re Re: NZ rally report (no real content) II

["Smith, Kirby A" <kirby.a.smith@lmco.com>]

Scott asked:

Davey, please do tell us the difference between an active damper and an 
active suspension.  Is there any?  I argue an active damper, makes for an 
active suspension.  Please do take this opportunity to correct my thinking 
here.  How else would one make an active suspension?

Well, theoretically, at least, one need only provide a force actuator, no
physical spring or damper.  A computer would calculate the force to be
applied dynamically such that the natural frequencies (poles) appeared to be
wherever one wanted them to be.  Further, the pole positions could be
dynamically varied.  Thus, I would assert that while an active damper makes
for an active suspension, its not the only way to do so.

Kirby A. Smith   New Hampshire USA
1988 90q Titanium gray, 182 kmi
1988 90q Stone gray, 187 kmi 
1988 90q Stone gray, 180 kmi - parts car
1995 S6 Pearl effect, 82 kmi