Patents by Inventor Bert VANDERSMISSEN

Bert VANDERSMISSEN 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).

  • Publication number: 20250091401
    Abstract: An accumulator checking method comprises setting a present state of an accumulator check to a first state, determining first target open and closed states for valves of a suspension system based on the present state being set to the first state, selectively opening and closing the valves according to the first target open and closed states, respectively, when the valves are in the first target open and closed states, respectively, selectively operating an electric pump in a first direction and increasing a pressure of hydraulic fluid in a first portion of the suspension system including an accumulator, selectively opening one or more of the valves and decreasing the pressure in the first portion after the increasing, selectively recording the pressure in the first portion based on a second derivative of the pressure while the pressure is decreasing, and selectively diagnosing a fault in the accumulator based on the recorded pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2024
    Publication date: March 20, 2025
    Inventors: Nandish CALCHAND, Bert VANDERSMISSEN, Stein SLOOTMAEKERS, Peter BOON, Monzer AL SAKKA, Kylian PRAET
  • Patent number: 12168378
    Abstract: A system includes: a state module configured to selectively set a present state to a first state; a valve control module configured to determine first target open and closed states for valves of a suspension system based on the present state and to open and close the valves of the suspension system according to the first target open and closed states, respectively; a pump control module configured to, when the valves are in the first target open and closed states, respectively, selectively operate an electric pump of the suspension system in a first direction and increase a pressure of hydraulic fluid in a first portion of the suspension system including an accumulator, where the valve control module is configured to decrease the pressure in the first portion after the increase; and a diagnosis module configured to selectively diagnose a fault in the accumulator based on a pressure during the decrease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: DRiV Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Nandish Calchand, Bert Vandersmissen, Stein Slootmaekers, Peter Boon, Monzer Al Sakka, Kylian Praet
  • Patent number: 12109864
    Abstract: A damping control system includes: a damping chamber connected to one of (a) a body of a vehicle and (b) a wheel of the vehicle; a piston that is slidably disposed within the damping chamber and that includes: a piston rod that is connected to the other one of (a) the body of the vehicle and (b) the wheel of the vehicle; and a plunger that is connected to the piston rod and that divides the damping chamber into a first chamber and a second chamber; a first valve that regulates hydraulic fluid flow out of the first chamber; and a valve control module configured to selectively close the first valve when a position of the plunger is between (a) a first reference position within the first chamber and (b) a first end stop of the damping chamber that defines a boundary of the first chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: DRiV Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Bert Vandersmissen, Thom Heylands, Nandish Calchand, Tom Borgers
  • Patent number: 12097739
    Abstract: A rinsing system includes: a pump control module configured to, when a hydraulic line is connected to a port that is fluidly connected to a hydraulic line of a suspension system, selectively operate a hydraulic fluid pump of the suspension system and pump hydraulic fluid from a hydraulic fluid tank of the suspension system through the hydraulic fluid pump toward the hydraulic line; and a valve control module configured to, when the hydraulic line is connected to the port and the hydraulic fluid pump is pumping hydraulic fluid, open valves of the suspension system and fluidly connect the hydraulic fluid pump with the hydraulic line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: DRIV Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Nandish Calchand, Bert Vandersmissen, Kylian Praet, Stein Slootmaekers, Peter Boon
  • Publication number: 20240286451
    Abstract: A damping control system includes: a damping chamber connected to one of (a) a body of a vehicle and (b) a wheel of the vehicle; a piston that is slidably disposed within the damping chamber and that includes: a piston rod that is connected to the other one of (a) the body of the vehicle and (b) the wheel of the vehicle; and a plunger that is connected to the piston rod and that divides the damping chamber into a first chamber and a second chamber; a first valve that regulates hydraulic fluid flow out of the first chamber; and a valve control module configured to selectively close the first valve when a position of the plunger is between (a) a first reference position within the first chamber and (b) a first end stop of the damping chamber that defines a boundary of the first chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2023
    Publication date: August 29, 2024
    Inventors: Bert VANDERSMISSEN, Thom Heylands, Nandish Calchand, Tom Borgers
  • Patent number: 12059937
    Abstract: A suspension system and associated control methods for improving comfort by disabling passive pitch stiffness in the suspension system by holding open electromechanical comfort valves positioned in a manifold assembly of the suspension system. The manifold comfort valves are held open to disable the passive pitch stiffness of the suspension system if the vehicle is traveling down a rough road or if the vehicle is approaching a discrete road event like a pot-hole or speed bump. Deactivation of the passive pitch stiffness of the suspension system is determined based on road classification information, saved road events, and/or real-time vehicle data from on-board sensors. The suspension system therefore reduces pitch angles during pitch events induced by inertial forces caused by driver inputs and disables the pitch stiffness when the pitch event is caused by road inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: DRiV Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Boon, Bert Vandersmissen, Frank Gommans
  • Patent number: 11938772
