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).

  • Patent number: 10144445
    Abstract: A method of controlling an electric power steering system is provided. The method estimates steering rack force to be caused by a tire and a surface of a ground with which the tire is in contact in response to determining that one or more hand wheel torque sensors are not enabled. The method generates a steering assist torque command based on the estimated steering rack force. The method controls the electric power steering system using the steering assist torque command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tejas M. Varunjikar, Anthony J. Champagne
  • Publication number: 20180148087
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Qi Wang, Prerit Pramod, Anthony J. Champagne
  • Publication number: 20180086371
    Abstract: Technical solutions are described for scaling a stability signal in a steering system. An example method 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: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Qi Wang, Tejas M. Varunjikar, Anthony J. Champagne, Michael K. Hales
  • Publication number: 20180086368
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Keyur R. Patel, Anthony J. Champagne, Tejas M. Varunjikar
  • Publication number: 20180015948
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Inventors: Tejas M. Varunjikar, Anthony J. Champagne, Qi Wang
  • Patent number: 9862411
    Abstract: A control system and method for a hydraulic-power steering system of a vehicle including magnetic torque overlay (MTO) is provided. The control system and method minimize undesirable vibration in a handwheel of the vehicle as a result of disturbance in its front road wheels (e.g., road-wheel imbalance). In the control system and method, a base torque command is determined or generated. At least the base torque command is passed to a disturbance-rejection module. The disturbance-rejection module modifies the base torque command to minimize the vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joel E. Birsching, Anthony J. Champagne, Michael K. Hales
  • Publication number: 20170355396
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Tejas M. Varunjikar, Anthony J. Champagne
  • Publication number: 20170305458
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Qi Wang, Xingye Zhang, Tejas M. Varunjikar, Anthony J. Champagne
  • Patent number: 9676409
    Abstract: A control system for a steering system is provided, and includes an acceleration module, a scaling module, and a final command module. The acceleration module determines a hand wheel acceleration. The scaling module determines a rejection command. The rejection command is based on the hand wheel acceleration and a road wheel frequency. The final command module determines an adjusted assist command that is based on a normal assist command and the rejection command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Anthony J. Champagne, Tejas M. Varunjikar, Jens Dittmer
  • Publication number: 20170101127
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventors: Tejas M. Varunjikar, Anthony J. Champagne
  • Publication number: 20170066473
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventors: Bo Yu, Anthony J. Champagne, Tejas M. Varunjikar, Timothy W. Kaufmann
  • Publication number: 20170066472
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventors: Chang Wang, Anthony J. Champagne, Michael K. Hales
  • Patent number: 9540040
    Abstract: A method for controlling a motor in an electrical power steering system is provided. The method generates a damping torque command for reducing an undesired torque to be generated by the motor. The method generates an assist torque command that specifies a desired torque to be generated by the motor. The method determines whether to send the damping torque command to the motor as a function of a hand wheel velocity and a hand wheel angle. The method combines the assist torque command and the damping torque command to send to the motor when it is determined that the damping torque command is to be sent to the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tejas M. Varunjikar, Anthony J. Champagne
  • Publication number: 20160288825
    Abstract: A method of controlling an electric power steering system is provided. The method estimates steering rack force to be caused by a tire and a surface of a ground with which the tire is in contact in response to determining that one or more hand wheel torque sensors are not enabled. The method generates a steering assist torque command based on the estimated steering rack force. The method controls the electric power steering system using the steering assist torque command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: Tejas M. Varunjikar, Anthony J. Champagne, Timothy W. Kaufmann
  • Patent number: 9409595
    Abstract: A method of controlling an electric power steering system of a vehicle is provided. The method estimates steering rack force to be caused by a tire of the vehicle and a surface of a ground with which the tire is in contact in response to determining that one or more hand wheel torque sensors of the vehicle are not enabled. The method generates a steering assist torque command based on the estimated steering rack force. The method controls the electric power steering system using the steering assist torque command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tejas M. Varunjikar, Anthony J. Champagne, Timothy W. Kaufmann
  • Publication number: 20160075371
    Abstract: A method of controlling an electric power steering system of a vehicle is provided. The method estimates steering rack force to be caused by a tire of the vehicle and a surface of a ground with which the tire is in contact in response to determining that one or more hand wheel torque sensors of the vehicle are not enabled. The method generates a steering assist torque command based on the estimated steering rack force. The method controls the electric power steering system using the steering assist torque command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: Tejas M. Varunjikar, Anthony J. Champagne, Timothy W. Kaufmann
  • Patent number: 9278709
    Abstract: A control system for a power steering system is provided. The control system includes an amplitude calculation module and a command module. The amplitude calculation module receives a compensation command. The amplitude calculation module determines a command amplitude that is based on the compensation command. The command module generates a command to the power steering system. The command is based on the command amplitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Anthony J. Champagne, Jeffrey R. Meyer
  • Publication number: 20160031481
    Abstract: A control system and method for a hydraulic-power steering system of a vehicle including magnetic torque overlay (MTO) is provided. The control system and method minimize undesirable vibration in a hand wheel of the vehicle as a result of disturbance in its front road wheels (e.g., road-wheel imbalance). In the control system and method, a desired torque command is determined or generated. At least the desired torque command is passed to a disturbance-rejection module. The disturbance-rejection module modifies the desired torque command to minimize the vibration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Joel E. Birsching, Anthony J. Champagne, Michael K. Hales
  • Publication number: 20150375779
    Abstract: A method for controlling a motor in an electrical power steering system is provided. The method generates a damping torque command for reducing an undesired torque to be generated by the motor. The method generates an assist torque command that specifies a desired torque to be generated by the motor. The method determines whether to send the damping torque command to the motor as a function of a hand wheel velocity and a hand wheel angle. The method combines the assist torque command and the damping torque command to send to the motor when it is determined that the damping torque command is to be sent to the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Tejas M. Varunjikar, Anthony J. Champagne
  • Patent number: 9187119
    Abstract: A control system for a power steering system is provided. The control system includes a scaling module for calculating a scale factor based on a wheel frequency. The control system also includes a command module that evaluates a wheel disturbance based on a wheel speed and that determines a wheel disturbance cancel amount based on the wheel speed. The command module generates an assist command to the power steering system based on the wheel disturbance cancel amount and the scale factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony J. Champagne, Michael K. Hales