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 includes 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.
Claims14
1-62. (canceled)
An active shock absorber system, comprising:
- a housing that includes a first volume and a second volume;
- a piston disposed in the housing that, in a first operating condition, is configured to move through at least a portion of a compression stroke and that, in a second operating condition, is configured to move through at least a portion of an extension stroke;
- a hydraulic device that includes a first port that is in fluid communication with the first volume through a first flow path and a second port that is in fluid communication with the second volume through a second flow path;
- a hydraulic controls in fluid communication with the first port and second port, wherein the hydraulic controls include a multiplicity of valves configured and located to control flow to and from a pressurized reservoir;
- wherein the first flow path and the second flow path do not pass through the hydraulic controls;
- and
- wherein in at least a first mode of operation the active shock absorber system is configured and arranged to allow the hydraulic device to rotate independent of the motion of the piston.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.