Anti-roll thrust system for vehicles

• US 20050230176A1
• Filed: 02/02/2005
• Published: 10/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: General Motors Corporation (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Wang, Jenne-Tai
• Granted Patent: US 7,494,153 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/282
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/45 Other types, e.g. external jets for stability with particular characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0018 Roll-over
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01327 Angular velocity or angular acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0132 responsive to vehicle motion parameters , e.g. to vehicle longitudinal or transversal deceleration or speed value
• CPC Class Codes: F02K 9/00 Rocket-engine plants, i.e. plants carrying both fuel and oxidant therefor; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/94 on a movable wheeled structure
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/941 which is a land vehicle

Abstract

A thruster system is provided for a vehicle that can be used to reduce the roll propensity of a motor vehicle. The system utilizes a control system and multiple sets of thrusters which are strategically placed upon the vehicle. The control system is provided for detecting a potential roll condition and activates selected ones of the thrusters to produce a necessary thrust force for counteracting roll forces.

Claims

1. A roll stabilization system for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a first thruster mounted on a first side of said motor vehicle;

a second thruster mounted on a second side of said motor vehicle;

a controller system for detecting a potential roll condition of said motor vehicle and activating at least one of said first and second thrusters for generating a counteracting force for resisting the detected potential rollover condition.

2. The roll stabilization system according to claim 1, wherein said first and second thrusters are each mounted in side pillars of said motor vehicle.

3. The roll stabilization system according to claim 2, wherein said first and second thrusters are rocket motors.

4. The roll stabilization system according to claim 1, wherein said first and second thrusters are rocket motors.

5. The vehicle stabilizing system, comprising:

a thruster mounted to a vehicle; and

a controller system for detecting a predetermined pitch or roll condition of said vehicle and activating said thruster for generating a counteracting force for resisting the detected predetermined pitch or roll condition

6. The vehicle stabilizing system according to claim 5, wherein said thruster is a rocket motor.

7. A method of resisting roll forces for a motor vehicle, comprising:

mounting a first thruster on a first side of said motor vehicle;

mounting a second thruster on a second side of said motor vehicle;

sensing vehicle conditions for detecting a potential rollover condition of said vehicle; and

activating at least one of said first and second thrusters in response to a detected potential roll condition for generating a counteracting force for resisting the detected roll condition.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein mounting said first and second thrusters includes selecting thrusters capable of generating a thrust force to give the vehicle a predetermined static stability factor.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein mounting said first and second thrusters includes selecting thrusters capable of generating a thrust force to give the vehicle a predetermined critical sliding velocity.

10. The method according to claim 7, wherein mounting said first and second thrusters includes selecting thrusters capable of generating a thrust force to give the vehicle a predetermined critical roll rate.

11. The method according to claim 7, further comprising adjusting a ride height of the vehicle in response to the detected roll condition prior to activating said one of said first and second thrusters.

12. The method according to claim 7, further comprising providing stability control of the vehicle in response to the detected roll condition prior to activating said one of said first and second thrusters.

13. An anti-roll thrust system for a vehicle, comprising:

at least one thruster mounted on the vehicle, the thruster being capable of producing a thrust force whereby activation of the thruster produces a force for counteracting a roll direction of the vehicle under certain predetermined roll conditions.

14. A method of providing a vehicle anti-roll thrust system, comprising:

providing a vehicle thruster mounted on the vehicle;

providing a sensing system for sensing a vehicle roll; and

employing the thruster when the sensing system senses a predetermined vehicle roll.