Distance determining system and method

#The present novel concept broadly relates to the art of distance measurement and, more particularly, to a system and method for determining a distance between associated structural members using electromagnetic carrier wave modulation and timing.

#The subject system and method are amenable to broad use in a wide variety of applications and environments. One example of a suitable application is the use of the subject system and method on and with an associated fluid suspension member, such as an air spring of a vehicle, for example. The subject system and method will be discussed in detail hereinafter with specific reference to use on such an associated fluid suspension member. However, it is to be specifically understood that the subject system and method are capable of broader application and are not intended to be limited to this specific example of a suitable application.

#A variety of well known and commonly used devices and arrangements have been and are currently used to monitor the relative position of one structural member to another. For example, mechanical linkage sensors that include one or more linkage members are often used to connect between adjacent structural members, such as a suspension component of a vehicle and a corresponding frame or body of the same. The linkage members typically act through a variable resistor or other suitable component that changes in response to the movement of the linkage. An electronic control unit (ECU) or other suitable device then determines the relative position of one structural member to the other based, for example, upon a corresponding change in voltage across the variable resistor or a corresponding change in current through the resistor.

#FIG. 1 is a representation of one exemplary embodiment of a distance determining system in accordance with the present novel concept shown in operative association on a vehicle.

#FIG. 2 is a side view, in partial cross section, of one exemplary embodiment of an air spring assembly including a distance indicating system in accordance with the present novel concept.

#FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of one exemplary embodiment of a distance determining system in accordance with the present novel concept.

#Turning now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating exemplary embodiments of the present novel concept and not for limiting the same, FIG. 1 illustrates a vehicle 100 having a sprung mass, such as a vehicle body 102, for example, and an unsprung mass, such as axles 104 and wheels 106, for example. A plurality of damping members, such as shock absorbers 108, for example, are secured between the sprung and unsprung masses of the vehicle in a suitable manner. Additionally, a plurality of fluid spring members, such as air spring assemblies 110, for example, are disposed between the sprung and unsprung masses of the vehicle, such as adjacent wheels 106 and shock absorbers 108 as shown in FIG. 1, for example.

#Vehicle 100 also includes a fluid supply system 112 that is in communication with air spring assemblies 110 and is operative to selectively supply and exhaust pressurized fluid therefrom. Fluid supply system 112 includes a pressurized fluid source, such as a compressor 114, and can optionally include a storage vessel, such as reservoir 116, for example, for receiving and storing pressurized fluid from the pressurized fluid source. System 112 can further include a suitable fluid exhaust, such as a muffler 118, for example, for venting pressurized fluid from the system.

#Fluid supply system 112 can be in communication with the fluid spring members in any suitable manner. For example, system 112 can include a valve assembly 120 or other suitable device or arrangement for selectively distributing pressurized fluid between the pressurized fluid source or sources and the fluid spring members. As shown in the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1, compressor 114, reservoir 116 and muffler 118 are in fluid communication with valve assembly 120 and can be selectively placed in fluid communication with one another therethrough. Additionally, air spring assemblies 110 are in fluid communication with valve assembly 120 via fluid lines 122. Thus, valve assembly 120 can be selectively actuated to transfer pressurized fluid from the compressor and/or reservoir to one or more of the air spring assemblies. Additionally, valve assembly 120 can be selectively actuated to exhaust pressurized fluid from one or more of the air spring assemblies by way of muffler 118 or another suitable arrangement. It will be appreciated that the foregoing fluid supply system and operation thereof are merely exemplary and that any other suitable fluid source, system and/or method of operation can alternately be used.