Suspension System Patents (Class 73/117.03)
  • Patent number: 11941373
    Abstract: A deep learning model trained to learn to predict source code is tuned for a target source code generation task through reinforcement learning using a reward score that considers the quality of the source code predicted during the tuning process. The reward score is adjusted to consider code-quality factors and source code metrics. The code-quality factors account for the predicted source code having syntactic correctness, successful compilation, successful execution, successful invocation, readability, functional correctness, and coverage. The source code metrics generate a score based on how close the predicted source code is to a ground truth code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC.
    Inventors: Shao Kun Deng, Neelakantan Sundaresan, Alexey Svyatkovskiy, Michele Tufano
  • Patent number: 11890910
    Abstract: A shock absorber for a vehicle, the shock absorber having an absorber body with an outer surface, and a movable piston having a first end configured to couple with the vehicle, and a second end disposed within the absorber body. There is a magnet assembly disposed around and external of the movable piston at the second end. The absorber has a sensor assembly having a sensor body coupled with the outer surface. An inner sensor body has a sensor disposed therein configured to detect a change in a linear position of the magnet assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Inventor: Larry G. Keast
  • Patent number: 11687252
    Abstract: A non-volatile storage apparatus comprises one or more memory die assemblies, each of which includes an inference circuit positioned in the memory die assembly. The inference circuit is configured to use a pre-trained model (received pre-trained from a source external to the non-volatile storage apparatus and stored in a dedicated block in non-volatile memory) with one or more metrics describing current operation of the non-volatile storage apparatus in order to predict a defect in the non-volatile storage apparatus and perform a countermeasure to preserve host data prior to a non-recoverable failure in the non-volatile storage apparatus due to the defect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Liang Li, Yinfeng Yu, Loc Tu
  • Patent number: 11639080
    Abstract: A multi-purpose shock absorber for a vehicle suspension having an absorber body with an outer surface, and a movable piston having a first end disposed within the absorber body and a second end configured to couple with a part of the vehicle. There is a magnet assembly disposed around and external of the movable piston at the second end. The absorber has a sensor assembly having a sensor body coupled with the outer surface. An inner sensor body has a sensor disposed therein configured to detect a linear change in a position of the magnet assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Inventor: Larry G. Keast
  • Patent number: 9352630
    Abstract: A jounce bumper can be dimensioned for securement along an end member of a gas spring assembly adjacent a sensing device. The jounce bumper can include a bumper body with a sensing passage extending their through such that the sensing device can communicate through the sensing passage. A gas spring assembly including a sensing device and such a jounce bumper as well as a suspension system including one or more of such gas spring assemblies are also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC
    Inventors: Brian S. DeBruler, Todd A. Chapman
  • Patent number: 9021872
    Abstract: A system for measuring suspension sag in a vehicle, such as a motorcycle, is disclosed. The system includes a measuring device that attaches to a wheel hub, axle, or other component. The system includes a clamp that attaches to a fender or other vehicle component. The device is connected to the clamp by a cord, which extends from and retracts into the device. When a load is placed on the vehicle, the fender may move closer to the hub or axle. Any slack in the cord may be taken up by a spool shaft in the device. A rotary encoder may measure the rotation of the spool shaft, and the measuring device may calculate a change in a linear distance between, for example, the fender and the axle based on the rotation of the spool shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Motool
    Inventor: John Charles Casebeer, II
  • Publication number: 20150033838
    Abstract: A spring including a composite structure including reinforcement fibers in a matrix. The composite structure further includes at least one Bragg cell and at least one optical fiber connected to the Bragg cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: RENAULT s.a.s.
