Visteon Global Technolgoies, Inc.

Zhesheng Li

Kevin Jerome Pavlov

Randy Stevenson

Xubin Song

Gregory James Stout

Richard Michael Krzesicki

Jeremy Richard Edmondson

Carl Klaes

Zilai Zhao

Girma Gete Desta

Grima Gete Desta

Mahmoud Abdel-haq

The present invention provides regenerative passive and semi-active suspension systems. A regenerative suspension system generally includes at least one regenerative damper, a module, an electric switch, and a battery. The at least one regenerative damper converts mechanical vibration energy within a vehicle into a voltage, which the damper passes to the module. The module measures the voltage from the regenerative damper, and in response, changes electric switch settings for each regenerative damper between an open circuit, a closed circuit completed by a power resistance, and a closed circuit completed by circuitry for charging a battery. Additionally, the module sets electric switch levels to adjust the damping forces within each regenerative damper.

Regenerative passive and semi-active suspension

A regenerative damper and method for regenerative damping are disclosed. The regenerative damper uses the kinetic energy of undesirable vehicle motion to generate electrical current in a circuit. The electricity is generated by a power screw that operates like an alternator. Vehicle energy efficiency is increased by using the electrical current to charge a battery. The regenerative damper can be semi-active or passive. The semi-active embodiment is able to adapt to operating conditions to improve vehicle ride and handling, whereas the passive embodiment has a fixed response, regardless of operating conditions.

Regenerative damping method and apparatus

Electromagnetic retarder brake systems, and methods for their use, are provided utilizing specified thickness conductive layers. The specified thickness of the conductive layer in each system is determined to obtain a certain desired torque at a certain desired low rotational frequency. The specified thickness conductive layer is disposed between a winding and a rotor within each system. By utilizing a specified thickness conductive layer, torque on the rotor at low rotational frequencies is increased, thereby improving deceleration capabilities.

Increased torque in retarder brake system through use of conductive layer

A drive assembly including an electric motor and frequency variable generator for use with a multi-axle vehicle. The vehicle generally includes an engine driving a first axle and a drive assembly with an electric motor driving a second drive axle. The drive assembly includes a frequency variable generator with an input shaft driven by the engine and the electric motor electrically communicates with the generator to receive output power from the generator. Other details of selected embodiments of the invention include the frequency variable generator having a rotor coupled to rotate with the engine output shaft and a stator electrically connected to the electric motor. An inverter is electrically connected to an electrical power source, such as a battery or the frequency variable generator, as well as to the rotor. A controller communicates with the inverter and is configured to control the magnitude and frequency of the power communicated from the inverter to the rotor winding.

Multi-axle vehicle drive system

The present invention includes a novel regenerative energy management system having a flywheel assembly with an integrated motor-generator which is coupled to a drivetrain motor-generator. The coupling between the flywheel assembly and the drivetrain motor-generator includes a system controller having integrated voltage control and inverters. The flywheel of the present invention avoids the use of expensive bearings, vacuum systems, cooling systems, and other such support subsystems found in other high technology flywheels. The integration of the flywheel-motor-generator system saves valuable space within the vehicle, reduces the number of bearings necessary for operation, and simplifies the coupling of the flywheel motor generator to the flywheel. The system controller has integrated inverters and voltage control that determine the direction and flow of current between the flywheel assembly and the driveline motor-generator.

Fly-wheel-based regenerative energy management system

The invention provides a reluctance generator for an eddy current braking system in a vehicle. The reluctance generator has a field winding and a compensation winding, which induce magnetomotive forces. The magnetomotive force induced by the compensation winding balances the magnetomotive force generated by a rotor in the reluctance generator. The field winding has less inductance.

Reluctance generator for an eddy current braking system

An eddy current brake or retarder device for bringing a vehicle to rest is disclosed. The device includes a stator mounted to a frame of the vehicle, a plurality of poles disposed along a perimeter of the stator, a plurality of coils each wound about each of the plurality of poles, wherein an adjacent pair of poles form an electromagnet when the coil is energized, and a rotor in communication with a transmission axle of the vehicle and located concentric with the stator. A relative rotation of the rotor with respect to the stator produces eddy currents between the poles of the stator and an outer surface of the rotor, causing the rotor to come to a rest.

Growing community of inventors

Dearborn Heights, MI, United States of America

Zhesheng Li