By Applying Reciprocating Or Oscillating Motion Patents (Class 73/11.08)
  • Patent number: 11850904
    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: October 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    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: 11701938
    Abstract: A suspension monitoring and adjustment system for an off-road vehicle includes a distance sensor arranged to measure shock displacement of a suspension of the vehicle. The system may include an output device configured to output shock displacement data generated by the distance sensor and a processor or programmable circuit operable to produce a visual representation of the shock displacement data output by the output device. The system may include a processor or programmable circuit operable to generate an adjustment signal based on shock displacement data generated by the distance sensor and a suspension adjuster arranged to adjust the suspension of the vehicle in response to the adjustment signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Inventors: Ronald D. Shaw, David M. Byrd, Cody Byrd, Evan Shaw
  • Patent number: 11313766
    Abstract: In the chassis dynamometer apparatus, a pedestal contains a mounting frame on which a load motor is mounted, and a base under the mounting frame. Provided that a longitudinal direction of a vehicle is an x-axis direction and a width direction of the vehicle is a y-axis direction, a first movable mount(s) slidable in one side of the x-axis or y-axis direction, a second movable stand slidable in the other side of the x-axis or y-axis direction, and a spherical joint tiltable and rotatable in an arbitrary direction are connected in series between the mounting frame and the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: TOYO DENKI SEIZO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hodaka Seto
  • Patent number: 11192420
    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: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    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: 11067480
    Abstract: Disclosed is a half-vehicle floating device and a half-vehicle position tracking method based on load feedback. The device includes a rack, an active platform, a position-measuring triangle frame and a position-measuring platform. Guide rails corresponding to the active platform and the position-measuring platform are provided vertically on the rack. The active platform and the position-measuring platform are respectively placed on a corresponding rail through a slider. The bottom of the active platform is hinged to a first corner of an active triangle frame through an active slider rod, and a second corner of the active triangle is hinged to the rack and connected to an inverter motor through a transmission device. The bottom of the position-measuring platform is hinged to a first corner of the position-measuring triangle frame through a position measuring slider rod, and a second corner of the position-measuring triangle frame is hinged to the rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Hunan University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Yong Guo, Zhewu Chen, Ningke Tong, Juchuan Dai, Shuyi Yang, Qihui Ling, Hongzhou Li
  • Patent number: 10564071
    Abstract: Provided is an examination method for a damping force variable mechanism, the examination method including: an operation step of operating a damper in a state in which the damper is installed in a vehicle, the damper being provided with a damping force variable mechanism that changes a damping force according to an input current (an example of a signal); and a detection step of detecting an induction current (an example of an output from the vehicle) from the damping force variable mechanism of the damper installed in the vehicle, wherein a detection device that performs the operation of the detection step is provided. Thus, the damping force variable mechanism of a pressure damping device can be examined in a state in which the damping force variable mechanism is installed in the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignees: Showa Corporation, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiryo Konakai, Ken Issiki, Ryoma Kanda, Yukihiro Orimoto, Koichi Shibusawa, Tomohiro Yamazaki
  • 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
  • Patent number: 10016328
    Abstract: A vibrator comprises an upper, lightweight, honeycomb rocker plate suspended above a rigid, lower base by a pair of triangular truss rocker arms. A pair of rigid, parallel, spaced-apart stringers within the vibrator rise upwardly from the lower base. A rocker shaft extending between the stringers pivots the rocker arms near their midpoint. A motor secured to the base within the vibrator drives a spaced-apart flywheel assembly that is mounted with a crankshaft journaled between the stringers. The motor is coupled to the flywheel assembly with a drive belt extending between suitable pulleys. The flywheel assembly crankshaft terminates in spaced apart, offset portions that reciprocate connecting rods linked to one end of the triangular truss rocker arms that vigorously vibrate the rocker plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Global Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney D Treat, Stanislav P Kligman, Thomas A Janosky
  • 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: 9772184
    Abstract: A device and method for centering a vehicle in a test stand having at least two pairs of rollers for supporting at least one of the front wheels and the rear wheels of the vehicle, and a measurement system. A controller is connected to the steering system of the vehicle, with which the steering angle of at least one of the front wheels and the rear wheels can be changed in accordance with data of the measurement system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Thomas Hub
  • Patent number: 9645035
    Abstract: An apparatus imparts motion to a test object such as a motor vehicle in a controlled fashion. A base has mounted on it a linear electromagnetic motor having a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the base. A pneumatic cylinder and piston combination have a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the base so that the pneumatic cylinder and piston combination is generally parallel with the linear electromagnetic motor. The second ends of the linear electromagnetic motor and pneumatic cylinder and piston combination being commonly linked to a mount for the test object. A control system for the linear electromagnetic motor and pneumatic cylinder and piston combination drives the pneumatic cylinder and piston combination to support a substantial static load of the test object and the linear electromagnetic motor to impart controlled motion to the test object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignees: Roehrig Engineering, Inc., Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen C. Southward, Chandler Reubush, Bryan Pittman, Kurt Roehrig, Doug Gerard
  • Patent number: 9459168
    Abstract: A load-sensing strut has a main body (26) having a longitudinal loading axis (A) along which an applied load is transmitted, and a load sensing member (38) arranged to carry at least a portion of the applied load when the load is within a predetermined range, wherein the load sensing member (38) includes at least one load sensor (46) generating a load signal. The strut also has a load alleviation member (36) arranged to reduce the portion of the applied load carried by the load sensing member (38) when the applied load is outside the predetermined loading range. Consequently, the load sensors exhibit greater sensitivity to incremental changes in the applied load within the predetermined range, yet the strut provides high strength and is capable of reacting to very high loads outside of the predetermined range. The strut may be used in actuating aircraft control surfaces in a high-lift system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Moog Inc.
