Patents by Inventor Luke BIRCH
Luke BIRCH 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: 20240109385Abstract: A control system (300) for controlling an active suspension system (104) of a vehicle (100), the control system comprising one or more controller (301), wherein the control system is configured to: obtain (908) information indicative of relative traction levels between different wheels (FL, FR, RL, RR) of the vehicle; and in dependence on the information, control (912) the active suspension system to increase normal force through a wheel (FR) of the vehicle having relatively high traction compared to one or more other wheels (FL, RL, RR) of the vehicle, and decrease normal force through a wheel (FL) of the vehicle having relatively low traction compared to one or more other wheels (FR, RL, RR) of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2021Publication date: April 4, 2024Inventors: Anesh MISTRY, Dennis LAUSECKER, Sam BROWN, Syed Asad ALI, Luke BIRCH, William BURDOCK, James KELLY
-
Publication number: 20240059118Abstract: A control system (300) for controlling an active suspension system (104) of a vehicle (100), the control system comprising one or more controller (301), wherein the control system is configured to: detect (1004) a ramp (202) approached by an overhang of the vehicle; and in dependence on detecting the ramp, control (1020) the active suspension system to modify a relative ride height between a leading ride height at a set of leading wheels (FL, FR) of the vehicle and a trailing ride height at a set of trailing wheels (RL, RR) of the vehicle, to increase a ramp angle (?, ?) of the vehicle relative to the ramp.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2021Publication date: February 22, 2024Inventors: Syed Asad ALI, Luke BIRCH, Dennis LAUSECKER, Sam BROWN, Anesh MISTRY, William BURDOCK, James KELLY
-
Publication number: 20240059119Abstract: A control system (300) for controlling an active suspension system (104) of a vehicle (100), the control system comprising one or more controller (301), wherein the control system is configured to: determine (804) that an entry condition is satisfied; in dependence on satisfaction of the entry condition, transmit (806) a request to the active suspension system to create clearance beneath a first wheel (FL, RR) of the vehicle but not create clearance beneath a plurality of other wheels (FR, RL) of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2021Publication date: February 22, 2024Inventors: Syed Asad ALI, Luke BIRCH, Sam BROWN, Dennis LAUSECKER, Anesh MISTRY, William BURDOCK, James KELLY
-
Publication number: 20240010041Abstract: A control system (300) for controlling an active suspension system (104) of a vehicle (100), the active suspension system comprising suspension actuators (502), the control system comprising one or more controller (301), wherein the control system is configured to: in dependence on an activation signal (904), provide (908) a control signal to the active suspension system to cause the suspension actuators of the active suspension system to repetitively pulse vertical force through wheels (FR, FL, RR, RL) of the vehicle in a controlled pattern determined by the one or more controller, to vary wheel-to-surface contact patch forces, wherein the pattern comprises repetitively pulsing vertical force through at least one of the wheels at a first phase and through at least one other of the wheels at a second phase.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2021Publication date: January 11, 2024Inventors: Anesh MISTRY, Luke BIRCH, Sam BROWN, Dennis LAUSECKER, Syed Asad ALI, William BURDOCK, James KELLY
-
Publication number: 20240001727Abstract: A control system (300) configured to control an active suspension system (104) of a vehicle (100), the control system comprising one or more controller (301), wherein the control system is configured to: determine (702) that the vehicle is travelling on or approaching repeating surface undulations; determine (709) vehicle speed; determine (708) an indication of surface wavelength of the repeating surface undulations; and control (722, 728) the active suspension system to control at least one of a leading wheel suspension frequency and a trailing wheel suspension frequency in dependence on the vehicle speed and surface wavelength.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2021Publication date: January 4, 2024Inventors: Elliot HEMES, Luke BIRCH, Dennis LAUSECKER, James KELLY, Syed Asad ALI
-
Publication number: 20240001932Abstract: A control system (300) for controlling an active suspension system (104) of a vehicle (100) to determine relative traction levels, the control system comprising one or more controller (301), wherein the control system is configured to (908): control the active suspension system to change normal force through a first subset of one or more wheels; determine a traction-dependent variable at each of the first subset of wheels to which known torque is applied; control the active suspension system to change normal force through a second subset of one or more wheels; and determine a traction-dependent variable at each of the second subset of wheels to which known torque is applied, wherein the traction-dependent variables indicate relative traction levels.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2021Publication date: January 4, 2024Inventors: Luke BIRCH, Dennis LAUSECKER, James KELLY, Syed Asad ALI
-
Publication number: 20240001728Abstract: A control system (300) for controlling an actuator arrangement (104) of a vehicle (100), the actuator arrangement being capable of modifying a camber angle of at least one wheel of the vehicle, the control system comprising one or more controller (301), wherein the control system is configured to: receive (1004) surface information indicative of a low-traction surface over which the vehicle is travelling; and independence on receiving the surface information, control (1012) the actuator arrangement of the vehicle such that a wheel-to-surface contact patch of the at least one wheel is laterally moved relative to the vehicle as a result of camber modification.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2021Publication date: January 4, 2024Inventors: Syed Asad ALI, Luke BIRCH, Dennis LAUSECKER, Sam BROWN, Anesh MISTRY, William BURDOCK, James KELLY
