Abstract: A method and apparatus for an adaptive, multi-axis suspension system providing both coarse and fine suspension for payloads such as passenger seats, trailers, passenger compartments of motor vehicles, shock/vibration generating devices etc. Coarse suspension control is provided to maintain the payload within a selected position regardless of the weight of the payload. Fine suspension control is provided by monitoring and analyzing vibration characteristics in time and/or frequency domains to determine a variable amount of damper resistance to be exerted by a magnetorheological (MR) device. A nominal damper resistance of the MR device is selected based at least on the combined weight of the payload. A piston of the MR device is centered about its throw range and the piston is actuated at angles not parallel to the movement of the payload to provide low-profile operation.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 2, 2013
Date of Patent:
December 27, 2016
Assignee:
Zero Shock Seating, LLC
Inventors:
Jody G. Robbins, William E. Woodbury, II