Patents by Inventor David K. French

David K. French has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5430647
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for maintaining vehicular ride height in a vehicle having a body, front and rear wheels and an air suspension including front and rear air springs. The method includes sensing vehicle body height relative to the wheels to obtain front and rear vehicle height signals, and sensing vehicle speed to obtain a vehicle speed signal. The method also includes processing the front height signals to obtain a vehicle roll signal that has been compensated for the natural lean of the vehicle, the vehicle roll signal indicating vehicle roll due to steering adjustments by the vehicle operator. The method further includes processing the vehicle speed signal to obtain a vehicle pitch offset signal, indicating vehicle body height change due to longitudinal vehicle acceleration. The method also includes adjusting the height of the vehicle toward a predetermined target ride height based on the vehicle height sensor signals which have been compensated for vehicle roll and pitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Joseph M. Raad, Jon R. Watson, Geoffrey F. Bridges, David K. French