Patents by Inventor Edward A. Cana

Edward A. Cana 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: 11807290
    Abstract: A method for controlling an electric machine includes, in response to receiving a command signal, determining a position of a steering column. The method also includes determining a desired direction of the steering column based on the command signal. The method also includes determining a voltage corresponding to motion of the steering column from the position and desired direction. The method also includes applying a pulse width modulated signal to the electric machine based on the position of the steering column, the desired direction of the steering column, and the voltage. The method also includes selectively adjusting the pulse width modulated signal based on a change in the voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: James E. Rouleau, Edward A. Cana
  • Publication number: 20210309281
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein are for a position sensor system integrated into a steering column assembly of a vehicle. The position sensor includes an elongated target comprising a sloping top surface, a first arcuate lateral surface, a second arcuate lateral surface, and an attachment feature for connecting the elongated target to a moveable part of the steering column assembly. The position sensor also includes a sensor device comprising an attachment feature for connecting the sensor device to a stationary part of the steering column assembly and a sensor situated over the sloping top surface of the elongated target. The sensor is configured to detect a position of the elongated target relative to the sensor, where the position of the elongated target corresponds to a position of a steering column of the steering column assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: James E. Rouleau, Edward A. Cana, Damian Z. Gosztyla, Robert D. Bueche
  • Patent number: 11136059
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein are for a position sensor system integrated into a steering column assembly of a vehicle. The position sensor includes an elongated target comprising a sloping top surface, a first arcuate lateral surface, a second arcuate lateral surface, and an attachment feature for connecting the elongated target to a moveable part of the steering column assembly. The position sensor also includes a sensor device comprising an attachment feature for connecting the sensor device to a stationary part of the steering column assembly and a sensor situated over the sloping top surface of the elongated target. The sensor is configured to detect a position of the elongated target relative to the sensor, where the position of the elongated target corresponds to a position of a steering column of the steering column assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: James E. Rouleau, Edward A. Cana, Damian Z. Gosztyla, Robert D. Bueche
  • Publication number: 20210291894
    Abstract: A method for controlling an electric machine includes, in response to receiving a command signal, determining a position of a steering column. The method also includes determining a desired direction of the steering column based on the command signal. The method also includes determining a voltage corresponding to motion of the steering column from the position and desired direction. The method also includes applying a pulse width modulated signal to the electric machine based on the position of the steering column, the desired direction of the steering column, and the voltage. The method also includes selectively adjusting the pulse width modulated signal based on a change in the voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: James E. Rouleau, Edward A. Cana
  • Patent number: 11034377
    Abstract: A retractable steering column assembly includes a retractable portion. The assembly also includes an electric actuator mechanism for translating and tilting the retractable portion throughout a plurality of regions, each of the regions defining distinct manual adjustment restrictions and tilt position boundaries of the retractable steering column assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Keyur R. Patel, Edward A. Cana
  • Patent number: 10974756
    Abstract: A retractable steering column assembly includes a retractable portion. Also included is an electric actuator mechanism for translating and/or tilting the retractable portion. Further included is a latch moveable between a latched condition and an unlatched condition, the unlatched condition allowing manual adjustment of the retractable portion, the latched condition preventing manual adjustment of the retractable portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Edward A. Cana, Keyur R. Patel
  • Patent number: 10858033
    Abstract: A retractable steering column assembly includes a retractable portion. The retractable steering column assembly also includes an electric actuator mechanism for moving the retractable portion throughout a plurality of regions, the plurality of regions comprising an unstowed region, a stowed region, and a transition region between the unstowed region and the stowed region. The retractable steering column assembly further includes a controller monitoring at least one positional property of the retractable portion during movement within the transition region to detect a potential driver intervention of the movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Keyur R. Patel, Edward A. Cana
  • Publication number: 20200070868
    Abstract: A retractable steering column assembly includes a retractable portion. The retractable steering column assembly also includes an electric actuator mechanism for moving the retractable portion throughout a plurality of regions, the plurality of regions comprising an unstowed region, a stowed region, and a transition region between the unstowed region and the stowed region. The retractable steering column assembly further includes a controller monitoring at least one positional property of the retractable portion during movement within the transition region to detect a potential driver intervention of the movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Keyur R. Patel, Edward A. Cana
  • Publication number: 20200039562
    Abstract: A retractable steering column assembly includes a retractable portion. The assembly also includes an electric actuator mechanism for translating and tilting the retractable portion throughout a plurality of regions, each of the regions defining distinct manual adjustment restrictions and tilt position boundaries of the retractable steering column assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Keyur R. Patel, Edward A. Cana
  • Publication number: 20200039563
    Abstract: A retractable steering column assembly includes a retractable portion. Also included is an electric actuator mechanism for translating and/or tilting the retractable portion. Further included is a latch moveable between a latched condition and an unlatched condition, the latched condition allowing manual adjustment of the retractable portion, the unlatched condition preventing manual adjustment of the retractable portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Edward A. Cana, Keyur R. Patel
  • Patent number: 10351160
    Abstract: A steering column assembly includes first jacket, a second jacket, and a locking assembly. The first jacket is disposed about a first shaft. The second jacket is at least partially received within the first jacket. The second jacket is disposed about a second shaft that is selectively coupled to the first shaft. The locking assembly includes a shaft sleeve and a sensor assembly. The shaft sleeve is disposed about the first shaft and has a position feature. The sensor assembly is disposed within the second jacket and is operatively connected to a jacket sleeve. The sensor assembly is arranged to detect a position of the position feature relative to the sensor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard P. Nash, Todd M. King, Edward A. Cana
  • Patent number: 10189496
    Abstract: A steering column assembly includes an upper jacket assembly, a lower jacket assembly, a telescope drive assembly, and a telescope drive lock assembly. The upper jacket assembly is at least partially received within the lower jacket assembly. The telescope drive assembly includes a telescope actuator and an extension member. The telescope drive lock assembly is operatively connected to the extension member. The telescope drive lock assembly is configured to facilitate movement of the upper jacket assembly away from the retracted position while an advanced driver assist system is active and the upper jacket assembly is in the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Todd M. King, Thomas M. Finney, Edward A. Cana
  • Publication number: 20180148084
    Abstract: A steering column assembly includes first jacket, a second jacket, and a locking assembly. The first jacket is disposed about a first shaft. The second jacket is at least partially received within the first jacket. The second jacket is disposed about a second shaft that is selectively coupled to the first shaft. The locking assembly includes a shaft sleeve and a sensor assembly. The shaft sleeve is disposed about the first shaft and has a position feature. The sensor assembly is disposed within the second jacket and is operatively connected to a jacket sleeve. The sensor assembly is arranged to detect a position of the position feature relative to the sensor assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Richard P. Nash, Todd M. King, Edward A. Cana
  • Publication number: 20180050720
    Abstract: A steering column assembly includes an upper jacket assembly, a lower jacket assembly, a telescope drive assembly, and a telescope drive lock assembly. The upper jacket assembly is at least partially received within the lower jacket assembly. The telescope drive assembly includes a telescope actuator and an extension member. The telescope drive lock assembly is operatively connected to the extension member. The telescope drive lock assembly is configured to facilitate movement of the upper jacket assembly away from the retracted position while an advanced driver assist system is active and the upper jacket assembly is in the retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Inventors: Todd M. King, Thomas M. Finney, Edward A. Cana