초록 ▼

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 efficienc

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.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method for regenerative damping in a vehicle, comprising:providing a power screw comprising a rotor and a stator capable of relative rotation, said power screw configured to exert a damping force; transmitting a mechanical force to said rotor to induce said rotor's rotation relative to said sta

1. A method for regenerative damping in a vehicle, comprising:providing a power screw comprising a rotor and a stator capable of relative rotation, said power screw configured to exert a damping force; transmitting a mechanical force to said rotor to induce said rotor's rotation relative to said stator; generating an electrical current from said rotation; converting said electrical current to a direct electrical current having a voltage; adjusting said voltage of said direct electrical current to generate an adjusted voltage (AVDC), said AVDC comprising a low voltage and high voltage AVDC; and charging at least one energy storage device with said electrical current. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:interrupting said electrical current to adjust said damping force. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of interrupting said electrical current to adjust said damping force is performed by a pulse width modulator.4. The method of claim 3, wherein said pulse width modulator is operatively connected to a microprocessor capable of calculating and setting a pulse width.5. The method of claim 4, wherein said pulse width modulator comprises a MOSFET switch.6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:shunting said low voltage AVDC to a resistance; and shunting said high voltage AVDC to said energy storage device. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one energy storage device includes at least one battery.8. The method of claim 7, wherein said at least one battery is electrically connected to a rectifying circuit and at least one power regulator in series, said at least one power regulator electrically connected to one or more auxiliary devices.9. The method of claim 8, wherein said power screw further comprises at least one winding integrated into said stator.10. The method of claim 9, wherein said at least one winding comprises a three-phase winding.11. The method of claim 10, wherein said power screw further comprises two three-phase windings integrated into said stator, said two three-phase windings connected in series.12. The method of claim 7, wherein said at least one battery is electrically connected to a rectifying circuit and at least one power regulator in parallel, whereby voltage from rectifying circuit is boosted for charging said battery.13. The method of claim 7, wherein said at least one battery comprises at least one battery cell.14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:electrically connecting said at least one battery cell to a rectifying circuit, whereby said electrical current is capable of charging said at least one battery cell. 15. A regenerative damper for a vehicle comprising:an electromechanical transducer for converting at least a portion of said vehicle's non-propulsive kinetic energy to an alternating electrical current, wherein said kinetic energy to alternating electrical current transducer comprises a rotary power screw; an electrical circuit, electrically connected to said electromechanical transducer; a rectifier, electrically connected to said electrical circuit, for converting said alternating electrical current to a direct current having a voltage; a converter, electrically connected to said rectifier, for adjusting said voltage of said direct current, and producing an adjusted voltage direct current (AVDC); and an energy storage device electrically connected to said converter, said energy storage device capable of being charged by said direct current. 16. The regenerative damper of claim 15, further comprising a variable electrical switch (VES) for interrupting said electrical circuit.17. The regenerative damper of claim 16, wherein said VES comprises a MOSFET switch.18. The regenerative damper of claim 17, further comprising a microprocessor operatively connected to said MOSFET switch, said microprocessor capable of adaptively setting a pulse width for said MOSFET switch.19. The regenerative damper of claim 16, further comprising a resistor operatively connected to said VES.20. The regenerative damper of claim 19, wherein said VES can shunt said direct current to either said resistor or said energy storage device.21. The regenerative damper of claim 15, wherein said at least one energy storage device comprises at least one battery.22. The regenerative damper of claim 21, further comprising a power regulator, said power regulator electrically connected in series to said at least one battery.23. The regenerative damper of claim 21, wherein said at least one battery is electrically connected to a rectifier and power regulator in parallel, whereby voltage from rectifying circuit is boosted for charging said at least one battery.24. The regenerative damper of claim 21, wherein said at least one battery is a composite battery comprising at least one battery cell capable of being charged by said AVDC.25. A regenerative damper for a vehicle comprising:a rotary power screw for converting at least a portion of said vehicle's non-propulsive kinetic energy to alternating electrical current in a circuit and exerting a damping force; a second conversion means, electrically connected to said first conversion means, for converting said alternating electrical current to a direct current having a voltage; an adjustment means, electrically connected to said first and second conversion means, for adjusting said voltage of said direct current, and producing an adjusted voltage direct current (AVDC); a storage means, electrically connected to said adjustment means, for storing said direct current; and a breaking means for variably breaking said circuit to alter said damping force, said breaking means electrically connected to said circuit. 26. The regenerative damper of claim 25, wherein said means for storing said direct current comprises a battery.27. The regenerative damper of claim 25, wherein said means for variably breaking said circuit to alter said damping force comprises a variable electrical switch.28. The regenerative damper of claim 27, wherein said variable electrical switch is capable of alternating connection to a resistance and said means for storing said direct current.29. The regenerative damper of claim 25, wherein said means for variably breaking said circuit to alter said damping force comprises a means for pulse width modulation.