Patents by Inventor Frank Peter Engels
Frank Peter Engels 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: 20170267275Abstract: A steering system for a steerable vehicle includes at least two steerable wheels, to each of which an electrically operable steering actuator to enable the steering actuator to adjust the steering angle of the particular steerable wheel by application of a steering torque. The at least two steering actuators can be mechanically coupled to each other so that, in the event of a failure or a malfunction of the one steering actuator, the steering torque provided by the other steering actuator can be transferred to the one steering actuator, to enable the steering angle of the steerable wheel assigned to the failed steering actuator to still be changed via the other steering actuator. The at least two steering actuators can be mechanically coupled to each other via a bendable shaft or via a universal joint shaft which includes at least two rigid shafts hingedly connected via a universal joint.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2017Publication date: September 21, 2017Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, ThyssenKrupp Presta AktiengesellschaftInventors: Frank Peter Engels, Kristof Polmans
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Publication number: 20160052543Abstract: A method and apparatus for limiting an assistance-torque demand on an actuator, for example a servomotor, of a power steering system. An assistance-torque demand is received and examined based on a predetermined limit criterion. If a violation of the limit criterion is ascertained, a transient assistance-torque limit is adopted and progressively reduced so long as the violation of the limit criterion is ascertained. The assistance-torque demand is limited based on the transient assistance-torque limit. The limited assistance-torque demand is sent to an interface of the actuator of the power steering system.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2015Publication date: February 25, 2016Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Felix Weinreich, Frank Peter Engels, Jens Dornhege, Goetz-Phillipp Wegner
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Patent number: 9180912Abstract: A system and method for steering torque compensation carried out in a controller of a vehicle that detects a braking event from a comparison of actual vehicle information with a corresponding threshold value, determines a steering torque compensation signal, generates a request to implement the steering torque compensation signal, and implements the steering torque compensation signal during the braking event.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2014Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: Ford Global TechnologiesInventors: Jens Dornhege, Martin Saeger, Frank Peter Engels
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Publication number: 20140229065Abstract: A system and method for steering torque compensation carried out in a controller of a vehicle that detects a braking event from a comparison of actual vehicle information with a corresponding threshold value, determines a steering torque compensation signal, generates a request to implement the steering torque compensation signal, and implements the steering torque compensation signal during the braking event.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2014Publication date: August 14, 2014Applicant: Ford Global TechnologiesInventors: Jens Dornhege, Martin Saeger, Frank Peter Engels
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Publication number: 20140222295Abstract: A method and apparatus for limiting assisting steering torque in a steering system having electronic power assisted steering is provided. In accordance with the method and apparatus, a steering angle change desired by the driver is determined and a range of valid steering angle changes dependent upon the steering angle change desired by the driver are defined. Subsequently it is determined whether a current steering angle change is included in the range of valid steering angle changes, and if the current steering angle change is not included in the range of the valid steering angle changes, the assisting steering torque is limited.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2014Publication date: August 7, 2014Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Jens DORNHEGE, Frank Peters ENGELS, Götz-Philipp WEGNER
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Publication number: 20140121884Abstract: A power steering system including a sensor arranged or located in the steering system. The sensor detects an acoustic vibration or an acceleration signal in the steering system during a change in the steering angle and generates a sensor signal representing the vibration or the acceleration signal. A control unit receives the sensor signal and compares the sensor signal with a threshold value to detect a fault state; for example when the sensor signal is larger than the threshold value.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2013Publication date: May 1, 2014Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: Frank Peter Engels
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Publication number: 20140121904Abstract: A method for reducing the steering torque in a steering system of a vehicle. A method including the steps of monitoring a driver's torque as applied by a driver of the vehicle; providing a plurality of torques that can be imposed on the steering system; and reducing the torques that can be imposed on the steering system by a central reduction factor if monitoring of the steering system reveals a violation of a safety criterion.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2013Publication date: May 1, 2014Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jens Dornhege, Frank Peter Engels, Goetz-Philipp Wegner
