Patents Assigned to ClearMotion, Inc.
-
Publication number: 20240100900Abstract: Disclosed embodiments are related to suspension systems including dampers and suspension actuators and related methods of control for mitigating the effects of potholes and other road surface discontinuities.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2023Publication date: March 28, 2024Applicant: ClearMotion, Inc.Inventors: Gert-Jan Alexander Vente, Matthew Jo Taylor
-
Publication number: 20240100899Abstract: A method of on-demand energy delivery to an active suspension system is disclosed. The suspension system includes an actuator body, a hydraulic pump, an electric motor, a plurality of sensors, an energy storage facility, and a controller. The method includes disposing an active suspension system in a vehicle between a wheel mount and a vehicle body, detecting a wheel event requiring control of the active suspension; and sourcing energy from the energy storage facility and delivering it to the electric motor in response to the wheel event.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2023Publication date: March 28, 2024Applicant: ClearMotion, Inc.Inventors: Zackary Martin Anderson, Marco Giovanardi, Clive Tucker, Jonathan R. Leehey, Colin Patrick O'Shea, Johannes Schneider, Vladimir Gorelik, Richard Anthony Zuckerman, Patrick W. Neil, Tyson David Sawyer, Ross J. Wendell
-
Publication number: 20240103531Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the location of a vehicle are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for localizing a vehicle includes driving over a first road segment, identifying by a first localization system a set of candidate road segments, obtaining vertical motion data while driving over the first road segment, comparing the obtained vertical motion data to reference vertical motion data associated with at least one candidate road segment, and identifying, based on the comparison, a location of the vehicle. The use of such localization methods and systems in coordination with various advanced vehicle systems such as, for example, active suspension systems or autonomous driving features, is contemplated.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2023Publication date: March 28, 2024Applicant: ClearMotion, Inc.Inventors: Vijayaraghavan Sridhar, John Parker Eisenmann, Yu Jiang, David Francis Weatherwax
-
Patent number: 11919348Abstract: A regenerative shock absorber that includes a housing and a piston that moves at least partially through the housing when the shock is compressed or extended from a rest position. When the piston moves, hydraulic fluid is pressurized and drives a hydraulic motor. The hydraulic motor, in turn, drives an electric generator that produced electric energy. The electric energy may be provided to a vehicle, among other things. The regenerative shock absorber may also provide ride performance that comparable to or exceeds that of conventional shock absorbers.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2021Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: ClearMotion, Inc.Inventors: Zackary Martin Anderson, Zachary J. Jackowski, Ryan Bavetta
-
Publication number: 20240053167Abstract: Methods and systems for generating a map of road features are provided. A method may include obtaining a vehicle motion profile, inputting the vehicle motion profile to a trained statistical model, and outputting one or more road features from the trained statistical model. A method may include obtaining first vehicle motion profiles, obtaining second vehicle motion profiles, generating a trained statistical model using the first vehicle motion vehicle motion profiles and the second vehicle motion profiles, and storing the trained statistical model in non-volatile computer readable memory.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2021Publication date: February 15, 2024Applicant: ClearMotion, Inc.Inventor: Nikolaos Karavas
-
Patent number: 11892051Abstract: Disclosed herein are active hydraulic cylinders for use in active vehicle suspension systems, and methods for assembling active hydraulic cylinders for use in an active vehicle suspension system. In particular, in certain embodiments a manifold may encircle a portion of an outer tube of a twin tube assembly. The manifold may mechanically and fluidly couple a pump assembly to the twin tube assembly. In certain embodiments, the manifold may be welded onto the outer tube.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2019Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: ClearMotion, Inc.Inventors: Clive Tucker, Kevin Ryan McGuinness, Zhenrong Wang, Andrew Martin Wizorek
-
Patent number: 11879451Abstract: Presented herein are systems and methods for attenuating flow ripple generated by a hydraulic pump. In certain aspects, a method and system for operating a hydraulic positive displacement pump according to a stabilized command profile are disclosed, such that flow ripple generated by operation of the pump according to the stabilized command profile is attenuated as compared to operation of the pump according to a corresponding nominal command profile. In other aspects, a pressure-balanced active buffer is disclosed that allow for at least partially cancelling flow ripple in a hydraulic circuit comprising a pump. In another aspect, a method for generating ripple maps for a pump is disclosed. Such ripple maps may be used, for example, to determine the stabilized command profile used to operate the pump, or may be used by the pressure-balanced active buffer to counteract ripple in the hydraulic circuit.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2021Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: ClearMotion, Inc.Inventors: Colin Patrick O'Shea, Clive Tucker, Brian Alexander Selden
-
