Active suspension system
AssigneeMonroe Auto Equipment Company
InventorKoenraad Reybrouck
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a hydraulic actuator is described which is operable to generate forces. The hydraulic actuator includes a pressure cylinder as well as a piston disposed within a pressure cylinder and being operable to divide the pressure cylinder into first and second portions. The hydraulic actuator also includes a piston rod mechanically communicating with the piston and being operable to impart movement to the piston. Finally, the hydraulic actuator includes variable restriction valves for controlling the pressure on both sides of the piston substantially independent of the velocity of the piston within the pressure cylinder.
Claims43
A hydraulic actuator being operable to generate damping forces, said hydraulic actuator being in fluid communication with a source of fluid, comprising:
- a pressure cylinder;
- a piston disposed in said pressure cylinder being operable to divide said pressure cylinder into first and second portions, said piston having first and second sides;
- a piston rod mechanically communicating with said piston, said piston rod being operable to impart movement to said piston;
- and
- means for controlling the pressure on each side of said piston substantially independent from the velocity of said piston within said pressure cylinder by controlling the flow of damping fluid between said source and said hydraulic actuator, said means for controlling the pressure on each side of said piston being operable to control the position of said piston in said pressure cylinder.
A hydraulic actuator being operable to generate damping forces comprising:
- a pressure cylinder;
- a piston disposed in said pressure cylinder being operable to divide said pressure cylinder into first and second portions:
- said piston having first and second sides;
- a reservoir operable to store damping fluid, said reservoir fluidly communicating with said first and second portions of said pressure cylinder;
- means for pressurizing damping fluid delivered from said reservoir to said first portion of said pressure cylinder;
- and
- a plurality of variable restriction valves operable to control the pressure on each side of said piston and therefore the position of said piston within said hydraulic actuator;
- whereby said pressure on each side of said piston is substantially independent from the velocity of said piston within said pressure cylinder.
A method for controlling the force generated by a hydraulic actuator having a working chamber with a piston disposed therein, said piston being operable to divide said working chamber into first and second portions, said method comprising the steps of:
- delivering damping fluid to said first portion of said working chamber;
- regulating the flow of damping fluid through a first variable restriction valve fluidly communicating with said first portion of said working chamber;
- regulating the flow of damping fluid through a second variable restriction valve fluidly communicating with said second portion of said working chamber;
- and
- controlling the pressure in said first and second portions to control the position of said piston in said working chamber;
- whereby the pressure in said first and second portions is substantially independent from the velocity of the piston within said pressure cylinder.
A hydraulic actuator being operable to generate damping, forces comprising:
- a pressure cylinder;
- a piston disposed within said pressure cylinder being operable to divide said pressure cylinder into first and second portions, said piston having first and second sides;
- a first source of damping fluid being operable to provide damping fluid at a first pressure to said first and second portions of said pressure cylinder;
- a second source of damping fluid being operable to provide damping fluid at a second pressure to said first and second portions of said pressure cylinder;
- and
- means for controlling the flow of damping fluid between said second source of damping fluid and said first source of damping fluid thereby controlling the pressure on said first and second sides of said piston and the position of said piston in said pressure cylinder.
A method for controlling the force generated by a hydraulic actuator having a working chamber and a piston disposed therein, said piston being operable to divide said working chamber into first and second portions, said method comprising the steps of:
- delivering damping fluid from a first source of damping fluid to said first and second portions of said working chamber;
- regulating the flow of damping fluid between said first portion of said working chamber and an accumulator by a first variable restriction valve;
- regulating the flow of damping fluid between said second portion of said working chamber and said accumulator by a second variable restriction valve;
- and
- controlling the pressure in said first and second portions to control the position of said piston in said working chamber.
A hydraulic actuator being operable to generate damping forces comprising:
- a pressure cylinder;
- a piston disposed within said pressure cylinder being operable to divide said pressure cylinder into first and second portions, said piston having first and second sides;
- a first source of damping fluid being operable to provide damping fluid at a first pressure to said first and second portions of said pressure cylinder;
- a second source of damping fluid being operable to provide damping fluid at a second pressure to said first and second portions of said pressure cylinder;
- a first adjustable restriction valve being operable to at least partially control the flow of damping fluid from said first portion of said pressure cylinder and said second source of damping fluid to said first source of damping fluid;
- a second adjustable restriction valve being operable to at least partially control the flow of damping fluid from said second portion of said pressure cylinder and said second source of damping fluid to said first source of damping fluid;
- and
- means for controlling the pressure on each side of said piston to control the position of said piston in said pressure cylinder.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.