Energy harvesting passive and active suspension

摘要

A hydraulic actuator includes an energy recuperation device which harvests the energy generated from the stroking of a shock absorber. The energy recuperation device can function in a passive energy recovery mode for the shock absorber or an active mode for the shock absorber. The energy that is generated by the energy recuperation device can be stored as fluid pressure or it can be converted to another form of energy such as electrical energy.

主权项

1. A active energy harvesting device comprising:
a pressure tube defining a fluid chamber; a piston slidingly disposed within said pressure tube, said piston dividing said fluid chamber into an upper working chamber and a lower working chamber; means for recuperating energy generated due to the sliding movement of said piston, said recuperating means being in fluid communication with said upper and lower working chambers; a pump; a motor/generator mechanically connected to said pump; a quadrant convertor assembly in fluid communication with said pressure tube; wherein said quadrant convertor assembly comprises a first plurality of check valves and a quadrant convertor separate from and in fluid communication with said first plurality of check valves; said first plurality of check valves comprises a first check valve allowing fluid flow into said upper working chamber while prohibiting fluid flow out of said upper working chamber and a second check valve allowing fluid flow into said lower working chamber while prohibiting fluid flow out of said working chamber; said pump is hydraulically connected directly to said quadrant convertor and to said first and second check valves.