Abstract: A shock absorber includes a first tube defining a first chamber and a piston head movably disposed within the first chamber. A hollow piston rod extends from the piston head. The hollow piston rod defines a rod chamber, and a tuned vibration absorber is disposed within the rod chamber of the hollow piston rod.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension structure includes a hollow structural component and a Tuned Vibration Absorber disposed inside the hollow structural component.

Abstract: A system for reconfiguring a vehicle geometry is disclosed. The system includes a configuration system configured to alter the vehicle geometry, a communication system, and a controller in communication with the configuration system and the communication system, the controller configured to receive a configuration signal from the communication system, determine a configuration control signal, and automatically control the configuration system based on the control signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that cancel component noise are provided. The method includes: detecting a trigger to activate component noise cancellation, in response to detecting the trigger, receiving feedforward information from a component, generating noise cancellation information based on the feedforward information, and outputting a noise cancellation sound according to the noise cancellation information.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a chassis and a vehicle body supported by the chassis. At least one dynamically adjustable body mount connects the vehicle body to the chassis. The at least one dynamically adjustable body mount includes a selectively adjustable parameter. One or more vehicle sensors is associated with the vehicle. The one or more vehicle sensors is operable to detect one or more vehicle parameters. A control system is operatively connected to the at least one dynamically adjustable body mount and the one or more vehicle sensors. The control system is operable to alter the selectively adjustable parameter of the at least one dynamically adjustable body mount to substantially isolate the body from road and vehicle induced vibration in response to at least one of the one or more vehicle parameters and the one or more road surface parameters.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a chassis and a vehicle body supported by the chassis. At least one dynamically adjustable body mount connects the vehicle body to the chassis. The at least one dynamically adjustable body mount includes a selectively adjustable parameter. One or more vehicle sensors is associated with the vehicle. The one or more vehicle sensors is operable to detect one or more vehicle parameters. A control system is operatively connected to the at least one dynamically adjustable body mount and the one or more vehicle sensors. The control system is operable to alter the selectively adjustable parameter of the at least one dynamically adjustable body mount to substantially isolate the body from road and vehicle induced vibration in response to at least one of the one or more vehicle parameters and the one or more road surface parameters.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a first tube defining a first chamber and a piston head movably disposed within the first chamber. A hollow piston rod extends from the piston head. The hollow piston rod defines a rod chamber, and a tuned vibration absorber is disposed within the rod chamber of the hollow piston rod.

Abstract: A system for determining dynamic properties of a chassis component includes a first fixture, a second fixture spaced from the first fixture, and a chassis component arranged between the first and second fixtures. The chassis component has a first end arranged at the first fixture and a second end arranged at the second fixture. A shaker system is arranged at the first end of the chassis component. A first multi-axis force transducer is arranged between the shaker system and the chassis component. The first multi-axis force transducer includes at least a 3 degree of freedom (DOF) sensing capability. A second multi-axis force transducer is arranged between the second end of the chassis component and the second fixture. The second multi-axis force transducer includes at least a 3 degree of freedom (DOF) sensing capability. A controller is coupled to the shaker system, and the first and second multi-axis dynamic force transducers.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes traction wheels, a powertrain configured to transmit drive power to the traction wheels, a sensor configured to detect a presence of an occupant, an actuator configured to control vehicle steering, acceleration, braking, or shifting, and at least one controller configured to automatically control the actuator based on an automated driving system algorithm. The powertrain is selectively operable in a first mode having a first operating characteristic and a second mode having a second operating characteristic. The controller is further configured to control the powertrain in the first mode in response to the sensor detecting an occupant being present and the actuator being controlled based on the automated driving system algorithm, and in the second mode in response to the sensor detecting no occupant being present and the actuator being controlled based on the automated driving system algorithm.

Abstract: A system for reconfiguring a vehicle geometry is disclosed. The system includes a configuration system configured to alter the vehicle geometry, a communication system, and a controller in communication with the configuration system and the communication system, the controller configured to receive a configuration signal from the communication system, determine a configuration control signal, and automatically control the configuration system based on the control signal.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes traction wheels, a powertrain configured to transmit drive power to the traction wheels, a sensor configured to detect a presence of an occupant, an actuator configured to control vehicle steering, acceleration, braking, or shifting, and at least one controller configured to automatically control the actuator based on an automated driving system algorithm. The powertrain is selectively operable in a first mode having a first operating characteristic and a second mode having a second operating characteristic. The controller is further configured to control the powertrain in the first mode in response to the sensor detecting an occupant being present and the actuator being controlled based on the automated driving system algorithm, and in the second mode in response to the sensor detecting no occupant being present and the actuator being controlled based on the automated driving system algorithm.

Abstract: A damper assembly includes a housing that defines an interior chamber. A rod is supported by the housing, and is at least partially disposed within the interior chamber. A piston assembly is attached to the rod within the interior chamber. The piston assembly separates the interior chamber into at least a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber. The piston assembly includes an annular plate defining at least one orifice, which interconnects the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber in fluid communication. The piston assembly includes at least one valve disc that is disposed adjacent a first face of the annular plate. An SMA device is disposed in contact with the valve disc. The SMA device is changeable between a first state and a second state, at a transition temperature, to control a bending stiffness of the valve disc to adjust a damping rate.

