Torque control for hydraulic pumps in hydraulic suspension systems

A method of controlling a suspension system of a vehicle, the suspension system comprising a damper and a pump assembly fluidly connected with the damper, the pump assembly having a pump and a pump motor, the method comprising:

• monitoring real-time data from at least one onboard sensor, the real-time data reflecting at least one of a dynamic state of the vehicle and an input from a vehicle operator;
• calculating a damper force based on the real-time data, the damper force being a force to be output by the damper;
• determining a hydraulic torque to be output by the pump based on the calculated damper force, wherein determining the hydraulic torque to be output by the pump includes mapping the damper force to the hydraulic torque using a first lookup table;
• determining a current to be applied to the pump motor based on the determined hydraulic torque, wherein determining the current to be applied to the pump motor includes mapping the hydraulic torque to the current using a second lookup table;
• applying the determined current to the pump motor to operate the pump motor in a first direction or a second direction to cause the pump to pump hydraulic fluid into and/or out of the damper;
• and
• applying a force to the vehicle by the damper.

A method of controlling a suspension system of a vehicle, the suspension system comprising a first damper, a second damper, and a pump assembly fluidly connected with the first damper and the second damper, the pump assembly having a pump and a pump motor, the method comprising:

• monitoring real-time data from at least one onboard sensor, the real-time data reflecting at least one of a dynamic state of the vehicle and an input from a vehicle operator;
• calculating a moment compensation based on the real-time data, the moment compensation being a moment to be imparted on the vehicle by the first damper and the second damper;
• determining a hydraulic torque to be output by the pump based on the calculated moment compensation, wherein determining the hydraulic torque to be output by the pump includes mapping the moment compensation to the hydraulic torque using a first lookup table;
• determining a current to be applied to the pump motor based on the determined hydraulic torque, wherein determining the current to be applied to the pump motor includes mapping the hydraulic torque to the current using a second lookup table;
• applying the determined current to the pump motor to operate the pump motor in a first direction or a second direction to cause the pump to pump hydraulic fluid into and/or out of the first damper and into and/or out of the second damper;
• and
• applying a moment to the vehicle by the first damper and the second damper.

A suspension system of a vehicle, comprising:

• a damper;
• a pump assembly fluidly connected with the damper, the pump assembly having a pump and a pump motor;
• at least one onboard sensor configured to generate real-time data regarding the vehicle;
• and
• a suspension control unit operatively connected to the pump motor and the at least one onboard sensor;
• the suspension control unit including a processor and memory configured to monitor the real-time data generated by the at least one onboard sensor;
• and
• the suspension control unit programmed to:
• monitor real-time data from the least one onboard sensor, the real-time data reflecting at least one of a dynamic state of the vehicle and an input from a vehicle operator;
• calculate a damper force based on the real-time data, the damper force being a force to be output by the damper;
• limiting the calculated damper force in response to a determination that the calculated damper force exceeds the force able to be provided by the pump assembly;
• determine a hydraulic torque to be output by the pump based on the calculated damper force;
• determine a current to be applied to the pump motor based on the determined hydraulic torque;
• and
• cause the application of the determined current to the pump motor to operate the pump motor in a first direction or a second direction to cause the pump to pump hydraulic fluid into and/or out of the damper, to apply a force to the vehicle by the damper.