Abstract:
A ride stabilizing system is provided that includes a housing. The housing is formed with a cavity. A bridge is positionable in cavity. The bridge divides the cavity into at least two chambers. A valve is mounted in opposing ends of the housing for injecting variable volumes of gas into at least two chambers. In addition, a port is formed in the bridge for fluid communication between the cavity and a fluid source containing a fluid. At least one piston is included that is slidably positionable in at least two chambers. Each piston is equipped with a leakage control assembly. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure, but this abstract is not to be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of any claim.

Description:
FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY  
       [0001]     The apparatus and method disclosed in this document pertain generally to correcting and dampening undesirable vehicular movement. More particularly, the new and useful stabilizer disclosed and claimed in this document pertains to an ride stabilizing system. The stabilizer is particularly, but not exclusively, useful for dampening the ride of vehicles like skid steer loader vehicles and four-wheel drive front loaders.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Some vehicles like skid steer loader vehicles, often called “bobcats” in the industry, and four-wheel drive front loaders, and similar vehicles bearing considerable loads, evidence undesirable movements during operation. Undesirable vehicular movements may be caused or induced on vehicles that use limited or no suspension, are out of balance, yet must traverse irregular surfaces, thus inducing kinetic energy reactions similar to an accordion effect, such as bouncing, rocking, and so on. The undesirable movements are disorienting and disconcerting to vehicle drivers, and cause loads carried by such vehicles to further accentuate the undesirable movements. Suggestions have been made for dampening such movements, but none provides the substantially leveled ride that the ride stabilizing system shown in this document allows. Accordingly, a need exists in the industry for a new, useful and improved ride stabilizing system.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0003]     The ride stabilizing system includes a housing that is formed with two chambers. A piston is positionable in each chamber. A unique leakage control system is attached to each piston. The housing is shaped, and includes apparatus, for selectively injecting variable amounts of gas and fluid into the two chambers. In general, the leakage control system includes applicators that contact the inner surface of each chamber. Each applicator is designed to hold a lubricant. The applicators are mounted in ducts formed in the housing. O-rings also are included in the leakage control system.  
         [0004]     It will become apparent to one skilled in the art that the claimed subject matter as a whole, including the structure of the apparatus, and the cooperation of the elements of the apparatus, combine to result in a number of unexpected advantages and utilities. The structure and co-operation of structure of the ride stabilizing system also will become apparent to those skilled in the art when read in conjunction with the following description, drawing figures, and appended claims. Accordingly, the foregoing has outlined only broadly the more important features of the invention to better understand the detailed description that follows, and to better understand the contributions to the art. The ride stabilizing system is not limited in application to the details of construction, or to the arrangements of the components, provided in the following description and drawing figures, but is capable of other embodiments, and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. The phraseology and terminology employed in this disclosure are for purpose of description, and therefore should not be regarded as limiting. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the conception on which this disclosure is based readily may be used as a basis for designing other structures, methods, and systems. The claims, therefore, include equivalent constructions. Further, the abstract associated with this disclosure is intended neither to define the ride stabilizing system, which is measured by the claims, nor intended to limit the scope of the claims. The novel features of the ride stabilizing system are best understood from the accompanying drawing, considered in connection with the accompanying description of the drawing, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which: 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       [0005]      FIG. 1  of the drawing is a perspective view of the ride stabilizing system;  
         [0006]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of components of the ride stabilizing system;  
         [0007]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of a piston used in the ride stabilizing system;  
         [0008]      FIG. 4  is a cut-away cross-section view of the ride stabilizing system;  
         [0009]      FIG. 5  shows an alternative embodiment of the ride stabilizing system with three chambers; and  
         [0010]      FIG. 6  is an example of a vehicle on which the ride stabilizing system may be used. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0011]     As shown in  FIGS. 1-6 , a ride stabilizing system  10  is provided that in its broadest context includes a housing having at least two chambers. A valve is mounted in opposing ends of housing for injecting variable volumes of gas into at least two chambers. In addition, a port is formed in a bridge for fluid communication between cavity and a fluid source containing a fluid. The ride stabilizing system also includes at least one piston. The at least one piston is slidably positionable in each of the two chambers. Each piston is equipped with a leakage control assembly.  
         [0012]     The leakage control assembly, in its broadest context, includes a plurality of applicators that are positioned to be in contact with the inner surface of the at least two chambers. The plurality of applicators is selected from the group of applicators consisting of applicators, blades, spreaders, wipers, squeegees, brushes, and sponge-type devices. The leakage control system also includes one or more lubricants infused in plurality of applicators. A plurality of peripheral ducts formed in the piston, and one or more o-rings engageable with the plurality of peripheral ducts.  
