Abstract: A method for determining motional branch current in an ultrasonic transducer of an ultrasonic surgical device over multiple frequencies of a transducer drive signal. The method may comprise, at each of a plurality of frequencies of the transducer drive signal, oversampling a current and voltage of the transducer drive signal, receiving, by a processor, the current and voltage samples, and determining, by the processor, the motional branch current based on the current and voltage samples, a static capacitance of the ultrasonic transducer and the frequency of the transducer drive signal.

Abstract: A surgical instrument, has an end effector that includes an ultrasonic blade, and a clamp arm that moves relative to the ultrasonic blade from an opened position toward an intermediate position and a closed position. The clamp arm is offset from the ultrasonic blade to define a predetermined gap in the intermediate position between the opened position and the closed position. A clamp arm actuator connects to the clamp arm and moves from an opened configuration to a closed configuration to direct the clamp arm from the opened position toward the intermediate position and the closed position. A spacer connects with the clamp arm to inhibit movement of the clamp arm from the intermediate position toward the closed position for maintaining the predetermined gap between the clamp arm and the ultrasonic blade.

Abstract: A system for interoperating and communicating data from a device having a communications gateway and at least one tactical device connected to an electrified rail providing electrical power. The system includes at least one processor, and at least one non-transitory computer-readable data storage device storing data instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the system to receive an event from the device, determine whether the event triggers a workflow, and execute an action on the device in response to the workflow being triggered.

Abstract: A method of measuring a temperature of a thermally-insulated, high temperature system. The method includes directing a first electromagnetic energy into the high temperature system so that the first electromagnetic energy may cause multi-photon ionization of a molecular or atomic species within the high temperature system. A second electromagnetic energy resulting from the multi-photon ionization is detected through a thermally-insulating wall of the high temperature system. The detected second electromagnetic energy is related to a temperature within the high temperature system.

Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle to maintain the vehicle along a desired course. The vehicle has a first steering system for turning left and right wheels at a first end of the vehicle, a second steering system for turning left and right wheels at a second end of the vehicle, brakes for slowing rotation of the wheels, and a steering lock mechanism. The method includes determining that the first steering system is malfunctioning. The steering lock mechanism is operated to lock out turning of the left and right wheels at the first end of the vehicle. The brakes are operated to maintain the vehicle along the desired course. The second steering system is operated to maintain the vehicle along the desired course.

Abstract: A method of measuring a temperature of a thermally-insulated, high temperature system. The method includes directing a first electromagnetic energy into the high temperature system so that the first electromagnetic energy may cause multi-photon ionization of a molecular or atomic species within the high temperature system. A second electromagnetic energy resulting from the multi-photon ionization is detected through a thermally-insulating wall of the high temperature system. The detected second electromagnetic energy is related to a temperature within the high temperature system.

Abstract: This invention refers to an electrically assisted steering system that includes a torque sensor connected to a vehicle steering wheel. The system also includes a torque control ECU that is responsive to torque signals from the torque sensor to generate a motor assist requirement signal. The system further includes a motor control ECU responsive to the motor assist requirement signal to generate a motor control signal. The system additionally includes a steering assist motor responsive to the motor control signal to provide a steering assistance torque to the vehicle steering system. Finally, the system includes a safety domain ECU connected to at least one vehicle operational parameter sensor to generate a torque signal and send the same signal to the torque control ECU. The safety domain ECU is also being in communication with the torque control ECU and the Motor control ECU.

Abstract: This invention refers to an electrically assisted steering system that includes a torque sensor connected to a vehicle steering wheel. The system also includes a torque control ECU that is responsive to torque signals from the torque sensor to generate a motor assist requirement signal. The system further includes a motor control ECU responsive to the motor assist requirement signal to generate a motor control signal. The system additionally includes a steering assist motor responsive to the motor control signal to provide a steering assistance torque to the vehicle steering system. Finally, the system includes a safety domain ECU connected to at least one vehicle operational parameter sensor to generate a torque signal and send the same signal to the torque control ECU. The safety domain ECU is also being in communication with the torque control ECU and the Motor control ECU.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a fault in an electric motor (50) determines a calculated star voltage (Vstar—calc) of the electric motor. The calculated star voltage (Vstar—calc) is compared to a measured star voltage (Vstar—meas) of the electric motor (50) to determine a star voltage error (Vstar—err). The fault in the electric motor (50) is determined when the star voltage error (Vstar—err) exceeds a predetermined maximum star voltage error (Vstar—err—max).

Abstract: A power assisted steering system includes a steering assembly and a power assist assembly. The power assist assembly includes a motor having an output shaft that is connected to the steering assembly. A target disc is connected to the output shaft for rotation therewith. A control unit has a printed circuit board including at least one sensor supported thereon. The sensor is responsive to rotation of the target disc for generating a signal. The controller is responsive to the sensor signal for controlling the operation of the motor.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for controlling an electric assist motor in a vehicle steering system during an enablement of an overuse algorithm. Electric power is provided to the electric assist motor of the vehicle steering system via a switching circuit. Temperature of one of at least electric assist motor and power driving circuitry that provides power to the electric assist motor is sensed. A determination is made whether the sensed temperature of the one of at least electric assist motor and power driving circuitry is increasing over a predetermined period of time. The electric power provided to electric assist motor is reduced in response to a lack of increase in said sensed temperature.

