Patents by Inventor Lonnie Eugene Driscoll

Lonnie Eugene Driscoll 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).

  • Factory steering rack centering and preventing pinch points using electric power steering system
    Patent number: 8584516
    Abstract: A method is provided for centering a steering rack in an automotive vehicle, particularly a vehicle that includes an electric power steering (EPS) system. The centering method includes locating a center by using an electric motor of the EPS system. The method includes temporarily locking the steering rack in place and subsequently installing a steering wheel to a steering column. An on-board processor or ECU of the automotive vehicle determines or locates the center of the rack by detecting the first and second ends of the rack when at least one of a velocity of the electric motor reaches zero, a current of the electric motor reaches a preselected level, and steering angle of the electric motor stabilizes. The method monitors potential pinch point zones and reverses turning of the tires upon reaching the pinch threshold level and the automatic centering process is terminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nathaniel Ellis, Andrew M. Sweigart, Nathan Adam Powell, Lonnie Eugene Driscoll
  • FACTORY STEERING RACK CENTERING AND PREVENTING PINCH POINTS USING ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20120061171
    Abstract: A method is provided for centering a steering rack in an automotive vehicle, particularly a vehicle that includes an electric power steering (EPS) system. The centering method includes locating a center by using an electric motor of the EPS system. The method includes temporarily locking the steering rack in place and subsequently installing a steering wheel to a steering column. An on-board processor or ECU of the automotive vehicle determines or locates the center of the rack by detecting the first and second ends of the rack when at least one of a velocity of the electric motor reaches zero, a current of the electric motor reaches a preselected level, and steering angle of the electric motor stabilizes. The method monitors potential pinch point zones and reverses turning of the tires upon reaching the pinch threshold level and the automatic centering process is terminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Nathaniel Ellis, Andrew M. Sweigart, Nathan Adam Powell, Lonnie Eugene Driscoll