Patent · US Expired

Semi-active suspension system with energy saving

US5098119A · kind A · utility

58Cited by
5References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 22, 1991
Grant dateMar 24, 1992
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 22, 2011

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB60G2500/20
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A semi-active suspension system having a linear actuator operatively connected between a sprung mass and an unsprung mass of the vehicle for each corner of the vehicle. An accumulator connected to the actuator through an electrically controlled valve. An actuatable fluid RAM is in fluid communication with the accumulator for controlling fluid pressure in the accumulator. A hydraulic ram driver is operatively connected to the RAM. A sensor senses force inputs to the vehicle. A controller controls (i) the ram driver for pressurizing the accumulator to a desired fluid pressure, and (ii) the electrically controlled valve in response to sensed force input so as to effect a fluid pressure change in the actuator. Each fluid RAM includes a hydraulic motor having a housing and a piston slidably mounted in the housing. The piston divides the housing into two variable volume fluid chambers, one fluid chamber in fluid communication with the accumulator and a second fluid chamber in communication with the second fluid chambers of each RAM of the other corners of the vehicle. This arrangement permits movement of the piston of the fluid RAM with reduced energy.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.