    Inventors: Christian Chabanon, Anthony Jacques
  • Patent number: 8935955
    Abstract: A test stand for dynamic testing of an individual running gear component or of a complete axle system of a motor vehicle includes a test stand frame having. The test stand frame has a mounting area configured for mounting the complete axle system in the mounting area in a first installation direction. A fastening device is configured for fixed mounting of the individual running gear component on the fastening device in a second installation direction, the second installation direction being different from the first installation direction. An actuator is configured for dynamic excitation of both of the complete axle system and the individual running gear component. The actuator is configured to connect to the individual running gear component or the complete axle system in a region of a point of intersection of the first installation direction and the second installation direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Eric Preising, Guenter Poetsch, Oliver Schadl
  • Publication number: 20150000390
    Abstract: A system for measuring suspension sag in a vehicle, such as a motorcycle, is disclosed. The system includes a measuring device that attaches to a wheel hub, axle, or other component. The system includes a clamp that attaches to a fender or other vehicle component. The device is connected to the clamp by a cord, which extends from and retracts into the device. When a load is placed on the vehicle, the fender may move closer to the hub or axle. Any slack in the cord may be taken up by a spool shaft in the device. A rotary encoder may measure the rotation of the spool shaft, and the measuring device may calculate a change in a linear distance between, for example, the fender and the axle based on the rotation of the spool shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventor: John Charles Casebeer II
  • Publication number: 20140367942
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension system includes a spring, a neck assembly, and a rod. The neck assembly has an outer shell housing a hollow stem having an upper end and a lower end. The stem is rotatable respect to outer shell. The upper end is coupled to an upper bracket having a control arm pivotally coupled thereto. The lower end is coupled to a lower bracket having a linkage pivotally connected thereto. The rod has a first end coupled to the spring and a second end coupled to the linkage. The rod extends through the hollow stem. The linkage is further coupled to a wheel assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventor: James Thomas Nesbitt, III
  • Publication number: 20140331755
    Abstract: A bush component force detection device detects a component force acting on a cylindrical bush inserted into a hole provided in a frame of a vehicle to pivotally support a rod-like member inside thereof. The bush component force detection device includes: an outer ring provided between the bush and the hole with predetermined space from the bush and configured to surround an outer circumferential surface of the bush and to be attached on an inner circumferential surface of the hole; and a sensing unit. The sensing unit is a cylindrical member disposed between the bush and the outer ring and configured to surround the bush, and has one end of connected with an outer side of the bush, the other end connected with the outer ring, and strain gauges disposed on an outer circumferential surface thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi SHIMOYAMA, Hiroki NAGANO
  • Publication number: 20140331756
    Abstract: A bush component force detection device detects a component force acting on a bush which is press-fitted into a hole provided in a frame of a vehicle. The bush component force detection device includes: a cylinder which is inserted into the hole with predetermined space therefrom and has strain gauges; elastically deformable outer-side projections that extend in an axial direction of the cylinder and project radially outward from an outer surface of the cylinder; and elastically deformable inner-side projections that extend in an axial direction of the cylinder and project radially inward from an inner surface of the cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi SHIMOYAMA
  • Publication number: 20140331757
    Abstract: A bush component force detection device detects a component force acting on a cylindrical bush which is inserted into a hole provided in a frame of a vehicle to pivotally support a rod-like member inside thereof. The device includes: a cylindrical inner ring provided between a bush and a hole and mounted on an outer circumferential surface of the bush; a cylindrical outer ring disposed outwardly of the inner ring with a predetermined space from the inner ring and mounted on an inner circumferential surface of the hole; and a sensing unit that is a cylindrical member disposed in the space between the inner ring and the outer ring substantially concentrically to the rod-like member, the sensing unit having one end connected with the inner ring, the other end connected with the outer ring, and strain gauges disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the sensing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi SHIMOYAMA
  • Patent number: 8881585
    Abstract: A test bench for motor vehicles and/or axles of motor vehicles for simulating gyroscopic torques of a rotating wheel includes a wheel replacement system connected to an axle of the motor vehicle. The wheel replacement system includes a wheel replacement mass and a driver for driving the wheel replacement mass. The test bench also includes an arrangement for applying testing forces, testing torques and testing movements in a longitudinal, lateral and/or vertical direction to the motor vehicle and/or axles of the motor vehicle. The driver is configured to set the wheel replacement mass in rotation. The arrangement for applying testing forces, testing torques and testing movements is configured to generate a gyroscopic torque of the wheel replacement mass which is set in rotation, by applying testing forces, testing torques and testing movements in the longitudinal, lateral and/or vertical direction to the motor vehicle and/or the axles of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Eric Preising, Hans-Peter Loda, Johannes Heine