Publication number: 20240010039Abstract: Hydraulic systems and methods for reducing the propagation of flow and/or pressure fluctuations within a hydraulic system with a differential buffer are described. A differential buffer may include a first internal volume, a second internal volume, and a barrier separating at least a portion of the first internal volume and at least a portion of the second internal volume. The barrier may move to mitigate pressure and/or flow fluctuations in the first internal volume and the second internal volume by passive destructive interference.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2021Publication date: January 11, 2024Applicant: ClearMotion, Inc.Inventors: Brian Alexander Selden, Eric Phares Reeder, Clive Tucker, Mathijs van Staalduinen, Cameron D. Peterson, Thomas McVay, Andrew Kegan Proeschel
-
Publication number: 20240001924Abstract: A vehicle control system for a vehicle is provided. The vehicle control system may be configured to adjust a normal component of a wheel force at one or more wheels of the vehicle and steer one or more rear wheels of the vehicle to improve vehicle dynamics during a road event (e.g., braking event, steering event). The vehicle control system may generate cues to a user to provide an appropriate input based on reference road information, forward-looking road information, and/or vehicle sensor data.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2021Publication date: January 4, 2024Applicant: ClearMotion, Inc.Inventors: Marco Giovanardi, Allen Chung-Hao Chen
-
Patent number: 11850904Abstract: In one embodiment, one or more suspension systems of a vehicle may be used to mitigate motion sickness by limiting motion in one or more frequency ranges. In another embodiment, an active suspension may be integrated with an autonomous vehicle architecture. In yet another embodiment, the active suspension system of a vehicle may be used to induce motion in a vehicle. The vehicle may be used as a testbed for technical investigations and/or as a platform to enhance the enjoyment of video and/or audio by vehicle occupants. In some embodiments, the active suspensions system may be used to perform gestures as a means of communication with persons inside or outside the vehicle. In some embodiments, the active suspensions system may be used to generate haptic warnings to a vehicle operator or other persons in response to certain road situations.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2021Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: ClearMotion, Inc.Inventors: Zackary Martin Anderson, Marco Giovanardi, Jack A. Ekchian, Olivia D. Godwin, Clive Tucker, John A. Laplante, William Graves, Shakeel Avadhany, Michael W. Finnegan
-
Patent number: 11850905Abstract: A method of on-demand energy delivery to an active suspension system comprising an actuator body, hydraulic pump, electric motor, plurality of sensors, energy storage facility, and controller is provided. The method comprises disposing an active suspension system in a vehicle between a wheel mount and a vehicle body, detecting a wheel event requiring control of the active suspension; and sourcing energy from the energy storage facility and delivering it to the electric motor in response to the wheel event.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2021Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: ClearMotion, Inc.Inventors: Zackary Martin Anderson, Shakeel Avadhany, Matthew D. Cole, Robert Driscoll, John Giarratana, Marco Giovanardi, Vladimir Gorelik, Jonathan R. Leehey, William G. Near, Patrick W. Neil, Colin Patrick O'Shea, Tyson David Sawyer, Johannes Schneider, Clive Tucker, Ross J. Wendell, Richard Anthony Zuckerman
-
Patent number: 11841035Abstract: Method and apparatus for improving the performance, response, and durability of an electro-hydraulic active suspension system. The noise caused by hydraulic flow ripple is reduced and system response is improved.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2020Date of Patent: December 12, 2023Assignee: ClearMotion, Inc.Inventors: Clive Tucker, Johannes Schneider, John Giarratana, William G. Near, Colin Patrick O'Shea, Tyson David Sawyer, Richard Anthony Zuckerman, Zackary Martin Anderson, Marco Giovanardi, Jack A. Ekchian
-
Patent number: 11815110Abstract: Presented herein are systems and methods for attenuating certain pulsations in a hydraulic system comprising a pump and a hydraulic actuator. In certain aspects, an accumulator comprising an internal volume that is divided into a working chamber and a contained chamber may be utilized to at least partially attenuate propagation of certain pulsations in the system. The working chamber may be fluidically coupled to the pump via a first flow path and fluidically coupled to a chamber of the actuator via a second flow path. The system may be designed such that a first inertance of the first flow path is greater than a second inertance of the second flow path. Additionally or alternatively, the system may be designed such that a resonance associated with the first inertance and a compliance of the accumulator may occur at a resonance frequency of less than 90 Hz.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2022Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Assignee: ClearMotion, Inc.Inventors: Nathan Woodard, Colin Patrick O'Shea, Hector Arnaldo Inirio
-
