A method for controlling a mechanical assembly that includes a damping assembly is disclosed. The method includes providing one or more sensors at at least one of the mechanical assembly or a generator assembly that is operably connected to the mechanical assembly, providing an electrical circuit that is electrically connected to the generator assembly, sensing data of the at least one of the mechanical assembly or the generator assembly using the one or more sensors, varying an electrical load on the generator assembly using the electrical circuit based on the sensed data, and varying a mechanical force transferred between the generator assembly and the mechanical assembly based on varying the electrical load.

A suspension includes inner magnets coupled to an inner cylindrical member and outer magnets coupled to an outer cylindrical member that circumscribes the inner cylindrical member. The inner magnets are stacked on top of one another in an axial direction and include a first set having a first polarity alternately arrayed with a second set having a second polarity. The outer magnets are stacked on top of one another in the axial direction and include a first set having the first polarity alternately arrayed with a second set having the second polarity. Each inner magnet in the first set is radially aligned with an outer magnet in the second set and each inner magnet in the second set is radially aligned with an outer magnet in the first set to provide an attractive electromagnetic field between the magnets that passively absorbs axial displacement between the inner and outer cylindrical members.

A regenerative shock absorber that include a housing and a piston that moves at least partially through the housing when the shock is compressed or extended from a rest position. When the piston moves, hydraulic fluid is pressurized and drives a hydraulic motor. The hydraulic motor, in turn, drives an electric generator that produced electric energy. The electric energy may be provided to a vehicle, among other things. The regenerative shock absorber may also provide ride performance that comparable to or exceeds that of conventional shock absorbers.

A concurrent leveling system includes a pressurized air source. A manifold block, having a body defining an air feed inlet, is disposed between air springs and the pressurized air source. The body includes front and rear suspension valves. Each of the suspension valves defines a suspension valve orifice having a first predetermined diameter. The body includes at least one restrictor valve parallel to and in fluid communication with the front suspension valves. The at least one restrictor valve includes a first check valve and a first blocker valve orifice defining a first orifice diameter. The first check valve and the first blocker valve orifice are disposed parallel to one another and in series with the front suspension valves and in fluid communication with the air feed inlet and the front suspension valves for reducing fluid back flow to allow the vehicle to be lowered in nominal loading conditions.

A regenerative shock absorber that include a housing and a piston that moves at least partially through the housing when the shock is compressed or extended from a rest position. When the piston moves, hydraulic fluid is pressurized and drives a hydraulic motor. The hydraulic motor, in turn, drives an electric generator that produced electric energy. The electric energy may be provided to a vehicle, among other things. The regenerative shock absorber may also provide ride performance that comparable to or exceeds that of conventional shock absorbers.

An electronic variable suspension system applicable to a motorcycle includes a plurality of sensors, a suspension unit, an actuation unit, and a control unit. The sensors are disposed in a front portion and/or rear portion of the motorcycle to sense acceleration, displacement, or frequency so as to generate a plurality of sensing signals. The suspension unit includes front and rear suspension devices disposed in the motorcycle. The actuation unit includes front and rear actuation devices coupled to the front suspension device and the rear suspension device, respectively. The control unit generates at least a control signal according to the sensing signals. The actuation unit changes a damping value and/or a preload value of the front suspension device and/or the rear suspension device according to the at least a control signal.

A regenerative shock absorber that include a housing and a piston that moves at least partially through the housing when the shock is compressed or extended from a rest position. When the piston moves, hydraulic fluid is pressurized and drives a hydraulic motor. The hydraulic motor, in turn, drives an electric generator that produced electric energy. The electric energy may be provided to a vehicle, among other things. The regenerative shock absorber may also provide ride performance that comparable to or exceeds that of conventional shock absorbers.

A utility vehicle includes an electronic control unit configured to control electronically controlled suspension devices. The electronic control unit is disposed in an internal space formed between a front panel and a dash panel and is located at a higher level than a seat portion of a driver seat. In a vehicle width direction, the electronic control unit is located toward a driver seat region of the dash panel with respect to a center region of the dash panel.

A wheel with an intelligent suspension system that includes a hub, a rim and a set of spokes with dynamically adjustable spoke lengths. Further included is one or more sensors associated with at least the hub and the rim and a microcontroller unit (MCU) that receives sensory signals from the one or more sensors, and transmits control signals to the set of spokes to dynamically control spoke lengths of the set of spokes.

A suspension includes inner magnets coupled to an inner cylindrical member and outer magnets coupled to an outer cylindrical member that circumscribes the inner cylindrical member. The inner magnets are stacked on top of one another in an axial direction and include a first set having a first polarity alternately arrayed with a second set having a second polarity. The outer magnets are stacked on top of one another in the axial direction and include a first set having the first polarity alternately arrayed with a second set having the second polarity. Each inner magnet in the first set is radially aligned with an outer magnet in the second set and each inner magnet in the second set is radially aligned with an outer magnet in the first set to provide an attractive electromagnetic field between the magnets that passively absorbs axial displacement between the inner and outer cylindrical members.