Patents by Inventor Joseph Carr Meyers

Joseph Carr Meyers has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20040111208
    Abstract: A roll control system (16) for an automotive vehicle (10) is used to detect if one of the plurality of wheels (12) is lifted. The system generates a pressure request to determine if the wheel has lifted. A roll control pressure request may also be generated. The wheel lift pressure is suppressed in response to the roll control pressure request. The system may also store a peak wheel speed after the initiation of a build cycle so that the peak wheel speed is used in the wheel lift determination. Also, the system may have an ABS monitor mode which uses the build and release cycles of the ABS system to determine whether a wheel has lifted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Joseph Carr Meyers, Todd Allen Brown
  • Publication number: 20040064246
    Abstract: A control system (18) and method for an automotive vehicle (10) used for detecting lift of a wheel includes a passive wheel lift detector (58) that generates a passive wheel lift signal, an active wheel lift detector (60) that generates an active wheel lift signal, and an integrated wheel lift detector (62) coupled to the passive wheel lift detector (58) and the active wheel lift detector (60). The integrated wheel lift detector (62) generates a final wheel lift signal in response to the passive wheel lift signal and the active wheel lift signal. The final wheel lift signal may be used to control a safety device such as a rollover prevention system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Jianbo Lu, Joseph Carr Meyers, Keith Glenn Mattson, Todd Allen Brown
  • Publication number: 20040030473
    Abstract: A method for controlling an automotive vehicle (10) having a plurality of wheels (12a), (12b), (13a), (13b) includes determining a yaw rate, determining a lateral acceleration, determining a roll rate, determining longitudinal acceleration; and determining a calculated angle relative to the vehicle. The method further includes generating a wheel lift signal or a wheel grounded signal as a function of yaw rate, lateral acceleration, roll rate and longitudinal acceleration, adjusting the calculated angle in response to the wheel lift or wheel grounded signal, and controlling a safety system in response to the calculated vehicle angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Jianbo Lu, Joseph Carr Meyers, Michael Edward Brewer, Todd Allen Brown
  • Publication number: 20040019418
    Abstract: A control system (18) for an automotive vehicle (10) has a first roll condition detector (64A), a second roll condition detector (64B), a third roll condition detector (64C), and a controller (26) that uses the roll condition generated by the roll condition detectors (64A-C) to determine a wheel lift condition. Other roll condition detectors may also be used in the wheel lift determination. The wheel lift conditions may be active or passive or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventors: Jianbo Lu, Michael Edward Brewer, Todd Allen Brown, Joseph Carr Meyers
  • Publication number: 20040010383
    Abstract: A control system (18) and method for an automotive vehicle (10) used for detecting lift of a wheel includes a speed sensor (20) coupled to the wheel producing a wheel speed signal and a torque control system (57) coupled to the wheel for generating an operating input torque to the wheel. A controller (26) is coupled to the torque control system (57) and the wheel speed sensor (20). The controller (26) determines a wheel response to the operating input torque and generates a wheel lift signal as a function of the operating input torque, the wheel speed signal and the wheel response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventors: Jianbo Lu, Michael Edward Brewer, Todd Allen Brown, Joseph Carr Meyers
  • Patent number: 6654674
    Abstract: A yaw stability control system (18) is enhanced to include roll stability control function for an automotive vehicle and includes a plurality of sensors (28-39) sensing the dynamic conditions of the vehicle. The sensors may include a speed sensor (20), a lateral acceleration sensor (32), a yaw rate sensor (28) and a longitudinal acceleration sensor (36). The controller (26) is coupled to the speed sensor (20), the lateral acceleration sensor (32), the yaw rate sensor (28) and a longitudinal acceleration sensor (36). The controller (26) generates both a yaw stability feedback control signal and a roll stability feedback control signal. The priority of achieving yaw stability control or roll stability control is determined through priority determination logic. If a potential rollover event is detected, the roll stability control will take the priority.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jianbo Lu, Todd Allen Brown, Joseph Carr Meyers
  • Publication number: 20030163231