  • Patent number: 8844345
    Abstract: An apparatus imparts motion to a test object such as a motor vehicle in a controlled fashion. A base has mounted on it a linear electromagnetic motor having a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the base. A pneumatic cylinder and piston combination have a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the base so that the pneumatic cylinder and piston combination is generally parallel with the linear electromagnetic motor. The second ends of the linear electromagnetic motor and pneumatic cylinder and piston combination being commonly linked to a mount for the test object. A control system for the linear electromagnetic motor and pneumatic cylinder and piston combination drives the pneumatic cylinder and piston combination to support a substantial static load of the test object and the linear electromagnetic motor to impart controlled motion to the test object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignees: Roehrig Engineering, Inc., Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen C. Southward, Chandler Reubush, Bryan Pittman, Kurt Roehrig, Doug Gerard
  • Publication number: 20140224005
    Abstract: A vehicle inspection tool includes a tool body having an outer surface fitting the tread of the tire of a vehicle wheel, and a spanner adapter fixedly mounted each of two opposite ends of the tool body and defining therein a coupling hole for receiving a L-shaped spanner for enabling the tool body to be biased by the L-shaped spanner to oscillate the wheel and its suspension system so that the user can detect any abnormalities of the component parts of the suspension system subject to generated noises, achieving quick inspection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: POUL CHANG METAL INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Poul Chang Metal Industry Co., Ltd.
  • Publication number: 20140145411
    Abstract: The subject invention relates to an air spring height sensor. The air spring height sensor of this invention comprises a height measuring signal transmitter (102) and a receiver (101). The height measuring signal transmitter is adapted for transmitting a height signal. The receiver is adapted for sensing the height signal transmitted by the height measuring signal transmitter. The height signal indicates a distance between the height measuring signal transmitter and the receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: VEYANCE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Lutz May
  • Patent number: 8731878
    Abstract: A method is presented for predicting a noise/comfort performance in a cabin of a vehicle with a body-shell and a suspension system linked to the body-shell by at least one point of attachment, with the vehicle rolling at a given speed on a rolling device with a macrorough rolling surface. The method includes: determining a global transfer function of the body-shell, determining a global admittance of the body-shell, determining an impedance of the suspension system, determining, while rolling on the macrorough rolling surface, lockup loads of the suspension system, and combining together the global transfer function of the body-shell, the global admittance of the body-shell, the impedance of the suspension system, and the lockup loads of the suspension system to obtain a prediction of noise/comfort performance (P) inside the cabin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignees: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin, Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Francois Beniguel, Marc Duvernier, David Payet, Françoise Le Salver, Clarisse Le Salver, Annig Le Salver, Vincent Le Salver
  • Patent number: 8720260
    Abstract: A checking device for checking automotive suspension system comprises a rod and a work piece fixed on the rod. The work piece includes a work surface for pressing against a tread portion of the wheel. Rotating the rod can make the wheel and the suspension system connected thereto sway in a direction different from the forward rotating direction of the wheel. Then the user can find out the faults by the abnormal sound made by the respective components of the suspension system, so that the checking device for checking automotive suspension system is capable of reducing the time for finding out the faults in the suspension system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Inventor: Michael Mueller
  • Publication number: 20130305817
    Abstract: The invention aims to produce an instrumentation making it possible to measure the loadings which pass through mechanical joins between two mechanical structures, so as to best evaluate the dimensions and masses without impairing their mechanical properties of a secure transfer of load. To this end, the invention proposes introducing into the zones of transit of the loadings an instrumented component of the form that favours the measurement of shear and its installation. In one embodiment, a zone of transit of loadings consists of an instrumentalized hollow shaft which takes the form of a cylinder (1) able to be introduced into collinear openings (30) in the fittings (20, 25, 26). It comprises a longitudinal housing (10) into which is introduced an insert (2) composed of a central prop (21) in tight contact with the internal wall (1i) of the shaft (1) and connected, on each side, to a flyweight (31, 32) also in tight contact, by way of multiple tabs (41 to 44) away from contact with said internal wall (1i).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS (S.A.S.)