Patent number: 11801726Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the location of a vehicle are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for localizing a vehicle includes driving over a first road segment, identifying by a first localization system a set of candidate road segments, obtaining vertical motion data while driving over the first road segment, comparing the obtained vertical motion data to reference vertical motion data associated with at least one candidate road segment, and identifying, based on the comparison, a location of the vehicle. The use of such localization methods and systems in coordination with various advanced vehicle systems such as, for example, active suspension systems or autonomous driving features, is contemplated.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2019Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: ClearMotion, Inc.Inventors: Vijayaraghavan Sridhar, John Parker Eisenmann, Yu Jiang, David Francis Weatherwax
-
Patent number: 11760339Abstract: In some embodiments, a rapid-response active suspension system controls suspension force and position for improving vehicle safety and drivability. The system may interface with various sensors that detect safety critical vehicle states and adjust the suspension of each wheel to improve safety. Pre-crash and collision sensors may notify the active suspension controller of a collision and the stance may be adjusted to improve occupant safety during an impact while maintaining active control of the wheels. Wheel forces may also be controlled to improve the effectiveness of vehicle safety systems such as ABS and ESP in order to improve traction. Also, bi-directional information may be communicated between the active suspension system and other vehicle safety systems such that each system may respond to information provided to the other.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2021Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: ClearMotion, Inc.Inventors: Zackary Martin Anderson, Marco Giovanardi, Clive Tucker, Jack A. Ekchian
-
Patent number: 11745558Abstract: A method of on-demand energy delivery to an active suspension system is disclosed. The suspension system includes an actuator body, a hydraulic pump, an electric motor, a plurality of sensors, an energy storage facility, and a controller. The method includes disposing an active suspension system in a vehicle between a wheel mount and a vehicle body, detecting a wheel event requiring control of the active suspension; and sourcing energy from the energy storage facility and delivering it to the electric motor in response to the wheel event.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2021Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: ClearMotion, Inc.Inventors: Zackary Martin Anderson, Marco Giovanardi, Clive Tucker, Jonathan R. Leehey, Colin Patrick O'Shea, Johannes Schneider, Vladimir Gorelik, Richard Anthony Zuckerman, Patrick W. Neil, Tyson David Sawyer, Ross J. Wendell
-
Publication number: 20230271594Abstract: A vehicle control system for a vehicle having a braking system and active suspension system is provided. The vehicle control system may be configured to adjust a normal component of a wheel force at one or more wheels of the vehicle to increase an average traction force at the one or more wheels during a braking event. The vehicle control system may adjust a normal component of a wheel force at one or more wheels based on reference road information, forward-looking road information, and/or vehicle sensor data.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2021Publication date: August 31, 2023Applicant: ClearMotion, Inc.Inventor: Allen Chung-Hao Chen
-
Patent number: 11733707Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the location of a vehicle are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for localizing a vehicle includes driving over a first road segment, identifying by a first localization system a set of candidate road segments, obtaining vertical motion data while driving over the first road segment, comparing the obtained vertical motion data to reference vertical motion data associated with at least one candidate road segment, and identifying, based on the comparison, a location of the vehicle. The use of such localization methods and systems in coordination with various advanced vehicle systems such as, for example, active suspension systems or autonomous driving features, is contemplated.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2020Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: ClearMotion, Inc.Inventors: Vijayaraghavan Sridhar, John Parker Eisenmann, Yu Jiang, David Francis Weatherwax
-
Patent number: 11724555Abstract: Disclosed embodiments are related to suspension systems including dampers and suspension actuators and related methods of control for mitigating the effects of potholes and other road surface discontinuities.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2019Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: ClearMotion, Inc.Inventors: Gert-Jan Alexander Vente, Matthew Jo Taylor
-
Publication number: 20230250811Abstract: A linear energy harvesting device that includes a housing and a piston that moves at least partially through the housing when it is compressed or extended from a rest position. When the piston moves, hydraulic fluid is pressurized and drives a hydraulic motor. The hydraulic motor drives an electric generator that produces electricity. Both the motor and generator are central to the device housing. Exemplary configurations are disclosed such as monotube, twin-tube, tri-tube and rotary based designs that each incorporates an integrated energy harvesting apparatus. By varying the electrical characteristics on an internal generator, the kinematic characteristics of the energy harvesting apparatus can be dynamically altered. In another mode, the apparatus can be used as an actuator to create linear movement.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2022Publication date: August 10, 2023Applicant: ClearMotion, Inc.Inventors: Clive Tucker, Ross J. Wendell, Zackary Martin Anderson, Evan Moen, Johannes Schneider, Zachary J. Jackowski, Sean C. Morton