Patents by Inventor Clive Tucker
Clive Tucker 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).
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Patent number: 11964530Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2022Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: ClearMotion, Inc.Inventors: Joseph Thomas Belter, Clive Tucker, Marco Giovanardi, Jack A. Ekchian, Zackary Martin Anderson, John A. Laplante
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Patent number: 11801780Abstract: Embodiments related to active vibration isolation systems for a vehicle seat, as well as their methods of use, are disclosed. In some embodiments, an active suspension system may be configured to support a seat above a floor of a vehicle. The active suspension system may include two or more actuators that may be operated cooperatively to control both the roll and heave of the vehicle seat. In some instances, these actuators may also be non-back-drivable actuators. Additionally, in some embodiments, an active suspension system may include one or more torsion springs that apply torques in parallel with associated actuators of the active suspension system to support at least a portion of the loads applied to the active suspension system during operation.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2020Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: ClearMotion Acquisition I LLCInventors: Clive Tucker, Ross J. Wendell, Thomas James Cashman, Jr.
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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
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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
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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
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Publication number: 20230249512Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2022Publication date: August 10, 2023Applicant: ClearMotion, Inc.Inventors: Joseph Thomas Belter, Clive Tucker, Marco Giovanardi, Jack A. Ekchian, Zackary Martin Anderson, John A. Laplante
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Patent number: 11635075Abstract: 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: May 17, 2022Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: ClearMotion, Inc.Inventors: John Giarratana, William G. Near, Colin Patrick O'Shea, Tyson David Sawyer, Johannes Schneider, Clive Tucker, Richard Anthony Zuckerman, Zackary Martin Anderson, Marco Giovanardi, Jack A. Ekchian
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Patent number: 11541713Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2020Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: ClearMotion, Inc.Inventors: Joseph Thomas Belter, Clive Tucker, Marco Giovanardi, Jack A. Ekchian, Zackary Martin Anderson, John A. Laplante
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Patent number: 11511590Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2020Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: ClearMotion, Inc.Inventors: Joseph Thomas Belter, Clive Tucker, Marco Giovanardi, Jack A. Ekchian, Zackary Martin Anderson, John A. Laplante
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Publication number: 20220373003Abstract: Hydraulic systems and methods for reducing the propagation of flow and/or pressure pulsations within a hydraulic system are described. In one embodiment, a hydraulic system may include a hydraulic device and a differential buffer fluidly connected to the hydraulic device. The differential buffer may include a piston that is exposed to pressure pulsations that propagate along separate flow paths and that are at least partially out of phase with one another. Corresponding displacement of the piston due to the out of phase pulsations may at least partially mitigate propagation of the pulsations within the hydraulic system downstream from the differential buffer.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2020Publication date: November 24, 2022Applicant: ClearMotion, Inc.Inventors: Colin Patrick O'Shea, Brian Alexander Selden, Clive Tucker
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Patent number: 11499535Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 16, 2020Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: ClearMotion, Inc.Inventors: Clive Tucker, Ross J. Wendell, Zackary Martin Anderson, Evan Moen, Johannes Schneider, Zachary J. Jackowski, Sean C. Morton
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Publication number: 20220185056Abstract: Active suspension actuator systems including an actuator with a compression volume and an extension volume are described. In some embodiments, the system includes one or more flow control devices in fluid communication with the compression volume and/or the extension volume of the actuator. In some instances, a flow control device may include a pressure balanced blow-off valve (PBOV). In some embodiments, the system includes a high capacity bidirectional base valve. In some embodiments, two or more flow control devices cooperate to, for example, damp low amplitude oscillations in the extension and/or compression volumes, and to allow the build-up of pump generated differential pressures while discharging rapid road induced differential pressure spikes between the extension and compression volumes.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2020Publication date: June 16, 2022Applicant: ClearMotion, Inc.Inventors: Joseph Thomas Belter, Brian Alexander Selden, Jason Steven Sirois, Mathijs van Staalduinen, Clive Tucker, Taha Zeki Ramazanoglu
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Publication number: 20220126640Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2021Publication date: April 28, 2022Applicant: 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