Motion control system with electropermanent magnets

A suspension component for an active suspension system, comprising:

• a first component that includes an electropermanent magnet having a coil, differing first and second permanent magnet materials, and differing first and second states, wherein the first permanent magnet material has a larger magnetic coercivity than the second permanent magnet material;
• a second component configured to magnetically interact with the first component to define a damping characteristic that affects motion between the first component and the second component;
• and
• a controller configured to supply a current pulse to the electropermanent magnet to switch the electropermanent magnet between the first and second states,
• wherein the electropermanent magnet retains the respective first or second state after cessation of the current pulse.

A suspension component, comprising:

• a first component that includes a first magnetic section that includes an electropermanent magnet having a coil and a second magnetic section that includes an electromagnet;
• a second component that includes a permanent magnet having sections that alternate in polarity along an axial length of the second component, wherein magnetic interaction of the permanent magnet with the first magnetic section and the second magnetic section affects motion between the first component and the second component;
• and
• a controller configured to supply a current pulse to the coil of the electropermanent magnet to generate a magnetic field that causes the electropermanent magnet to switch between a first state and a second state,
• wherein the electropermanent magnet retains the respective first or second state after cessation of the current pulse, and
• wherein the second component is locked relative to the first component when the electropermanent magnet is in the first state.