    Inventors: Hervé Magnin, Géraldine Hache
  • Patent number: 8522609
    Abstract: A method for wheel suspension alignment includes: providing four measuring heads each having a monocular picture recording device; recording at least three geometrical details of one wheel, respectively, of a vehicle in an initial position, using each of the four measuring heads; carrying out relative motion between the vehicle and the measuring heads from the initial position into at least one further position; recording at least three geometrical details of one wheel, respectively, of the vehicle in the further position, using each of the four measuring heads; carrying out local 3D reconstructions for determining translation vectors, rotation vectors and wheel rotational angles between the at least two positions, and wheel rotational centers and wheel rotational axes from the recorded geometrical details; determining a global scale for the measuring heads by scaling the translation vectors to have the same length; and determining camber, single toe and/or total toe of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Guenter Nobis, Steffen Abraham, Volker Uffenkamp
  • Patent number: 8473154
    Abstract: A vehicle control system, which is configured to obtain an index on the basis of a running condition of a vehicle and to change at least any one of a driving force control characteristic and a vehicle body support characteristic of a suspension mechanism in response to the index, is configured to acquire information associated with a friction coefficient of a road surface on which the vehicle runs, and to correct the at least any one of the driving force control characteristic and the vehicle body support characteristic, which is changed in response to the index, on the basis of the information associated with the friction coefficient of the road surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shin Noumura, Ken Koibuchi, Kaiji Itabashi, Keisuke Takeuchi, Toshio Tanahashi
  • Publication number: 20130104639
    Abstract: A checking device for checking automotive suspension system comprises a rod and a work piece fixed on the rod. The work piece includes a work surface for pressing against a tread portion of the wheel. Rotating the rod can make the wheel and the suspension system connected thereto sway in a direction different from the forward rotating direction of the wheel. Then the user can find out the faults by the abnormal sound made by the respective components of the suspension system, so that the checking device for checking automotive suspension system is capable of reducing the time for finding out the faults in the suspension system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventor: Michael Mueller
  • Publication number: 20130061666
    Abstract: A system may monitor a vibration isolating connection between a first part and a second part. The system may include a light source, an optical sensor mounted to receive light from the light source, and a processing unit for providing an output indicative of the deformation of the vibration isolating connection based on the output of the optical sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited
    Inventor: Stuart GILLIES
  • Patent number: 8381579
    Abstract: The present invention provides a vibration damping device which can enhance a vibration damping effect even in a case where a vibration damping target position and a vibration damping force generation position are different from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Sinfonia Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yushi Sato, Hideaki Moriya, Takeo Ito, Takayoshi Fujii, Takashi Fukunaga, Katsuyoshi Nakano, Hiroshi Nakagawa, Hidetoshi Katada, Takeshi Tomizaki, Takashi Onoue, Yasushi Muragishi
  • Publication number: 20120205887
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a chassis, an axle, a suspension strut and a sensor assembly. The suspension strut includes a barrel having a lower end and an upper end, and a rod having a lower end and an upper end. The rod lower end is slidably received within the barrel upper end. The barrel lower end is coupled with the axle and the rod upper end is coupled with the chassis. A sensor assembly is coupled between the chassis and the barrel for sensing relative movement between the chassis and the barrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventors: Francois Stander, Denis J. Montocchio, Dean L. Mish
  • Patent number: 8234917
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for monitoring errors in undercarriage components of rail vehicles, having at least one acceleration sensor which works with an evaluation unit. At least one acceleration sensor is arranged on the undercarriage of the rail vehicle in such a manner that its direction of detection has at least one component parallel to the vertical axis (z-direction) of the rail vehicle. The invention proposes that the acceleration sensor is constructed in such a manner that it delivers a measuring signal which contains the signal portion corresponding to a ground acceleration, or represents a signal corresponding to a ground acceleration, and that the evaluation unit has a routine for testing functions of the acceleration sensor, the routine controlling an error signal if the measuring signal delivered by the acceleration sensor contains no signal portion corresponding to a ground acceleration. The routine also suppresses the error signal if this is not the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Systeme fur Schienenfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Burkhart, Ulf Friesen
