Semi-active suspension system with energy saving actuator
First Claim
1. An actuator for a vehicle suspension system comprising:
- a first member connectable to one of a sprung mass and an unsprung mass of the vehicle, said first member having an opening with an inside wall of predetermined dimension;
a second member connectable to the other the sprung mass and the unsprung mass of the vehicle, said second member having an outside wall of a predetermined dimension;
said dimension of said outside wall of said second member being adapted so as to be telescopically received within said opening of said first member thereby defining a fluid chamber;
means for connecting a source of pressurized fluid to said fluid chamber;
fluid seal means located near an end of said first member for forming a fluid seal between said first member and said second member;
bearing means operatively mounted between said inside wall of said first member and said outside wall of said second member for maintaining said inside wall of said first member spaced form said outside wall of said second member thereby defining a fluid manifold between said inside wall of said first member, said outside wall of said second member, said bearing means, and said fluid seal means, said bearing means permitting fluid pressure in said fluid chamber to communicate with said fluid manifold;
means for connecting said fluid manifold to reservoir, so as to maintain continuous fluid communication between said fluid manifold and said reservoir, andmeans for providing a continuous flow of fluid into said fluid chamber, around said bearing means, into said fluid manifold, and to said reservoir and maintaining fluid pressure in said fluid chamber at a predetermined value.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An actuator for a vehicle suspension system comprises a first member connectable to one of a sprung mass and an unsprung mass of the vehicle. The first member has an opening with an inside wall of predetermined dimension. A second member is connectable to the other of the sprung mass and the unsprung mass of the vehicle. The second member has an outside wall of a predetermined dimension. The dimension of the outside wall of the second member is adapted so as to be telescopically received within the opening of the first member thereby defining a fluid chamber. A source of pressurized fluid is connectable to the fluid chamber. A fluid seal is located near an end of the first member form a fluid seal between the first member and the second member. Bearings are operatively mounted between the inside wall of the first member and the outside wall of the second member for maintaining the inside wall of the first member spaced form the outside wall of the second member thereby defining a fluid manifold between the inside wall of the first member, the outside wall of the second member, the bearings, and the fluid seal. The bearings permits fluid pressure in the fluid chamber to communicate with the fluid manifold. The fluid manifold is connectable to reservoir. The continuous lubrication between sliding members and the low pressure seal provide an actuator with reduced friction which, in turn, reduces the system energy required to operate the suspension system.
44 Citations
11 Claims
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1. An actuator for a vehicle suspension system comprising:
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a first member connectable to one of a sprung mass and an unsprung mass of the vehicle, said first member having an opening with an inside wall of predetermined dimension; a second member connectable to the other the sprung mass and the unsprung mass of the vehicle, said second member having an outside wall of a predetermined dimension; said dimension of said outside wall of said second member being adapted so as to be telescopically received within said opening of said first member thereby defining a fluid chamber; means for connecting a source of pressurized fluid to said fluid chamber; fluid seal means located near an end of said first member for forming a fluid seal between said first member and said second member; bearing means operatively mounted between said inside wall of said first member and said outside wall of said second member for maintaining said inside wall of said first member spaced form said outside wall of said second member thereby defining a fluid manifold between said inside wall of said first member, said outside wall of said second member, said bearing means, and said fluid seal means, said bearing means permitting fluid pressure in said fluid chamber to communicate with said fluid manifold; means for connecting said fluid manifold to reservoir, so as to maintain continuous fluid communication between said fluid manifold and said reservoir, and means for providing a continuous flow of fluid into said fluid chamber, around said bearing means, into said fluid manifold, and to said reservoir and maintaining fluid pressure in said fluid chamber at a predetermined value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A vehicle suspension system comprising:
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an actuator connectable between chassis and a wheel, said actuator having a variable volume fluid chamber, displacement between the chassis and wheel being controlled by pressure in said chamber; a pump; an accumulator; means to pressurize said accumulator from said pump to a predetermined pressure; sensing means for sensing fluid pressure in said actuator chamber and in said accumulator, fluid pressure in said chamber being indicative of force inputs to the vehicle; an electrically controlled valve for connecting a selected one of said pump and said accumulator to said chamber; and control means for controlling said electrically controlled valve in response to force inputs and a pressure differential between said accumulator and said chamber. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification