Semi-active suspension system
AssigneeAM General LLC
InventorsRalf Pionke, John George Bocik
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A suspension system for a wheeled vehicle includes hydraulic actuators associated with each of the vehicle's wheels, a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic accumulator, a compressible hydraulic fluid, and a hydraulic manifold including control valves that open and close to control the hydraulic fluid flow and pressure to each of the hydraulic actuators. The control valves are regulated by a control system including a processor running an algorithm that receives data from switches and sensors providing information regarding the vehicle's state and mode of intended use or storage.
Claims20
A suspension system for a vehicle, said suspension system comprising:
- a hydraulic system including:
- a plurality of hydraulic actuators;
- a plurality of control valves associated with said hydraulic actuators;
- a hydraulic pump;
- a hydraulic accumulator;
- a reservoir;
- and
- a compressible hydraulic fluid in hydraulic communication with said plurality of hydraulic actuators, said plurality of control valves, said hydraulic pump, and said reservoir;
- and
- a controller adapted to process data received from one or more switches or sensors and provide control signals to said control valves according to an algorithm embodied in said controller;
- wherein said hydraulic actuators, said hydraulic pump, and said hydraulic accumulator operate at static hydraulic pressures of at least about 5750 psi;
- wherein said reservoir operates at a pressure lower than the operating pressure of said hydraulic actuators, said hydraulic pump, and said hydraulic accumulator;
- wherein said hydraulic actuators are selectively charged with hydraulic fluid drawn from said reservoir;
- and
- wherein said actuators selectively discharge said hydraulic fluid to said reservoir.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.