Tartan Transportation Systems, Inc.

Clark Equipment Compnay

Leslie H Schult

Charles J Tekautz, Jr

Larry E Albright

Orlan J Loraas

Joseph M Mather

Carman P Lynnes

An air suspension apparatus is disclosed for use with the fifth wheel connection between a tractor and semitrailer. The apparatus includes upper and lower frame sections that are connected by a hinge mechanism for relative pivotal movement. An inflatable air bag is operably disposed between the upper and lower frame sections, having a low ratio of effective surface area to internal volume and hence a very low profile. An air reservoir defined by tubular framework surrounds the air bag and has an internal volume approximating that of the air bag. The air bag and reservoir are connected by an air line with a very small cross sectional area as compared to the surface area of the air bag. The reservoir and interconnecting air line effectively damp vibrational energy in the air bag as the tractor and semi-trailer move over the highway.

Air suspension apparatus

An air suspension apparatus is disclosed for use with the fifth wheel connection between a tractor and semitrailer. The apparatus includes upper and lower frame sections that are connected by a hinge mechanism for relative pivotal movement. An inflatable air bag is operably disposed between the upper and lower frame sections, having a low ratio of effective surface area to internal volume and hence a very low profile. An air reservoir defined by tubular framework surrounds the air bag and has an internal volume approximating that of the air bag. The air bag and reservoir are connected by an air line with a very small cross sectional area as compared to the surface area of the air bag. The reservoir and interconnecting air line effectively damp vibrational energy in the air bag as the tractor and semitrailer move over the highway.

A skid steer loader includes an engine compartment and a heat exchanger compartment located behind the operator's compartment. A fan shroud mounted between the heat exchanger compartment and the engine compartment has a first air intake aperture opening into the heat exchanger compartment, a second air intake aperture opening into the engine compartment, and an exhaust port. A double-bladed radial fan is mounted for rotation within the fan shroud between the first and second air intake apertures. A fan drive mechanism coupled to the engine rotates the fan. The fan simultaneously induces a heat exchanger airflow of ambient air through the heat exchanger compartment and into the fan shroud through the first air intake aperture, and an engine compartment evacuation airflow from within the engine compartment into the fan shroud through the second air intake aperture. The heat exchanger airflow and engine compartment evacuation airflows are mixed and jointly discharged from the loader through the exhaust port.

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Eagan, MN, United States of America

Leslie H Schult