Hydraulic anti-roll suspension system for motor vehicles

Abstract

An anti-roll suspension system for a motor vehicle includes a plurality of double-acting cylinders coupling the unsprung and sprung portions of the vehicle. The upper fluid chamber of each cylinder is exclusively connected to the lower fluid chamber of the laterally opposite cylinder to create a fluid circuit having first and second portions which hydraulically link the cylinders. When the vehicle is subjected to a centrifugal force, the position of the sprung portion rotates relative to the position of the unsprung portion of the vehicle. This relative rotation is resisted by the tendency to substantially equalize the forces acting on pistons of the first and second cylinders, thereby reducing the tendency of the sprung portion of the vehicle to roll. An alternate embodiment includes a valve which is operable in either of a recirculating mode and cross-flow mode. When the vehicle is subjected to a centrifugal force which exceeds a predetermined value, the valve is actuated to establish the cross-flow mode and enable fluid to flow between the laterally opposite cylinders. The valve is otherwise maintained in its recirculating mode whereby fluid is circulated between the upper and lower fluid chambers of each individual cylinder.