    Abstract: A stability control system (24) for an automotive vehicle as includes a plurality of sensors (28-37) sensing the dynamic conditions of the vehicle and a controller (26) that controls a distributed brake pressure to reduce a tire moment so the net moment of the vehicle is counter to the roll direction. The sensors include a speed sensor (30), a lateral acceleration sensor (32), a roll rate sensor (34), and a yaw rate sensor (20). The controller (26) is coupled to the speed sensor (30), the lateral acceleration sensor (32), the roll rate sensor (34), the yaw rate sensor (28). The controller (26) determines a roll angle estimate in response to lateral acceleration, roll rate, vehicle speed, and yaw rate. The controller (26) changes a tire force vector using brake pressure distribution in response to the relative roll angle estimate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventors: Joseph Carr Meyers, Todd Allen Brown
  • Publication number: 20030100979
    Abstract: A yaw stability control system (18) is enhanced to include roll stability control function for an automotive vehicle and includes a plurality of sensors (28-39) sensing the dynamic conditions of the vehicle. The sensors may include a speed sensor (20), a lateral acceleration sensor (32), a yaw rate sensor (28) and a longitudinal acceleration sensor (36). The controller (26) is coupled to the speed sensor (20), the lateral acceleration sensor (32), the yaw rate sensor (28) and a longitudinal acceleration sensor (36). The controller (26) generates both a yaw stability feedback control signal and a roll stability feedback control signal. The priority of achieving yaw stability control or roll stability control is determined through priority determination logic. If a potential rollover event is detected, the roll stability control will take the priority.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventors: Jianbo Lu, Todd Allen Brown, Joseph Carr Meyers
  • Patent number: 6529803
    Abstract: A stability control system (24) for an automotive vehicle as includes a plurality of sensors (28-39) sensing the dynamic conditions of the vehicle and a controller controls a steering force to reduce a tire moment so the net moment of the vehicle is counter to the roll direction. The sensors may include a speed sensor (30), a lateral acceleration sensor (32), a roll rate sensor (34), a yaw rate sensor (20) and a longitudinal acceleration sensor (36). The controller (26) is coupled to the speed sensor (30), the lateral acceleration sensor (32), the roll rate sensor (34), the yaw rate sensor (28) and a longitudinal acceleration sensor (36). The controller (26) determines a roll angle estimate in response to lateral acceleration, longitudinal acceleration, roll rate, vehicle speed, and yaw rate. The controller (26) changes a tire force vector using by changing the direction and/or force of the steering actuator in response to the relative roll angle estimate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Carr Meyers, Todd Allen Brown
  • Patent number: 6496758
    Abstract: A stability control system (24) for an automotive vehicle as includes a plurality of sensors (28-39) sensing the dynamic conditions of the vehicle and a controller controls a steering force to reduce a tire moment so the net moment of the vehicle is counter to the roll direction. The sensors may include a speed sensor (30), a lateral acceleration sensor (32), a roll rate sensor (34), a yaw rate sensor (20) and a longitudinal acceleration sensor (36). The controller (26) is coupled to the speed sensor (30), the lateral acceleration sensor (32), the roll rate sensor (34), the yaw rate sensor (28) and a longitudinal acceleration sensor (36). The controller (26) determines a roll angle estimate in response to lateral acceleration, longitudinal acceleration, roll rate, vehicle speed, and yaw rate. The controller (26) changes a tire force vector using by changing the direction and/or force of the steering actuator in response to the relative roll angle estimate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Scott Rhode, Joseph Carr Meyers, Todd Allen Brown
  • Publication number: 20020095244
    Abstract: A stability control system (24) for an automotive vehicle as includes a plurality of sensors (28-39) sensing the dynamic conditions of the vehicle and a controller controls a steering force to reduce a tire moment so the net moment of the vehicle is counter to the roll direction. The sensors may include a speed sensor (30), a lateral acceleration sensor (32), a roll rate sensor (34), a yaw rate sensor (20) and a longitudinal acceleration sensor (36). The controller (26) is coupled to the speed sensor (30), the lateral acceleration sensor (32), the roll rate sensor (34), the yaw rate sensor (28) and a longitudinal acceleration sensor (36). The controller (26) determines a roll angle estimate in response to lateral acceleration, longitudinal acceleration, roll rate, vehicle speed, and yaw rate. The controller (26) changes a tire force vector using by changing the direction and/or force of the steering actuator in response to the relative roll angle estimate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventors: Douglas Scott Rhode, Joseph Carr Meyers, Todd Allen Brown
