Patents by Inventor Sridhar R. Thirupathi

Sridhar R. Thirupathi 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).

  • Active suspension systems and components using piezoelectric sensing and actuation devices
    Patent number: 5390949
    Abstract: A lightweight, high performance, active suspension system utilizing piezoelectric regulated springs, and a method of manufacturing the suspension system, is described. Piezoelectric material is bonded to suspension springs, and excited appropriately to vary the stiffness of the suspension system. A method of controlling the stiffness of a spring includes piezoelectric material bonded to the spring, a sensor system for generating a signal proportional to the loading imposed on the spring, and controller for exciting the piezoelectric material in response to the signal. A control system for controlling the stiffness of a spring including embedding a plurality of piezoelectric particles within an electrically conductive matrix forming the body of the spring is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: The University of Toledo
    Inventors: Ganapathy Naganathan, Sridhar R. Thirupathi