Abstract: A deformable image registration phantom having a housing, an outer cylinder, a parallel eccentric inner cylinder, a ball and socket mount, and a target. The inner cylinder is rotatably mounted within the outer cylinder and the target is rotatably mounted, directly or indirectly, within the inner cylinder. Indexing detents are positioned on at least one of the housing, the outer cylinder, the inner cylinder, and the ball and socket mount and one or more detent pins positioned on another. The indexing detents are arranged about at least one rotational or translational axis of the phantom and the detent pins are configured to releasably engage with the indexing detents as the components of the phantom rotate or translate relative to one another.

Abstract: A deformable image registration phantom, having a housing, an outer cylinder with a first diameter, a parallel eccentric inner cylinder with a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, a ball and socket mount, and a target. The target is mounted to the housing by way of the inner and outer cylinders and the ball and socket mount. The inner cylinder is rotatably mounted within the outer cylinder and the target is rotatably mounted, directly or indirectly, within the inner cylinder. The outer cylinder may be rotatably mounted within the housing and the ball and socket mount rotatably mounted within the inner cylinder. Alternatively, the outer cylinder may be rotatably mounted within the ball and socket mount and the ball and socket mount rotatably mounted within the housing.

Abstract: A dual variable-tooth rack and single pinion steering system includes a first elongated rack having an inner end, an outer end, and a set of teeth with a predetermined variable tooth profile located between its ends, a second elongated rack having an inner end, an outer end, and a set of teeth with a predetermined variable tooth profile located between its ends; and a pinion disposed to engage the inner end of the first rack and the inner end of the second rack to thereby define a set of rack displacements between the outer end of the first rack and the outer end of the second rack.

Abstract: A rear wheel steering apparatus for steering the rear wheels of a vehicle supported on a multi-link suspension includes a live axle and a track bar pivotally connecting the axle to a vehicle frame. Steering knuckles at opposite ends of the axle support road wheels for rotation and for steering. Steering arms extend from the steering knuckles and a drag link extends between and interconnects the steering arms. An actuator is connected between the frame and the drag link and steers the rear road wheels by alternately pushing and pulling on the drag link.

Abstract: A dual variable-tooth rack and single pinion steering system includes a first elongated rack having an inner end, an outer end, and a set of teeth with a predetermined variable tooth profile located between its ends, a second elongated rack having an inner end, an outer end, and a set of teeth with a predetermined variable tooth profile located between its ends; and a pinion disposed to engage the inner end of the first rack and the inner end of the second rack to thereby define a set of rack displacements between the outer end of the first rack and the outer end of the second rack.

Abstract: A steer-by-wire steering system for steering a set of road wheels is disclosed. The system comprises a controller and at least one actuator assembly connected to the controller and to the at least one wheel of the set of road wheels. The at least one actuator assembly comprises an electro-mechanical actuator connected to the controller, a crank arm connected to the electro-mechanical actuator, a steering arm connected to the at least one wheel of the set of road wheels; and a tie rod having a first end thereof connected to the crank arm and a second end thereof connected to the steering arm. The electro-mechanical actuator, in response to a signal from the controller, is operative to rotate the crank arm producing thereby a force acting through the tie rod so as to rotate the steering arm and the at least one road wheel to a desired position. The steer-by-wire steering system includes a backup system capable of assuming operative command of the steer-by-wire steering system.

Abstract: A steer-by-wire handwheel actuator in a vehicle is presented. The handwheel actuator comprises a controller operative to accept as input thereto data from the steer-by-wire system and generate therefrom control signals; a driver input shaft; a gear train connected to the driver input shaft; a variable stop motor responsive to the control signals from the controller and variably geared to the gear train; a feedback motor responsive to the control signals from the controller and geared to one of the driver input shaft and the gear train; and a stop mechanism attached to a housing and coupled to one of the feedback motor and the gear train.

Abstract: A rear wheel steering apparatus for steering the rear wheels of a vehicle supported on a multi-link suspension includes a live axle and a track bar pivotally connecting the axle to a vehicle frame. Steering knuckles at opposite ends of the axle support road wheels for rotation and for steering. Steering arms extend from the steering knuckles and a drag link extends between and interconnects the steering arms. An actuator is connected between the frame and the drag link and steers the rear road wheels by alternately pushing and pulling on the drag link.

Abstract: An automotive ball screw rack assembly for positioning a road wheel is presented. The assembly comprises an actuator housing; a ball screw disposed within the actuator housing; at least one tie rod assembly connected to the ball screw and the road wheel; and a motor coupled to the ball screw and connected to the actuator housing for controlling the disposition of the ball screw within the actuator housing.

Abstract: A differential steering actuator having a driver input shaft mechanically communicable with a steering shaft, a sun gear in direct mechanical communication with the driver input shaft, an output gear, an idler gear/ring gear system in mechanical communication with the sun gear and the output gear, and an output shaft fixedly connected to the output gear and ultimately being cooperably connectable to the steerable wheels of a motor vehicle. The idler gear/ring gear system includes a ring gear, at least one idler gear rotatably mounted to the ring gear, and a differential motor configured to drive the ring gear. The sun gear and the output gear are both beveled and are positioned such that the faces thereof are in a parallel planar relationship. The idler gears are mounted to the inner surface of the ring gear, which is driven by the differential motor, and are positioned to engage both the sun gear and the output gear.

Abstract: A steer-by-wire steering system for steering a set of road wheels is disclosed. The system comprises a controller and at least one actuator assembly connected to the controller and to the at least one wheel of the set of road wheels. The at least one actuator assembly comprises an electro-mechanical actuator connected to the controller, a crank arm connected to the electro-mechanical actuator, a steering arm connected to the at least one wheel of the set of road wheels; and a tie rod having a first end thereof connected to the crank arm and a second end thereof connected to the steering arm. The electro-mechanical actuator, in response to a signal from the controller, is operative to rotate the crank arm producing thereby a force acting through the tie rod so as to rotate the steering arm and the at least one road wheel to a desired position. The steer-by-wire steering system includes a backup system capable of assuming operative command of the steer-by-wire steering system.