# US 2014/0197643 A1 · Energy transforming unit for distance measurement sensor > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0197643 A1 - Document ID: US20140197643A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/098,866 - Filed: 2013-12-06 - Published: 2014-07-17 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-17 - Assignees: Veyance Technologies, Inc. - Inventors: Lutz May - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140197643A1 ## CPC - H02K 7/1853: {driven by intermittent forces} - B60G 13/14: having dampers accumulating utilisable energy, e.g. compressing air {(fluid springs with an accumulator B60G11/30)} - F03G 1/00: Spring motors (spring-driven toys A63H; springs in general F16F; precision time mechanisms, e.g. for clocks or watches, G04B) - F03G 1/02: characterised by shape or material of spring, e.g. helical, spiral, coil - F16F 9/02: using gas only {or vacuum (F16F9/006 takes precedence)} - F16F 9/3292: {Sensor arrangements} - B60G 2300/60: Vehicles using regenerative power - H02K: DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES (dynamo-electric relays H01H53/00; conversion of DC or AC input power into surge output power {H03K3/53}) - B60G: VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS (air-cushion vehicles B60V; {cycle suspensions B62K25/00}) - F03G: SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS; MECHANICAL-POWER PRODUCING DEVICES OR MECHANISMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR OR USING ENERGY SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (arrangements in connection with power supply in vehicles from force of nature B60K16/00; electric propulsion with power supply in vehicles from force of nature B60L8/00) - F16F: SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION ## Abstract The subject invention relates to an air spring (1) with a distance measurement sensor (100), an energy transforming unit (200), a first mounting element (10) being adapted for being mounted to a first vehicle portion (2) and a second mounting element (20) being adapted for being mounted to a second vehicle portion (3). An air volume (50) is arranged between the first mounting element and the second mounting element. The energy transforming unit is adapted to transform a transition of the air spring from a first state (s1) of the air spring to a second state (s2) of the air spring into electrical energy and to provide the generated electrical energy to the distance measurement sensor. The energy transforming unit is arranged in the air volume (50) of the air spring. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An air spring, comprising: a distance measurement sensor; an energy transforming unit; a first mounting element being adapted for being mounted to a first vehicle portion; a second mounting element being adapted for being mounted to a second vehicle portion; and an air volume arranged between the first mounting element and the second mounting element; wherein the energy transforming unit is adapted to transform a transition of the air spring from a first state (s1) of the air spring to a second state (s2) of the air spring into electrical energy and to provide the generated electrical energy to the distance measurement sensor; and wherein the energy transforming unit is arranged in the air volume of the air spring. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The air spring according to claim 1, wherein the energy transforming unit comprises: a movable element and a generator; wherein the movable element is adapted for being moved when transitioning from the first state to the second state and is adapted to drive the generator; and wherein the generator generates the electrical energy. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The air spring according to claim 2, wherein the movable element is a propeller. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The air spring according to claim 3, wherein the propeller is adapted to being rotated when the pressure in the air volume of the air spring varies as a result of the transition from the first state to the second state. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The air spring according to claim 3 wherein the propeller is mechanically coupled to the generator via an axis. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The air spring according to claim 5, wherein the energy transforming unit comprises a housing with an opening, which housing comprises rigid walls; and wherein the propeller is arranged in the opening. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The air spring according to claim 6, wherein the propeller is adapted to being rotated when an air pressure in the air volume of the air spring varies such as to cause an air flow through the opening. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The air spring according to claim 7, wherein a rotation plane of the propeller extends along an opening plane of the opening such that a rotation axis of the propeller extends along an air flow direction through the opening. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The air spring according to claim 7, wherein a rotation plane of the propeller is parallel to an opening plane of the opening. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The air spring according to claim 7, wherein the housing comprises an interior space such that a variation of the air pressure in the air spring leads to an air exchange between an interior space outside the housing and the interior space inside the housing through the opening; and wherein the air exchange causes the propeller to rotate. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The air spring according to claim 8, wherein the housing comprises an interior space such that a variation of the air pressure in the air spring leads to an air exchange between an interior space outside the housing and the interior space inside the housing through the opening; and wherein the air exchange causes the propeller to rotate. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The air spring according to claim 9, wherein the housing comprises an interior space such that a variation of the air pressure in the air spring leads to an air exchange between an interior space outside the housing and the interior space inside the housing through the opening; and wherein the air exchange causes the propeller to rotate. ### Claim 13 (depends on 2) The air spring according to claim 2, wherein the movable element is mechanically coupled to the first mounting element; wherein the generator is mechanically coupled to the second mounting element; and wherein the movable element moves when the first mounting element of the air spring moves with respect to the second mounting element along a working stroke direction of the air spring. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The air spring according to claim 1, wherein the energy transforming unit is attached to the first mounting element; and wherein the energy transforming unit is electrically connected via a power line to the distance measurement sensor, which distance measurement sensor is attached to the first mounting element. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The air spring according to claim 1, wherein the energy transforming unit comprises a thermoelectric cooler which is adapted for generating electrical energy out of a temperature gradient. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The air spring according to claim 1 which further comprises a pneumatic pressure generator. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The air spring according to claim 16 wherein the pneumatic pressure generator is adapted to vary an air pressure within the air volume of the air spring. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The air spring according to claim 17, wherein the pneumatic pressure generator is adapted to vary the air pressure within the air volume of the air spring prior to an operating state of the air spring. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The air spring according to claims 17, wherein the pneumatic pressure generator is adapted to vary the air pressure within the air volume of the air spring during an operating state of the air spring. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The air spring according to claim 18, wherein the pneumatic pressure generator is adapted to vary the air pressure within the air volume of the air spring during an operating state of the air spring.