Abstract: A system for determining dynamic properties of a chassis component includes a first fixture, a second fixture spaced from the first fixture, and a chassis component arranged between the first and second fixtures. The chassis component has a first end arranged at the first fixture and a second end arranged at the second fixture. A shaker system is arranged at the first end of the chassis component. A first multi-axis force transducer is arranged between the shaker system and the chassis component. The first multi-axis force transducer includes at least a 3 degree of freedom (DOF) sensing capability. A second multi-axis force transducer is arranged between the second end of the chassis component and the second fixture. The second multi-axis force transducer includes at least a 3 degree of freedom (DOF) sensing capability. A controller is coupled to the shaker system, and the first and second multi-axis dynamic force transducers.

Abstract: A damper assembly includes a housing that defines an interior chamber. A rod is supported by the housing, and is at least partially disposed within the interior chamber. A piston assembly is attached to the rod within the interior chamber. The piston assembly separates the interior chamber into at least a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber. The piston assembly includes an annular plate defining at least one orifice, which interconnects the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber in fluid communication. The piston assembly includes at least one valve disc that is disposed adjacent a first face of the annular plate. An SMA device is disposed in contact with the valve disc. The SMA device is changeable between a first state and a second state, at a transition temperature, to control a bending stiffness of the valve disc to adjust a damping rate.

Abstract: A damper assembly includes a housing and rod supported by the housing. A piston assembly is attached to the rod, and is positioned to separate an interior chamber of the housing into a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber. The piston assembly includes an annular plate that defines at least one orifice. The orifice interconnects the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber in fluid communication. The damper assembly includes a piezoelectric device that is moveable between a disengaged position and an engaged position, in response to a control signal. When disposed in the disengaged position, the piezoelectric device does not affect fluid flow through the at least one orifice. When disposed in the engaged position, the piezoelectric device does affect fluid flow through the at least one orifice, to adjust a damping rate of the piston assembly.

Abstract: A damper assembly includes a housing and rod supported by the housing. A piston assembly is attached to the rod, and is positioned to separate an interior chamber of the housing into a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber. The piston assembly includes an annular plate that defines at least one orifice. The orifice interconnects the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber in fluid communication. The damper assembly includes a piezoelectric device that is moveable between a disengaged position and an engaged position, in response to a control signal. When disposed in the disengaged position, the piezoelectric device does not affect fluid flow through the at least one orifice. When disposed in the engaged position, the piezoelectric device does affect fluid flow through the at least one orifice, to adjust a damping rate of the piston assembly.

Abstract: Electric power steering systems and a method for controlling an electric power steering system are provided. The method, for example, includes, but is not limited to, determining, by a controller, a speed of a vehicle based upon data from a sensor, and adjusting, by the controller, a stiffness of an isolator in an electric power steering system via at least one piezoelectric device embedded in the isolator based upon the determined speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: A panel assembly includes a first panel defining a surface, and a boom attenuation panel. The boom attenuation panel includes a circumferential edge, and a central portion. The boom attenuation panel is attached to the surface of the first panel, along the circumferential edge of the boom attenuation panel. The central portion of the boom attenuation panel is spaced from the surface of the first panel a gap distance to form a gas chamber between the surface of the first panel and the central portion of the boom attenuation panel. The gas chamber contains a gas that is moveable within the gas chamber in response to wave-like motion of the first panel. Movement of the gas increases the effective acoustic mass of the boom attenuation panel, and damped the wave-like motion of the first panel, which operates to reduce noise generated from the wave-like motion of the first panel.

Abstract: A panel assembly includes a first panel defining a surface, and a boom attenuation panel. The boom attenuation panel includes a circumferential edge, and a central portion. The boom attenuation panel is attached to the surface of the first panel, along the circumferential edge of the boom attenuation panel. The central portion of the boom attenuation panel is spaced from the surface of the first panel a gap distance to form a gas chamber between the surface of the first panel and the central portion of the boom attenuation panel. The gas chamber contains a gas that is moveable within the gas chamber in response to wave-like motion of the first panel. Movement of the gas increases the effective acoustic mass of the boom attenuation panel, and damped the wave-like motion of the first panel, which operates to reduce noise generated from the wave-like motion of the first panel.

Abstract: An elastically deformable alignment fastener has the form of a unitary object having a head portion and an integrally formed body portion. The body portion has an elastically deformable lobular hollow tube having a proximal end proximate the head portion and a distal end axially displaced from the head portion. The lobular hollow tube has an outer surface having one or more retention features oriented to provide a plurality of radially extending engagement surfaces along a length of the hollow tube. The head portion has a flange that circumscribes the proximal end of the lobular hollow tube. Portions of the elastically deformable lobular hollow tube when inserted into circular apertures of first and second components elastically deform to an elastically averaged final configuration that aligns the first and second components in four planar orthogonal directions.