         [0013]     More specifically, and in cross-reference between  FIGS. 1, 2 , and  4 , ride stabilizing system  10  is provided that in its broadest context includes a housing  12 . Housing  12  is formed with a cavity  14 . A bridge  16  is positionable in cavity  14 . Bridge  16  divides cavity  14  into at least two chambers  18   a,b . A valve  20  is mounted in opposing ends  22   a,b  of housing  12  for injecting variable volumes of gas into at least two chambers  18   a,b . In addition, a port  24 , shown by cross-reference between  FIGS. 1 and 4  diagrammatically, is formed in bridge  16  for fluid communication between cavity  14  and a fluid source containing a fluid (not shown). Ride stabilizing system  10  also includes at least one piston  26 . At least one piston  26  is slidably positionable in at least two chambers  18   a,b . Piston  26  is equipped with a leakage control assembly  28  as shown best by cross-reference between  FIGS. 3 and 4 .  
         [0014]     Leakage control assembly  28  is mounted on each piston  26   a,b  as shown best by cross-reference between  FIGS. 2, 3  and  4 . Pistons  26   a,b  are cylindrical bodies  30   a,b  dimensioned and shaped to be slidably insertable in each of the at least two chambers  18   a,b . Cylindrical bodies  30   a,b  have a leading end  32  and a trailing end  34 , as shown best by reference to  FIG. 4 . Cylindrical bodies  30   a,b  are dimensioned to be approximately coincident with the dimension D 1  of each of at least two chambers  18   a,b . As shown, each chamber  18   a,b  includes an inner surface  36 .  
         [0015]     As also shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , each piston  26   a,b  has a groove  38  circumferentially formed in pistons  26   a,b  adjacent trailing end  32  of cylindrical bodies  30   a,b . The distance D 2  between the center-line of groove  38  and trailing end  34  of cylindrical bodies  30   a,b  is not a limitation of ride stabilizing system  10 . Distance D 2  may vary depending on the movement sought to be controlled and stabilized by the use of one or more installations of ride stabilizing system  10  on a vehicle  42 , which is shown for purposes of enhancing the description of ride stabilizing system  10  in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0016]     As also shown by cross-reference between  FIG. 2-4 , leakage control assembly  28  includes an annular closure device  42 . Annular closure device  42  is mounted in groove  38 . Annular closure device  42  is contactable with inner surface  36  of chambers  18   a,b . In one embodiment of ride stabilizing system  10 , annular closure device  42  includes one or more applicators  44 . One or more applicators  44  are contactable with inner surface  36  of the chambers  18   a,b  As will be evident to one skilled in the art, one or more applicators  44  may be any of a variety of applicators, including blades, spreaders, wipers, squeegees, brushes, and sponge-type devices to identify a few. In one embodiment of leakage control assembly  28 , one or more applicators  44  are formed from a nitrile material. In another embodiment of leakage control assembly, one or more applicators  44  are formed for holding a lubricant, such as a Teflon® lubricant.  
         [0017]     In addition, as shown in  FIG. 3 , one embodiment of leakage control assembly  28  includes a slot  50 . Slot  50  is circumferentially formed in cylindrical body  30  adjacent leading end  32  of cylindrical body  30 . The distance D 3  between the center line of slot  50  and leading end  34  of cylindrical body  30  is not a limitation of ride stabilizing system  10 . Distance D 3  may vary depending on the movement sought to be controlled or dampened by the use of one or more installations of ride stabilizing system  10  on vehicle  40 . In one embodiment of ride stabilizing system  10 , a sealing ring assemblage  52  is installed in slot  50 . Sealing ring assemblage  52 , in one embodiment of leakage control assembly  28 , includes one or more applicators  44 ′. One or more applicators  44 ′ are contactable with inner surface  36  of chambers  18   a,b . As will be evident to one skilled in the art, one or more applicators  44 ′ may be any of a variety of applicators, including blades, spreaders, wipers, squeegees, brushes, and sponge-type devices to identify a few. Specifically, in one embodiment as shown in  FIG. 3 , applicator  44 ′ is a polyurethane insert formed with a serrated cross-sectional edge  54  contactable with the inner surface  36  of chambers  18   a,b . In another embodiment of a sealing ring assemblage  52 , sealing ring assemblage  52  also includes one or more o-rings  48   a,b.    
