Freightliner Corporation

Daimler Trucks North America LLC

Daniel G Fuchs

Michael Von Mayenburg

James Vincent McHorse

Sean Tabari

Matthew G Markstaller

Paul R Hynes

Frank S Crow

A vehicle axle construction comprises a suspension for supporting the axle from first and second frame rail members. Elongated support members extend forwardly from respective locations along the frame rail members that are rearwardly of the axle and are clamped or otherwise coupled to the axle. A single pivot may be utilized to couple the respective rearmost end portions of the supports to the respective frame members. The forward ends of the supports may be coupled to respective air springs. Desirably, at least a portion of each air spring is positioned forwardly of the axle. In addition, at least one lateral stabilizer rigidifies the suspension. An alternative suspension utilizes leaf springs. A double acting rack-and-pinion steering mechanism may be rigidly coupled to the axle for use in steering the wheels of the vehicle.

Vehicle axle apparatus

A vehicle suspension system is provided for coupling elongated frame rails to first and second axles, the axles extending in a direction transverse to the frame rails. Each axle has opposed outer end portions projecting outwardly beyond the frame rails. At each side of the vehicle, in proximity to the frame rail at the respective side of the vehicle, a vehicle suspension is provided which includes a leaf spring assembly comprised of one or more leaf springs. The leaf spring assembly has first and second end portions and a central portion. The leaf spring assembly extends from the outer end portion of the first axle to the outer end portion of the second axle. A bushing is coupled to the frame rail. The bushing includes at least three arcuate reinforcing plates with elastomeric material disposed between the plates. The leaf spring assembly is coupled to the bushing, most preferably by a clamp, to thereby couple the central portion of the leaf spring to the frame rail through the bushing. A first leaf spring mount couples the first end portion of the leaf spring assembly to the outer end portion of the first axle, and a second leaf spring mount couples the second end portion of the leaf spring assembly to the outer end portion of the second axle. The mounts move in shear relative to the axles and leaf spring assembly during relative articulation of the axles.

Vehicle suspension system

A fuel system having a fuel tank for storing a supply of fuel for an internal combustion engine is provided with a fuel recirculation system. Fuel is supplied from the fuel tank to the engine through a supply line and excess fuel is returned from the engine to the tank through a return line. The fuel in the return line is typically warmed as it passes through or in proximity to the engine. A valve is positioned within the fuel tank to sense the temperature of the fuel supplied to the engine and, when the temperature is colder than desired, divert a portion of the warmed return fuel back to the supply line. The diverted fuel helps warm the fuel supplied to the engine and prevent waxing in the fuel system. When the fuel supplied to the engine is not colder than desired, the valve is closed and the warmed fuel is returned to the fuel tank.

Fuel recirculation and warming system and method

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Tualatin, OR, United States of America

Daniel G Fuchs