Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Methods and systems related to determining the ordering and/or positioning of travel lanes on a road segment are disclosed. In some embodiments, this may include obtaining and clustering road surface profiles associated with a road segment using, for example, a degree of similarity or other appropriate metric. A lateral offset or position of the clustered profiles may be used in determining the lane ordering and/or position. The resulting lane specific information may be used to determine a travel lane for a vehicle by comparing a current road-profile obtained from the vehicle and the road profile information associated with the different lanes. In other embodiments, a method and/or system for augmenting a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signal may include using a raw GNSS signal and a GNSS location associated with terrain-based data to determine a lateral offset for use in determining a corrected GNSS location of the vehicle.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Various systems and methods are disclosed for anticipating the occurrence and/or mitigating the severity and/or duration of kinetosis experienced by one or more occupants of a vehicle. This is especially while the vehicle is travelling over a road surface and one or more occupants are performing tasks that require visual focus. Also, disclosed are systems and methods for predicting or otherwise determining aspects of head motion and characteristics of the eye motion of an occupant of a vehicle and of using that information to mitigate kinetosis by controlling an aspect of vehicle motion.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Presented herein, inter alia, are suspension system components having tuned accumulator sizing and/or stiffness. Such suspension system components are envisioned for use in a distributed active suspension system of a vehicle. In particular, through appropriate sizing of accumulators of a suspension system component of a vehicle, ride quality of the vehicle may be improved and so called “rough ride” issues may be precluded. Alternatively or additionally, various valves or alternative compliant mechanisms may be included in the suspension system component, so that desirable performance may be obtained for a range of operating conditions.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Integrated multiple actuator electro-hydraulic systems as well as their methods of use are described. Depending on the particular application, the integrated electro-hydraulic systems may exhibit different frequency responses and/or may be integrated into a single combined unit.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are hydraulic actuators and methods for the operation of actuators having variable relative pressure ratios. Further disclosed are methods for designing and/or operating a hydraulic actuator such that the actuator exhibits a variable relative pressure ratio. In certain embodiments, the relative pressure ratio of the hydraulic actuator may be dependent on one or more characteristics (such as, for example, frequency or rate of change) of an oscillating input to the hydraulic actuator.

Abstract: System and method for improving braking efficiency by increasing the magnitude of a frictional force between a tire of a vehicle wheel and a road surface. Braking efficiency may be improved by controlling the normal force applied on the wheel, with an active suspension actuator, based on the wheel's slip ratio.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.