Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a fault in an electric motor (50) determines a calculated star voltage (Vstar—calc) of the electric motor. The calculated star voltage (Vstar—calc) is compared to a measured star voltage (Vstar—meas) of the electric motor (50) to determine a star voltage error (Vstar—err). The fault in the electric motor (50) is determined when the star voltage error (Vstar—err) exceeds a predetermined maximum star voltage error (Vstar—err—max).

Abstract: The invention is directed to a support rack for a container whereby consumers can access items stored within the container. The support rack comprises an arrangement of frame members, namely a first side frame member, a second side frame member, a front cross member extending between the first and second side frame members, and a rear cross member extending between the first and second side frame members. The support rack also includes an internal receiver that removably receives the container. The receiver is defined by an extent of each of the first and second side frame members, as well as a front internal member and a rear internal member, wherein both the front and rear internal members extend between the first and second side frame members. The rear cross member includes at least one connector that couples with a mounting structure, such as an open top cooler found in grocery stores.

Abstract: A method for controlling an electric assist motor (50) for providing steering assist in response to a sensed torque signal (&tgr;s) includes the step of filtering the sensed torque signal to provide a low frequency torque signal (&tgr;sL) and a high frequency torque signal (&tgr;sH). A low frequency assist torque signal (&tgr;assistLF) is determined as a function of the low frequency torque signal (&tgr;sL). A high frequency assist gain signal (Kmax) is determined as a function of the sensed torque signal (&tgr;s) and a sensed vehicle speed (&ngr;).

Abstract: A method for controlling an electric assist motor (50) for providing steering assist in response to a sensed torque signal (&tgr;s) includes the step of filtering the sensed torque signal to provide a low frequency torque signal (&tgr;sL) and a high frequency torque signal (&tgr;sH). A low frequency assist torque signal (&tgr;assistLF) is determined as a function of the low frequency torque signal (&tgr;sL). A high frequency assist gain signal (Kmax) is determined as a function of the sensed torque signal (&tgr;s) and a sensed vehicle speed (&ngr;).

Abstract: An electric assist steering system (10) includes a torque sensor (16) that provides an applied torque signal (24) indicative of applied steering torque. A motor position sensor (36) provides a motor position signal (40) indicative of the relative position between the rotor and the stator of an AC permanent magnet electric assist motor (22). A first controller (26) controls energization of the electric assist motor and a second controller (54) calculates a DQ vector value in response to applied steering torque and motor position. The second controller (54) also transforms the monitored motor current and position into DQ values. The second controller (54) compares the DQ values responsive to applied steering torque with the DQ value from monitored motor current and position. The electric assist motor (22) is disabled if the comparison indicates inconsistent results.

Abstract: A motor controller includes a summing circuit (186) for summing a motor current command signal (i.sub.rcmd) with a motor current feedback signal (i.sub.s) and for providing an error current command signal (.DELTA.i.sub.cmd) having a value functionally related to the difference between the motor current command signal and the motor current feedback signal. A notch filter (200) filters the error current command signal and provides a filtered current command signal. The notch filter (200) is adapted to notch out frequencies from the error current command signal about the resonant frequency of a motor (28). A drive circuit (120, 204) energizes the motor (28) in response to the filtered current command signal. A motor current sensor (97) is used for sensing motor current and providing the motor current feedback signal (i.sub.s).

Abstract: A motor controller controls the operation of an electric motor (28). The motor controller includes sensors (30, 97, 102) for sensing at least one dynamic operating characteristic of the motor and for providing a signal indicative of the at least one sensed dynamic motor operating characteristic. A variable gain regulator (190) receives a current command request signal having a value and provides a motor current control signal having a value functionally related to the value of the received current command request signal and a gain control value. A gain scheduler (196) is operatively coupled to the variable gain regulator (190) and to the sensor (30, 97, 102) for providing the gain control value to the variable gain regulator (196) in response to the sensed at least one dynamic motor operating characteristic to thereby control the amount of gain of the variable gain regulator (190).

Abstract: A steering assist system (10) providing assist in response to a steering control signal includes a vehicle speed sensor (150) for sensing vehicle speed and for providing a speed signal having a value indicative of the sensed vehicle speed and a torque sensor (110) operatively connected to a vehicle hand wheel (12) for providing a torque signal indicative of applied steering torque. A controller (120) is connected to the vehicle speed sensor (150) and to the torque sensor (110). The controller (120) includes a first set of torque-in vs. torque-out assist values (132) associated with a first vehicle speed and a second set of torque-in vs. torque-out assist values (130) associated with a second vehicle speed. The controller (120) provides the steering control signal in response to applied steering torque and having a value functionally related to (i) the vehicle speed signal and (ii) both the first set and second set of torque-in vs. torque-out assist values.

Abstract: A steering assist system (10) providing assist in response to a steering control signal includes a vehicle speed sensor (56) for sensing vehicle speed and for providing a speed signal having a value indicative of the sensed vehicle speed and a torque sensor (44) operatively connected to a vehicle hand wheel (12) for providing a torque signal indicative of applied steering torque. A blending filter (70, 71) is connected to the torque sensor and provides a blended filtered torque signal having a non-linear characteristic at torque frequencies less than a blending frequency and a linear characteristic at torque frequencies greater than the blending frequency. The blending filter establishing the blending frequency at a value functionally related to vehicle speed. Steering assist motor (28) provides steering assist in response to a control signal. The control signal is provided in response to the blended filtered torque signal.

Abstract: A control arrangement for an electric assist steering system having a variable reluctance motor (26) includes sensing (54) motor position and sensing (110) applied steering torque. A controller determines a desired motor torque assist value in response to the applied steering torque. A plurality of look-up tables are provided having a plurality of motor current values versus motor position values stored therein. The stored motor current values are functionally related to motor position values. The controller selects a first (T1) and second (T2) torque look-up table from the plurality of look-up tables. The first look-up table corresponds to a torque value less than the desired motor torque assist value. The second look-up table corresponds to a torque value greater than the desired motor torque assist value. A first motor current value (I1) is determined by interpolating between two current values corresponding to two motor positions stored in the first look-up table closest to the sensed motor position.

Abstract: A steering assist system (10) providing assist in response to a steering control signal includes a vehicle speed sensor (56) for sensing vehicle speed and for providing a speed signal having a value indicative of the sensed vehicle speed and a torque sensor (44) operatively connected to a vehicle hand wheel (12) for providing a torque signal indicative of applied steering torque. A controller is connected to the vehicle speed sensor (56) and to the torque sensor (44). The controller includes an adaptive torque filter (80) that maintains a selectable system bandwidth independent of gain changes and vehicle speed changes. The adaptive filter (80) recovers any gain reduction by increasing the frequency of a filter pole.