Prof. Eric Cheng of the Department of Electrical Engineering has recently won a gold medal at the 2016 International Invention Innovation Competition in Canada (iCAN 2016), with his invention titled “Direct-drive linear switched reluctance actuator for automobile active suspension systems”.
The invention can be installed in modules in a car’s suspension system and can even be placed on movable parts of any modes of transport, such as the seats and doors of trains and airplanes. As Prof. Cheng put it, “when the vehicle travels over bumps, the suspension system oscillates and some of the resulting oscillation energy is absorbed by the system, whereas conventionally that oscillation energy is always dissipated”. The spring-like actuator not only improves safety and driving comfort, but also recycles the energy generated from suspension and vibration to charge the vehicle’s battery.