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Patent number: 8406956Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle steering system having a plurality of subsystems that generate steering requests for the steering system comprising the steps of receiving a plurality of steering requests at an electronic control unit, receiving a plurality of vehicle parameter signals at the electronic control unit, the vehicle parameter signals being representative of a driving situation for each subsystem in the plurality of subsystems, setting an order of priority for application of the steering requests by the electronic control unit as a function of the driving situation for each subsystem, and controlling the application of the steering requests to the vehicle steering system in the set order of priority and within a predetermined overall torque limit.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2010Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: Ford Global TechnologiesInventors: Torsten Wey, Joerg Hamel, Frank Peter Engels, Jens Domhege
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Publication number: 20120101685Abstract: A power steering system (1) for a vehicle comprises a torque limiter (5) for limiting a torque applied by the power steering system (1), wherein the limitation is based on the anticipated reaction by the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2011Publication date: April 26, 2012Inventors: Frank Peter Engels, Jens Dornhege
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Publication number: 20100211264Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle steering system having a plurality of subsystems that generate steering requests for the steering system comprising the steps of receiving a plurality of steering requests at an electronic control unit, receiving a plurality of vehicle parameter signals at the electronic control unit, the vehicle parameter signals being representative of a driving situation for each subsystem in the plurality of subsystems, setting an order of priority for application of the steering requests by the electronic control unit as a function of the driving situation for each subsystem, and controlling the application of the steering requests to the vehicle steering system in the set order of priority and within a predetermined overall torque limit.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2010Publication date: August 19, 2010Inventors: Torsten Wey, Joerg Hamel, Frank Peter Engels
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Patent number: 7614317Abstract: The invention relates to a rack-and-pinion gear mechanism (1), for example for use in a steering mechanism of a motor vehicle, and to a method for the production of the rack-and-pinion gear mechanism (1). The mechanism comprises a housing (101), in which a pinion shaft (102) is mounted so as to be rotatable about an axis (103). The pinion shaft (102) is connected to a rack (110) which is mounted in the housing (101) in such a way as to be longitudinally displaceable. A counter-pressure device (102, 123) compensates for reaction forces between the pinion shaft (102) and the rack (110), having a thrust piece (102) and an adjusting/closing nut (25), between which a spring (123) is supported. The adjusting/closing nut (25) is composed of a material which has a softening/melting point such that the adjusting/closing nut (25) can be softened and/or melted locally while installed in the housing (101) without damaging the housing (101).Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2002Date of Patent: November 10, 2009Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Dirk Sickert, Frank Peter Engels, Frank Odenthal
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Publication number: 20080243329Abstract: A method and device for the detection and compensation of periodic disturbances in the steering device of a motor vehicle in which a speed-dependent target frequency is determined, and that a Fourier analysis of a time profile of the steering force and/or of the steering torque is carried out for the determined target frequency or a multiple of the target frequency. The method and device also include obtaining amplitudes that are plotted as a function of the vehicle speed, and a model function may be adapted to the curve, the adapted parameter of which model function then constitutes a robust measure for the disturbances. As a function of the parameter, the disturbances can then be suppressed by means of targeted action on a power assistance arrangement of the steering.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2008Publication date: October 2, 2008Inventors: Jorg Hamel, Frank Peter Engels, Torsten Wey
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Patent number: 7210368Abstract: The toothed rack steering gear has an adjusting nut and a housing. An opening with internal thread of the housing is adapted to the adjusting nut and receives the adjusting nut in the assembled state. In the housing at least one recess is provided in direct proximity of the opening. A retainer is provided; it has a ring shaped body and at least one finger. The finger protrudes from this ring shaped body and can engage into the recess. The retainer has a back surface and the adjusting nut has a front surface. In the assembled state both are in contact. A connecting device is provided and secures the connection between the back surface and the front surface.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2004Date of Patent: May 1, 2007Assignee: Automotive Components Holdings LLCInventors: Frank Odenthal, Frank Peter Engels, Dirk Sickert
