Passive and active suspension with optimization of energy usage
AssigneeTenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
InventorKoenraad Reybrouck
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A hydraulic actuator includes a shock absorber and a control system that is separate from the shock absorber and which generates damping loads for the hydraulic actuator. The control system generates the damping load by using a pair of variable valves, a pair of check valves, an accumulator, a pump/motor and a flow controller. The forces are generated in all four quadrants of compression/rebound and active/passive. A device which recuperates the energy generated by the hydraulic actuator can be incorporated into the hydraulic actuator to generate energy in the form of electrical energy.
Claims17
A hydraulic actuator comprising:
- a pressure tube defining a fluid chamber;
- a piston slidably disposed within said pressure tube, said piston dividing said fluid chamber into an upper working chamber and a lower working chamber;
- and
- a control system disposed outside of said fluid chamber generating damping forces for said hydraulic actuator, said control system being in direct fluid communication with said upper and lower working chambers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.