Patents by Inventor Colin Michael Crowley

Colin Michael Crowley 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).

  • Method and apparatus for thermal management of an electric power assist steering control system by compensating steering motor current
    Patent number: 7084593
    Abstract: An electric power assist steering control system having an electric motor actuator and a motor driver circuit for generating and applying a motor current to the electric motor actuator. A current sensor is included for measuring the motor current from the motor driver circuit and generating a feedback signal. A torque sensor is included for sensing an applied steering torque and providing a torque command signal having a value indicative of the applied steering torque. A controller calculates a temperature of the electric temperature of the electric motor actuator by evaluating the motor current applied to the electric motor actuator. In the case that the calculated temperature of the electric motor actuator surpasses a predetermined temperature, the electric power assist steering control system reduces the amount of motor current applied to the electric motor actuator thereby reducing the temperature of the electric motor actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Colin Michael Crowley
  • Method and apparatus for thermal management of an electric power assist steering control system by compensating steering motor current
    Publication number: 20030193305
    Abstract: An electric power assist steering control system having an electric motor actuator and a motor driver circuit for generating and applying a motor current to the electric motor actuator. A current sensor is included for measuring the motor current from the motor driver circuit and generating a feedback signal. A torque sensor is included for sensing an applied steering torque and providing a torque command signal having a value indicative of the applied steering torque. A controller calculates a temperature of the electric temperature of the electric motor actuator by evaluating the motor current applied to the electric motor actuator. In the case that the calculated temperature of the electric motor actuator surpasses a predetermined temperature, the electric power assist steering control system reduces the amount of motor current applied to the electric motor actuator thereby reducing the temperature of the electric motor actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventor: Colin Michael Crowley