Patents by Inventor Anthony J. Champagne
Anthony J. Champagne 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).
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Patent number: 11834108Abstract: A method for generating torque assist includes determining a model yaw rate value based on a vehicle speed, a steering angle, and a road-friction coefficient value and determining a differential yaw rate value using a difference between the model yaw rate value and a vehicle yaw rate value. The method also includes determining an updated road-friction coefficient value using at least the differential yaw rate value and generating a torque assist value based on the updated road-friction coefficient value and a model rack force value.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2020Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Rangarajan Ramanujam, Mariam S. George, Anthony J. Champagne
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Patent number: 11511796Abstract: A method for damping dependent scaling for reducing wheel imbalance in a steering system includes determining roadwheel speed energy using a roadwheel speed signal and determining that the roadwheel speed energy is greater than a predetermined energy threshold, and in response: adjusting the roadwheel speed signal; and computing a wheel imbalance reduction command using the adjusted roadwheel speed signal. The method also includes determining that the roadwheel speed energy is not greater than the predetermined energy threshold, and in response computing the wheel imbalance reduction command using the roadwheel speed signal. The method also includes computing a motor torque command using the wheel imbalance reduction command, the motor torque command used to generate a corresponding amount of torque at a handwheel.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2019Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Apurv Naman, Rangarajan Ramanujam, Anthony J. Champagne
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Patent number: 11377143Abstract: Technical solutions are described for providing failsafe assist torque in steering systems. An example method includes determining, by a first controller, a first assist torque signal using a first set of torque sensor signals from a first sensor and a second set of torque sensor signals from a second sensor, the first sensor corresponding to the first controller, and the second sensor corresponding to a second controller. The method further includes determining, by the second controller, a second assist torque signal using the first and second sets of torque sensor signals. Further the method includes generating, by a motor, an assist torque using the first and second assist torque signals, and in response to the first controller receiving a diagnostic signal indicating a failure of the first torque sensor, determining by the first controller, the first assist torque signal using only the second set of torque sensor signals.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2020Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Keyur R. Patel, Anthony J. Champagne, Tejas M. Varunjikar
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Publication number: 20220169306Abstract: A method for generating torque assist includes determining a model yaw rate value based on a vehicle speed, a steering angle, and a road-friction coefficient value and determining a differential yaw rate value using a difference between the model yaw rate value and a vehicle yaw rate value. The method also includes determining an updated road-friction coefficient value using at least the differential yaw rate value and generating a torque assist value based on the updated road-friction coefficient value and a model rack force value.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2020Publication date: June 2, 2022Inventors: Rangarajan Ramanujam, Mariam S. George, Anthony J. Champagne
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Patent number: 11117614Abstract: A method for scaling a stability signal in a steering system is provided and includes computing, by a torque boost module, an assist torque command to cause a motor of the steering system to generate an assist torque. Further, the method includes computing, by a stability compensation module, a stabilized torque command based on an input signal, the stabilized torque command modifying the assist torque command. Further, the method includes computing, by a stability monitoring module, a stability scaling factor to adjust the stabilized torque command based on a duration and severity of an instability detected in the input signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2017Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Qi Wang, Tejas M. Varunjikar, Anthony J. Champagne, Michael K. Hales
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Publication number: 20200331520Abstract: Technical solutions described herein include a method of controlling an electric power steering system includes determining that one or more hand wheel torque sensors of electric power steering system are not operational and in response generating an assist torque command by estimating a front slip angle based on a motor angle of a motor of the electric power steering system and a vehicle speed. The method also includes converting the front slip angle to a rack force. The method also includes determining an amount of assist torque based on the rack force and controlling the electric power steering system using the generated assist torque command.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2019Publication date: October 22, 2020Inventors: Tejas M. Varunjikar, Anthony J. Champagne, Michael S. Wyciechowski, Rangarajan Ramanujam
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Patent number: 10793188Abstract: Technical solutions are described for generating and providing a motor torque command in electric systems such as an electric power steering (EPS) system. For example, an example EPS system includes a motor, and a controller that operates the motor to generate torque. The controller determines a torque reference twist based on a torque reference. The controller further determines a motor angle reference twist based on an angle-difference by multiplying the angle-difference by an autonomous mode enable signal. The autonomous mode enable signal is indicative whether the EPS is operating in autonomous mode. The controller further computes a total reference twist based on the torque reference twist and the motor angle reference twist, and computes a motor angle reference based on the total reference twist and a handwheel angle. The controller further generates the motor torque command using the motor angle reference, and sends the motor torque command to the motor.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2018Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: Steering Solution IP Holding CorporationInventors: Harshwardhan D. Karve, Jens Dittmer, Anthony J. Champagne
