Michael D Byers

US Patent:

6424900, Jul 23, 2002

Filed:

Feb 1, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/775143

Inventors:

Brian Thomas Murray - Novi MI
Joseph G. DAmbrosio - Clarkston MI
Scott A. Millsap - Saginaw MI
Michael D. Byers - Ypsilanti MI
Robert John Disser - Dayton OH
Jeffrey Alan Heinrichs - Dayton OH
Patrick Allen Mescher - Bellbrook OH
Jeff Allan Foust - Eaton OH

Assignee:

Delphi Technologies, Inc. - Troy MI

International Classification:

G06F 1700

US Classification:

701 48, 701 22, 701 1, 701 29, 701 33, 701 34

Abstract:

A control-by-wire control system comprising a plurality of control device(s), each control device is responsive to, and configured to receive a control signal. Also included in the control-by-wire control system is a plurality of sensors wherein certain sensors are coupled to particular control devices. The sensors, each sense a parameter of the system and generate various sensor signals in response. A plurality of control modules is also included in control-by-wire control system. Each control module is interfaced to at least one of the control devices and is adapted to receive at least one or more sensor signals. The control modules also generate control signals for communication to the control devices. A communication interface of at least two communication networks provides communications among various control modules.

US Patent:

6580991, Jun 17, 2003

Filed:

Dec 14, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/737295

Inventors:

Robert John Disser - Dayton OH
Patrick Allen Mescher - Bellbrook OH
Joseph Gerard DAmbrosio - Clarkston MI
Brian Thomas Murray - Novi MI
Scott Alan Millsap - Saginaw MI
Sanket Suresh Amberkar - Saginaw MI
Jeff Allan Foust - Eaton OH
Jeffrey A. Heinrichs - Dayton OH
Michael Byers - Ann Arbor MI

Assignee:

Delphi Technologies, Inc. - Troy MI

International Classification:

B60R 2200

US Classification:

701 48, 180 644

Abstract:

A safety redundant drive by wire system includes a plurality of first control members to which control signals may be communicated and a plurality of device controllers adapted to deliver control signals to a respective first control member. Each device controller includes a first microprocessor for communicating control signals to the first control member and all other device controllers. Each device controller further includes a second microprocessor for redundantly communicating control signals to all other device controllers and for communicating with the first microprocessor. The system includes a dual redundant communication channel system having a first communication channel controlled by the first microprocessor of each device controller and a second communication channel controlled by the second microprocessor of each device controller.

US Patent:

6658334, Dec 2, 2003

Filed:

Feb 4, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/067641

Inventors:

Karen A. Boswell - Freeland MI
Michael D. Byers - Ann Arbor MI

Assignee:

Delphi Technologies, Inc. - Troy MI

International Classification:

G06F 700

US Classification:

701 41, 280 62

Abstract:

A method for controlling the rear steering angle of a vehicle includes calibrating a static vehicle speed threshold, detecting an actual vehicle speed below the calibrated static vehicle speed threshold, determining whether the phase of a rear steering angle is correct in response to the detected speed below threshold, ramping to zero the rear steering angle if the determined phase is not correct, deciding whether the rear steering angle is greater than a desired rear steering angle if the determined phase is correct, and ramping down the rear steering angle to the desired rear steering angle in response to the decidedly greater angle by commanding an electric motor operably coupled to the steering rack.

US Patent:

6678594, Jan 13, 2004

Filed:

Feb 2, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/775880

Inventors:

Michael D. Byers - Ypsilanti MI
Brian Thomas Murray - Novi MI
Sanket Suresh Amberkar - Saginaw MI

Assignee:

Delphi Technologies, Inc. - Troy MI

International Classification:

B62D 504

US Classification:

701 41, 701 42, 180422, 388930

Abstract:

A steer-by-wire control system comprising a master control system, a road wheel system, and a hand wheel system is disclosed. The road wheel system is connected to the master control system and includes a road wheel position sensor and a rack force sensor. The hand wheel system is connected to the master control system and the road wheel system and includes a hand wheel position sensor and a torque sensor. The steer-by-wire system also includes a vehicle speed sensor for producing a vehicle speed signal. In addition a hand wheel actuator configured to receive commands from the hand wheel system and a road wheel actuator configured to receive commands from the road wheel system are utilized. The hand wheel system and road wheel system each include a configurable control topology.

US Patent:

6786296, Sep 7, 2004

Filed:

May 30, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/157021

Inventors:

Jürgen Guldner - Munich, DE
Markus Krug - Munich, DE
Slawomir Bakaus - Munich, DE
Kai-Uwe Balszuweit - Grasbrunn, DE
Hendrikus Smakman - Munich, DE
Christian Ebner - Munich, DE
Michael Gräf - Gräfelfing, DE
Schedl Anton - Munich, DE
Patrick Mescher - Bellbrook OH
Robert Disser - Dayton OH
Jeffrey Heinrichs - Dayton OH
Scott Millsap - Saginaw MI
Brian Murray - Novi MI
Detlef Krukenkamp - Unterschleissheim, DE
Michael Byers - Ann Arbor MI

Assignee:

Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft - Munich
Delphi Technologies, Inc. - Troy MI

International Classification:

B62D 500

US Classification:

180402, 180 624, 180403, 180421, 180422, 701 41

Abstract:

In an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for steering a vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus includes a back-drivable steer-by-wire system including a road wheel actuator assembly coupled to a wheel of the vehicle. The road wheel actuator assembly defines a steering axis and the steering axis is off-set from a longitudinal axis of the wheel by a positive scrub radius. In an embodiment for a method in accordance with the present invention, a method to steer a vehicle after failure of a road wheel actuator assembly in a back-drivable steer-by-wire steering system is disclosed. The method includes the acts of applying a braking force to the wheel and generating a torque on the road wheel actuator assembly by the applied braking force acting through a positive scrub radius.

US Patent:

20030230448, Dec 18, 2003

Filed:

Jun 18, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/173126

Inventors:

Juergen Guldner - Muenchen, DE
Markus Krug - Muenchen, DE
Slawomir Bakaus - Muenchen, DE
Kai-Uwe Balszuweit - Grasbrunn, DE
Hendrikus Smakman - Muenchen, DE
Christian Ebner - Muenchen, DE
Michael Graef - Graefelfing, DE
Anton Schedl - Muenchen, DE
Patrick Mescher - Bellbrook OH, US
Robert Disser - Dayton OH, US
Jeffrey Heinrichs - Dayton OH, US
Scott Millsap - Saginaw MI, US
Brian Murray - Novi MI, US
Detlef Krukenkamp - Unterschleissheim, DE
Michael Byers - Ann Arbor MI, US

International Classification:

B62D005/00

US Classification:

180/402000

Abstract:

A steering system for a vehicle includes a steering handle having a center position, a steer-by-wire system, and a steer feel control system. The steer-by-wire system senses the position of the steering handle and controls the steering angle of a steerable vehicle wheel as a function of the position of the steering handle. The steer feel control system includes a motor that is operatively associated with the steering handle, and has first and second modes of operation. In the first mode, the steer feel control system applies a force to the steering handle as a function of vehicle's operating condition, and in the second mode, the motor may be shorted. The steer feel control system may also include a spring that biases the steering handle towards to the center position. A method is used to provide steering feel to a steering handle of a vehicle having a steer-by-wire system and a steer feel control system, when the steer feel control system fails. The method may include shorting a motor of the steer feel control system to provide steer feel to the steering handle. The method may also include biasing the steering handle towards its center position using a spring.