    Abstract: A system for grading filling of a suspension system includes: a pump control module configured to, during first and second periods, operate an electric pump of the suspension system in first and second directions and decreasing and increasing hydraulic fluid pressure within the suspension system, respectively; a monitoring module configured to: store a first pressure of hydraulic fluid within the suspension system measured using a pressure sensor when the first pressure is less than or equal a first predetermined pressure while the pump is operated in the first direction; and store a second pressure measured using the pressure sensor when the second pressure is greater than or equal a second predetermined pressure while the pump is operated in the second direction; and a grade module configured to determine a grade value for the filling of the suspension system based on the first and second pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: DRiV Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Bert Vandersmissen, Nandish Calchand, Kylian Praet, Stein Slootmaekers, Peter Boon
  • Patent number: 11912092
    Abstract: A system includes: a state module configured to selectively set a present state to a first state; a valve control module configured to determine first target open and closed states for valves of a suspension system based on the present state and to open and close the valves according to the first target open and closed states, respectively; a pump control module configured to, when the valves are in the first target open and closed states, respectively, selectively operate an electric pump in a first direction to increase hydraulic fluid pressure in a first portion of the suspension system; and a leak module configured to selectively diagnose a leak in a first one of the valves associated with the first state based on a first pressure in the first portion of the suspension system while the valves are open and closed according to the first target open and closed states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: DRiV Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Bert Vandersmissen, Stein Slootmaekers, Peter Boon
  • Patent number: 11904841
    Abstract: A suspension system and associated control methods for improving the effectiveness of driver assistance systems is disclosed where the driver assistance systems can generate and send requests to a suspension control unit (SCU) of the suspension system to actuate (e.g., close) one or more comfort valves in the suspension system to increase the roll stiffness and/or pitch stiffness of the suspension system when the driver assistance systems are taking corrective action. As part of a two-way communication between the suspension control unit (SCU) and the driver assistance systems, the suspension control unit (SCU) communicates target stiffnesses and/or calculated effective stiffnesses to the driver assistance systems, which is used to update the vehicle stability models used by the driver assistance systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: DRiV Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Bert Vandersmissen, Peter Boon
  • Patent number: 11865887
    Abstract: A suspension system and associated control methods that reduce temperature related fluctuations in the internal pressures and stiffness of the suspension system. A manifold assembly is connected in fluid communication with a plurality of dampers via hydraulic circuits and a pump assembly via a pump hydraulic line. Onboard sensors generate real-time data regarding the vehicle. A suspension control unit, arranged in electronic communication with the aforementioned components, monitors the real-time data, sets a target stiffness and a target pressure, calculates an effective stiffness based on the real-time data, determines if the effective stiffness is above or below the target stiffness and sets a new target pressure accordingly by making stepwise decreases or increases until the new target pressure is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: DRiV Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Boon, Bert Vandersmissen
  • Patent number: 11865889
    Abstract: A suspension system including four dampers where each damper includes compression and rebound chambers. The suspension system has four hydraulic circuits, each including a cross-over hydraulic line that extends between dampers located at opposite corners of the vehicle (i.e., between the front left and back right dampers or between the front right and back left dampers). The suspension system further includes four electromechanical comfort valves that open and close four bridge hydraulic lines that extend between the cross-over hydraulic lines at each corner of the vehicle. Each cross-over hydraulic line is connected to a manifold assembly by a corresponding manifold hydraulic line. The manifold assembly includes four manifold valves that are connected to a pump assembly and two manifold comfort valves. All six comfort valves are electromechanical valves that can be actuated to control the roll and pitch of the vehicle during cornering, braking, and acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: DRiV Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Bert Vandersmissen, Peter Boon
  • Patent number: 11697319
    Abstract: A suspension system including four dampers is disclosed where each damper includes a compression chamber and a rebound chamber. A first hydraulic circuit includes a front hydraulic line, a rear hydraulic line, and a first longitudinal hydraulic line that extends between and fluidly connects the front and rear hydraulic lines of the first hydraulic circuit. A second hydraulic circuit includes a front hydraulic line, a rear hydraulic line, and a second longitudinal hydraulic line that extends between and fluidly connects the front and rear hydraulic lines of the second hydraulic circuit. First and second longitudinal comfort valves are positioned in the first and second longitudinal hydraulic lines, respectively, between the front and rear hydraulic lines. Both of the first and second longitudinal comfort valves are electromechanical valves and can be actuated to couple and decouple front axle roll control from rear axle roll control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: DRiV Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Bert Vandersmissen, Peter Boon
  • Patent number: 11691474
    Abstract: A system for filling a tank of a suspension system with hydraulic fluid includes: a module configured to turn on an external pump and pump hydraulic fluid into the suspension system, where the external pump is separate from the suspension system and is configured to pump hydraulic fluid into the suspension system via a port fluidly connected to a hydraulic line of the suspension system; and a fill module configured to, after operating the external pump, operate a pump of the suspension system and pump hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic line into the tank of the suspension system thereby filling the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: DRiV Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Boon, Stein Slootmaekers, Nandish Calchand, Bert Vandersmissen
  • Patent number: 11685220
