Patents by Inventor Bruce M. Collier
Bruce M. Collier 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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Publication number: 20240067255Abstract: A steer-by-wire system for a vehicle includes a rack moveable in an axial direction and defining a groove extending in the axial direction of the rack. The steer-by-wire system also includes a housing surrounding at least a portion of the rack. The steer-by-wire system further includes an anti-rotation device disposed proximate an outer surface of the rack at the mounting location of the rack and within the housing. The anti-rotation device includes a plurality of balls disposed in the groove defined by the rack. The anti-rotation device also includes a running plate having a radially inner surface disposed radially outward of the rack, wherein the plurality of balls are disposed between the plate and the rack.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2023Publication date: February 29, 2024Inventors: Christopher R. Case Myers, Caleb S. Palmer, Ryan D. Harris, Eric D. Pattok, Travis L. Palmer, Bruce M. Collier
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Patent number: 11738796Abstract: A recirculating ball power steering system includes an electric motor. The system also includes a ball screw rotatably driven by the electric motor. The system further includes a ball nut translatable along the ball screw in a linear direction during rotation of the ball screw. The system yet further includes a sliding joint in sliding contact with an outer surface of the ball nut, the sliding joint moveable in a non-parallel direction relative to the linear direction of the ball nut.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2020Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Eric D. Pattok, Travis L. Palmer, Caleb S. Palmer, Bruce M. Collier
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Patent number: 11267501Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a steering shaft operatively coupled to a steering device, the steering shaft and the steering device having corresponding rotation with each other. Also included is an anti-rotation assembly selectively engaged with a surface of the steering shaft to maintain the steering shaft and the steering device in a stationary condition when the steering shaft is rotationally decoupled from road wheels operatively coupled to the steering shaft.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2020Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Bruce M. Collier, Richard P. Nash
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Publication number: 20220032991Abstract: A recirculating ball power steering system includes an electric motor. The system also includes a ball screw rotatably driven by the electric motor. The system further includes a ball nut translatable along the ball screw in a linear direction during rotation of the ball screw. The system yet further includes a sliding joint in sliding contact with an outer surface of the ball nut, the sliding joint moveable in a non-parallel direction relative to the linear direction of the ball nut.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2020Publication date: February 3, 2022Inventors: Eric D. Pattok, Travis L. Palmer, Caleb S. Palmer, Bruce M. Collier
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Publication number: 20210404903Abstract: A liquid intrusion detection system includes a controller board, an absorbent material, first electrical contacts, and at least one processor. The controller board is disposed within a housing of an electric power steering unit. The absorbent material is at least partially disposed about a component. The first electrical contacts have first ends disposed on at least one of the controller board and the absorbent material. The at least one processor in communication with the first electrical contacts.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2021Publication date: December 30, 2021Inventors: Bruce M. Collier, Shunqing Yang, Stanley J. Iseler
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Patent number: 11137314Abstract: A liquid intrusion detection system includes a controller board, an absorbent material, first electrical contacts, and at least one processor. The controller board is disposed within a housing of an electric power steering unit. The absorbent material is at least partially disposed about a component. The first electrical contacts have first ends disposed on at least one of the controller board and the absorbent material. The at least one processor in communication with the first electrical contacts.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2018Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Bruce M. Collier, Shunqing Yang, Stanley J. Iseler
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Publication number: 20200216111Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a steering shaft operatively coupled to a steering device, the steering shaft and the steering device having corresponding rotation with each other. Also included is an anti-rotation assembly selectively engaged with a surface of the steering shaft to maintain the steering shaft and the steering device in a stationary condition when the steering shaft is rotationally decoupled from road wheels operatively coupled to the steering shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2020Publication date: July 9, 2020Inventors: Bruce M. Collier, Richard P. Nash
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Patent number: 10640140Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a steering shaft operatively coupled to a steering device, the steering shaft and the steering device having corresponding rotation with each other. Also included is an anti-rotation assembly selectively engaged with a surface of the steering shaft to maintain the steering shaft and the steering device in a stationary condition when the steering shaft is rotationally decoupled from road wheels operatively coupled to the steering shaft.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2017Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Bruce M. Collier, Richard P. Nash
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Patent number: 10449927Abstract: A steering system for an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle is provided. The steering system includes a controller that is in communication with an electric power steering system and a transmission control system. The controller is programmed to, in response to a first signal indicative of a non-verified operator and a request to operate, place the electric power steering system in a standby mode and inhibit the transmission control system from changing at least one of a transmission operational state and a transmission operational position.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2017Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Daniel C. Simon, Bruce M. Collier
