Lonnie K Woods

US Patent:

6502837, Jan 7, 2003

Filed:

Nov 11, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/439109

Inventors:

James M. Hamilton - Carlsbad CA
Lonnie K. Woods - Jacumba CA

Assignee:

Kenmar Company Trust - Solana Beach CA

International Classification:

B60G 17015

US Classification:

280 5515, 701 37

Abstract:

A system and method for controlling a damping system. The system has at least two dampers for damping between sprung and unsprung masses in the compression and rebound directions. Sensors generate signals based on position and other parameters of motion representative of the displacement between the sprung and unsprung masses. The process determines the appropriate compression and rebound forces to be applied at the wheels. A regulator responds to at least one of the independent compression and rebound control signals for adjusting, respectively, at least one of compression and rebound resisting forces of the dampers between the masses. Compliance for the dampers is emulated with software to produce the desired compliance forces. The distributed controller includes a processor that is responsive to signals representative of the position signals for forming the compression and rebound control signals for the regulator as a function of motion between the masses or a motion of a vehicle in which the dampers are located. The system has the capability of locking the suspension when parked.

US Patent:

7076351, Jul 11, 2006

Filed:

Jul 24, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/205205

Inventors:

James M. Hamilton - Carlsbad CA, US
Lonnie K. Woods - Jacumba CA, US

Assignee:

Great Northern Technologies, LLC - Chanhassen MN

International Classification:

B60K 16/00
G06F 19/00

US Classification:

701 37, 701 1, 703 8, 280 55, 267 2

Abstract:

A system and method for controlling a damping system. The system has at least two dampers for damping between sprung and unsprung masses in the compression and rebound directions. Sensors generate signals based on position and other parameters of motion representative of the displacement between the sprung and unsprung masses. The process determines the appropriate compression and rebound forces to be applied at the wheels. A regulator responds to at least one of the independent compression and rebound control signals for adjusting, respectively, at least one of compression and rebound resisting forces of the dampers between the masses. Compliance for the dampers is emulated with software to produce the desired compliance forces. The distributed controller includes a processor that is responsive to signals representative of the position signals for forming the compression and rebound control signals for the regulator as a function of motion between the masses or a motion of a vehicle in which the dampers are located. The system has the capability of locking the suspension when parked.

US Patent:

20050098401, May 12, 2005

Filed:

Dec 15, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/014421

Inventors:

James Hamilton - Carlsbad CA, US
Lonnie Woods - Jacumba CA, US

International Classification:

F16F009/34

US Classification:

188378000, 188266200

Abstract:

A system and method for controlling a damping system. The system has at least two dampers for damping between sprung and unsprung masses in the compression and rebound directions. Sensors generate signals based on position and other parameters of motion representative of the displacement between the sprung and unsprung masses. The process determines the appropriate compression and rebound forces to be applied at the wheels. A regulator responds to at least one of the independent compression and rebound control signals for adjusting, respectively, at least one of compression and rebound resisting forces of the dampers between the masses. Compliance for the dampers is emulated with software to produce the desired compliance forces. The distributed controller includes a processor that is responsive to signals representative of the position signals for forming the compression and rebound control signals for the regulator as a function of motion between the masses or a motion of a vehicle in which the dampers are located. The system has the capability of locking the suspension when parked.

US Patent:

55291520, Jun 25, 1996

Filed:

Jul 8, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/272208

Inventors:

James M. Hamilton - Solana Beach CA
Lonnie K. Woods - Jacumba CA

Assignee:

AimRite Systems International, Inc. - Solana Beach CA

International Classification:

B60G 1708

US Classification:

188299

Abstract:

An embodiment of the present invention is a valve for selectively establishing communication of a fluid between first and second fluid bodies having first and second pressures, respectively. A valve element is carried within a valve body for linear reciprocal movement along a valve axis between a first position wherein an operative portion at the front of the valve element blocks communication between the first and the second fluid bodies and a second position wherein the first and second fluid bodies are in communication. The movement is responsive to a rearward force exerted by the fluid on the valve element due to the first pressure. The rearward force is less than the product of the first pressure and a cross-sectional area of the first fluid swept by the valve element. An actuator is located at or behind the valve element for applying and modulating forward force to the valve element for controlling the response of the valve element to the first pressure when the valve is located between the first and second positions.

US Patent:

57353727, Apr 7, 1998

Filed:

Apr 17, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/633928

Inventors:

James M. Hamilton - Solana Beach CA
Lonnie K. Woods - Jacumba CA

Assignee:

AimRite Systems International, Inc. - Solana Beach CA

International Classification:

B60G 1708

US Classification:

188299

Abstract:

An embodiment of the present invention is a valve for selectively establishing communication of a fluid between first and second fluid bodies having first and second pressures, respectively. A valve element is carried within a valve body for liner reciprocal movement along a valve axis between a first position wherein an operative portion at the front of the valve element blocks communication between the first and the second fluid bodies and a second position wherein the first and second fluid bodies are in communication. The movement is responsive to a rearward force exerted by the fluid on the valve element due to the first pressure. The rearward force is less than the product of the first pressure and a cross-sectional area of the first fluid swept by the valve element. An actuator is located at or behind the valve element for applying and modulating forward force to the valve element for controlling the response of the valve element to the first pressure when the valve is located between the first and second positions.