Suspension arrangement

摘要

A suspension arrangement comprises a leaf spring 17 connected to a wheel supporting axle 14 so as to flex laterally in response to loads applied to the axle 14. The leaf spring 17 is offset radially from the axle 14 so as to be loaded longitudinally by rotary acceleration or deceleration of the wheel 23. An actuator 18 is provided to move the leaf spring 17 and axle 14 laterally between stored and deployed positions. A pivot arm 12 is connected at one end to the vehicle, at an intermediate position to the axle 14, and at its other end by a shock absorber 16 to an end of the leaf spring 17. In another embodiment, a second leaf spring extends parallel to the first leaf spring 17. The suspension arrangement is for use on magnetic levitation trains, tracked vehicles and aircrafts.