  • Publication number: 20120137760
    Abstract: A ride height gauge includes a chassis engaging member biased relative to a base member via springs. Lowering an RC car chassis onto the chassis engaging member causes the chassis engaging member to lower until the car's wheels touch a support surface on either side of the base member. The chassis engaging member's lowered position is displayed on measurement columns that measure the height of the chassis engaging member from the support surface, which can be used to determine the ride height of the vehicle. The measurement columns at opposite ends of the vehicle allow the user to simultaneously measure the ride height at either end of the vehicle without repositioning of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventor: Harold Michael Burton
  • Publication number: 20110316209
    Abstract: A dual rate shock absorbing apparatus for a suspension system of a heavy off-road vehicle including a housing having two axially elongated members. A dual rate spring package is disposed in the housing. Such spring package includes a first spring assembly for absorbing, dissipating and returning a first predetermined level of energy imparted to the shock absorbing apparatus. One end of the first spring assembly acts against a closed end of the housing and a second end acts against a spring seat. A second spring assembly absorbs, dissipates and returns a second predetermined level of energy. One end of the second spring assembly acts against an opposed closed end of the housing and a second end acts against the spring seat. An axially elongated guide assembly, extending substantially the cumulative length of the first and second spring assemblies, controls axial compression of the first and second spring assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventors: Ronald W. KERR, Richard J. BERANEK
  • Patent number: 8056392
    Abstract: A method, system, and device for optimizing a vehicle's suspension includes: mounting at least one modified passive shock with a plurality of sensors onto a vehicle, where the shock is adjustable for a plurality of damping forces; connecting the shock to an electronic control unit being for adjusting the damping forces of the shock and reading the plurality of sensors; and running the vehicle through a plurality of test cycles where the electronic control unit reading the plurality of sensors during each test cycle and adjusting the shock to a different damping force between each test cycle, where the adjusted shock emulating the damping forces of multiple standard passive shocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: JRI Development Group, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Scott Ryan, Nobuhiko Negishi
  • Patent number: 7946163
    Abstract: An electronically adjustable shock absorber, and a system, method, and algorithm for developing a vehicle suspension. The shock absorber has damping characteristics that can be adjusted electronically to match a desired set of damping characteristics. The test method includes closed loop control of the electronically adjustable shock to achieve user-provided damping characteristics. The characteristics can be selected from a graphical user interface to simulate different internal flow passages of a shock absorber. Some embodiments make possible the simulated testing of different hardware embodiments, without the need to make the actual shock absorbers and without the need interrupt the vehicle suspension testing for multiple shock absorber installations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Penske Racing Shocks
    Inventor: Bill J. Gartner
  • Publication number: 20110100107
    Abstract: A method according for wheel suspension alignment includes the following: providing a wheel suspension alignment system having four measuring heads situated in a known position with respect to one another, of which each has a monocular picture recording device; recording at least three geometrical details of one wheel, respectively, of a vehicle standing in an initial position, using each of the four measuring heads; carrying out a relative motion between the vehicle, on the one hand, and the measuring heads, on the other hand, from the initial position (A) into at least one further position (E), the relative position of the measuring heads with respect to one another being known; recording at least three geometrical details of one wheel, respectively, of the vehicle standing in the further position (E), using each of the four measuring heads; carrying out local 3D reconstructions for determining the translation vectors, the rotation vectors and the wheel rotational angles between the at least two positions,
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: Guenter Nobis, Steffen Abraham, Volker Uffenkamp
  • Patent number: 7930935
