Abstract: A method of initializing a brake-by-wire system is provided. The method includes connecting multiple braking actuators to a controller to allow for communication between the braking actuators and the controller. The braking actuators are associated with one or more wheels of a vehicle. Subsequent to connecting the multiple braking actuators to a controller, the method includes dynamically assigning a primary identifier to the braking actuators using the controller.

Abstract: A watchdog monitoring circuit and a method related thereto are provided. The watchdog monitoring circuit includes a first signal detection circuit configured to determine a first error condition associated with a first device when the first signal detection circuit does not receive a first plurality of signal pulses having a first predetermined characteristic from the first device. The watchdog monitoring circuit further includes a second signal detection circuit configured to determine a second error condition associated with a second device when the second signal detection circuit does not receive a second plurality of signal pulses having a second predetermined characteristic from the second device. The watchdog monitoring circuit further includes a first electrical control circuit operably associated with the first and second signal detection circuits.

Abstract: A method of initializing a brake-by-wire system is provided. The method includes connecting multiple braking actuators to a controller to allow for communication between the braking actuators and the controller. The braking actuators are associated with one or more wheels of a vehicle. Subsequent to connecting the multiple braking actuators to a controller, the method includes dynamically assigning a primary identifier to the braking actuators using the controller.

Abstract: A resistor (having a resistance of Rs) is connected in series with an inductor whose inductance and/or resistance is desired to be determined. An alternating voltage (such as a sinusoidal voltage) is applied across the series-connected resistor and inductor, wherein the alternating voltage has a frequency ?, a unique maximum or minimum value Vm, an average value and a unique crossover of the average value. The voltage Vr is measured across the resistor when the alternating voltage is at its maximum or minimum value. The voltage Vl is measured across the resistor when the alternating voltage is at its average value. The resistance RL of the inductor is calculated from an equation in which RL is a function of Vm, Vr , Rs and Vl. The inductance L of the inductor is calculated from an equation in which L is a function of Vl, Rl, Rs, Vr and ?.

Abstract: A resistor (having a resistance of Rs) is connected in series with an inductor whose inductance and/or resistance is desired to be determined. An alternating voltage (such as a sinusoidal voltage) is applied across the series-connected resistor and inductor, wherein the alternating voltage has a frequency ?, a unique maximum or minimum value Vm, an average value and a unique crossover of the average value. The voltage Vr is measured across the resistor when the alternating voltage is at its maximum or minimum value. The voltage Vl is measured across the resistor when the alternating voltage is at its average value. The resistance RL of the inductor is calculated from an equation in which RL is a function of Vm, Vr, Rs and Vl. The inductance L of the inductor is calculated from an equation in which L is a function of Vl, Rl, Rs, Vr and ?.

Abstract: For a motor vehicle, a brake system, an antilock electro-hydraulic hybrid brake system, and a method of braking. The brake system includes at least one first wheel assembly including a non-antilock brake apparatus with a first actuator, and at least one wheel assembly including an antilock brake apparatus with a second actuator. A received brake signal activates at least one of the first and second actuators to provide a braking force for the vehicle. A front wheel set may include the first wheel assembly with the first actuator being hydraulic. A rear wheel set may include the second wheel assembly with the second actuator being electric. The method includes receiving a brake signal, applying a non-antilock brake force to at least one wheel assembly based on the received brake signal, and applying an antilock brake force to at least one wheel assembly based on the received brake signal.

Abstract: A resistor (having a resistance of Rs) is connected in series with an inductor whose inductance and/or resistance is desired to be determined. An alternating voltage (such as a sinusoidal voltage) is applied across the series-connected resistor and inductor, wherein the alternating voltage has a frequency &ohgr;, a unique maximum or minimum value Vm, an average value and a unique crossover of the average value. The voltage Vr is measured across the resistor when the alternating voltage is at its maximum or minimum value. The voltage Vl is measured across the resistor when the alternating voltage is at its average value. The resistance RL of the inductor is calculated from an equation in which RL is a function of Vm, Vr, Rs and Vl. The inductance L of the inductor is calculated from an equation in which L is a function of Vl, Rl, Rs, Vr and &ohgr;.

Abstract: A voltage regulating control system for vehicle systems which includes a power supply providing electrical power to the system and having a predefined maximum voltage. A controller controls an actuator performing a vehicle system function and the electrical load in the system wherein the controller has a first predefined minimum operating voltage. A voltage regulator communicates with the controller and the power supply and senses a system input voltage in the system. In response to a sensed voltage dip in excess of a predetermined value, the regulator changes an effective electrical impedance of the system to maintain the system voltage at a predefined minimum voltage greater than the first predefined minimum operating voltage required by the controller.

