Abstract: A method and system for estimating a parameter of an electric machine, including a controller and a switching device, the controller responsive to at least one of: a current sensor, and a temperature sensor. Where the controller executes a parameter estimation process, which is responsive to at least one of: a current value and a temperature estimate and the resultant of the parameter estimation process representing an estimated parameter of the electric machine. The parameter estimation includes a method for estimating a temperature of the electric machine comprising: the temperature sensor operatively connected to and transmitting a temperature signal corresponding to a measured temperature to a controller, which executes the temperature estimation process responsive to a temperature signal from the temperature sensor.

Abstract: A method for generating an active damping torque signal for a vehicle steering system includes receiving a vehicle speed input, receiving a handwheel velocity input, receiving a handwheel torque input, and generating an active damping torque output from each of the inputs, wherein the active damping torque output is non-linear with respect to the handwheel velocity input.

Abstract: A system for providing enhanced steering pull compensation is provided. The system compensates for steering pull in a vehicle using a signal from a pull compensation signal generator. The signal from the pull compensation signal generator is processed though a processing mechanism. The processing mechanism controls a power steering assist motor through fault and limit logic as a function of the pull compensation signal generator, thereby providing steering pull compensation. The processing mechanism also controls the power steering assist motor based on input from a vehicle speed sensor and a calibration input mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling the response of an electric steering system by implementing damping for over-speed conditions, the method comprising the steps of determining the velocity of an electric motor comprised within the electric steering system, and determining a voltage limit value, wherein the voltage limit value is calculated as a function of the velocity of the electric motor. The method further comprises the steps of associating the voltage limit value with a motor voltage command in order to produce a limited voltage command, and applying the limited voltage command to the motor in order to provide a braking torque to the motor.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for providing enhanced steering pull compensation are provided. The method compensates for steering pull in a vehicle steering system that includes a handwheel. The method includes monitoring the vehicle to determine whether the vehicle is heading forward along a substantially linear straight-ahead path and, if so, measuring handwheel torque, as a sensed torque signal, to determine an amount of steering pull existing at the handwheel. The method also includes generating a torque assist signal in response to the sensed torque signal and calculating an offset signal for reducing the amount of steering pull to substantially zero. The method further includes producing a modified torque assist signal by adding the offset signal to the torque assist signal, and applying the modified torque assist signal to the vehicle steering system.

Abstract: A method and system for estimating a parameter of an electric machine, including a controller and a switching device, the controller responsive to at least one of: a current sensor, and a temperature sensor. Where the controller executes a parameter estimation process, which is responsive to at least one of: a current value and a temperature estimate and the resultant of the parameter estimation process representing an estimate parameter of the electric machine. The parameter estimation includes a method for estimating a temperature of the electric machine comprising: the temperature sensor operatively connected to and transmitting a temperature signal corresponding to a measured temperature to a controller, which executes the temperature estimation process responsive to a temperature signal from the temperature sensor.

Abstract: A method and system for estimating a parameter of an electric machine, including a controller and a switching device, the controller executes a parameter estimation process, which is responsive to at least one of: a current value and a torque command and the resultant of the parameter estimation process representing an estimated parameter of the electric machine. The parameter estimation includes a method for estimating a temperature of the electric machine comprising: a temperature sensor operatively connected to and transmitting a temperature signal corresponding to a measured temperature to a controller, which executes a temperature estimation process responsive to a temperature signal from a temperature sensor.

Abstract: A method for generating an active damping torque signal for a vehicle steering system includes receiving a vehicle speed input, receiving a handwheel velocity input, receiving a handwheel torque input, and generating an active damping torque output from each of the inputs, wherein the active damping torque output is non-linear with respect to the handwheel velocity input.

Abstract: An electric power steering control system comprising: an electric motor disposed in a vehicle to apply torque to a steerable wheel; a torque sensor disposed in the vehicle for detecting a steering wheel torque and generating a torque signal indicative thereof; a vehicle speed sensor, the vehicle speed sensor generating a vehicle speed signal; a controller coupled to the torque sensor, the vehicle speed sensor and the electric motor. The controller generates a scheduled compensated torque command to the electric motor. The scheduled compensated torque command is based on at least one of: a torque command signal responsive to the torque signal; a compensated torque command signal; and a blend of the torque command signal and the compensated torque command signal. At least one of the torque command signal, the compensated torque command signal and the blend is based the vehicle speed signal.

Abstract: An electric power steering control system comprising: an electric motor disposed in a vehicle to apply torque to a steerable wheel; a torque sensor disposed in the vehicle for detecting a steering wheel torque and generating a torque signal indicative thereof; a vehicle speed sensor, the vehicle speed sensor generating a vehicle speed signal; a controller coupled to the torque sensor, the vehicle speed sensor and the electric motor. The controller generates a scheduled compensated torque command to the electric motor. The scheduled compensated torque command is based on at least one of: a torque command signal responsive to the torque signal; a compensated torque command signal; and a blend of the torque command signal and the compensated torque command signal. At least one of the torque command signal, the compensated torque command signal and the blend is based the vehicle speed signal.

