Abstract: Systems and methods for determining position are provided. An object produces a magnetic field having a first vector component, a second vector component, and a third vector component that are orthogonal to one another. A sensor measures a magnitude of each of the first, second, and third vector components when the object is within a range of positions. A controller is connected to the sensor and determines a relative position of the object within an undetermined cycle of a plurality of cycles based on the magnitude of the first vector component and the magnitude of the second vector component. The controller determines a cycle of the plurality of cycles in which the object is located based on the magnitude of the third vector component. The controller determines an absolute position of the object based on the relative position of the object and the cycle in which the object is located.

Abstract: A torque sensor is provided. The torque sensor includes a shaft configured to receive an applied torque. The shaft includes a first region and a second region, both regions being magnetoelastic. The first region and the second region generate a first magnetic field and a second magnetic field in response to the applied torque. The shaft also includes a third region disposed between the first region and the second region. The third region generates a substantially negligible magnetic field in response to the applied torque. The torque sensor also includes a first sensor disposed adjacent to the first region, a second sensor disposed adjacent to the second region, and a third sensor disposed adjacent the third region. The first sensor senses the first magnetic field, the second sensor senses the second magnetic field, and the third sensor senses an ambient magnetic field.

Abstract: A method for controlling a power steering system utilizes a vehicle having a motor, a controller coupled to the motor, and a steering assembly. The method includes detecting a steering rate using the controller. A base level steering damping is computed using the steering rate. At least one approximate vehicle acceleration is determined. A steering torque of the steering assembly is sensed through a torque sensor configured to sense the steering torque of the steering assembly. Moreover, a user torque is determined using the torque sensor. A damping boost is computed using the user torque and the at least one approximate vehicle acceleration. A final steering damping gain is determined using the base level steering damping and the damping boost. The final steering damping gain is applied to the steering assembly to minimize unwanted feedback to the steering assembly.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses relating to error detection in contactless position sensing are provided. An actuator moves a device between a plurality of predetermined positions. The device is contactlessly detected with a sensor when the device is connected to the actuator. The predetermined position of the device is determined with a controller based on contactless detection of the device by the sensor when the device is connected to the actuator. The device is controlled to become undetectable by the sensor when the device disconnects from the actuator.

Abstract: Circuits and methods relating to shunt current sensing are provided. A shunt current sensing circuit comprises a shunt resistor for receiving a shunt current. A filtering stage is connected to the shunt resistor and is configured to filter the shunt current. A current sense amplifier is connected to the filtering stage and is configured to receive the filtered shunt current from the filtering stage. The current sense amplifier is configured to sense the filtered shunt current to produce an output voltage. The filtering stage is configured to filter the shunt current such that the output voltage produced by the current sense amplifier (U2) is substantially proportional to the shunt current.

Abstract: A method for controlling a power steering system utilizes a vehicle having a motor, a controller coupled to the motor, and a steering assembly. The method includes detecting a steering rate using the controller and determining a vehicle speed. A base level steering damping is computed using the steering rate and the vehicle speed. At least one approximate vehicle acceleration is determined. A steering torque of the steering assembly is sensed through a torque sensor configured to sense the steering torque of the steering assembly. Moreover, a user torque is determined using the torque sensor. A damping boost is computed using the user torque and the at least one approximate vehicle acceleration. A final steering damping gain is determined using the base level steering damping and the damping boost. The final steering damping gain is applied to the steering assembly to minimize unwanted feedback to the steering assembly.

Abstract: A torque sensor is provided. The torque sensor includes a shaft configured to receive an applied torque. The shaft includes a first region and a second region, both regions being magnetoelastic. The first region and the second region generate a first magnetic field and a second magnetic field in response to the applied torque. The shaft also includes a third region disposed between the first region and the second region. The third region generates a substantially negligible magnetic field in response to the applied torque. The torque sensor also includes a first sensor disposed adjacent to the first region, a second sensor disposed adjacent to the second region, and a third sensor disposed adjacent the third region. The first sensor senses the first magnetic field, the second sensor senses the second magnetic field, and the third sensor senses an ambient magnetic field.

