Performance Predictions for a Pneumatic Active Car Suspension System

Abstract

A mathematical model of a pneumatic active car suspension system in a single wheel station form excited by realistic road roughness input is set up. The active control is exerted through a d.c. motor-driven air-pump. The model is used to show that essentially all the advantages of active control, within the terms of reference, are obtained by employing the control only at low frequencies and having the suspension parameters adapt to the running conditions as they vary. Control laws are derived using limited state feedback, linear stochastic optimal control theory and power consumption, and space requirements are evaluated. System performance is shown to be good in comparison with other known arrangements and encouragement for further work to extend the results is given.