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Patent number: 7047622Abstract: The invention comprises a method for manufacturing a shaft-hub connection. This connection includes a brake disk having a hub and a drive shaft having a bell, wherein the drive shaft comprises a catching portion having a polygonal outer contour. This portion extends into an aperture in the brake disk having a corresponding inner polygonal contour. The method comprises the procedural steps of green machining via turning of the brake disk and the drive shaft, hardening of the drive shaft, final finishing via turning of the brake disk and final finishing via turning of the drive shaft to obtain the final products with only one chucking action.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2003Date of Patent: May 23, 2006Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Thilo Kroener, Karl-Heinz Simons, Frank Peter Engels
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Publication number: 20040244518Abstract: The toothed rack steering gear has an adjusting nut and a housing. An opening with internal thread of the housing is adapted to the adjusting nut and receives the adjusting nut in the assembled state. In the housing at least one recess is provided in direct proximity of the opening. A retainer is provided; it has a ring shaped body and at least one finger. The finger protrudes from this ring shaped body and can engage into the recess. The retainer has a back surface and the adjusting nut has a front surface. In the assembled state both are in contact. A connecting device is provided and secures the connection between the back surface and the front surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2004Publication date: December 9, 2004Inventors: Frank Odenthal, Frank Peter Engels, Dirk Sickert
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Publication number: 20040123707Abstract: The invention comprises a method for manufacturing a shaft-hub connection. This connection includes a brake disk having a hub and a drive shaft having a bell, wherein the drive shaft comprises a catching portion having a polygonal outer contour. This portion extends into an aperture in the brake disk having a corresponding inner polygonal contour. The method comprises the procedural steps of green machining via turning of the brake disk and the drive shaft, hardening of the drive shaft, final finishing via turning of the brake disk and final finishing via turning of the drive shaft to obtain the final products with only one chucking action.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Inventors: Thilo Kroener, Karl-Heinz Simons, Frank Peter Engels
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Publication number: 20030115980Abstract: The invention relates to a rack-and-pinion gear mechanism (1), for example for use in a steering mechanism of a motor vehicle, and to a method for the production of the rack-and-pinion gear mechanism (1). The mechanism comprises a housing (101), in which a pinion shaft (102) is mounted so as to be rotatable about an axis (103). The pinion shaft (102) is connected to a rack (110) which is mounted in the housing (101) in such a way as to be longitudinally displaceable. A counter-pressure device (102, 123) compensates for reaction forces between the pinion shaft (102) and the rack (110), having a thrust piece (102) and an adjusting/closing nut (25), between which a spring (123) is supported. The adjusting/closing nut (25) is composed of a material which has a softening/melting point such that the adjusting/closing nut (25) can be softened and/or melted locally while installed in the housing (101) without damaging the housing (101).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2002Publication date: June 26, 2003Inventors: Dirk Sickert, Frank Peter Engels, Frank Odenthal
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Patent number: 6273211Abstract: In an electric power-steering gear, in particular for motor vehicles, having a steering shaft (1) which is actuated by a steering wheel and which forms an input for a step-down gear in the form of a harmonic drive (2) and which makes available an output, in the form of a steering element (3), to a conventional steering gear, sensors which output a signal for the steering torque which is applied being arranged on the steering shaft (1) in a known fashion, and said sensors leading, via a corresponding amplifier circuit, to an electric motor (10) which is arranged coaxially with respect to the steering shaft (1) and the steering element (3), the stator of the electric motor (10) is arranged fixed in terms of rotation in the externally toothed flexible rotor (4) and the elliptical driver (6) of the harmonic gear (2) acting, as a result of the elastically deformable, externally toothed flexible rotor (4), with migrating engagement on the internally toothed annular stator (5), which is fixed in position, and the flType: GrantFiled: December 8, 1999Date of Patent: August 14, 2001Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Frank Peter Engels, Paul Hein, Volker W. Lorenz, Herbert Meckel, Ekkehard Boldt