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. 22, 2001
Filed:
Oct. 15, 1999
David K. Platner, Shelby, MI (US);
Kurt A. Burmeister, Rochester Hills, MI (US);
Ragnar Ledesma, Sterling Heights, MI (US);
Steven R. Miller, Clarkston, MI (US);
Mark P. Reynolds, Birmingham, MI (US);
Monte G. Williams, Royal Oak, MI (US);
Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems, LLC, Troy, MI (US);
Abstract
A method and system for providing variable load control and isolation in a vehicle suspension includes a variably flexible suspension element coupled between the frame of the vehicle and the wheel. The variably flexible suspension element comprises an electrically responsive material disposed therein that varies stiffness in response to electrical control signals applied thereto. The electrical control signals are generated by an electronic control unit and are representative of road conditions traveled by the vehicle as sensed by at least one sensor.