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.

Abstract: A state module selectively sets a present state to a first state in a predetermined order of states; a valve control module determines first target open and closed states for valves of a suspension system based on the present state and opens and closes 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 of the suspension system in a first direction and pump hydraulic fluid toward the suspension system; and a diagnosis module configured to: record first and second values of pressures within the suspension system measured using pressure sensors, respectively, before and after the operation of the electric pump in the first direction, respectively; and selectively diagnose faults in a first subset of the valves based on whether pressure increases occurred.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: A state module selectively sets a present state to a first state in a predetermined order of states; a valve control module determines first target open and closed states for valves of a suspension system based on the present state and opens and closes 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 of the suspension system in a first direction and pump hydraulic fluid toward the suspension system; and a diagnosis module configured to: record first and second values of pressures within the suspension system measured using pressure sensors, respectively, before and after the operation of the electric pump in the first direction, respectively; and selectively diagnose faults in a first subset of the valves based on whether pressure increases occurred.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: A sensing system includes a sensor including a flexible substrate and a graphene oxide sensing element deposited on the flexible substrate. The graphene oxide sensing element has first and second sides. First and second electrical connectors coupled to the first and second sides of the graphene oxide sensing element, respectively. A power source is coupled to the first and second electrical connectors of the sensor and is adapted to apply a constant voltage to the sensor. The sensing system also includes a measurement element measuring a current in the graphene oxide sensing element due to the constant voltage and a calculation element calculating an electrical resistance of the graphene oxide sensing element based on the electrical current and the constant voltage and calculating a condition at a location of the sensor based on a relationship between the electrical resistance and the condition for the graphene oxide sensing element.