Distributed active suspension system with an electrically driven pump and valve controlled hydraulic pump bypass flow path
AssigneeClearMotion, Inc.
InventorsZackary Martin Anderson, Zachary J. Jackowski, Ryan Bavetta
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A regenerative shock absorber that include a housing and a piston that moves at least partially through the housing when the shock is compressed or extended from a rest position. When the piston moves, hydraulic fluid is pressurized and drives a hydraulic motor. The hydraulic motor, in turn, drives an electric generator that produced electric energy. The electric energy may be provided to a vehicle, among other things. The regenerative shock absorber may also provide ride performance that comparable to or exceeds that of conventional shock absorbers.
Claims21
1-62. (canceled)
A shock absorber system of a vehicle, comprising:
- a housing that includes a compression volume and an extension volume;
- a piston disposed in the housing that in a first mode is configured to move through at least a portion of a compression stroke—and that in a second mode is configured to move through at least a portion of an extension stroke;
- a hydraulic device which is one of a hydraulic motor and a hydraulic pump, wherein the hydraulic device includes a first port and a second port, wherein the first port is in fluid communication with the compression volume and the second port is in fluid communication with the extension volume;
- a pressurized reservoir having a reservoir volume configured to receive fluid from at least one of the compression volume and the extension volume;
- and
- a first valve configured to close fluid communication to the extension volume in at least one mode of operation to prevent the piston from moving in an extension direction.
A method of operating a shock absorber system of a vehicle, the method comprising:
- moving a piston disposed in a housing that includes a compression volume and an extension volume;
- receiving fluid from at least one selected from the group of the compression volume and the extension volume in a reservoir volume of a pressurized reservoir;
- and
- controlling a first valve to close fluid communication to the extension volume to prevent the piston from moving in an extension direction.
A shock absorber system of a vehicle, comprising:
- a housing that includes a first volume and a second volume;
- a piston disposed in the housing that in a first mode is configured to move through at least a portion of a compression stroke—and that in a second mode is configured to move through at least a portion of an extension stroke;
- a hydraulic device which is one of a hydraulic motor and a hydraulic pump, wherein the hydraulic device includes a shaft, a first port and a second port, wherein the first port is in fluid communication with the first volume and the second port is in fluid communication with the second volume, wherein the hydraulic motor is configured to be dynamically controlled based on road conditions;
- a bypass through which hydraulic fluid flows between the first volume and the second volume without passing through the hydraulic device when a hydraulic fluid pressure exceeds a pre-set threshold value;
- and
- a pressurized reservoir having a reservoir volume configured to receive fluid from the first volume.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.