Abstract: A method and system for estimating a temperature of an electric machine comprising obtaining a temperature value responsive to a temperature signal from a temperature sensor, the temperature sensor is operatively connected to and transmitting the temperature signal corresponding to a measured temperature to a controller. The controller executes a temperature estimation process; and is operatively connected to a switching device, where the switching device is operatively connected between the electric machine and a power source, the switching device being responsive to the controller. Also disclosed is a storage medium encoded with a machine-readable computer program code for estimating an operating temperature of an electric machine. The storage medium includes instructions for causing controller to implement method for estimating an operating temperature of an electric machine as described above.

Abstract: A method and system for estimating a parameter of an electric machine, including a controller and a switching device, the controller responsive to at least one of: a current sensor, and a temperature sensor. Where the controller executes a parameter estimation process, which is responsive to at least one of: a current value, a torque command and the resultant of the parameter estimation process representing an estimated parameter of the electric machine. The parameter estimation includes a method for estimating a temperature of the electric machine comprising: a temperature sensor operatively connected to and transmitting a temperature signal corresponding to a measured temperature to a controller, which executes a temperature estimation process responsive to a temperature signal from a temperature sensor.

Abstract: An electric power steering control system comprising: an electric motor disposed in a vehicle to apply torque to a steerable wheel; a torque sensor disposed in the vehicle for detecting a steering wheel torque and generating a torque signal indicative thereof; a vehicle speed sensor, the vehicle speed sensor generating a vehicle speed signal; a controller coupled to the torque sensor, the vehicle speed sensor and the electric motor. The controller generates a scheduled compensated torque command to the electric motor. The scheduled compensated torque command is based on at least one of: a torque command signal responsive to the torque signal; a compensated torque command signal; and a blend of the torque command signal and the compensated torque command signal. At least one of the torque command signal, the compensated torque command signal and the blend is based the vehicle speed signal.

Abstract: An electric power steering system includes a motor and a soft-disable controller in signal communication with the motor for reducing the abruptly increased reaction torque felt by a driver when an assist torque is abruptly disabled.

Abstract: A method for generating a compensated torque command signal to be applied to an electric power steering motor is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes generating an assist torque command signal responsive to a measured vehicle speed and an input steering torque signal. An assist dependent damping torque signal is generated, the assist dependent damping torque signal responsive to the assist torque command signal, the measured vehicle speed and a compensated motor velocity output value of the electric power steering motor. The assist dependent damping torque signal is then subtracted from the assist torque command signal.

Abstract: An electric power steering system includes a steering wheel, a voltage-controlled electric assist motor connected to the steering wheel or column, and an electronic controller electrically connected to the assist motor that receives a first signal representing a torque command to the assist motor and a second signal representing an angular velocity of the assist motor, and produces a voltage signal according to an assist-dependent damping function of the first and second signals, and uses the voltage signal to control the voltage-controlled electric assist motor in response to the assist-dependent damping function.

Abstract: An electric power steering system includes a motor and a soft-disable controller in signal communication with the motor for reducing the abruptly increased reaction torque felt by a driver when an assist torque is abruptly disabled.

Abstract: An electric power steering system includes a motor and a soft-disable controller in signal communication with the motor for reducing the abruptly increased reaction torque felt by a driver when an assist torque is abruptly disabled.

Abstract: A method and system for estimating a parameter of an electric machine, including a controller and a switching device, the controller responsive to at least one of: a current sensor, and a temperature sensor. Where the controller executes a parameter estimation process, which is responsive to at least one of: a current value, a torque command and the resultant of the parameter estimation process representing an estimated parameter of the electric machine. The parameter estimation includes a method for estimating a temperature of the electric machine comprising: a temperature sensor operatively connected to and transmitting a temperature signal corresponding to a measured temperature to a controller, which executes a temperature estimation process responsive to a temperature signal from a temperature sensor.

Abstract: A method and system for estimating a temperature of an electric machine comprising obtaining a temperature value responsive to a temperature signal from a temperature sensor, the temperature sensor is operatively connected to and transmitting the temperature signal corresponding to a measured temperature to a controller. The controller executes a temperature estimation process; and is operatively connected to a switching device, where the switching device is operatively connected between the electric machine and a power source, the switching device being responsive to the controller. Also disclosed is a storage medium encoded with a machine-readable computer program code for estimating an operating temperature of an electric machine. The storage medium includes instructions for causing controller to implement method for estimating an operating temperature of an electric machine as described above.