Stephen Paul Sanders

US Patent:

6497135, Dec 24, 2002

Filed:

Sep 8, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/658436

Inventors:

Stephen Paul Sanders - Millington MI
Peter James Maloney - New Hudson MI

Assignee:

Delphi Technologies, Inc. - Troy MI

International Classification:

G01N 2712

US Classification:

73 232, 73 2331, 73 2332, 123693, 123694

Abstract:

A voltage sensing system that has a pair of input leads having a first input lead, and a second input lead each sensing a non-grounded voltage, and an amplifier coupled to the pair of input leads, the amplifier generating an amplifier output voltage in response to a voltage on the first input lead, a voltage on the second input lead and an offset voltage. The system further includes a controller for receiving the amplifier output voltage and determining an operating range, and an offset voltage generator for generating the offset voltage, the offset voltage generator altering the offset voltage in response to the operating range determined by the controller. An oxygen sensing system using a sample resistance for sensing a bi-directional current may be coupled to the voltage sensing system. A method for sensing air-to-fuel ratio includes sampling an input voltage drop derived from a pumping current across a sampling resistance. The input voltage is indicative of air-to-fuel ratio.

US Patent:

7855525, Dec 21, 2010

Filed:

Oct 30, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/928718

Inventors:

Stephen P. Sanders - Millington MI, US
Joyce D. Carsey - Swartz Creek MI, US
Lawrence D. Hazelton - Goodrich MI, US
Jos Lang - Bertrange, LU
Frederic Jacquot - Thionville, FR
Thomas W. Newman - Flint MI, US

Assignee:

Delphi Technologies, Inc. - Troy MI

International Classification:

G05D 3/00

US Classification:

318466, 318280, 318283

Abstract:

An actuator includes a motor operated by a controller through a pulse width modulation drive signal applied to a drive circuit that drives the motor. The actuator has an output shaft connected to a coupling structure for manipulating a device such as a variable geometry turbine (VGT) or an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve. The device has a range of motion limited by first and second mechanical stops located at opposing low and high ends of the range. The controller learns the location of the mechanical stops during calibration. An external control unit transmits a desired position to the actuator. A protocol allows the external control unit to implicitly request a positioning mode by virtue of what value range the desired position falls into. The controller is configured to limit the drive signal to a non-harmful level when one of the positioning modes calls for pushing the device against one of the stops.

US Patent:

8350511, Jan 8, 2013

Filed:

Oct 13, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/903321

Inventors:

Stephen P. Sanders - Millington MI, US
Joyce D. Carsey - Swartz Creek MI, US
Lawrence D. Hazelton - Goodrich MI, US
Jos Lang - Bertrange, LU
Frederic Jacquot - Thionville, FR
Thomas W. Newman - Flint MI, US

Assignee:

Delphi Technologies, Inc. - Troy MI

International Classification:

H02P 7/00

US Classification:

318432, 12356819

Abstract:

An actuator includes a motor operated by a controller through a pulse width modulation drive signal applied to a drive circuit that drives the motor. The actuator has an output shaft connected to a coupling structure for manipulating a device such as a variable geometry turbine (VGT) or an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve. The device has a range of motion limited by first and second mechanical stops located at opposing low and high ends of the range. The controller learns the location of the mechanical stops during calibration. An external control unit transmits a desired position to the actuator. A protocol allows the external control unit to implicitly request a positioning mode by virtue of what value range the desired position falls into. The controller is configured to limit the drive signal to a non-harmful level when one of the positioning modes calls for pushing the device against one of the stops.

US Patent:

50897837, Feb 18, 1992

Filed:

Nov 16, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/614809

Inventors:

Nick S. Kapsokavathis - Rochester MI
Stephen P. Sanders - Flint MI

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

G01R 2726
G01N 2722

US Classification:

324672

Abstract:

In a fuel composition sensor in which a fast step voltage is applied to a capacitive voltage divider comprising a sensor capacitance and a reference capacitance in series, a padding capacitor is connected in parallel with the sensor capacitor to produce a more linear output across the full range of fuel composition. The value of the padding capacitor is sufficient to produce a capacitance ratio of the voltage divider substantially less than one and, in particular, less than two thirds.

US Patent:

50866508, Feb 11, 1992

Filed:

Jan 7, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/637724

Inventors:

Charles R. Harrington - Troy MI
Stephen P. Sanders - Flint MI

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

G01F 168

US Classification:

7320421

Abstract:

An airflow sensor in a flat chip configuration having sensing elements on only one side is subject to causing turbulence in the airflow which has a deleterious effect on the flow signal. The turbulence is diminished or prevented and sensitivity is enhanced by tilting the plane of the sensor a few degrees to the flow direction. Flow in both directions through a passage is measured by bending the passage at the sensor location so that the flow in either direction is inclined to the surface carrying the sensing elements. Flow in both directions through a straight passage is measured by providing the sensor with sensing elements on both sides and mounting the sensor at a tilt so that flow in both directions is inclined to a surface of the sensor.

US Patent:

51031841, Apr 7, 1992

Filed:

Nov 16, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/615693

Inventors:

Nick S. Kapsokavathis - Rochester MI
Stephen P. Sanders - Flint MI

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

G01R 2726

US Classification:

324672

Abstract:

A fuel composition sensor for a fuel line carrying a mixture of two fuels provides a fuel composition signal VOUT to an engine control computer having a computer analog reference voltage ECM referenced to a computer ground EGD. The sensor has a sensor analog reference voltage VREF referenced to a sensor ground GND, which may differ from the computer ground EGD. An input isolation amplifier derives the sensor analog reference voltage VREF relative to GND ratiometrically from the computer analog reference voltage ECM referenced to EGD; and an output isolation amplifier derives the fuel composition signal VOUT referenced to EGD ratiometrically from the difference between a fuel composition responsive sensor signal VSIG and its minimum possible value, corresponding to a sensed fuel composition of only one of the fuels, relative to GND. The sensor may comprise a capacitive voltage divider and provide sensor voltage VSIG also having a maximum value corresponding to a sensed fuel composition of only the other fuel. If the range of possible values of VSIG is compressed, the isolation amplifier may provide a gain greater than one to better match the available input range of the computer.