Abstract: A voltage regulating control system for vehicle systems which includes a power supply providing electrical power to the system and having a predefined maximum voltage. A controller controls an actuator performing a vehicle system function and the electrical load in the system wherein the controller has a first predefined minimum operating voltage. A voltage regulator communicates with the controller and the power supply and senses a system input voltage in the system. In response to a sensed voltage dip in excess of a predetermined value, the regulator changes an effective electrical impedance of the system to maintain the system voltage at a predefined minimum voltage greater than the first predefined minimum operating voltage required by the controller.

Abstract: A brake system comprising a hydraulic brake, wherein the brake includes a displaceable braking surface, wherein the hydraulic brake requires low pressure to effect displacement during initiation of a brake apply and increased pressure to effect displacement as brake apply progresses, wherein the increased pressure exponentially increases in a non-linear response curve, a motor driven hydraulic actuator having a rotary input provided by a motor and a hydraulic output coupled to the hydraulically actuated brake, wherein the rotary input requires low torque during the initiation of brake apply to effect displacement of the hydraulically actuated brake and requires increased torque to effect rotary motion and displacement of the hydraulically actuated brake as brake apply progresses, the motor characterized by a progressively changing non-linear operation having a low torque mode and a high torque mode, and a control apparatus for the motor controlling the motor to effect displacement of the hydraulic brake, wher

Abstract: An AC motor control based on an iterative computation of the motor load and method of accurately determining motor load. At the initiation of motor operation, the load term (%LOAD) is initialized to zero, and the motor is energized in accordance with a predetermined voltage and frequency schedule for producing motor rotation. During the starting interval the power loss term LOSSES and the load term (%LOAD) are iteratively computed as a function of the input voltage and current (V.sub.bus, I.sub.bus) and the motor inverter frequency (IF). When a predetermined motor speed has been achieved, the run mode is initiated. At this point, the load is known based on the iterative load calculations performed during starting, and the motor voltage and inverter frequency are scheduled as a function of motor speed and load. The iterative computation of losses and load continue during the run mode so that changes in the motor load are taken into account.

Abstract: A motor vehicle suspension control includes a solenoid actuator having an actuating coil connected in series with a transistor across an electric power source and circuit protection apparatus for the transistor. The voltage across the transistor is monitored, after a short time delay following turn-on, as a signal indicative of excessive current therethrough. If the signal so indicates, the transistor is turned off for a period of time and then turned on again for another try. This continues for a predetermined maximum number of attempts. Specific clocked digital circuitry is disclosed for controlling the operation and producing the different required time delays or counts.

Abstract: Power antenna control apparatus is disclosed for a vehicle having an ignition switch with off, run and start positions, engine start means responsive to the ignition switch in its start position, a radio receiver effective to generate an extend signal when activated and a retract signal when deactivated and means effective to deactivate the radio receiver with the ignition switch in its off and start positions. The control comprises control means responsive to the extend and retract signals to activate the drive means toward, respectively, fully extended and retracted antenna positions and further comprises control means responsive to the ignition switch in its start position to deactivate the drive means at least in the extend direction and for at least a predetermined period of time deemed sufficient for engine starting, whereby reversal of antenna extension during engine starting is prevented.

Abstract: A power antenna control for a motor vehicle comprises a Hall effect device responsive to motor armature rotation to generate pulses for equal predetermined increments of antenna travel. These pulses are applied to both position and stall counters. In extension, the antenna drive is stopped when the position counter reaches a number corresponding to a predetermined extended position, which may be full extension or some lesser extension. In retraction, the stall counter is used with a clock to indicate stall which, when detected, causes the antenna drive to be stopped. Automatic current limiting for drive torque limitation during stall is activated only when the position counter indicates a limited position range near full retraction. Further during retraction, if the antenna is stopped within a small position range of full rectraction, it is reset to a count indicating full retraction. The system eliminates the need for hard stall sensing reaction switches and thus reduces antenna drive cable fatigue.

Abstract: Motor control apparatus is disclosed for a motor driven vehicle power window mechanism including a flexible drive element, such as a drive tape, adapted to drive the window in a predetermined direction by being placed in tension by the motor. The tension of the flexible drive element is relieved by automatically reversing motor direction for a short time when the window reaches the desired position. The reverse motor rotation is accurately controlled to an amount sufficient to relieve drive tension but insufficient to produce unwanted reverse movement of the window by detecting the pulses of the armature ripple current as the successive commutator bars pass the brushes during reverse motor rotation, integrating these pulses and stopping the reverse motor operation when the integrated value reaches a predetermined reference.