Abstract: A noise suppression circuit for use with a noise source connected to ground may include a first capacitor having a first terminal and a second terminal, the first terminal of the first capacitor being connected to the noise source; and a first impedance element having a first terminal and a second terminal, the first terminal of the first impedance element being connected to the second terminal of the first capacitor and the second terminal of the first impedance element being connected to the ground.

Abstract: Indicator circuit having a backlight and an indicator light associated with a graphical element. The graphical element is adapted to be illuminated by the indicator light for indicating an active vehicle function as well as backlit by the backlight. A switch coupled to the backlight selectively turns OFF the backlight in response to a drive signal supplied by the indicator light. In this manner, the backlight is OFF when the graphical element is illuminated by the indicator light.

Abstract: Indicator circuit having a backlight and an indicator light associated with a graphical element. The graphical element is adapted to be illuminated by the indicator light for indicating an active vehicle function as well as backlit by the backlight. A switch coupled to the backlight selectively turns OFF the backlight in response to a drive signal supplied by the indicator light. In this manner, the backlight is OFF when the graphical element is illuminated by the indicator light.

Abstract: Indicator circuit having a backlight and an indicator light associated with a graphical element. The graphical element is adapted to be illuminated by the indicator light for indicating an active vehicle function as well as backlit by the backlight. A switch coupled to the backlight selectively turns OFF the backlight in response to a drive signal supplied by the indicator light. In this manner, the backlight is OFF when the graphical element is illuminated by the indicator light.

Abstract: A noise suppression circuit for use with a noise source connected to ground may include a first capacitor having a first terminal and a second terminal, the first terminal of the first capacitor being connected to the noise source; and a first impedance element having a first terminal and a second terminal, the first terminal of the first impedance element being connected to the second terminal of the first capacitor and the second terminal of the first impedance element being connected to the ground.

Abstract: A fault-handling system for a 2-phase motor. When an electric motor is used for power assist in a steering system in a vehicle, malfunctions can cause loss of assist, and detectable vibration. The invention utilizes a 2-phase motor in such an application, and implements alternate modes of operation when certain malfunctions occur, thereby maintaining the assist function in situations wherein the function would otherwise be lost or reduced.

Abstract: A control system for an electric motor. Field Oriented Control, FOC, uses a digital control system, and attempts to maintain the rotating stator magnetic field ninety degrees ahead of the rotor field, in order to maximize torque. However, if a three-phase motor is used, which is very common, large amounts of computation are required, to convert from a three-phase coordinate system to an orthogonal coordinate system. The invention replaces the three-phase motor with a two-phase motor, which has been found to impose certain additional costs, but also provides benefits.

Abstract: A segmented stator for a permanent magnet motor. The stator includes a plurality of stator segments forming an annular stator yoke and a plurality of stator teeth extending from an edge of the stator yoke. At least one coupling is between adjacent stator segments and shaped to allow movement of adjacent teeth in a so-called loose tooth design. Slot wedges are located between adjacent teeth to prevent the conductive windings from moving out of the slots through the slot openings. The slot wedges also prevent movement of adjacent teeth with respect to one another. The segmented stator can comprise an annular yoke with a plurality of discrete teeth or a plurality of assemblies including a rim section and a tooth section. The slot wedges can be keyed wedges that maintain their position through interlocking and/or can be integrated with a stator bobbin.

Abstract: A segmented stator for a permanent magnet motor. The stator includes a plurality of stator segments forming an annular stator yoke and a plurality of stator teeth extending from an edge of the stator yoke. At least one coupling is between adjacent stator segments and shaped to allow movement of adjacent teeth in a so-called loose tooth design. Slot wedges are located between adjacent teeth to prevent the, conductive windings from moving out of the slots through the slot openings. The slot wedges also prevent movement of adjacent teeth with respect to one another. The segmented stator can comprise an annular yoke with a plurality of discrete teeth or a plurality of assemblies including a rim section and a tooth section. The slot wedges can be keyed wedges that maintain their position through interlocking and/or can be integrated with a stator bobbin.

Abstract: A rotor for a permanent magnet motor with a rotor yoke and a permanent magnet ring mounted on the rotor yoke, the magnet ring having a plurality of circumferentially spaced poles. One of the rotor yoke and the permanent magnet ring is an annular member including depressed portions along a peripheral edge located around a midpoint between each pole. The depressed portions are shaped so the motor produces a sinusoidal flux density. The other of the rotor yoke and the permanent magnet ring is an annular ring. In another aspect, the rotor has a rotor yoke and a permanent magnet ring mounted on the rotor yoke. The permanent magnet ring includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced poles. One of the rotor yoke and the permanent magnet ring includes a plurality of depressions along an outer peripheral edge shaped so the motor produces a sinusoidal flux density during operation. Each of the plurality of depressions is located around a junction defined by two poles.

Abstract: A noise-suppression system for brush-type electric motors in vehicles. A capacitor, together with an inductor, are integrally constructed into a carbon brush, forming an LC filter.

Abstract: Noise suppression system for a relay-switched windshield wiper, wherein reversal of current to a motor driving the wiper causes the motor to reverse. Filters contained within the motor, together with filters and shielding located external to the motor, suppress rf emissions.

Abstract: A system for reducing Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) produced by motors which are powered by Pulse Width Modulation (PWM). It is believed that the PWM induces radiation at the PWM frequency and harmonics. The invention shields power cables which carry the PWM pulsed current, and provides capacitive shunting of one of the cables to ground.

Abstract: A system for reducing Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) produced by motors which are powered by Pulse Width Modulation (PWM). It is believed that the PWM induces radiation at the PWM frequency and harmonics. The invention shields power cables which carry the PWM pulsed current, and provides capacitive shunting of one of the cables to ground.

Abstract: A wiper system for a motor vehicle window includes a wiper arm, a permanent magnet motor, a linkage connecting the motor with the wiper arm, and a switching mechanism. The wider arm is adapted to be rotatably mounted on a vehicle body for operable movement between first and second end wipe positions. The motor is of the three brush permanent magnet type, the brushes being a high speed brush, a low speed brush and a common brush. The switching mechanism is responsive to wider blade position and is closed, electrically connecting the high speed brush with the low speed brush, thereby achieving an intermediate speed, in at least one end wipe position.

Abstract: A windshield wiper control system improves vehicle windshield wiper operation by selectively controlling the motor speed of a dc motor that drives the wiper blade across the windshield. The motor speed is reduced for a portion of the wiper pattern adjacent the reversal points at each end of the wiper pattern. The motor speed is changed as a function of blade position by varying the duty cycle of an excitation voltage signal provided to a variable speed dc motor. The disclosed embodiment is useful for variable and continuous speed control in a vehicle wiper system.

Abstract: A wiper apparatus using a three brush, permanent magnet motor in which a zener diode has a cathode connected to the low speed brush and an anode connected to the high speed brush. The zener breakdown voltage of the zener diode is chosen so that it reverse conducts during at least some portion of each wipe cycle during operation with the high speed brush on a wet window to limit peak wiper speeds and reduce strain on the wiper mechanism. Variations including a transistor, relay or additional zener diode controlled by the zener diode and connected in parallel therewith provide for reduced current and therefore power dissipation in the zener diode at the expense of somewhat limited speed limiting.