SwRI: Vehicle Research and Development, Suspension Systems

  image of a prototype suspension system that retracts during high-speed, water-borne operation and uses a compressible fluid as the spring element for a smooth ride on land
 

While developing an amphibious track vehicle, SwRI engineers designed and produced a prototype suspension system that retracts during high-speed, water-borne operation and uses a compressible fluid as the spring element for a smooth ride on land.
 
image of an active large-vehicle suspension system that recovered 75% of the actuation energy through regeneration while reducing suspension stiffness and body pitch and roll by half
 

SwRI developed an active large-vehicle suspension system that recovered 75% of the actuation energy through regeneration while reducing suspension stiffness and body pitch and roll by half.

Many vehicle integration projects require the relocation of powertrain components, which affects vehicle weight distribution and alters suspension characteristics.


Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has developed a vehicle suspension software program that:

  • Models springs and damping components

  • Determines vehicle response with:

    • Road configuration

    • Load

    • Turning maneuvers


Large-Vehicle Suspension System

SwRI developed an active large-vehicle suspension system that recovered 75% of the actuation energy through regeneration while reducing suspension stiffness and body pitch and roll by half.
 


For more information about suspension system capabilities at SwRI or how you can contract with SwRI, please contact Alan Montemayor at amontemayor@swri.org or (210) 522-6940.

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Southwest Research Institute® (SwRI®) is an independent, nonprofit, applied engineering and physical sciences research and development organization with 12 technical divisions using multidisciplinary approaches to problem solving. The Institute occupies more than 1,200 acres and provides nearly two million square feet of laboratories, test facilities, workshops, and offices for more than 3,300 employees who perform contract work for industry and government clients.