Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110238331 | METHODS FOR DETERMINING A REMAINING USEFUL LIFE OF AN AIR FILTER - A method is provided herein for determining a remaining useful life of an air filter. The method includes, but is not limited to, measuring a first airflow rate and a first air pressure (P | 09-29-2011 |
20120306170 | VEHICLE WITH ACTIVE-REGENERATIVE SUSPENSION - In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, an active suspension system having a regenerative actuator is provided for an electric or hybrid electric vehicle. The system comprises a drive system including a battery mounted to a chassis and a controller coupled to the drive system. The controller also couples to a suspension system between the chassis and at least one wheel of the vehicle. The suspension system includes an actuator having an electric motor providing energy by converting linear movement of a ball screw into rotational movement of a rotor having a hollow core permitting at least a portion of the ball screw to translate within the rotor during operation of the actuator. | 12-06-2012 |
20120325383 | ACOUSTICAL CORE FOR ABSORBING NOISE WITHIN A TIRE INTERIOR CAVITY - A tire assembly includes an acoustic foam core disposed within a cavity of the tire for attenuating noise. The foam core defines an expanding radial force that biases the foam core against an inner surface of the tire to secure a position of the foam core relative to the tire. The foam core may include an annular base having a plurality of nodules disposed on an outer periphery of the annular base for engaging the inner surface of the tire and to position the annular base away from the inner surface of the tire. The foam core may further include a plurality of positioning tabs disposed on opposing axial ends of the annular base for engaging side walls of the tire to position the annular base away from the side walls of the tire. | 12-27-2012 |
20140131960 | VEHICLE SUSPENSION SYSTEMS - A suspension system for a vehicle includes a damper and a jack assembly. The damper includes a first tube defining a first cavity and having a longitudinal axis, a second tube disposed within the first cavity and defining a second cavity, wherein the second tube is spaced apart from the first tube to define a reservoir chamber, and a piston translatable within the second cavity along the axis, wherein the piston abuts the second tube to define a rebound chamber and a compression chamber. The system includes a jack assembly attached to the damper and configured for raising and lowering the body with respect to the wheel. The assembly includes a jack piston abutting the first tube, and a jack cylinder also abutting the first tube and translatable with respect to the jack piston to thereby raise and lower the body. A vehicle including the suspension system is also disclosed. | 05-15-2014 |
20140131961 | VEHICLE SUSPENSION SYSTEMS - A suspension system for a vehicle includes a damper having a central longitudinal axis, and a jack assembly attached to the damper. The jack assembly includes a seat abutting and rotatable about the damper, a resilient member coiled about the damper and coupled to the seat so that the resilient member is not rotatable with respect to the seat, a ball screw abutting and fixedly attached to the damper, wherein the ball screw is not rotatable about the damper, a ball nut abutting and rotatable about the ball screw and the damper, a first clutch coiled about the ball nut and coupled to the seat, and a second clutch coiled about the damper and coupled to the ball nut. The seat is translatable along the damper to thereby raise and lower the body of the vehicle. A vehicle including the suspension system is also disclosed. | 05-15-2014 |
20150021891 | CRADLE ASSEMBLY ATTACHABLE TO A VEHICLE - A cradle assembly for a vehicle having an underbody is provided. The cradle assembly includes a cradle body attachable to the underbody of the vehicle by at least one fastener. The cradle body may define at least one pathway, which may have a first pathway portion and a second pathway portion between which the at least one fastener is movable. The at least one fastener may be positioned in the first pathway portion to enable the cradle body to be secured to the underbody, and in the second pathway portion to enable the cradle body to be separated from the underbody. The cradle body is configured to move with respect to the at least one fastener when an applied load on the vehicle is at or above a threshold magnitude. | 01-22-2015 |
20150152931 | BRAKE PAD LIFE MONITORING SYSTEM - A brake pad life monitoring system can monitor the wear of a brake pad operatively coupled to a rotor. The brake pad life monitoring system includes an erodible, electrically non-conductive covering layer operatively coupled to the brake pad such that wear of the erodible, electrically non-conductive covering layer corresponds to the wear of the brake pad. Further, the brake pad life monitoring system includes an electrical circuit having a circuit path from a power supply to a ground. The electrical circuit is at least partially disposed on the erodible, electrically non-conductive covering layer and includes a first resistor connected in series with the power supply and a second resistor electrically connected in parallel with the power supply. The brake pad life monitoring system additionally includes a measuring device electrically connected to the electrical circuit. | 06-04-2015 |
20150375577 | PRESSURE SYSTEM FOR A TIRE ASSEMBLY OF A VEHICLE - A pressure system of a tire assembly of a vehicle includes a tire system, a wheel system, and a control valve assembly. The tire system includes a tire defining an interior cavity configured for holding a first volume of compressed air therein. The wheel system defines a reservoir configured for holding a second volume of compressed air therein. The control valve assembly is in fluid communication with each of the interior cavity of the tire and with the reservoir. The control valve assembly is configured to selectively direct air from the reservoir to the interior cavity of the tire such that a desired air pressure within the interior cavity of the tire is achieved. The control valve assembly is configured to selectively direct air from the interior cavity of the tire and atmosphere, such that the desired air pressure within the interior cavity of the tire is achieved. | 12-31-2015 |
20150375581 | PRESSURE SYSTEM FOR A TIRE ASSEMBLY OF A VEHICLE - A tire assembly includes a reservoir, a tire, and a pressure module. The pressure module includes a first valve, a second valve, and a control unit. The first valve selectively directs air from the reservoir to the interior cavity. The second valve directs air from the interior cavity of the tire to the atmosphere. The control unit is configured to selectively send a first control signal to the first valve such that the first valve cycles from a first position, at which air is prevented from flowing from the reservoir to the interior cavity, to a second position, at which air is allowed to flow from the reservoir to the interior cavity of the tire. The control unit is configured to selectively send another first control signal to the first valve such that the first valve cycles from the second position to the first position. | 12-31-2015 |