels in diamond pattern with variable number of ground-engaging wheels, e.g. with some wheels arranged higher than others, or with retractable wheels
A height control valve for a suspension leveling system includes a control unit and a valve assembly. The control unit can include a servo powered by a servo current, the servo being coupled to the valve assembly with a linkage. The control unit also can include a controller in communication with the servo and adapted to sense a change in the servo current when the linkage fully engages the valve assembly to reconfigure the valve assembly to a desired supply, exhaust and/or closed position. Based on the change in servo current, the controller can determine a selected distance to move or reconfigure the valve assembly, with distance being independent of any wear or tolerance in the linkage or elsewhere. The control unit can also include an actuator, the movement of which is sensed by a non-contact sensor that is in communication with the controller.
B60G 17/015 - Resilient suspensions having means for adjusting the spring or vibration-damper characteristics, for regulating the distance between a supporting surface and a sprung part of vehicle or for locking suspension during use to meet varying vehicular or s the regulating means comprising electric or electronic elements
F16K 11/16 - Multiple-way valves, e.g. mixing valves; Pipe fittings incorporating such valves; Arrangement of valves and flow lines specially adapted for mixing fluid with two or more closure members not moving as a unit operated by one actuating member, e.g. a handle which only slides, or only turns, or only swings in one plane
F16K 37/00 - Special means in or on valves or other cut-off apparatus for indicating or recording operation thereof, or for enabling an alarm to be given
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