The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 02, 1989
Filed:
Feb. 09, 1987
Guy Immega, Vancouver, CA;
MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates Ltd., Richmond, CA;
Abstract
A tension actuator suspension system is disclosed, providing control over the elevation of a load suspended from a reference system, as well as over the compliance of the suspension system. As employed in a vehicle suspension system, a preferred arrangement employs radially expansible, axially contractible tension actuators exhibiting tensile forces that decrease nonlinearly as each contracts. An antagonistic actuator pair is arranged in opposition between the chassis and each wheel of the vehicle. Air is supplied to the actuators from a compressor and accumulator by lines under the control of pressure regulator valves. Manual or automatic inputs allow the adjustment of both vehicle chassis elevation and suspension system compliance individually with respect to each wheel. Furthermore, automatic sensors are provided to detect roll, pitch, steering angle, vehicle velocity, wheel traction, braking forces and bumps experienced by the chassis and a microprocessor responds by producing the appropriate suspension system response. Ranging sensors are further employed to provide anticipatory response of the system to upcoming road surface variations.