Patents by Inventor Eugene Lau

Eugene Lau 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: 11926371
    Abstract: Example steering wheel systems and torque feedback actuator assemblies for use in steer-by-wire vehicles are described herein. An example steering wheel system includes a steering wheel and a torque feedback actuator assembly. The torque feedback actuator assembly includes a housing and a helical gear rotatably disposed in the housing. The steering wheel is coupled to and coaxially aligned with the helical gear. The torque feedback actuator assembly also includes a motor with a worm gear engaged with the helical gear to provide torque feedback to the steering wheel by driving the helical gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy Rawlings, Robert Mrozek, Lodewijk Wijffels, Eugene Lau
  • Publication number: 20210197886
    Abstract: Example steering wheel systems and torque feedback actuator assemblies for use in steer-by-wire vehicles are described herein. An example steering wheel system includes a steering wheel and a torque feedback actuator assembly. The torque feedback actuator assembly includes a housing and a helical gear rotatably disposed in the housing. The steering wheel is coupled to and coaxially aligned with the helical gear. The torque feedback actuator assembly also includes a motor with a worm gear engaged with the helical gear to provide torque feedback to the steering wheel by driving the helical gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: Jeremy Rawlings, Robert Mrozek, Lodewijk Wijffels, Eugene Lau
  • Patent number: 10953912
    Abstract: Example steering wheel systems and torque feedback actuator assemblies for use in steer-by-wire vehicles are described herein. An example steering wheel system includes a steering wheel and a torque feedback actuator assembly. The torque feedback actuator assembly includes a housing and a helical gear rotatably disposed in the housing. The steering wheel is coupled to and coaxially aligned with the helical gear. The torque feedback actuator assembly also includes a motor with a worm gear engaged with the helical gear to provide torque feedback to the steering wheel by driving the helical gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy Rawlings, Robert Mrozek, Lodewijk Wijffels, Eugene Lau
  • Publication number: 20190283796
    Abstract: Example steering wheel systems and torque feedback actuator assemblies for use in steer-by-wire vehicles are described herein. An example steering wheel system includes a steering wheel and a torque feedback actuator assembly. The torque feedback actuator assembly includes a housing and a helical gear rotatably disposed in the housing. The steering wheel is coupled to and coaxially aligned with the helical gear. The torque feedback actuator assembly also includes a motor with a worm gear engaged with the helical gear to provide torque feedback to the steering wheel by driving the helical gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: Jeremy Rawlings, Robert Mrozek, Lodewijk Wijffels, Eugene Lau
  • Patent number: 7199560
    Abstract: Pulse width modulation of the connection of a load output terminal to a power supply terminal is effected. In response to a first level of the pulse width modulated signal, the load is disconnected from the power supply terminal, steady-state load voltage is preserved on a capacitor connected between a load output terminal and a power supply terminal, and steady-state load current information is held on a capacitor within the feedback loop. In response to a second level of the pulse width modulated signal, the load is reconnected to the power supply terminal, and load voltage and current instantaneously resume at their correct steady-state values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Linear Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Eugene Lau Cheung, Talbott Mead Houk