Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Christian E Thomas

Robert G Izak

Brian D Christoff

John K Dagg

An actuator includes a first housing, a second housing fixed to the first housing, and a piston configured to translate relative to each of the first housing and the second housing. The actuator also includes a locking device configured to selectively restrain the piston in a predetermined position relative to each of the first housing and the second housing and release the piston. The actuator additionally includes an actuation mechanism configured to activate the locking device to thereby restrain the piston in the predetermined position. Also disclosed is a suspension system for a vehicle employing such an actuator at a suspension corner, wherein the actuator is used to set a ride height of the vehicle at the suspension corner.

Ride height control actuator

A vehicle includes a suspension corner connecting the vehicle's road wheel to the vehicle's body and characterized by a ride height at the suspension corner. An actuator at the suspension corner is configured to selectively extend and contract in response to a volume of received pressurized fluid to selectively increase and reduce the ride height. The actuator includes a locking device configured to selectively restrain the piston in a predetermined position and release the piston, and includes an actuation mechanism for activating the device to restrain the piston in the predetermined position. A controller is configured to determine if a change in the ride height is required and to assess if the piston is restrained by the locking device. If the piston is restrained by the locking device and the change in ride height is required, the controller releases the piston via the device and then changes the ride height.

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Brighton, MI, United States of America

Christian E Thomas