    Abstract: A control system includes: a target volume module configured to determine a target volume of hydraulic fluid within a suspension system of a vehicle based on a target pressure of the hydraulic fluid within the suspension system; a volume command module configured to generate a volume command based on the target volume and a present volume of the hydraulic fluid within first and second circuits; a command module configured to, based on the volume command, generate: a pump command for an electric hydraulic fluid pump; and first and second valve commands for first and second seat valves that regulate hydraulic fluid flow to and from the first and second circuits, respectively; a valve control module that actuates the first and second seat valves based on the first and second valve commands, respectively; and a pump control module that controls operation of the pump based on the pump command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: DRiV Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Nandish Calchand, Bert Vandersmissen, Thom Heylands
  • Publication number: 20230112405
    Abstract: A control system includes: a target volume module configured to determine a target volume of hydraulic fluid within a suspension system of a vehicle based on a target pressure of the hydraulic fluid within the suspension system; a volume command module configured to generate a volume command based on the target volume and a present volume of the hydraulic fluid within first and second circuits; a command module configured to, based on the volume command, generate: a pump command for an electric hydraulic fluid pump; and first and second valve commands for first and second seat valves that regulate hydraulic fluid flow to and from the first and second circuits, respectively; a valve control module that actuates the first and second seat valves based on the first and second valve commands, respectively; and a pump control module that controls operation of the pump based on the pump command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Inventors: Nandish CALCHAND, Bert VANDERSMISSEN, Thom HEYLANDS
  • Publication number: 20230115594
    Abstract: A rinsing system includes: a pump control module configured to, when a hydraulic line is connected to a port that is fluidly connected to a hydraulic line of a suspension system, selectively operate a hydraulic fluid pump of the suspension system and pump hydraulic fluid from a hydraulic fluid tank of the suspension system through the hydraulic fluid pump toward the hydraulic line; and a valve control module configured to, when the hydraulic line is connected to the port and the hydraulic fluid pump is pumping hydraulic fluid, open valves of the suspension system and fluidly connect the hydraulic fluid pump with the hydraulic line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Inventors: Nandish CALCHAND, Bert VANDERSMISSEN, Kylian PRAET, Stein SLOOTMAEKERS, Peter BOON
  • Publication number: 20230111759
    Abstract: A suspension system including four dampers is disclosed where each damper includes a compression chamber and a rebound chamber. A first hydraulic circuit includes a front hydraulic line, a rear hydraulic line, and a first longitudinal hydraulic line that extends between and fluidly connects the front and rear hydraulic lines of the first hydraulic circuit. A second hydraulic circuit includes a front hydraulic line, a rear hydraulic line, and a second longitudinal hydraulic line that extends between and fluidly connects the front and rear hydraulic lines of the second hydraulic circuit. First and second longitudinal comfort valves are positioned in the first and second longitudinal hydraulic lines, respectively, between the front and rear hydraulic lines. Both of the first and second longitudinal comfort valves are electromechanical valves and can be actuated to couple and decouple front axle roll control from rear axle roll control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Inventors: Bert VANDERSMISSEN, Peter BOON
  • Publication number: 20230113777
    Abstract: A system for grading filling of a suspension system includes: a pump control module configured to, during first and second periods, operate an electric pump of the suspension system in first and second directions and decreasing and increasing hydraulic fluid pressure within the suspension system, respectively; a monitoring module configured to: store a first pressure of hydraulic fluid within the suspension system measured using a pressure sensor when the first pressure is less than or equal a first predetermined pressure while the pump is operated in the first direction; and store a second pressure measured using the pressure sensor when the second pressure is greater than or equal a second predetermined pressure while the pump is operated in the second direction; and a grade module configured to determine a grade value for the filling of the suspension system based on the first and second pressures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Inventors: Bert VANDERSMISSEN, Nandish CALCHAND, Kylian PRAET, Stein SLOOTMAEKERS, Peter BOON
  • Publication number: 20230114717
    Abstract: A suspension system and associated control methods that reduce temperature related fluctuations in the internal pressures and stiffness of the suspension system. A manifold assembly is connected in fluid communication with a plurality of dampers via hydraulic circuits and a pump assembly via a pump hydraulic line. Onboard sensors generate real-time data regarding the vehicle. A suspension control unit, arranged in electronic communication with the aforementioned components, monitors the real-time data, sets a target stiffness and a target pressure, calculates an effective stiffness based on the real-time data, determines if the effective stiffness is above or below the target stiffness and sets a new target pressure accordingly by making stepwise decreases or increases until the new target pressure is reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Inventors: Peter BOON, Bert VANDERSMISSEN
  • Publication number: 20230111977
    Abstract: A suspension system and associated control methods for improving comfort by disabling passive pitch stiffness in the suspension system by holding open electromechanical comfort valves positioned in a manifold assembly of the suspension system. The manifold comfort valves are held open to disable the passive pitch stiffness of the suspension system if the vehicle is traveling down a rough road or if the vehicle is approaching a discrete road event like a pot-hole or speed bump. Deactivation of the passive pitch stiffness of the suspension system is determined based on road classification information, saved road events, and/or real-time vehicle data from on-board sensors. The suspension system therefore reduces pitch angles during pitch events induced by inertial forces caused by driver inputs and disables the pitch stiffness when the pitch event is caused by road inputs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Inventors: Peter BOON, Bert VANDERSMISSEN, Frank GOMMANS