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for diagnosing the function of a level control system (1) of a motor vehicle, comprising at least one valve (2a, 2b, 14, 26) and a control unit (10). An exchange of pressure medium from one side of the valve to the other side of the valve is possible when the valve is open, and an exchange of pressure medium is prevented when the valve is closed. The valve carries out a change of state, a variable (4, I) influencing the valve output is measured during the change of state, the measured variable influencing the output of the valve is compared with a reference curve, a family of characteristics or a limit value in the control unit (10), and based on the comparison in the control unit (10) it can be established if the valve has carried out the change of state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Continental Aktiengessellschaft
    Inventor: Dierk Hein
  • Publication number: 20110083500
    Abstract: A sensor system for obtaining data from an air spring having elastomeric body with a plurality of wireless sensors embedded therein. The sensor length-scales range from nano- to micro-scale devices that are small enough to avoid becoming occlusions within the elastomeric body. The air spring may include a spring wall having an internally reinforced elastomeric body portion with the sensors embedded within. The air spring may include a spring wall having an unreinforced elastomeric body portion with the sensors embedded within. The sensors may be configured to provide data related to one or more of temperature, pressure, sidewall flex, stress, strain and other parameters. The sensors may be LCD sensors, and/or conductive polymer sensors, and/or bio-polymer sensors and/or polymer diodes suitable for sensing data during the operation of the air spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE FIRESTONE NORTH AMERICAN TIRE, LLC
    Inventors: John D. Rensel, Paul B. Wilson
  • Patent number: 7921713
    Abstract: A test fixture for testing a motor vehicle suspension, brake components and wheel components on a motor vehicle sub-frame is provided. The test fixture can include a lower frame attached to a base surface and be dimensioned for the motor vehicle sub-frame to be attached thereto. An upper frame oppositely disposed to the lower frame and dimensioned to attach to the sub-frame is also included. A shaker system is attached to the base surface and is operable to provide a predetermined vertical displacement profile to the sub-frame. A motor is attached to an axle assembly on the sub-frame and is operable to rotate a wheel component at a predetermined rate of rotation. A non-contact gap sensor is included and can be attached to the sub-frame and detect or monitor movement between a first sub-frame component and a second sub-frame component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff Alan Czoka, Tom Edward Stubblefield
  • Patent number: 7899607
    Abstract: An open-loop control system that provides control signals to active engine mounts to reduce or eliminate the transfer of engine vibration to a vehicle body structure, where the system uses only a crank signal from the engine as an input. The control system includes an instant crank speed variation sensing processor that receives the crank signal from the engine, where the crank signal is a pulsed signal including missing pulses as a result of teeth missing on the vehicle crank wheel. The crank speed variation sensing processor provides a measurement of the instant crank speed variation of the crank signal and minimizes an error in the measurement as a result of the missing pulses. The crank speed variation sensing processor outputs a crank speed sensing variation signal as a sine wave that identifies order content in the crank pulse signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Kwang-Keun Shin, David J. Verbrugge
  • Patent number: 7845217
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension includes a hub and a hub temperature indicating device visible from an exterior of the hub and exposed to a temperature within an interior of the hub, and including a material which changes color in response to a predetermined change in the hub interior temperature. A hub temperature indicating device includes one of a hub cap plug and a hub cap window, including a material which changes color in response to a predetermined change in temperature in the hub interior. Another hub temperature indicating device includes a material which is operative to change color in response to a temperature change in a hub interior, the material comprising an irreversible temperature change indicating material; another material adjacent the first material, and which is operative to transfer heat between the hub interior and the first material; and the device being configured to attach to a hub cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Watson & Chalin Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Cully B. Dodd
  • Patent number: 7836753
    Abstract: A knock sensor includes a resin mold having a first cylindrical resin mold section that encloses a base, annular constituent parts and a pressing member of the knock sensor; and a connector section that protrudes from a side of the first mold section and is integrally injection-molded at one time with the first mold section; wherein an injection gate for resin mold is located on the first resin mold circumference excluding portions thereof opposing the connector section, and forms a predetermined angle (45° to 120°) with respect to the center line connecting the center of the connector section with that of a through-hole of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Akito Yokoi
