Patents by Inventor Michael R. Lukuc

Michael R. Lukuc 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).

  • Temperature compensation for magnetorheological fluid dampers
    Patent number: 6892864
    Abstract: A temperature compensation method for controlling a damping force of a magnetorheological (MR) damper is disclosed. First, a base operating current as a function of a desired force level of a damping force of the MR damper is determined, and a temperature compensation as a function of an operating temperature of the MR damper is determined. Finally, the temperature compensation is applied to the base operating current to generate a compensated operating current as a function of the desired force level of the damping force and the operating temperature of the MR damper. To refine the compensated operating current, the temperature compensation can be determined as both a function of the operating temperature of the MR damper and a relative velocity of the MR damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Vardarajan R. Iyengar, Bruce A. Heaston, John F. Hoying, David A. Shal, Darin D. Dellinger, Khaled M. Jundi, Jesse D. Jones, Timothy J. Juuhl, Robin Oakley, David J. Barta, Michael R. Lukuc
  • Temperature compensation for magnetorheological fluid dampers
    Publication number: 20030070892
    Abstract: A temperature compensation method for controlling a damping force of a magnetorheological (MR) damper is disclosed. First, a base operating current as a function of a desired force level of a damping force of the MR damper is determined, and a temperature compensation as a function of an operating temperature of the MR damper is determined. Finally, the temperature compensation is applied to the base operating current to generate a compensated operating current as a function of the desired force level of the damping force and the operating temperature of the MR damper. To refine the compensated operating current, the temperature compensation can be determined as both a function of the operating temperature of the MR damper and a relative velocity of the MR damper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Vardarajan R. Iyengar, Bruce A. Heaston, John F. Hoying, David A. Shal, Darin D. Dellinger, Khaled M. Jundi, Jesse D. Jones, Timothy J. Juuhl, Robin Oakley, David J. Barta, Michael R. Lukuc
  • Method and system for independent axle control of a variable force damper system
    Patent number: 6516257
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for independent axle control of a variable force damper system by providing at least one axle velocity signal from at least one vehicle sensor. The method then applies an axle control algorithm to the at least one axle velocity signal, thus determining at least one axle damping command as a function of the axle control algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Shal, Timothy J. Juuhl, Michael R. Lukuc
  • Method and system for independent axle control of a variable force damper system
    Publication number: 20020143448
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for independent axle control of a variable force damper system by providing at least one axle velocity signal from at least one vehicle sensor. The method then applies an axle control algorithm to the at least one axle velocity signal, thus determining at least one axle damping command as a function of the axle control algorithm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Applicant: DELPHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS.
    Inventors: David A. Shal, Timothy J. Juuhl, Michael R. Lukuc
  • Magnetorheological fluid damper tunable for smooth transitions
    Patent number: 6318520
    Abstract: An improved magnetorheological fluid damper is provided which effectively provides a smooth transition, without a sharp break in the damper force/velocity curve, between very low damping forces near zero damper velocity to higher damping forces at higher piston velocities while maintaining desirable maximum force levels. The damper includes a piston assembly, including a magnet assembly and a flow gap extending through the piston assembly to permit fluid flow between the chambers. The force/velocity optimization feature includes a groove or passage open to the flow gap, positioned in series with a part of the flow gap in a magnetic circuit generated by the magnet assembly and dimensioned/sized to permit fluid flowing the passage to experience a magnetorheological effect less than a magnetorheological effect experienced by fluid flowing through the flow gap but not through the groove. Preferably, the passage is formed in an inner annular surface of a flux ring positioned around a piston core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Iiya Lisenker, Patrick N. Hopkins, Michael R. Lukuc