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Publication number: 20200269910Abstract: Technical solutions are described for damping dependent scaling for wheel imbalance reduction in steering systems. An example method includes determining roadwheel speed energy using a roadwheel speed signal. The method further includes determining that the roadwheel speed energy is greater than a predetermined energy threshold, and in response, adjusting the roadwheel speed signal, and computing a wheel imbalance reduction using the adjusted roadwheel speed signal. The method further includes, in case of determining that roadwheel speed energy is not greater than the predetermined energy threshold, and in response computing the wheel imbalance reduction using the roadwheel signal, without any adjustment. The method further includes computing a motor torque command using the wheel imbalance reduction, the motor torque command used to generate a corresponding amount of torque at a handwheel.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2019Publication date: August 27, 2020Inventors: Apurv Naman, Rangarajan Ramanujam, Anthony J. Champagne
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Publication number: 20200172157Abstract: Technical solutions are described for providing failsafe assist torque in steering systems. An example method includes determining, by a first controller, a first assist torque signal using a first set of torque sensor signals from a first sensor and a second set of torque sensor signals from a second sensor, the first sensor corresponding to the first controller, and the second sensor corresponding to a second controller. The method further includes determining, by the second controller, a second assist torque signal using the first and second sets of torque sensor signals. Further the method includes generating, by a motor, an assist torque using the first and second assist torque signals, and in response to the first controller receiving a diagnostic signal indicating a failure of the first torque sensor, determining by the first controller, the first assist torque signal using only the second set of torque sensor signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2020Publication date: June 4, 2020Inventors: Keyur R. Patel, Anthony J. Champagne, Tejas M. Varunjikar
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Patent number: 10604175Abstract: Technical solutions are described for providing failsafe assist torque in steering systems. An example method includes determining, by a first controller, a first assist torque signal using a first set of torque sensor signals from a first sensor and a second set of torque sensor signals from a second sensor, the first sensor corresponding to the first controller, and the second sensor corresponding to a second controller. The method further includes determining, by the second controller, a second assist torque signal using the first and second sets of torque sensor signals. Further the method includes generating, by a motor, an assist torque using the first and second assist torque signals, and in response to the first controller receiving a diagnostic signal indicating a failure of the first torque sensor, determining by the first controller, the first assist torque signal using only the second set of torque sensor signals.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2017Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Keyur R. Patel, Anthony J. Champagne, Tejas M. Varunjikar
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Patent number: 10569801Abstract: A payload estimation system and a method for estimating payload estimation using electric power steering (EPS) signals are provided. In certain embodiments, the aspects of the invention may include: receiving, by a payload detection module, multiple EPS signals to generate an additional axle load factor, determining, by a blend factor table, a load blend factor according to the additional axle load factor, generating, by a first multiplier, a blended nominal base assist signal by combining the load blend factor and a handwheel torque signal processed by a nominal base assist module, generating, by a second multiplier, a blended highload base assist signal by combining the load blend factor and the handwheel torque signal processed by a highload base assist module, and combining, by a merge module, the blended nominal base assist and the blended highload base assist to generate a motor torque command for the EPS system.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2016Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Tejas M. Varunjikar, Anthony J. Champagne
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Patent number: 10562561Abstract: An embodiment of a method of controlling one or more components of a vehicle includes receiving a reference steering command and one or more measurement signals related to a steering system of a vehicle, and estimating, by a processing device, a state of the steering system based on the one or more measurement signals, the steering system including at least a handwheel and a steering motor. The method also includes determining a maximum state achievable by the steering system at one or more times subsequent to receiving the one or more measurement signals, and controlling, by a control module, the steering system based on the steering reference command and the maximum state.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2017Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Qi Wang, Xingye Zhang, Tejas M. Varunjikar, Anthony J. Champagne
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Patent number: 10464594Abstract: A control system for a power steering system includes an error module that generates an error signal based on a difference of an estimated output vector and an output vector, a scaling module that calculates a feedback correction signal based on the error signal and an observer gain value, an extended state vector estimation module that determines an extended state vector estimate based on the feedback correction signal and a motor torque command, and a gain module that applies a gain to the extended state vector estimate to generate an estimated driver torque signal, the estimated driver torque signal is applied in control of the power steering system.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2015Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Bo Yu, Anthony J. Champagne, Tejas M. Varunjikar, Timothy W. Kaufmann
