Regenerative damping method and apparatus
AssigneeVisteon Global Technologies, Inc.
InventorsXubin Song, Zhesheng Li
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Abstract
A regenerative damper and method for regenerative damping are disclosed. The regenerative damper uses the kinetic energy of undesirable vehicle motion to generate electrical current in a circuit. The electricity is generated by a power screw that operates like an alternator. Vehicle energy efficiency is increased by using the electrical current to charge a battery. The regenerative damper can be semi-active or passive. The semi-active embodiment is able to adapt to operating conditions to improve vehicle ride and handling, whereas the passive embodiment has a fixed response, regardless of operating conditions.
Claims29
A method for regenerative damping in a vehicle, comprising:
- providing a power screw comprising a rotor and a stator capable of relative rotation, said power screw configured to exert a damping force;
- transmitting a mechanical force to said rotor to induce said rotor's rotation relative to said stator;
- generating an electrical current from said rotation;
- converting said electrical current to a direct electrical current having a voltage;
- adjusting said voltage of said direct electrical current to generate an adjusted voltage (AVDC), said AVDC comprising a low voltage and high voltage AVDC;
- and
- charging at least one energy storage device with said electrical current.
A regenerative damper for a vehicle comprising:
- an electromechanical transducer for converting at least a portion of said vehicle's non-propulsive kinetic energy to an alternating electrical current, wherein said kinetic energy to alternating electrical current transducer comprises a rotary power screw;
- an electrical circuit, electrically connected to said electromechanical transducer;
- a rectifier, electrically connected to said electrical circuit, for converting said alternating electrical current to a direct current having a voltage;
- a converter, electrically connected to said rectifier, for adjusting said voltage of said direct current, and producing an adjusted voltage direct current (AVDC);
- and
- an energy storage device electrically connected to said converter, said energy storage device capable of being charged by said direct current.
A regenerative damper for a vehicle comprising:
- a rotary power screw for converting at least a portion of said vehicle's non-propulsive kinetic energy to alternating electrical current in a circuit and exerting a damping force;
- a second conversion means, electrically connected to said first conversion means, for converting said alternating electrical current to a direct current having a voltage;
- an adjustment means, electrically connected to said first and second conversion means, for adjusting said voltage of said direct current, and producing an adjusted voltage direct current (AVDC);
- a storage means, electrically connected to said adjustment means, for storing said direct current;
- and
- a breaking means for variably breaking said circuit to alter said damping force, said breaking means electrically connected to said circuit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.