Abstract: Techniques for limiting electrical current provided to a motor for an electric power steering system are provided. A first estimated temperature of the motor is determined for a first time step. The first estimated temperature of the motor is filtered to produce a first filtered estimated temperature of the motor. A second estimated temperature of the motor is determined for a second time step subsequent to the first time step. The first filtered estimated temperature is compared with the second estimated temperature to determine whether the motor is heating or cooling. The filter is adjusted in response to determining whether the motor is heating or cooling. The second estimated temperature of the motor is filtered with the adjusted filter to produce a second filtered estimated temperature of the motor. A limit on electrical current provided to the motor is set using the second filtered estimated temperature.

Abstract: A method for controlling a power steering system utilizes a vehicle having a motor, a controller coupled to the motor, and a steering assembly. The method includes detecting a steering rate using the controller and determining a vehicle speed. A base level steering damping is computed using the steering rate and the vehicle speed. At least one approximate vehicle acceleration is determined. A steering torque of the steering assembly is sensed through a torque sensor configured to sense the steering torque of the steering assembly. Moreover, a user torque is determined using the torque sensor. A damping boost is computed using the user torque and the at least one approximate vehicle acceleration. A final steering damping gain is determined using the base level steering damping and the damping boost. The final steering damping gain is applied to the steering assembly to minimize unwanted feedback to the steering assembly.

Abstract: Circuits and methods relating to shunt current sensing are provided. A shunt current sensing circuit comprises a shunt resistor for receiving a shunt current. A filtering stage is connected to the shunt resistor and is configured to filter the shunt current. A current sense amplifier is connected to the filtering stage and is configured to receive the filtered shunt current from the filtering stage. The current sense amplifier is configured to sense the filtered shunt current to produce an output voltage. The filtering stage is configured to filter the shunt current such that the output voltage produced by the current sense amplifier (U2) is substantially pro-portional to the shunt current.

Abstract: Techniques for limiting electrical current provided to a motor for an electric power steering system are provided. A first estimated temperature of the motor is determined for a first time step. The first estimated temperature of the motor is filtered to produce a first filtered estimated temperature of the motor. A second estimated temperature of the motor is determined for a second time step subsequent to the first time step. The first filtered estimated temperature is compared with the second estimated temperature to determine whether the motor is heating or cooling. The filter is adjusted in response to determining whether the motor is heating or cooling. The second estimated temperature of the motor is filtered with the adjusted filter to produce a second filtered estimated temperature of the motor. A limit on electrical current provided to the motor is set using the second filtered estimated temperature.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses relating to error detection in contactless position sensing are provided. An actuator moves a device between a plurality of predetermined positions. The device is contactlessly detected with a sensor when the device is connected to the actuator. The predetermined position of the device is determined with a controller based on contactless detection of the device by the sensor when the device is connected to the actuator. The device is controlled to become undetectable by the sensor when the device disconnects from the actuator.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining position are provided. An object produces a magnetic field having a first vector component, a second vector component, and a third vector component that are orthogonal to one another. A sensor measures a magnitude of each of the first, second, and third vector components when the object is within a range of positions. A controller is connected to the sensor and determines a relative position of the object within an undetermined cycle of a plurality of cycles based on the magnitude of the first vector component and the magnitude of the second vector component. The controller determines a cycle of the plurality of cycles in which the object is located based on the magnitude of the third vector component. The controller determines an absolute position of the object based on the relative position of the object and the cycle in which the object is located.

Abstract: An automatic trim system for a jet propulsion watercraft is provided. Control electronics are in communication with a steering angle sensor to monitor the steering angle of the watercraft, and evaluate a target setting for the trim taking the steering angle into consideration. Control signals are sent to an appropriate actuating device for adjusting the trim angle accordingly.