-
Publication number: 20230415535Abstract: A control system (300) for controlling an active suspension system (104) of a vehicle (100), the vehicle having one or more leading wheels (FL, FR) and one or more trailing wheels (RL, RR), the control system comprising one or more controller (301), wherein the control system is configured to: determine (708) that vehicle movement is impeded at a leading wheel (FR) of the vehicle; and in dependence on the determination, transmit (712) a transient force request to the active suspension system to transiently unload the leading wheel.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2021Publication date: December 28, 2023Inventors: Anesh MISTRY, Luke BIRCH, Sam BROWN, Dennis LAUSECKER, Syed Asad ALI, William BURDOCK, James KELLY
-
Publication number: 20230331056Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a method and to a control system for controlling an active suspension of a road vehicle comprising a vehicle body and a plurality of wheels, the control system comprising one or more controllers, the control system configured to: receive information indicative of a requirement for positive or negative vehicle acceleration in a first axis; and control the active suspension to commence modifying an angle of the vehicle body relative to the plurality of wheels about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis in dependence on the receiving an indication, before commencement of the vehicle acceleration.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2021Publication date: October 19, 2023Inventors: Luke BIRCH, Jim KELLY, Dennis LAUSECKER
-
Publication number: 20230294476Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a system for a vehicle comprising: a hydraulic suspension actuator comprising a piston, a first upper fluidic chamber and a second lower fluidic chamber, the first and second fluidic chambers separated by the piston; at least one actuator system module mounted to a subframe and laterally separated from the hydraulic suspension actuator, the at least one actuator system module comprising one or more actuator system components; a longitudinal beam located laterally between the hydraulic suspension actuator and the at least one actuator system module; and at least one conduit fluidly connecting the hydraulic suspension actuator and the at least one actuator system module, wherein the at least one conduit passes over the longitudinal beam.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2021Publication date: September 21, 2023Inventors: Luke BIRCH, Jim KELLY, Dennis LAUSECKER
-
Publication number: 20230294473Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a method and to a control system for controlling an active suspension of a vehicle, the control system comprising one or more controllers, the control system configured to: obtain information indicative of a change of gradient of a driving surface in a direction of travel; and control the active suspension to adjust relative ride height between a front and rear of a vehicle body of the vehicle above the driving surface beneath the vehicle in dependence on the change of gradient.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2021Publication date: September 21, 2023Inventors: Syed Asad ALI, Luke BIRCH, Dennis LAUSECKER, Jim KELLY, Jonathan LARSSON, William BURDOCK
-
Publication number: 20230294472Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a method and to a control system for controlling an active suspension of a vehicle, the control system comprising one or more controllers, the control system configured to: receive information indicative of the vehicle becoming stationary; and increase a force of the active suspension in dependence on the receiving information indicative of the vehicle becoming stationary.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2021Publication date: September 21, 2023Inventors: Luke BIRCH, Dennis LAUSECKER, Jim KELLY
-
Publication number: 20230278387Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to an actuator system for a vehicle suspension system comprising: a first actuator comprising a piston, a first upper fluidic chamber and a second lower fluidic chamber, the first and second fluidic chambers separated by the piston; a second actuator comprising a piston, a first upper fluidic chamber and a second lower fluidic chamber, the first and second fluidic chambers separated by the piston; a first hydraulic gallery fluidly connecting the first upper fluidic chamber of the first actuator and one of the first and second fluidic chambers of the second actuator; a second hydraulic gallery fluidly connecting the second lower fluidic chamber of the first actuator and the other of the first and second fluidic chambers of the second actuator; and at least one pump configured to pump fluid between the first and second hydraulic galleries.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2021Publication date: September 7, 2023Inventors: Luke BIRCH, Dennis LAUSECKER
-
Publication number: 20230271469Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a method and to a control system for controlling an active suspension of a vehicle, the control system comprising one or more controllers, the control system configured to: determine whether a transient suspension disturbance to the vehicle is from within a cabin of the vehicle; and control a variable force parameter of the active suspension in dependence on whether the transient suspension disturbance is from within the cabin of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2021Publication date: August 31, 2023Inventors: Luke BIRCH, Jim KELLY, Dennis LAUSECKER
