# US 2014/0190156 A1 · Passive and active suspension with optimization of energy usage > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0190156 A1 - Document ID: US20140190156A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/736,269 - Filed: 2013-01-08 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-08 - Assignees: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc. - Applicants: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc. - Inventors: Koenraad Reybrouck - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140190156A1 ## CPC - B60G 15/08: having fluid spring - B60G 13/14: having dampers accumulating utilisable energy, e.g. compressing air {(fluid springs with an accumulator B60G11/30)} - B60G 17/044: Self-pumping fluid springs (pumps for liquids F04) - F16F 9/34: Special valve constructions ({F16F9/44, F16F9/50 take precedence; filtering details F16F9/3285} ; valves in general F16K); Shape or construction of throttling passages - F16F 9/46: allowing control from a distance {, i.e. location of means for control input being remote from site of valves, e.g. on damper external wall (attachment of valve units to cylinders F16F9/325)} - B60G 2202/413: Hydraulic actuator - B60G 2202/415: using other types of valves, e.g. mechanically operated valves - B60G 2202/416: using a pump, e.g. in the line connecting the lower chamber to the upper chamber of the actuator - B60G 2300/60: Vehicles using regenerative power - B60G 2500/02: Supply or exhaust flow rates; Pump operation - B60G 2600/182: Active control means - B60G 2600/184: Semi-Active control means - B60G: VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS (air-cushion vehicles B60V; {cycle suspensions B62K25/00}) - F16F: SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The hydraulic actuator according to claim 1, wherein said control system comprises: a first plurality of check valves in fluid communication with said upper and lower working chambers; a plurality of variable valves in fluid communication with said upper and lower working chambers; and a motor/pump in fluid communication with said plurality of variable valves. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The hydraulic actuator according to claim 2, further comprising an accumulator in fluid communication with said motor/pump. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The hydraulic actuator according to claim 3, further comprising a flow controller in fluid communication with said motor/pump, said upper working chamber and said lower working chamber. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The hydraulic actuator according to claim 2, further comprising a flow controller in fluid communication with said motor/pump, said upper working chamber and said lower working chamber. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The hydraulic actuator according to claim 2, wherein said first plurality of check valves are disposed between said upper and lower working chambers, a first one of said first plurality of check valves prohibiting fluid flow from said upper working chamber to said lower working chamber, a second one of said first plurality of check valves prohibiting fluid flow from said lower working chamber to said upper working chamber. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The hydraulic actuator according to claim 6, wherein a first one of said plurality of variable valves is in direct fluid communication with said upper working chamber and a second one of said plurality of variable valves is in direct fluid communication with said lower working chamber. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The hydraulic actuator according to claim 7, further comprising an accumulator in fluid communication with said motor/pump. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The hydraulic actuator according to claim 8, further comprising a flow controller in fluid communication with said motor/pump, said upper working chamber and said lower working chamber. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The hydraulic actuator according to claim 9, further comprising an energy recuperating device. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The hydraulic actuator according to claim 10, wherein said energy recuperating device comprises: a second plurality of check valves in fluid communication with said upper and lower working chambers; and a turbine/generator in direct fluid communication with said first plurality of check valves and said second plurality of check valves. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The hydraulic actuator according to claim 11, wherein said turbine/generator is in fluid communication with said accumulator and with said motor/pump. ### Claim 13 (depends on 2) The hydraulic actuator according to claim 2, further comprising an energy recuperating device. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The hydraulic actuator according to claim 13, wherein said energy recuperating device comprises: a second plurality of check valves in fluid communication with said upper and lower working chambers; and a turbine/generator in direct fluid communication with said first plurality of check valves and said second plurality of check valves. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The hydraulic actuator according to claim 1, further comprising an energy recuperating device. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The hydraulic actuator according to claim 15, wherein said energy recuperation device comprises: a plurality of check valves in fluid communication with said upper and lower working chambers; and a turbine/generator in direct fluid communication with said plurality of check valves and said control system. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The hydraulic actuator according to claim 16, wherein said plurality of check valves are disposed between said upper and lower working chambers, a first one of said plurality of check valves prohibiting fluid flow from said upper working chamber to said lower working chamber, a second one of said plurality of check valves prohibiting fluid flow from said lower working chamber to said upper working chamber.