Abstract: A method for detecting degradation intermittencies in an electrical connection in a steering system of a vehicle includes, using a processor configured to execute instructions, receiving an input indicative of a plurality of measurements of resistance associated with the electrical connection, calculating, based on the received input, at least one adaptive control threshold, comparing a first measurement of the plurality of measurements to the at least one adaptive control threshold, determining whether the electrical connection has a degradation intermittency in response to the comparison between the first measurement and the at least one adaptive control threshold, and performing at least one action in response to determining that the electrical connection has the degradation intermittency.

Abstract: A method for detecting early life failure of an electrical connection of a power harness for a steering system of a vehicle including, using a processor configured to execute instructions, obtaining a resistance measurement associated with an electrical power delivery system including the electrical connection, obtaining historical resistance data obtaining at least one limit based on at least one of the historical resistance data and a functional limit, detecting an early life failure of the electrical connection based on a comparison between the resistance measurement and the at least one limit, performing at least one action in response to detecting the early life failure.

Abstract: A method for determining a state of health (SOH) of an electrical connection in a steering system includes, using a processor configured to execute instructions, receiving an input indicative of the SOH of the electrical connection, the input including a resistance associated with the electrical connection, and the SOH corresponding to at least one of an accumulated health (AH) of the electrical connection and a remaining usable life (RUL) of the electrical connection, calculating, based on the received input and usage associated with the vehicle, a first SOH value, calculating, based on the received input and behavior associated with the vehicle, a second SOH value, calculating, based on the first SOH value and the second SOH value, a third SOH value, the third SOH value being an indicator of the AH or the RUL of the electrical connection, and performing at least one action based on the third SOH value.

Abstract: An embodiment of a system of a vehicle includes a power steering system that operates as commanded by control commands, and a control module configured to receive a first control command. The control module is also configured to generate a range signal indicative of a range of command values based on a plurality of input signals, generate a second control command based on a subset of the plurality of input signals, determine whether the first control command is out of the range for longer than a predetermined duration of time, and send the second control command to the power steering system in response to determining the first control command is out of the range for longer than the predetermined duration of time.

Abstract: An embodiment of a system of a vehicle includes a power steering system that operates as commanded by control commands, and a control module configured to receive a first control command. The control module is also configured to generate a range signal indicative of a range of command values based on a plurality of input signals, generate a second control command based on a subset of the plurality of input signals, determine whether the first control command is out of the range for longer than a predetermined duration of time, and send the second control command to the power steering system in response to determining the first control command is out of the range for longer than the predetermined duration of time.

Abstract: A method of mitigating abnormalities in a first control command for controlling a power steering system is provided. The method generates a range signal indicative of a range of command values based on a plurality of input signals. The method determines whether the first control command is out of the range for longer than a predetermined duration of time. The method limits the first control command to the range and sends the limited first control command to the power steering system in response to determining that the first control command is out of the range for shorter than or equal to the duration of time.

Abstract: A method of mitigating abnormalities in a first control command for controlling a power steering system is provided. The method generates a range signal indicative of a range of command values based on a plurality of input signals. The method determines whether the first control command is out of the range for longer than a predetermined duration of time. The method limits the first control command to the range and sends the limited first control command to the power steering system in response to determining that the first control command is out of the range for shorter than or equal to the duration of time.

Abstract: A system for providing steering torque assistance to an electrically-powered steering apparatus comprises a torque assistance motor coupled to the steering apparatus. A steering controller is configured to cause the torque assistance motor to apply a commanded level of steering torque assistance to the steering apparatus. The steering controller is configured to determine the commanded level of steering torque assistance based on a product of a scheduled level of steering torque assistance and a torque assistance scale factor, wherein the scheduled level of steering torque assistance is determined from a scheduled torque assistance characteristic having a nominal assist. The steering controller is configured to determine a scaled assist based on feedback from one or more safety sensors; and the torque assistance scale factor is determined as a ratio of the scaled assist and the nominal assist.

Abstract: A system for providing steering torque assistance to an electrically-powered steering apparatus comprises a torque assistance motor coupled to the steering apparatus. A steering controller is configured to cause the torque assistance motor to apply a commanded level of steering torque assistance to the steering apparatus. The steering controller is configured to determine the commanded level of steering torque assistance based on a product of a scheduled level of steering torque assistance and a torque assistance scale factor, wherein the scheduled level of steering torque assistance is determined from a scheduled torque assistance characteristic having a nominal assist. The steering controller is configured to determine a scaled assist based on feedback from one or more safety sensors; and the torque assistance scale factor is determined as a ratio of the scaled assist and the nominal assist.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for pivoting and locking a steering column. The apparatus of the invention includes a steering column extending axially between first and second ends. The steering column is pivotally mountable to a vehicle at the second end. The apparatus also includes a locking mechanism spaced from the second end. The locking mechanism is operative to releasibly secure the steering column in a selected position of adjustment. The apparatus also includes a spring urging the steering column in a first pivoting direction. The spring is disposed in axially spaced relation adjacent to said locking mechanism. The method of the invention includes the step of pivotally mounting a steering column that extends axially between first and second ends to a vehicle. The method also includes the step of releasibly securing the steering column in a selected position of adjustment with a locking mechanism that is spaced from the second end.

Abstract: A combine rotor assembly and method of using the same are provided. The rotor assembly is characterized by a cylindrical drum having an outer peripheral surface. A plurality of helical or spiral shaped threshing groups are attached to the outer peripheral surface and extend substantially the length of the drum. Each of the curved threshing members making up a helical group are placed end to end resulting in a continuous and uninterrupted spiral or helical pattern. A plurality of straight threshing members are attached to the outer peripheral of the drum. The straight threshing members are interspersed between the helical or spiral groups in a plurality of longitudinally extending rows. The rows may be arranged in alternating fashion resulting in a staggered appearance.