LORD Corporation Brings a Smoother Ride to GM Customers

Customer
General Motors, for six of its new car models, beginning with the 2002 Cadillac Seville up to the 2006 Buick Lucerne.

Challenge
Traditional controllable shock-absorbing systems on automobiles can be slow to respond and complex due to the use of electromechanical valves and many small moving parts.

Solution
Using LORD Corporation's proprietary magneto-rheological (MR) fluid technology, Delphi Corporation's MagneRide™ system incorporates MR fluid-based monotube shock absorbers with a sensor set and an onboard controller. The controller continually adjusts the damping forces up to once every millisecond based on input from four suspension displacement sensors, a two-position driver input switch (on the Chevrolet Corvette), a lateral accelerometer and a steering wheel angle sensor.

Results
The MagneRide system provides smooth, continuously variable damping in a cost-effective and reliable package that reduces body motion and increases tire road contact on all types of surfaces.

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