  • Publication number: 20020082749
    Abstract: A stability control system (24) for an automotive vehicle as includes a plurality of sensors (28-39) sensing the dynamic conditions of the vehicle and a controller controls a steering force to reduce a tire moment so the net moment of the vehicle is counter to the roll direction. The sensors may include a speed sensor (30), a lateral acceleration sensor (32), a roll rate sensor (34), a yaw rate sensor (20) and a longitudinal acceleration sensor (36). The controller (26) is coupled to the speed sensor (30), the lateral acceleration sensor (32), the roll rate sensor (34), the yaw rate sensor (28) and a longitudinal acceleration sensor (36). The controller (26) determines a roll angle estimate in response to lateral acceleration, longitudinal acceleration, roll rate, vehicle speed, and yaw rate. The controller (26) changes a tire force vector using by changing the direction and/or force of the steering actuator in response to the relative roll angle estimate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: Joseph Carr Meyers, Todd Allen Brown
  • Patent number: 6397127
    Abstract: A system for an automotive vehicle that includes a roll control system (16) and a wheel lift detector (20) is provided for an automotive vehicle (10). The automotive vehicle (10) has wheels (12) that when lifted from the road plane have less steering effort associated therewith. Preferably, each of the steered wheels (12) has a steering actuator (42) and an actuator sensor (30) for monitoring the steering effort. The load of the steering actuator (42) is monitored and the actuator (42) having the lightest load is determined. A steering perturbation is applied to the steering actuator and the steering effort is monitored during the perturbation. If the steering effort during the perturbation is lower than a lift threshold, then lift will be indicated. If the steering effort is greater than a lift threshold, then contact has been maintained with the road surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Carr Meyers, Todd Allen Brown
  • Patent number: 6356188
    Abstract: A system for detecting wheel lift of an automotive vehicle has a speed sensor (22) coupled to a wheel (12) of automotive vehicle (10). A torque control system (20) is coupled to wheel (12) to change the torque at the wheel. A controller (18) is coupled to the torque control system and a speed sensor. The controller (18) determines lift by changing the torque of the wheel, measuring the change in torque and indicating lift in response to the change in torque which may be indicated by wheel speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Carr Meyers, Todd Allen Brown
  • Patent number: 6338012
    Abstract: A stability control system 24 for an automotive vehicle as includes a plurality of sensors 28-37 sensing the dynamic conditions of the vehicle and a controller 26 that controls a distributed brake force to reduce a tire moment so the net moment of the vehicle is counter to the roll direction. The sensors include a speed sensor 30, a lateral acceleration sensor 32, a roll rate sensor 34, a yaw rate sensor 20 and a longitudinal acceleration sensor 36. The controller 26 is coupled to the speed sensor 30, the lateral acceleration sensor 32, the roll rate sensor 34, the yaw rate sensor 28 and a longitudinal acceleration sensor 36. The controller 26 determines a roll angle estimate in response to lateral acceleration, longitudinal acceleration, roll rate, vehicle speed, and yaw rate. The controller 26 changes a tire force vector using brake force distribution in response to the relative roll angle estimate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Allen Brown, Joseph Carr Meyers
  • Publication number: 20010008986
    Abstract: A stability control system 24 for an automotive vehicle as includes a plurality of sensors 28-37 sensing the dynamic conditions of the vehicle and a controller 26 that controls a distributed brake force to reduce a tire moment so the net moment of the vehicle is counter to the roll direction. The sensors include a speed sensor 30, a lateral acceleration sensor 32, a roll rate sensor 34, a yaw rate sensor 20 and a longitudinal acceleration sensor 36. The controller 26 is coupled to the speed sensor 30, the lateral acceleration sensor 32, the roll rate sensor 34, the yaw rate sensor 28 and a longitudinal acceleration sensor 36. The controller 26 determines a roll angle estimate in response to lateral acceleration, longitudinal acceleration, roll rate, vehicle speed, and yaw rate. The controller 26 changes a tire force vector using brake force distribution in response to the relative roll angle estimate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Publication date: July 19, 2001
    Inventors: Todd Allen Brown, Joseph Carr Meyers