Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling continuously variable dampers in a vehicle suspension system is provided. A microcontroller receives sensor signals from the vehicle and generates heave, pitch and roll acceleration signals, heave, pitch and roll actual velocity signals, and heave, pitch and roll velocity level signals based on the received sensor signals. Heave, pitch and roll control signals are then calculated based on the acceleration, actual velocity, and velocity level signals, and the continuously variable dampers are adjusted in accordance with the calculated heave, pitch and roll control signals. A deadband schedule function is provided for adjusting the control signals in accordance with the significance of the particular ride event.

Abstract: A sensing method and system for generating an output signal indicative of an estimated mean value of an input signal is provided. A sensor samples the input signal for N (N=2, 4, 8, 16, . . . ) input signal samples and determines a current twice mean value of the N input signal samples. The current twice mean value is equal to one-half of the summation of two terms, the first being twice the mean value of the first N/2 input signal samples (called the previous twice mean value) and the second being twice the mean value of the last N/2 input signal samples. The sensor then compares the current twice mean value to a previous twice mean value.

Abstract: A system and method that monitors four wheel sensors of an automotive vehicle to determined changes in the effective rolling radii of any wheel and a low pressure tire condition. Certain vehicle operating conditions, such as excessive or very low speeds, braking, and turns, are determined from the sensor outputs and are used to prevent erroneous detection of changes in effective rolling radii. Data from the sensors that is determined to be acceptable is accumulated over time as displacement values for each wheel. When the displacement values exceed a predetermined value, a metric function is used to compare differences detected in accumulated displacement values for the front pair of wheels and for the rear pair of wheels. If the difference between compared pairs of wheels is excessive, as compared with a predetermined baseline metric value, a low tire condition is detected.