Patent ID: 7087342
Filing Date: 2006-08-08
Classification: B60G

Abstract:
1. A regenerative suspension system comprising: a regenerative damper comprising a power screw operative to convert vibration energy into rotational motion to generate an electrical current, the regenerative damper operative to convert the generated electrical current into a regenerative voltage and to generate a regenerative travel direction signal indicating whether the regenerative damper is in a compression state or a rebound state; a module electrically connected to the regenerative damper, the module operative to measure the regenerative travel direction signal and the regenerative voltage, determine an electric switch setting based at least in part on the measured regenerative voltage, and determine an electric switch level based at least in part on the measured regenerative travel direction signal; a battery to store electric energy; and an electric switch, electrically connected to the module, regenerative damper, and battery, the electrical switch operative to receive commands from the module dictating electric switch settings and electric switch levels for the electrical connections to the regenerative dampers; wherein a damping force within the regenerative damper varies in response to the electric switch settings and the electric switch levels for the electrical connections to the regenerative damper.