# US 2009/0260935 A1 · Regenerative shock absorber

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- Number: US 2009/0260935 A1
- Document ID: US20090260935A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 12/104,800
- Filed: 2008-04-17
- Published: 2009-10-22
- Earliest claimed: 2008-04-17
- Assignees: Levant Power Corporation
- Inventors: Shakeel Avadhany; Paul Abel; Vladimir Tarasov; Zack Anderson
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20090260935A1

## CPC

- B60G 13/14: having dampers accumulating utilisable energy, e.g. compressing air {(fluid springs with an accumulator B60G11/30)}
- B60G 2300/60: Vehicles using regenerative power
- B60K 25/10: directly from oscillating movements due to vehicle running motion, e.g. suspension movement
- B60G: VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS (air-cushion vehicles B60V; {cycle suspensions B62K25/00})
- B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES

## 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

### Claim 1

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.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

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

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

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

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

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.