Title: Modelling and testing of an in-house prototype twin-tube semi-active damper

Authors: Nima Eslaminasab, Tom Gillespie, Behrad Khamesee, Farid Golnaraghi

Addresses: Hatch Mott MacDonald, 2800 Speakman Drive, Mississauga, Ontario L5K 2R7, Canada. ' Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada. ' Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada. ' Mechatronic Systems Engineering, Simon Fraser University, Surrey, British Columbia V3T 0A3, Canada

Abstract: Semi-active suspensions improve suspension performance of the vehicles upon conventional passive systems by simultaneously improving ride comfort and road handling. The main element in a semi-active suspension is a controllable shock absorber. This paper describes the design and modelling of an in-house semi-active twin-tube shock absorber with an internal variable solenoid actuated valve. The operation of the valve is described and a parametric model is developed. A full-scale prototype is developed and the shock absorber is tested. The test results are compared with the developed mathematical model. The forces applied to the semi-active valve during the damper operation are also measured to validate the valve design and modelling.

Keywords: semi-active suspensions; vehicle suspension; solenoid valve dampers; twin-tube shock absorbers; mathematical modelling.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHVS.2009.027414

International Journal of Heavy Vehicle Systems, 2009 Vol.16 No.4, pp.431 - 458

Published online: 22 Jul 2009 *

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