  • Publication number: 20100257923
    Abstract: An overload detecting assembly comprises a first load bearing member (10) adapted to flex laterally in response to a load to be monitored, a second load bearing member (11) spaced from the first under normal load conditions and which is contacted and loaded by the first load bearing member (10) when it is loaded beyond a load limit. Preferably, the first load bearing member (10) has a yield point below the load limit and takes a permanent set once the yield point has been exceeded. A lateral probe (18) cooperates with the first load bearing member as it moves towards the second load bearing member and in turn deflects an indicator member (20) which takes a permanent set when a yield point is exceeded. Ready inspection of the indicator member then reveals whether or not it has been bent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: MESSIER-DOWTY LIMITED
    Inventor: Ian Bennett
  • Patent number: 7801671
    Abstract: Identifying fires by: measuring pressure pulses from the exhaust; generating a waveform from the measured pressure pulses; dividing the waveform into segments, one for each engine cylinder; associating each segment with the cylinder which generated the pulse; and examining each segment for features which indicate a misfire. The method further includes: generating a trigger signal; associating the trigger signal with ignition in a cylinder; measuring the time between this signal and the next trigger signal; dividing the time between these trigger signals into cylinder boxes, one for each cylinder; and shifting each of the boxes relative to the associated segment such that the peak and a portion of the rising edge and/or the falling edge falls within the box. For each box the peak, rising edge and falling edge is compared with threshold values. Each box in which at least two of the thresholds are exceeded is flagged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Inventors: Neal R. Pederson, Bernie C. Thompson
  • Patent number: 7783411
    Abstract: An engine control method, based on engine intake pressure, is operable to shorten a period from a start of cranking until a sequential fuel injection control is determined. Provisional and final stroke determinations are made for a plurality of cylinders from a synthetic manifold pressure waveform. The provisional stroke determination is made after a crankshaft is rotated 720 degrees after settlement of a crank reference position. The final stroke determination is made when the crankshaft rotates 1440 degrees after the provisional stroke determination. When the provisional stroke determination is made, fuel is injected into the cylinders based on a detected value of the engine intake pressure; and when the stroke determination is finally settled, the fuel injection and ignition of the engine are controlled based on the detected value of the engine intake pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihiro Asada, Kenichi Machida
  • Patent number: 7778748
    Abstract: A systems and method for testing a vehicle suspension may include a kinematics rig and a main control unit having a graphical user interface (GUI). The system can provide for automated testing, control, data acquisition and analysis, and sensor handling for conducting comprehensive performance testing of vehicle chassis and suspension systems in a contained solution. All requisite tests for suspension systems analysis may be user-selectable and configurable from the GUI and executed via software based on test procedures stored in memory. The system's data acquisition capabilities may be easily integrated into standard industry analysis tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: John Probst, Terry Satchell
  • Publication number: 20100198527
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for estimating at least one characteristic of a motor vehicle suspension, whereby said suspension or each suspension connects a motor vehicle wheel to the body shell thereof. The inventive system comprises means (12, 14) for acquiring vertical accelerations experienced by the wheel and body shell in a reference system of the vehicle and means (26) for calculating the at least one characteristic of the suspension as a function of the vertical accelerations acquired from the wheel and the body shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: PEUGEOT CITROEN AUTOMOBILES SA
    Inventors: Pascal Gouriet, Karine Candau
  • Patent number: 7748263
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel suspension system is provided, having a first spring element clamped between the vehicle body and a wheel and a second spring element clamped between the body and the wheel in parallel to the first spring element by application of a tensile force by a tensioning element. The second spring element is not active without application of the tensile force. A pressure addition spring element is also provided which, in the case of large spring excursions, acts as an end stop. The pressure addition spring element is not activated by of the tensile force for activating the second spring element. The spring rate of the second spring element is preferably lower than that of the first spring element. Additional spring elements of different wheels or axles can be activated by a common mechanical tensioning element which can shorten or lengthen several tension devices connected with the spring elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Alfred Pruckner