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Patent number: 10399597Abstract: Technical solutions are described for a payload detection module that detects payload using one or more steering system control signals and generates an axle load factor. An example payload detection module includes a rack torque module to determine a rack torque, a reference model module to determine a reference rack torque for the steering system based on a load scale factor, and a load factor calculation module to compute the axle load factor based on a difference between the rack torque and the reference rack torque. Further, a blend factor module determines a load blend factor according to the axle load factor. Further yet, a signal combiner combines a blended nominal base assist and a blended highload base assist according to the load blend factor, the combination modifying a motor torque command, the motor torque command being sent to a motor to generate assist torque.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2017Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Tejas M. Varunjikar, Anthony J. Champagne, Qi Wang
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Publication number: 20190202498Abstract: Technical solutions are described for generating and providing a motor torque command in electric systems such as an electric power steering (EPS) system. For example, an example EPS system includes a motor, and a controller that operates the motor to generate torque. The controller determines a torque reference twist based on a torque reference. The controller further determines a motor angle reference twist based on an angle-difference by multiplying the angle-difference by an autonomous mode enable signal. The autonomous mode enable signal is indicative whether the EPS is operating in autonomous mode. The controller further computes a total reference twist based on the torque reference twist and the motor angle reference twist, and computes a motor angle reference based on the total reference twist and a handwheel angle. The controller further generates the motor torque command using the motor angle reference, and sends the motor torque command to the motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2018Publication date: July 4, 2019Inventors: Harshwardhan D. Karve, Jens Dittmer, Anthony J. Champagne
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Patent number: 10336363Abstract: A power steering system includes a gain module that generates an estimated driver torque, and a blending module for determining a blend value. The blend value is based at least in part on a derivative of the estimated driver torque, and the blend value is applied to a return torque of a handwheel.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2016Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Chang Wang, Anthony J. Champagne, Michael K. Hales
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Patent number: 10322746Abstract: Technical solutions are described for facilitating a steering system to determine a motor velocity estimate for a motor of the steering system. For example, the steering system may include a state observer module that computes a base motor velocity estimate of the motor based on a plant model of the steering system. The steering system may further include a delay compensation module that computes a delay compensated velocity estimate based on the base motor velocity estimate and an acceleration of the motor. The steering system may further include a standstill detection module that modifies the delay compensated velocity estimate in response to a handwheel of the steering system being in standstill mode.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2016Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Qi Wang, Prerit Pramod, Anthony J. Champagne
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Patent number: 10173724Abstract: A control system for a power steering system includes an error module that generates an error signal based on a difference of an estimated output vector and an output vector, a scaling module that calculates a feedback correction signal based on the error signal and an observer gain value, an extended state vector estimation module that determines an extended state vector estimate based on the feedback correction signal and a motor torque command, and a gain module that applies a gain to the extended state vector estimate to generate an estimated driver torque signal, the estimated driver torque signal is applied in control of the power steering system.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2015Date of Patent: January 8, 2019Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Bo Yu, Anthony J. Champagne, Tejas M. Varunjikar, Timothy W. Kaufmann
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Patent number: 10155531Abstract: A method of controlling an electric power steering system of a vehicle is provided. The method determines that one or more hand wheel torque sensors of the vehicle are not enabled. The method generates an assist torque command by estimating a lateral acceleration of the vehicle based on a hand wheel angle and determining an amount of assist torque based on the estimated lateral acceleration. The method controls the electric power steering system using the generated assist torque command.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2014Date of Patent: December 18, 2018Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Anthony J. Champagne, Timothy W. Kaufmann, Kathryn L. Pattok, Tejas M. Varunjikar
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Patent number: 10155534Abstract: A system for determining driver torque includes a rack torque estimator module that determines an estimated rack torque value based on a motor angle, and a motor velocity. The system further includes a driver intent detection module that computes a disturbance torque scaling factor based on the estimated rack torque value. The system further includes a blend module that generates a motor torque assist command based on a scaled value of the estimated rack torque value using the disturbance torque scaling factor.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2016Date of Patent: December 18, 2018Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Tejas M. Varunjikar, Anthony J. Champagne