Patents by Inventor Kirt L. Eschtruth

Kirt L. Eschtruth 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).

  • Steering angle control for multiple features
    Patent number: 9616928
    Abstract: An autonomous steering system for a vehicle includes a park assist steering module configured to generate a first steering angle command across a communication network of the vehicle. A backup assist steering module is also configured to generate a second steering angle command across the communication network of the vehicle. A steering angle controller is configured to receive the first and second steering angle commands and generate a third steering angle command for controlling a steered wheel of the vehicle based on acceptable steering column torque conditions for the respective steering module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Erick Michael Lavoie, Darrel Alan Recker, Kirt L. Eschtruth, Bradley G. Hochrein, William James Bouse
  • STEERING ANGLE CONTROL FOR MULTIPLE FEATURES
    Publication number: 20160280267
    Abstract: An autonomous steering system for a vehicle includes a park assist steering module configured to generate a first steering angle command across a communication network of the vehicle. A backup assist steering module is also configured to generate a second steering angle command across the communication network of the vehicle. A steering angle controller is configured to receive the first and second steering angle commands and generate a third steering angle command for controlling a steered wheel of the vehicle based on acceptable steering column torque conditions for the respective steering module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Erick Michael Lavoie, Darrel Alan Recker, Kirt L. Eschtruth, Bradley G. Hochrein, William James Bouse
  • Electric power assist steering motor sensor redundancy
    Patent number: 8868298
    Abstract: An electric power assist steering motor sensor redundancy system is disclosed comprising a brushless motor selectively providing a first predetermined level of steering assistance for a vehicle. A first sensor and second sensor provide position information of the brushless motor to a motor controller. An alternative sensing system for the brushless motor may be selectively utilized to provide position information of the brushless motor to the controller when at least one of the first sensor or the second sensor fails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kirt L. Eschtruth, William J. Bouse
  • ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST STEERING MOTOR SENSOR REDUNDANCY
    Publication number: 20140249724
    Abstract: An electric power assist steering motor sensor redundancy system is disclosed comprising a brushless motor selectively providing a first predetermined level of steering assistance for a vehicle. A first sensor and second sensor provide position information of the brushless motor to a motor controller. An alternative sensing system for the brushless motor may be selectively utilized to provide position information of the brushless motor to the controller when at least one of the first sensor or the second sensor fails.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kirt L. Eschtruth, William J. Bouse
  • Method for compensating for drive influences on the steering system of a vehicle using an electric power steering system
    Patent number: 7954593
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for compensating for drive influences of a drive train of a motor vehicle on its steering system, said motor vehicle having an electric power steering system. A drive train simulation model which is integrated into the motor vehicle and permanently activated is used to determine disturbance variables from a driven behavior so that a compensation torque which counteracts the disturbance variables is generated for the power steering system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventors: Jens Dornhege, Torsten Wey, Timothy Gerard Offerle, Brad G. Hochrein, Rakan C. Chabaan, Kirt L. Eschtruth
  • Method for Compensating for Drive Influences on the Steering System of a Vehicle Using an Electric Power Steering System
    Publication number: 20090078494
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for compensating for drive influences of a drive train of a motor vehicle on its steering system, said motor vehicle having an electric power steering system. A drive train simulation model which is integrated into the motor vehicle and permanently activated is used to determine disturbance variables from a driven behavior so that a compensation torque which counteracts the disturbance variables is generated for the power steering system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: Jens Dornhege, Torsten Wey, Timothy Gerard Offerle, Brad G. Hochrein, Rakan C. Chabaan, Kirt L. Eschtruth