REGENERATIVE SHOCK ABSORBER

• US 20090260935A1
• Filed: 04/17/2008
• Published: 10/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Levant Power Corporation
• Original Assignee: Levant Power Corporation
• Inventors: Abel, Paul, Tarasov, Vladimir, Avadhany, Shakeel, Anderson, Zack
• Granted Patent: US 8,376,100 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 188/297
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 13/14 having dampers accumulating utilisable energy, e.g. compressing air fluid springs with an accumulator B60G11/30
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/60 Vehicles using regenerative power
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 25/10 directly from oscillating movements due to vehicle running motion, e.g. suspension movement resilient suspensions having dampers accumulating utilisable energy, e.g. compressing air, B60G13/14

Abstract

Regenerative shock absorber. A piston is disposed for reciprocating motion within a cylinder as a vehicle'"'"'s suspension system deflects. Hydraulic fluid passes through an hydraulic motor to turn its shaft. The hydraulic motor shaft is connected to an electric generator to generate electricity. Flow characteristics of hydraulic circuits are selected to provide suspension system damping for appropriate wheel control.

Claims

1. ) Regenerative shock absorber comprising:

a piston disposed for reciprocating motion within a cylinder as a vehicle'"'"'s suspension system deflects;

hydraulic fluid contained within the cylinder;

a first fluid circuit in fluid communication with (1) a first chamber in the cylinder on a first side of the piston, (2) in fluid communication with an hydraulic motor and (3) in fluid communication with a capacitive reservoir, wherein upon compression of the piston, hydraulic fluid passes through the hydraulic motor thereby turning a shaft thereof;

a second fluid circuit in fluid communication with a second chamber in the cylinder on a second side of the piston and in fluid communication with the first chamber, wherein upon extension of the piston, hydraulic fluid passes from the second chamber to the first chamber; and

an electric generator connected to the hydraulic motor shaft for generating electricity upon rotation of the shaft.

2. ) The regenerative shock absorber of claim 1 further including check valves in the first and second fluid circuits to control flow.

3. ) The regenerative shock absorber of claim 1 further including power electronics circuitry to provide variable damping.

4. ) The regenerative shock absorber of claim 3 wherein the power electronics includes a time-averaged resistance feedback controller and a voltage-controlled-output converter.