    Inventors: Kerry Randall Kohuth, Derek Pedersen
  • Patent number: 9238393
    Abstract: A system may monitor a vibration isolating connection between a first part and a second part. The system may include a light source, an optical sensor mounted to receive light from the light source, and a processing unit for providing an output indicative of the deformation of the vibration isolating connection based on the output of the optical sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS (RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT) LIMITED
    Inventor: Stuart Gillies
  • Patent number: 8950274
    Abstract: A method for monitoring oscillation characteristics in a Coriolis, flow measuring device and to a correspondingly formed, Coriolis, flow measuring device in the case of which an excited oscillatory system is simulated with a digital model, which has at least one fittable parameter. The simulating includes, in such case, excitating the digital model in the same manner as the oscillatory system, calculating a simulation response variable of the simulated oscillations according to the digital model, and, performed over a plurality of signal modulations, iterative conforming of the at least one, fittable parameter in such a manner that the simulation response variable interatively approaches the response variable. Furthermore, it is ascertained whether a corresponding limit value is exceeded by the at least one, interatively ascertained parameter value for the at least one, fittable parameter or by at least one variable derived from the at least one, iteratively ascertained parameter value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventor: Remy Scherrer
  • Patent number: 8736201
    Abstract: In a drive control circuit of a linear vibration motor, a drive signal generating unit generates a drive signal used to alternately deliver a positive current and a negative current to a coil. A driver unit generates a drive current in response to the drive signal generated by the drive signal generating unit and supplies the drive current to the coil. An induced voltage detector detects an induced voltage occurring in the coil. After a running of the linear vibration motor has terminated, the drive signal generating unit generates a drive signal whose phase is opposite to that of the drive signal generated during the motor running; this drive signal of opposite phase includes a high impedance period during which the driver unit is controlled to a high impedance state. The induced voltage detector detects the induced voltage occurring in the coil during the high impedance period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Tsutomu Murata
  • Patent number: 8531139
    Abstract: In a drive control circuit of a linear vibration motor, a differential amplifier circuit includes an operational amplifier in which an P-channel type transistor is used as a transistor that receives an input voltage, and the differential amplifier circuit detects an induced voltage occurring in a coil. Before the H-bridge circuit is controlled to a high impedance state, a drive signal generating unit turns on a first transistor and a second transistor, and delivers a regenerative current through the coil, the first transistor, the second transistor and the power supply potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: On Semiconductor Trading, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsutomu Murata
  • Patent number: 8234917
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for monitoring errors in undercarriage components of rail vehicles, having at least one acceleration sensor which works with an evaluation unit. At least one acceleration sensor is arranged on the undercarriage of the rail vehicle in such a manner that its direction of detection has at least one component parallel to the vertical axis (z-direction) of the rail vehicle. The invention proposes that the acceleration sensor is constructed in such a manner that it delivers a measuring signal which contains the signal portion corresponding to a ground acceleration, or represents a signal corresponding to a ground acceleration, and that the evaluation unit has a routine for testing functions of the acceleration sensor, the routine controlling an error signal if the measuring signal delivered by the acceleration sensor contains no signal portion corresponding to a ground acceleration. The routine also suppresses the error signal if this is not the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Systeme fur Schienenfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Burkhart, Ulf Friesen
  • Patent number: 7191637
    Abstract: A method of testing a vibration damper mounted between a body and a wheel in a motor vehicle includes the steps of storing a parameter which corresponds to the damping force of a new vibration damper in a memory unit, wherein the parameter is the cushioning work of a tire relative to a defined excitation of a new vibration damper; subjecting the wheel to reciprocating excitation which causes the vibration damper to generate a damping force; determining the cushioning work of the tire based on the damping force during the reciprocating excitation; comparing the cushioning work of the tire during the reciprocating excitation with the parameter stored in the memory unit; and determining that the damper is defective when the cushioning work during the reciprocating excitation differs from the stored parameter by more than a predetermined amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Reinhard Sonnenburg
  • Patent number: 6327525
    Abstract: A method (60) of testing a ride control suspension component of a vehicle. The method comprises the steps of setting a vehicle suspension to a first ride mode (70), raising the first suspension to a first height (108), releasing fluid from the first suspension to lower the first suspension (130), and measuring a parameter during the lowering of the first suspension (132). The method further includes the steps of setting the first suspension to a second ride mode which is different than the first ride mode (76), raising the first suspension for a second time (108), releasing pressure from the first suspension to lower the first suspension for a second time (130), measuring a second parameter during the lowering of the first suspension (132), comparing the first and second parameters (82), and determining the condition of a suspension component based on the comparison (84).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Allen Joseph Pauli, Patrick Joseph Dwan