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Publication number: 20190277721Abstract: A liquid intrusion detection system includes a controller board, an absorbent material, first electrical contacts, and at least one processor. The controller board is disposed within a housing of an electric power steering unit. The absorbent material is at least partially disposed about a component. The first electrical contacts have first ends disposed on at least one of the controller board and the absorbent material. The at least one processor in communication with the first electrical contacts.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2018Publication date: September 12, 2019Inventors: Bruce M. Collier, Shunqing Yang, Stanley J. Iseler
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Publication number: 20190077438Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a steering shaft operatively coupled to a steering device, the steering shaft and the steering device having corresponding rotation with each other. Also included is an anti-rotation assembly selectively engaged with a surface of the steering shaft to maintain the steering shaft and the steering device in a stationary condition when the steering shaft is rotationally decoupled from road wheels operatively coupled to the steering shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2017Publication date: March 14, 2019Inventors: Bruce M. Collier, Richard P. Nash
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Publication number: 20180297555Abstract: A steering system for an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle is provided. The steering system includes a controller that is in communication with an electric power steering system and a transmission control system. The controller is programmed to, in response to a first signal indicative of a non-verified operator and a request to operate, place the electric power steering system in a standby mode and inhibit the transmission control system from changing at least one of a transmission operational state and a transmission operational position.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2017Publication date: October 18, 2018Inventors: Daniel C. Simon, Bruce M. Collier
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Patent number: 7331606Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for absorbing energy in response to a vehicle crash. The apparatus includes a knee bolster disposable in a vehicle for absorbing an impact from at least one knee of a driver. The apparatus also includes a connecting device associated with the knee bolster. The connecting device includes a breakable portion for releasably connecting the knee bolster to the vehicle such that the knee bolster breaks away from the vehicle under predetermined conditions. The method according to the invention includes the step of disposing a knee bolster in a vehicle for absorbing an impact from at least one knee of a driver. The method also includes the step of releasably connecting the knee bolster to the vehicle such that the knee bolster breaks away from the vehicle under predetermined conditions with a connecting device associated with the knee bolster and having a breakable portion.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2004Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Richard K. Riefe, Bruce M. Collier, Minoo J. Shah, Chantal S. Parenteau
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Patent number: 7185918Abstract: A collapsible steering assembly features a steering mechanism and a pedal assemble united and supported together by a support structure as a unitized module for shipping and attachment to a vehicle. The support structure supports the pedal assembly for movement beyond the fully depressed position of one of the pedal therein in response to a predetermined collapse force on the pedal.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2004Date of Patent: March 6, 2007Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Richard K. Riefe, Bruce M. Collier, Richard P. Nash, Minoo J. Shah, Alan C. Davis, Frederick J. Berg, Ronald H. Dybalski
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Patent number: 7128342Abstract: A collapsible steering assembly features a guide bracket for attachment to a vehicle. A steering mechanism is interconnected with the guide bracket by a steering mechanism support. A plurality of guide rods are arranged about a common collapse axis and extend in non-parallel relationship to a longitudinal axis of the steering mechanism. The guide rods support the steering mechanism for axial movement along the collapse axis in response to a predetermined collapse force on the steering mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2004Date of Patent: October 31, 2006Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Alan C. Davis, Richard K. Riefe, Ronald H. Dybalski, Frederick J. Berg, Bruce M. Collier, Richard P. Nash, Minoo J. Shah, Jason R. Ridgway, Paul E. Balius
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Patent number: 7063354Abstract: A collapsible steering assembly features a guide bracket for attachment to a vehicle. A steering mechanism is interconnected with the guide bracket by a steering mechanism support. A plurality of guide rods are arranged about a common collapse axis and extend in non-parallel relationship to a longitudinal axis of the steering mechanism. The guide rods support the steering mechanism for axial movement along the collapse axis in response to a predetermined collapse force on the steering mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2004Date of Patent: June 20, 2006Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Richard K. Riefe, Bruce M. Collier, Richard P. Nash, Minoo J. Shah, Alan C. Davis, Frederick J. Berg, Ronald H. Dybalski, Jason R. Ridgway, Paul E. Balius
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Publication number: 20040239090Abstract: A collapsible steering assembly features a guide bracket for attachment to a vehicle. A steering mechanism is interconnected with the guide bracket by a steering mechanism support. A plurality of guide rods are arranged about a common collapse axis and extend in non-parallel relationship to a longitudinal axis of the steering mechanism. The guide rods support the steering mechanism for axial movement along the collapse axis in response to a predetermined collapse force on the steering mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2004Publication date: December 2, 2004Inventors: Richard K. Riefe, Bruce M. Collier, Richard P. Nash, Minoo J. Shah, Alan C. Davis, Frederick J. Berg, Ronald H. Dybalski, Jason R. Ridgway, Paul E. Balius