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).

  • Publication number: 20240067255
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Christopher R. Case Myers, Caleb S. Palmer, Ryan D. Harris, Eric D. Pattok, Travis L. Palmer, Bruce M. Collier
  • Patent number: 11738796
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Eric D. Pattok, Travis L. Palmer, Caleb S. Palmer, Bruce M. Collier
  • Patent number: 11267501
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce M. Collier, Richard P. Nash
  • Publication number: 20220032991
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Eric D. Pattok, Travis L. Palmer, Caleb S. Palmer, Bruce M. Collier
  • Publication number: 20210404903
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Bruce M. Collier, Shunqing Yang, Stanley J. Iseler
  • Patent number: 11137314
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce M. Collier, Shunqing Yang, Stanley J. Iseler
  • Publication number: 20200216111
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Bruce M. Collier, Richard P. Nash
  • Patent number: 10640140
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce M. Collier, Richard P. Nash
  • Patent number: 10449927
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel C. Simon, Bruce M. Collier
  • Publication number: 20190277721
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Bruce M. Collier, Shunqing Yang, Stanley J. Iseler
  • Publication number: 20190077438
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: Bruce M. Collier, Richard P. Nash
  • Publication number: 20180297555
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Daniel C. Simon, Bruce M. Collier
  • Patent number: 7331606
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard K. Riefe, Bruce M. Collier, Minoo J. Shah, Chantal S. Parenteau
  • Patent number: 7185918
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: 7128342
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: 7063354
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: 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
  • Publication number: 20040239090
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    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