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A slow-acting active control pneumatic suspension system for heavy truck applications is described. The first part of the paper discusses the control law strategy for an active pneumatic damping system concept. The second part descnies the application of the concept to a pneumatic sleeper bunk suspension system for on-highway trucks. The pneumatic suspension improves the quality of the sleeping environment for over-the-road truck drivers. Also, this concept has further application to a chassis suspension system to improve the truck's ride quality and handling characteristics.

Alternative approaches for modelling linkages with several CAE simulation methodologies are discussed. The linkage design methodology is discussed in terms of the unique design features and capabilities that each CAE software package offers. The CAE software packages include: (1) ANSYS - a finite element analysis (FEA) program, (2) Integrated Mechanisms Program (IMP) - a multibody system analysis (MSA) program with its companion program, Geometric Modeling of Solids (GMOS) - a solid object geometric modelling program, (3) QUATTRO - a spreadsheet analysis program, and (4) special user-written analysis/animation programs. The linkage design methodology is discussed in terms of the unique design analysis features and capabilities that each CAE software simulation methodologies offers.