  • Patent number: 7742866
    Abstract: A fuel control system includes devices that generate parameter signals. The parameter signals include an engine runtime signal and at least one of an engine load signal, a temperature signal and a barometric pressure signal. A modification module generates a modification signal based on the parameter signals. A control module compensates for a current fuel volatility by adjusting a current air/fuel mixture of an engine based on the modification signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Inventors: Kurt D. McLain, Wenbo Wang
  • Publication number: 20100132444
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension includes a hub and a hub temperature indicating device visible from an exterior of the hub and exposed to a temperature within an interior of the hub, and including a material which changes color in response to a predetermined change in the hub interior temperature. A hub temperature indicating device includes one of a hub cap plug and a hub cap window, including a material which changes color in response to a predetermined change in temperature in the hub interior. Another hub temperature indicating device includes a material which is operative to change color in response to a temperature change in a hub interior, the material comprising an irreversible temperature change indicating material; another material adjacent the first material, and which is operative to transfer heat between the hub interior and the first material; and the device being configured to attach to a hub cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: WATSON & CHALIN MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventor: Cully B. DODD
  • Publication number: 20100126262
    Abstract: A test fixture for testing a motor vehicle suspension, brake components and wheel components on a motor vehicle sub-frame is provided. The test fixture can include a lower frame attached to a base surface and be dimensioned for the motor vehicle sub-frame to be attached thereto. An upper frame oppositely disposed to the lower frame and dimensioned to attach to the sub-frame is also included. A shaker system is attached to the base surface and is operable to provide a predetermined vertical displacement profile to the sub-frame. A motor is attached to an axle assembly on the sub-frame and is operable to rotate a wheel component at a predetermined rate of rotation. A non-contact gap sensor is included and can be attached to the sub-frame and detect or monitor movement between a first sub-frame component and a second sub-frame component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff Alan Czoka, Tom Edward Stubblefield
  • Patent number: 7721593
    Abstract: A system for setting a spatial position of a vehicle relative to a foundation, on which the vehicle is standing with its wheels, in particular in a wind tunnel, is provided. The adjusting system includes a plurality of linear actuating devices, which are assigned to each one of the wheels and which are mounted on the vehicle in the area of the respective wheel and with which in the area of the respective wheel a distance between the foundation and a vehicle chassis can be set. The adjusting system includes a plurality of measuring devices, which are assigned to each one of the actuating devices, for determining the distance between the foundation and the vehicle chassis in the area of the respective wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Michael Pfadenhauer
  • Publication number: 20100125389
    Abstract: A system is provided for determining a distance between a vehicular suspension assembly and the ground, wherein the suspension assembly has a first member. The system comprises a first transceiver coupled to the first member for emitting a first interrogation signal toward the ground, and for receiving a first reflection of the first interrogation signal from the ground, and a processor coupled to the first transceiver for determining the distance of the first transceiver from the ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: TIMOTHY J. TALTY, CHANDRA S. NAMUDURI, YUNJUN LI, ROBERT B. ELLIOTT, NANCY MCMAHON
  • Publication number: 20100108406
    Abstract: A method and device for provisionally determining the mass of a vehicle when it is initialized. After initialization of the vehicle, the method determines a vehicle mass value by a static mass determination method and then checks whether this value is within a predetermined tolerance band around the dynamically last-determined vehicle mass value, which has been stored for that purpose. If this is so, and there has in the meantime been no significant change of the vehicle's mass, the previously stored dynamic vehicle mass value is probably more accurate and is used in the determination. Otherwise it can be assumed that the vehicle mass value has changed substantially, and the statically determined vehicle mass value is therefore used until a device for the dynamic determination of a vehicle mass can supply a more accurate vehicle mass value after a short time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Maik Wuerthner, Werner Wolfgang, Ingo Sauter