Patent ID: 7104547
Filing Date: 2006-09-12
Classification: B60G

Abstract:
1. A method of positioning a vehicle chassis of a vehicle in approximate alignment with a predetermined datum, the vehicle having at least one axle and a fluid suspension system consisting of a plurality of fluid suspension members disposed between the axle and the chassis, a control device, a pressurized fluid source and an exhaust passage in fluid communication with the plurality of fluid suspension members through the control device, and an electronic control unit operatively associated with the control device, the method comprising steps of: a) providing an alignment sensor supported on the chassis for outputting a signal indicative of an orientation of the chassis to the electronic control unit; b) providing alignment data indicative of the predetermined datum and end-of-travel data indicative of an extreme orientation of the chassis, and storing the alignment data and end-of-travel data within the electronic control unit; c) acquiring a signal output by the alignment sensor; d) comparing the signal from the alignment sensor to the alignment data and the end-of-travel data stored in the electronic control unit and determining whether at least one corner of the vehicle chassis is higher than the predetermined datum such that the at least one corner could be lowered to approximately align the vehicle chassis with the predetermined datum; and, e) selectively operating the control device to permit fluid communication between one or more of the fluid suspension members and one of the pressurized fluid source and the fluid exhaust until the signal from the alignment sensor approximately corresponds to the alignment data.