Patents by Inventor William Spadafora

William Spadafora 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).

  • Patent number: 8234045
    Abstract: Systems and methods for mitigating failure mode effects in a steer-by-wire system. The system includes a controller configured to alter a direction of the vehicle when the controller is in a failure mode. A steering device is coupled to a detector. The detector is configured to detect a steering input from a driver and output a signal representative of the steering input. A first actuator is coupled to a first control device. The first control device is configured to generate a first control signal representative of the steering input when the controller is in the failure mode. The first actuator alters the direction of the vehicle by removing energy from the vehicle. A second actuator is coupled to a second control device. The second control device is configured to generate a second control signal representative of the steering input when the controller is in the failure mode. The second actuator alters the direction of the vehicle by adding energy to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: William Spadafora, David Llewellyn, Perry Paielli, Jason Kramer
  • Publication number: 20100076650
    Abstract: Systems and methods for mitigating failure mode effects in a steer-by-wire system. The system includes a controller configured to alter a direction of the vehicle when the controller is in a failure mode. A steering device is coupled to a detector. The detector is configured to detect a steering input from a driver and output a signal representative of the steering input. A first actuator is coupled to a first control device. The first control device is configured to generate a first control signal representative of the steering input when the controller is in the failure mode. The first actuator alters the direction of the vehicle by removing energy from the vehicle. A second actuator is coupled to a second control device. The second control device is configured to generate a second control signal representative of the steering input when the controller is in the failure mode. The second actuator alters the direction of the vehicle by adding energy to the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: William Spadafora, David Llewellyn, Perry Paielli, Jason Kramer
  • Publication number: 20050221759
    Abstract: A node for communications in a transportation network comprises a processor, a memory, a communication device, and a set of instructions executable by the processor for: extracting information from a first message, making a first determination based at least in part on the information; and making a second determination as to whether a second message should be sent based on the first determination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Inventors: William Spadafora, Perry Paielli, David Llewellyn, Jason Kramer
  • Publication number: 20050060075
    Abstract: A fail-safe torque transducer, and automotive power steering system, utilizing a two-stage series coupled torsion bar system. A first stage torsion bar provides tuning of the steering system, and by reducing its diameter relative to the second stage, provides a lower torsional spring rate and higher operational stress level than that of the second stage. The second stage torsion bar provides the stress/strain indicia referenced by a torque-measuring device, and is stressed at a lower level than the first stage and therefore has a higher cycle life than that of the first stage bar. Hence, if stress related failure ever occurs, it will only occur in the first stage torsion bar, thereby preventing any torque from reaching the second stage, thereby causing a zero strain signal and thus rendering the system fail-safe and not subject to instability of vehicle steering if the torsion bar breaks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Publication date: March 17, 2005
    Inventors: David Llewellyn, William Spadafora, Jason Kramer