Abstract
The primary objective of this research is the investigation of the experimental implementation of an active automobile suspension, three types of semiactive suspensions, and a passive suspension. These suspensions are realized via computer control of a linear electric motor. The details of the suspensions are explained in full assuming no prior knowledge by the reader. A theoretical quarter car model is developed and used to provide baseline performance criteria. Details of the design and development of the experimental test rig are given. The experimental results are compared to the theoretical results to study the effectiveness of the motor at realizing the control strategies. This gives an indication of the feasibility of electric motors for implementation of active and semiactive suspension control strategies. Furthermore, the control algorithms are compared to each other to rate each for performance versus complexity. Also, the experimental results are compared to previous experimental results for a resistance controlled semiactive suspension using dual dampers. The experimental test rig and theoretical simulation results agreed fairly well for all suspension performance criteria. The relative comparisons of each suspension when implemented on the test rig were almost identical to the rankings resulting from theory. The performance criteria showed that an active suspension is substantially better than a passive one. Also, only minimal differences exist between the active suspension and the three semiactive suspensions. This indicates that an active suspension is not needed for excellent suspension performance.
Williams, Monte Glen (1994). The experimental implementation and comparison of active, semiactive, and passive vehicle suspensions utilizing a linear electric motor. Master's thesis, Texas A&M University. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /ETD -TAMU -1994 -THESIS -W725.