-
Publication number: 20230271470Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a method and to a control system for controlling an active suspension of a vehicle comprising a vehicle body and a plurality of wheels, the control system comprising one or more controllers, the control system configured to: receive information indicative of a requirement for ingress/egress of passengers and/or cargo; receive information indicative that the ingress/egress is to occur with the vehicle on a sloped surface; and control the active suspension to reduce an angle of the vehicle body relative to horizontal, for the ingress/egress on the sloped surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2021Publication date: August 31, 2023Inventors: Jim KELLY, Luke BIRCH, Dennis LAUSECKER
-
Patent number: 11091000Abstract: An actuator system for a vehicle suspension system includes: an actuator having a piston and a first fluid chamber separated from a second fluid chamber by the piston; a hydraulic pump having a first port connected by a first hydraulic circuit to the first chamber via a first valve, the first valve being a damper valve operable to variably restrict flow of hydraulic fluid out of the first chamber; a first hydraulic accumulator connected to the first hydraulic circuit between the first port and the first valve; and a second hydraulic accumulator connected to the first port by a second valve, the second valve being a variable pressure relief valve operable to variably restrict flow of hydraulic fluid from the first port to the second hydraulic accumulator.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2018Date of Patent: August 17, 2021Assignee: JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITEDInventors: Luke Birch, Robert Neilson, James Robertson, Sam Brown
-
Patent number: 11084350Abstract: An actuator system for a vehicle suspension system including: an actuator having a piston and a first fluid chamber separated from a second fluid chamber by the piston; a hydraulic pump having a first port, a first hydraulic circuit operable to connect the first port to the first chamber, the first hydraulic circuit including a first valve, the first valve being a damper valve operable to variably restrict flow of hydraulic fluid out of the first chamber; a first hydraulic accumulator connected to a first gallery of the first hydraulic circuit between the first port and the first valve; a second hydraulic accumulator connected to a second port of the pump via a second gallery; and a second valve, the second valve being a variable pressure relief valve operable to variably restrict flow of hydraulic fluid from the first gallery to the second gallery.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2018Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITEDInventors: Luke Birch, Sam Brown, Robert Neilson, James Robertson
-
Patent number: 11059342Abstract: An actuator system for a vehicle suspension system includes: an actuator having a piston and a first fluid chamber separated from a second fluid chamber by the piston; a hydraulic pump having a first port connected by a first hydraulic circuit to the first chamber via a first valve, the first valve being a damper valve operable to variably restrict flow of hydraulic fluid out of the first chamber; a first hydraulic accumulator connected to the first hydraulic circuit between the first port and the first valve; and a second hydraulic accumulator connected to the first port by a second valve, the second valve being a variable pressure relief valve operable to variably restrict flow of hydraulic fluid from the first port to the second hydraulic accumulator.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2018Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITEDInventors: Luke Birch, Sam Brown, Robert Neilson, James Robertson
-
Publication number: 20190084367Abstract: An actuator system for a vehicle suspension system including: an actuator having a piston and a first fluid chamber separated from a second fluid chamber by the piston; a hydraulic pump having a first port, a first hydraulic circuit operable to connect the first port to the first chamber, the first hydraulic circuit including a first valve, the first valve being a damper valve operable to variably restrict flow of hydraulic fluid out of the first chamber; a first hydraulic accumulator connected to a first gallery of the first hydraulic circuit between the first port and the first valve; a second hydraulic accumulator connected to a second port of the pump via a second gallery; and a second valve, the second valve being a variable pressure relief valve operable to variably restrict flow of hydraulic fluid from the first gallery to the second gallery.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2018Publication date: March 21, 2019Inventors: Luke BIRCH, Sam BROWN, Robert NEILSON, James ROBERTSON
-
Publication number: 20190084368Abstract: An actuator system for a vehicle suspension system includes: an actuator having a piston and a first fluid chamber separated from a second fluid chamber by the piston; a hydraulic pump having a first port connected by a first hydraulic circuit to the first chamber via a first valve, the first valve being a damper valve operable to variably restrict flow of hydraulic fluid out of the first chamber; a first hydraulic accumulator connected to the first hydraulic circuit between the first port and the first valve; and a second hydraulic accumulator connected to the first port by a second valve, the second valve being a variable pressure relief valve operable to variably restrict flow of hydraulic fluid from the first port to the second hydraulic accumulator.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2018Publication date: March 21, 2019Inventors: Luke BIRCH, Robert NEILSON, James ROBERTSON, Sam BROWN