Patents by Inventor Jack A. Ekchian

Jack A. Ekchian 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: 20210268943
    Abstract: Embodiments related to the operation of an active seat suspension using prefiltered road data are described. In one embodiment, the prefiltered road data may be filtered to exclude road and/or driving inputs with low frequencies, or long length scales, such as hills, curves Such an embodiment may at least partially reduce operation of an active seat suspension in response to these low frequency long length scale of inputs where displacements of the vehicle may be greater than a range of motion of the active seat suspension while still permitting the active seat suspension to respond to higher frequency inputs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Applicant: ClearMotion Acquisition I LLC
    Inventors: Jack A. EKCHIAN, Pankaj CHOPRA, Ari GORDIN
  • Publication number: 20210268942
    Abstract: Embodiments related to active seat suspensions as well as their methods of operation are disclosed. In one particular embodiment, a failure state of an active seat suspension may be detected after which operation of one or more actuators of the active seat suspension may be limited in response to the detected failure state. In another embodiment, a crash or imminent crash of a vehicle may be detected and an active seat suspension may be operated to lower a seat connected thereto to lower the seat toward an underlying portion of the vehicle. In yet another embodiment, operation of an active seat suspension may be limited to reduce a temperature of the active seat suspension when a rate of change and/or a magnitude of a sensed temperature of an actuator of an active seat suspension is greater than a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Applicant: ClearMotion Acquisition I LLC
    Inventors: Pankaj CHOPRA, Jack A. EKCHIAN, Ari GORDIN, Mario Flores ALANIS
  • Publication number: 20210221258
    Abstract: Embodiments related to systems and methods for controlling an active vehicle seat are described. In some embodiments, the active vehicle seat is controlled based at least partly on internal sensor information, external sensor information, and operator input from a user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Applicant: ClearMotion Acquisition I LLC
    Inventors: Jack A. Ekchian, Ari Gordin, Pankaj Chopra, Zackary Martin Anderson
  • Publication number: 20210172463
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Applicant: 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: 10906371
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: ClearMotion, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Thomas Belter, Clive Tucker, Marco Giovanardi, Jack A. Ekchian, Zackary Martin Anderson, John A. Laplante
  • Patent number: 10851816
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: 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
  • Publication number: 20200223274
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described where multiple linear and/or rotary actuators operate cooperatively in, for example, cross-linked arrangements to control the motion of sprung and unsprung masses in a vehicle. The actuators may include linear primary suspension actuators, spring perch actuators and/or rotary roll-bar actuators that, in some operating modes, are driven directly or indirectly by one or more hydraulic machines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Applicant: ClearMotion, Inc.
    Inventors: Clive Tucker, Marco Giovanardi, Jack A. Ekchian
  • Publication number: 20200055362
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Applicant: 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
  • Publication number: 20200039316
    Abstract: In one embodiment, certain aspects of forces at a structural interface applied by one actuator are mitigated by a secondary actuator that applies a secondary force. In some embodiments the secondary actuator applies a static force. In yet another embodiment, an actuator is used to apply a force on a wheel assembly of a vehicle to detect and/or ameliorate the effect of certain tire incongruities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Applicant: ClearMotion, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Thomas Belter, Clive Tucker, Jack A. Ekchian, Colin Patrick O'Shea, Marco Giovanardi, David Ta-wei Hsu
  • Patent number: 10513161
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: 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
  • Publication number: 20190381998
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Applicant: ClearMotion, Inc.
    Inventors: Zackary Martin Anderson, Marco Giovanardi, Clive Tucker, Jack A. Ekchian
  • Patent number: 10480552
    Abstract: Presented herein are systems and methods that allow for adapting at least one dimension of an accumulator in a hydraulic system when faced with certain dimensional constraints and to vary the compliance or stiffness of an accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: ClearMotion, Inc.
    Inventors: Clive Tucker, Jason Steven Sirois, Jack A. Ekchian
  • Publication number: 20190308484
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Applicant: ClearMotion, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Thomas Belter, Clive Tucker, Marco Giovanardi, Jack A. Ekchian, Zackary Martin Anderson, John A. Laplante
  • Patent number: 10377371
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: ClearMotion, Inc.
    Inventors: Zackary Martin Anderson, Marco Giovanardi, Clive Tucker, Jack A. Ekchian
  • Publication number: 20180216639
    Abstract: Presented herein are systems and methods that allow for adapting at least one dimension of an accumulator in a hydraulic system when faced with certain dimensional constraints and to vary the compliance or stiffness of an accumulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Applicant: ClearMotion, Inc.
    Inventors: Clive Tucker, Jason Steven Sirois, Jack A. Ekchian
  • Publication number: 20180162186
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Applicant: 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: 9868332
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: 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: 9702424
    Abstract: Hydraulic bump stops and bi-directional diverter valves may be used to protect hydraulic systems, including, for example in one embodiment, the hydraulic actuators of an active suspension system, from damage due to operation outside the normal operating range of the system. In some embodiments, a hydraulic bump stop may be used to slow down the motion of a piston at the extremes of the compression and/or extension strokes of an actuator. In another embodiment, a diverter valve may be used to protect a hydraulic motor/pump in a hydraulic system from an over-speed condition. When the piston in an active suspension system actuator moves at a speed in excess of a threshold value, one or more diverter valves may be used to divert flow away from the hydraulic motor/pump. In some embodiments, a diverter valve may be a dual or single spool bi-directional diverter valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: ClearMotion, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Anthony Zuckerman, Clive Tucker, Colin Patrick O'Shea, Jack A. Ekchian
  • Publication number: 20170137023
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: Levant Power Corporation
    Inventors: Zackary Martin Anderson, Marco Giovanardi, Clive Tucker, Jack A. Ekchian
  • Publication number: 20170136842
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: Levant Power Corporation
    Inventors: Zackary Martin Anderson, Marco Giovanardi, Jack A. Ekchian, Olivia D. Godwin, Clive Tucker, John A. Laplante, William Graves, Shakeel Avadhany, Michael W. Finnegan