Abstract: An electrically assisted power steering system includes an anti-theft feature. Upon detection of an event that is indicative of a vehicle theft situation, the drive circuit for the electric assist motor is selectively actuated to excite the motor windings to either prevent or oppose movement of the steering system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of controlling an electric motor (26) having a rotor (34) that is formed from a series of laminations (48) and has a plurality of rotor poles (36) and a stator (30) that encircles the rotor (34) and has a plurality of stator poles (32), each with a respective stator winding (38). A first sensor (46) senses actual inductance in the respective stator winding (38). A second sensor (46) senses a position of the rotor (34) relative to the stator (30). A controller (42) determines a reference inductance based on the rotor position signal, determines a difference between the actual inductance and the reference inductance, and prevents further energization of the stator windings (38) when the difference exceeds a predetermined amount.

Abstract: An electric power assisted steering system (10) for a vehicle comprises a steering gear (12) having a rack bar (26) and a housing (24). The rack bar (26) is movable linearly relative to the housing (24) for turning steerable wheels (34 and 36) of the vehicle. An electric motor (14) is coupled with the rack bar (26) of the steering gear (12). Energization of the electric motor (14) causes linear movement of the rack bar (26) relative to the housing (24). At least one vehicle condition sensor senses a vehicle condition and generates a signal indicative of the vehicle condition. A motor current sensor (22) senses an actual current of the electric motor (14) and generates a signal indicative of the actual motor current. A single integrated circuit (16) includes a main processor (64) and a monitoring processor (66). The main processor (64) controls the actual motor current delivered to the electric motor (14). The monitoring processor (66) determines if the main processor (64) is properly functioning.

Abstract: A vehicle steering assembly (10) comprises a steering member (14) having a rack portion (36) for engagement with a pinion (30) and a screw portion (38). A ball nut (90) cooperates with the screw portion (38) to move the steering member (14) axially upon rotation of the ball nut (90). An electric motor (50) is drivingly connected to the ball nut (90). The member (38) has an additional portion (142) projecting from the ball nut (90) for connection with a steerable vehicle wheel. The assembly (10) includes a cold-formed metal housing (60) having a generally cylindrical main body portion (120) enclosing and supporting the electric motor (50) and the ball nut (90) and a generally cylindrical outboard housing portion (140) enclosing the additional portion (142) of the member (38). The housing (60) has structure associated with the outboard portion (140) for mounting the assembly (10) to the vehicle.

Abstract: An electric power assisted steering system (10) for a vehicle comprises a steering gear (12) having a rack bar (26) and a housing (24). The rack bar (26) is movable linearly relative to the housing (24) for turning steerable wheels (34 and 36) of the vehicle. An electric motor (14) is coupled with the rack bar (26) of the steering gear (12). Energization of the electric motor (14) causes linear movement of the rack bar (26) relative to the housing (24). At least one vehicle condition sensor senses a vehicle condition and generates a signal indicative of the vehicle condition. A motor current sensor (22) senses an actual current of the electric motor (14) and generates a signal indicative of the actual motor current. A single integrated circuit (16) includes a main processor (64) and a monitoring processor (66). The main processor (64) controls the actual motor current delivered to the electric motor (14). The monitoring processor (66) determines if the main processor (64) is properly functioning.

Abstract: A vehicle steering assembly (10) comprises a steering member (14) having a rack portion (36) for engagement with a pinion (30) and a screw portion (38). A ball nut (90) cooperates with the screw portion (38) to move the steering member (14) axially upon rotation of the ball nut (90). An electric motor (50) is drivingly connected to the ball nut (90). The member (38) has an additional portion (142) projecting from the ball nut (90) for connection with a steerable vehicle wheel. The assembly (10) includes a cold-formed metal housing (60) having a generally cylindrical main body portion (120) enclosing and supporting the electric motor (50) and the ball nut (90) and a generally cylindrical outboard housing portion (140) enclosing the additional portion (142) of the member (38). The housing (60) has structure associated with the outboard portion (140) for mounting the assembly (10) to the vehicle.

Abstract: An electric assist steering system (10) includes a torque sensor (16) that provides an applied torque signal (24) indicative of applied steering torque. A motor position sensor (36) provides a motor position signal (40) indicative of the relative position between the rotor and the stator of an AC permanent magnet electric assist motor (22). A first controller (26) controls energization of the electric assist motor and a second controller (54) calculates a DQ vector value in response to applied steering torque and motor position. The second controller (54) also transforms the monitored motor current and position into DQ values. The second controller (54) compares the DQ values responsive to applied steering torque with the DQ value from monitored motor current and position. The electric assist motor (22) is disabled if the comparison indicates inconsistent results.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a steering assist system (10) of the type having an electric assist motor (28) steerably connected to steerable wheels (24, 26) of a vehicle. The apparatus (10) includes a torque sensor (20) for providing a torque signal indicative of applied steering torque. A steering selector (61) is used to select a desirable amount of steering assist. A vehicle speed sensor (56) is provided for sensing vehicle speed. A main controller (40) controls the steering assist motor (28) in response to the applied steering torque, the sensed vehicle speed, and the steering selector by adding an indexed speed value (60) to the vehicle speed signal in response the selection of the steering selector (61). The main controller (40) includes dynamically varying, vehicle speed dependant tunable parameters. An overseer controller (44) monitors operation of the main controller.

Abstract: A vehicle electric assist steering system (10) includes a switching circuit (56) for providing electrical power to an electric motor (52) of the vehicle steering system. The switching circuit (56) has a temperature condition. A temperature sensor (69) is coupled with the switching circuit (56) for providing an output signal (71) having a value indicative of the temperature condition of the switching circuit (56). A stall detector (70) is responsive to the output signal (71). The stall detector (70) is operable to reduce power to the electric motor to different level during a stall condition based on the sensed temperature condition of the switching circuit (56).