         [0018]     As perhaps best shown by cross-reference between  FIGS. 2 and 3 , one embodiment of leakage control assembly  28  includes an indenture  56  interposed in cylindrical body  30  between groove  38  and slot  50 . The Distance D 4 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , between the center line of indenture  56  and trailing end  38  of cylindrical body  30  is not a limitation of ride stabilizing system  10 . Distance D 4  may vary depending on the movement to be controlled or dampened by the use of one or more installations of ride stabilizing system  10  on vehicle  40 . A lubric sleeve  58 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , is set in indenture  56 . Lubric sleeve  58  includes one or more applicators  44  contactable with inner surface  36  of hollow housing  12 . As shown perhaps best in  FIG. 3 , which is but one embodiment of leakage control assembly  28 , lubric sleeve  58  includes one or more applicators  44  formed substantially like a rectangular sponge for holding a lubricant. In another embodiment, perhaps best shown in  FIG. 4 , one or more applicators  44  defines a reservoir  60  for holding a lubricant (not shown)  
         [0019]     In operation, therefore, leakage control assembly  28  of ride stabilizing system  10  solves lubriscosity problems not solved by other suggestions for dampening a vehicle ride using apparatus similar to ride stabilizing system  10 , including what are known generally as accumulators. The lubricants used in association with leakage control assembly  28  of ride stabilizing system  10  eliminates the need for an opening through the cylindrical body  30  of pistons  26   a,b  or in any other structural feature of ride stabilizing system  10 . In addition, leakage control assembly  28  of ride stabilizing system  10  includes a variety of leakage control redundancies—including at least annular closure device  42  mounted in groove  38 , sealing ring assemblage  52  installed in slot  50 , and lubric sleeve  58  set in indenture  56  interposed in cylindrical body  30  between groove  38  and slot  50 —for forming a reliable seal and insuring immiscibility of gases and fluids during operation of ride stabilizing system  10 . As will be evident to one skilled in the art, the design and structural cooperation of leakage control assembly  28  is responsive to leakage problems induced by gravity. The use of two opposing chambers  18   a,b , in combination with leakage control assembly  28 , is contrary to all prior teaching in the field.  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  shows the various components of ride stabilizing system  10 . Each component is shown only for purposes of adding to the clarity of the detailed description. In one embodiment of ride stabilizing system  10 , housing  12  is a unitary monolithically formed body. In another embodiment, ride stabilizing system  10  is manufactured of discrete elements and components assembled by, for example, welding, as shown in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0021]     Ride stabilizing system  10  shown in drawing  FIGS. 1-4  includes at least one embodiment of ride stabilizing system  10 , but as is now evident to one skilled in the art, the embodiments shown are not intended to be exclusive, but merely illustrative of the disclosed but non-exclusive embodiments. Claim elements and steps in this document have been numbered solely as an aid in readability and understanding. Claim elements and steps have been numbered solely as an aid in readability and understanding. The numbering is not intended to, and should not be considered as intending to, indicate the ordering of elements and steps in the claims. Means-plus-function clauses in the claims are intended to cover the structures described as performing the recited function that include not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. Thus, although a nail and screw may not be structural equivalents, in the environment of the subject matter of this document a nail and a screw may be equivalent structures.  
         [0022]     For example, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , ride stabilizing system  10  is shown as a ride stabilizing system  100 . Ride stabilizing system  100  includes a third chamber called the compensatory chamber  102 . Compensatory chamber  102  is useful in overcoming a number of problems, including cavitation. The term “cavitation” as used in this document describes at least the condition of the formation of partial vacuums in a liquid caused by moving solid bodies or by sound waves. Cavitation may induce pitting and wearing away of surfaces of components as the partial vacuums collapse in the liquid. As is known to those skilled in the art, cavitation is associated with compressible fluids and the tendency of the density of compressible fluids to change as any other fluid properties change. During flows of compressible fluids, shock waves may occur, resulting in choking, or cavitation, under which further downstream conditions cannot be transmitted upstream.  
         [0023]     Problems associated with cavitation may arise within one or more components of an interconnected vehicular fluid system of the kind found in complex, heavy-duty vehicles of the type shown in  FIG. 6 . Valves are subject to cavitation, and may wear, generate excessive noise and vibrations, and even lose capacity to function as a valve. Compensatory chamber  102 , as shown in  FIG. 5  and marked Chamber  3 , minimizes cavitation and other problems by controlling pressure differentials and changes of liquids in an interconnected vehicular fluid system  104 . To assist in controlling cavitation, compensatory chamber  102  is a comparatively low volume chamber, Chamber  2  is a comparatively low volume chamber, and chamber  18   a , marked Chamber  1  in  FIG. 5 , is a comparatively high volume chamber.  
         [0024]     As shown, ride stabilizing system  100  also includes one or more valves  106   a - c.  In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , at least one valve  106   b  is side-mounted on ride stabilizing system  100 , meaning that valve  106  is mountable over an inlet port  108  formed through the wall  110  of housing  12 . A spacer ring  112  is provided whose opening (not shown) is coincident with a longitudinal axis through inlet port  108  for fluid communication with chamber  18   b  that is marked as Chamber  2  in  FIG. 5 . Spacer ring  112  also secures valve  106   b  on ride stabilizing system  100  and on valve stem  113 . As also shown in  FIG. 5 , Chamber  3  of ride stabilizing system  100  includes a second fluid inlet  114 . A fluid lumen  116 , having a proximal end  118  and a distal end  120 , is provided. Proximal end  118  is inserted into second fluid inlet  114 .  
         [0025]     As further shown diagrammatically in  FIG. 5 , fluid lumen  116  is part of a tube  122  having a leading end  124  and a trailing end  126  is included. Tube  122  may be any of a number of fluid-conveying tubes typically associated with interconnected vehicular fluid system  104  of vehicle  40 . Trailing end  126  of tube  122  is connectable to second fluid inlet  114 . Leading end  126  of tube  122  may lead to one or more fluid containing devices  128   a,b . Fluid containing devices  128   a,b  may be pumps, valves, compressors, pressure adjusters, volume controllers, and similar devices. To alleviate undesirable cavitation and related problems within components of interconnected vehicular fluid system  104  of vehicle  40 , unwanted fluid pressure differentials and changes may be controlled by flowing fluid downstream through tube  122  to Chamber  1 , and upstream when the fluid flow has been controlled.