Abstract:
A system and method for managing faults occurring in a power steering system in a vehicle is disclosed that has particular application for an MRHPS system to provide reliable functioning of the power steering system. The method includes detecting a fault condition in the MRHPS system and selecting a safe mode from a plurality of predetermined safe modes based on the fault condition. The plurality of predetermined safe modes include a normal operation mode, an engine speed follow mode, a manual mode, a fixed duty cycle mode and a voltage control mode. If a fault condition is detected, the method applies the safe mode to manage the fault condition.
Abstract:
An on-vehicle DC/DC converter transforms high-voltage electric power originating from an on-vehicle high-voltage source to low-voltage electric power at a regulated voltage level. The low-voltage electric power is distributed by a low-voltage bus. A method for operating the DC/DC converter includes monitoring a state of charge and a temperature of a low-voltage battery connected to the low-voltage bus, setting a DC/DC converter command to a nominal voltage level as a function of the state of charge and temperature of the low-voltage battery, monitoring a total low-voltage electric load, and adjusting the DC/DC converter command to a minimum low-voltage reference voltage when the vehicle is operating below a predetermined speed and the total low-voltage electric load is greater than a predetermined load.
Abstract:
The present invention, in particular embodiments, provides methods, apparatuses and systems directed to providing a Wide Area File System that is robust against network connectivity issues. In particular implementations, the present invention provides a WAFS disconnected-mode read-write access that provides for a more seamless user experience against WAN or other network connectivity failures. Specific embodiments provide for management, at a network device such as an EFG node, of file objects previously opened during a connected state with a remote file server appliance, creation of new file objects during a disconnected state and re-synchronization of those file objects (data and meta-data) when a connection becomes available.
Abstract:
A system and method for managing faults occurring in a power steering system in a vehicle is disclosed that has particular application for an MRHPS system to provide reliable functioning of the power steering system. The method includes detecting a fault condition in the MRHPS system and selecting a safe mode from a plurality of predetermined safe modes based on the fault condition. The plurality of predetermined safe modes include a normal operation mode, an engine speed follow mode, a manual mode, a fixed duty cycle mode and a voltage control mode. If a fault condition is detected, the method applies the safe mode to manage the fault condition.
Abstract:
A method for determining a speed of a power steering pump used in a power steering assembly of a vehicle that has particular application in a vehicle using a magneto-rheological hydraulic power steering (MRHPS) system for improving the fuel efficiency and ride comfort of the vehicle, and for reliable functioning of the power steering system. The method includes determining an angle of rotation of the steering wheel and a rate of change of the angle of rotation of the steering wheel based on the angle of rotation of the steering wheel of the vehicle. The method further includes determining the speed of the vehicle and the speed of the power steering pump based on the angle of rotation of the steering wheel, the rate of change of the angle of rotation of the steering wheel and the speed of the vehicle.
Abstract:
A linear actuator associated with an actuator system for a device includes a wire cable fabricated from an active material. The linear actuator couples to the device and to the moveable element. The active material induces strain in the linear actuator in response to an activation signal. The linear actuator translates the moveable element relative to the device in response to the induced strain. An activation controller electrically connects to the linear actuator and generates the activation signal. A position feedback sensor monitors a position of the moveable element.
Abstract:
The present invention, in particular embodiments, provides methods, apparatuses and systems directed to providing a Wide Area File System that is robust against network connectivity issues. In particular implementations, the present invention provides a WAFS disconnected-mode read-write access that provides for a more seamless user experience against WAN or other network connectivity failures. Specific embodiments provide for management, at a network device such as an EFG node, of file objects previously opened during a connected state with a remote file server appliance, creation of new file objects during a disconnected state and re-synchronization of those file objects (data and meta-data) when a connection becomes available.
Abstract:
A motor control strategy for a motor in a front steering system for a vehicle that reduces vibrations from the motor being transferred to a vehicle hand-wheel. The control strategy also includes operating the electric motor in a commutation freeze mode if a position error signal is less than a first predetermined threshold by sending signals to coils of the motor to prevent to the motor from rotating, operating the electric motor in a commutation normal mode if the position error signal is greater than a second predetermined threshold that is greater than the first predetermined threshold, and operating the electric motor in an angle step mode if the position error signal is between an intermediate threshold and the second threshold where the angle step mode provides a signal to the motor to move the motor forward or backward a predetermined number of motor steps, one step at a time.
Abstract:
A controller (72) for a switched reluctance machine (20) implements a model of at least one active phase representing dynamic magnetic machine characteristics. The controller (72) determines machine control signals based on rotational position obtained by numerically solving the model with measured machine operating parameters. The model may be implemented as the sum of orthogonal functions relating active phase voltage and current with constants derived from phase inductance to obtain the rotor angle.
Abstract:
The present invention discloses an arc fault detector including a shunt resistor deployed in a circuit being protected, an arc discriminator sensing voltages across the shunt resistor and outputting an arc detection signal when it detects current variations caused by parallel and series arc faults, a signal transformer buffering the arc detection signal and outputting a pulse, a switch transient detector detecting a voltage differential across load switches and outputting a pulsed switch transient detection signal when the voltage differential across load switches exceeds a reference value, a line interrupter such as a static relay, a switch controller including logic gates generating a trip signal based on predetermined criteria, and a manual switch for resetting the line interrupter. A second embodiment of the present invention senses voltage induced in a coil wrapped around a toroidal core to detect current variations in conductors which pass through the center of the toroidal core.