Abstract: A voltage regulating control system for vehicle systems which includes a power supply providing electrical power to the system and having a predefined maximum voltage. A controller controls an actuator performing a vehicle system function and the electrical load in the system wherein the controller has a first predefined minimum operating voltage. A voltage regulator communicates with the controller and the power supply and senses a system input voltage in the system. In response to a sensed voltage dip in excess of a predetermined value, the regulator changes an effective electrical impedance of the system to maintain the system voltage at a predefined minimum voltage greater than the first predefined minimum operating voltage required by the controller.

Abstract: A safety redundant drive by wire system includes a plurality of first control members to which control signals may be communicated and a plurality of device controllers adapted to deliver control signals to a respective first control member. Each device controller includes a first microprocessor for communicating control signals to the first control member and all other device controllers. Each device controller further includes a second microprocessor for redundantly communicating control signals to all other device controllers and for communicating with the first microprocessor. The system includes a dual redundant communication channel system having a first communication channel controlled by the first microprocessor of each device controller and a second communication channel controlled by the second microprocessor of each device controller.

Abstract: A voltage regulating control system for vehicle systems which includes a power supply providing electrical power to the system and having a predefined maximum voltage. A controller controls an actuator performing a vehicle system function and the electrical load in the system wherein the controller has a first predefined minimum operating voltage. A voltage regulator communicates with the controller and the power supply and senses a system input voltage in the system. In response to a sensed voltage dip in excess of a predetermined value, the regulator changes an effective electrical impedance of the system to maintain the system voltage at a predefined minimum voltage greater than the first predefined minimum operating voltage required by the controller.

Abstract: A method and device for controlling an actuator in response to an input signal is provided. The device detects actuator position, calculates a force applied to the actuator as a function of the detected position using a predetermined formula, and responsively produces a force feedback signal. The device receives the input signal and the force feedback signal and responsively delivers to the actuator a control signal.

Abstract: A control-by-wire control system comprising a plurality of control device(s), each control device is responsive to, and configured to receive a control signal. Also included in the control-by-wire control system is a plurality of sensors wherein certain sensors are coupled to particular control devices. The sensors, each sense a parameter of the system and generate various sensor signals in response. A plurality of control modules is also included in control-by-wire control system. Each control module is interfaced to at least one of the control devices and is adapted to receive at least one or more sensor signals. The control modules also generate control signals for communication to the control devices. A communication interface of at least two communication networks provides communications among various control modules.

Abstract: The invention provides an electric brake caliper that includes a caliper housing have a rotor channel adapted to receive a rotor therein, where the rotor channel has a first axial surface adapted to seat an outer brake pad thereon. The brake caliper also includes a piston assembly mounted to the housing on an axial side of the rotor channel opposite that of the outer brake pad.

Abstract: A combined drive circuit for a split brake system of a motor vehicle has a switched reluctance motor and a brush motor. The switched reluctance motor has multiple phase windings. The combined drive circuit includes a DC power source with first and second supply buses. A SR motor driver supplies current to the switched reluctance motor. The SR motor driver has a first capacitor coupled to the phase windings for storing energy from the phase windings and a second capacitor coupled to the first capacitor and a third supply bus, thereby developing a third supply bus voltage across the second capacitor. A brush motor driver is coupled to the first and second capacitor. The SR motor driver is adapted to supply current to the brush motor. The brush motor driver includes first, second, third and fourth switching elements coupled to the brush motor.

Abstract: A combined drive circuit for a split brake system of a motor vehicle has a switched reluctance motor and a brush motor. The switched reluctance motor has multiple phase windings. The combined drive circuit includes a DC power source with first and second supply buses. A SR motor driver supplies current to the switched reluctance motor. The SR motor driver has a first capacitor coupled to the phase windings for storing energy from the phase windings and a second capacitor coupled to the first capacitor and a third supply bus, thereby developing a third supply bus voltage across the second capacitor. A brush motor driver is coupled to the first and second capacitor. The SR motor driver is adapted to supply current to the brush motor. The brush motor driver has a first switching element and a second switching element coupled to the brush motor.

Abstract: A combined drive circuit for a split brake system of a motor vehicle has a switched reluctance motor and a brush motor. The switched reluctance motor has multiple phase windings. The combined drive circuit includes a DC power source with first and second supply buses. A SR motor driver supplies current to the switched reluctance motor. The SR motor driver has a first capacitor coupled to the phase windings for storing energy from the phase windings and a second capacitor coupled to the first capacitor and a third supply bus, thereby developing a third supply bus voltage across the second capacitor. A brush motor driver is coupled to the first and second capacitor. The SR motor driver is adapted to supply current to the brush motor. The brush motor driver includes first, second, third and fourth switching elements coupled to the brush motor.

Abstract: A combined drive circuit for a split brake system of a motor vehicle has a switched reluctance motor and a brush motor. The switched reluctance motor has multiple phase windings. The combined drive circuit includes a DC power source with first and second supply buses. A SR motor driver supplies current to the switched reluctance motor. The SR motor driver has a first capacitor coupled to the phase windings for storing energy from the phase windings and a second capacitor coupled to the first capacitor and a third supply bus, thereby developing a third supply bus voltage across the second capacitor. A brush motor driver is coupled to the first and second capacitor. The SR motor driver is adapted to supply current to the brush motor. The brush motor driver has a first switching element and a second switching element coupled to the brush motor.

Abstract: A controller for controlling an actuator in response to an input signal. The controller includes a first control block and a second control block. The first control block receives the input signal, detects an operating condition of the input signal, and responsively produces an operating condition signal. The operating condition signal has a first value if the operating condition of the input signal is in a small signal mode and a second value if the operating condition of the input signal is in a saturated mode. The second control block has a small signal portion and a saturation portion. The second control block is adapted to receive the input signal and the operating condition signal and responsively deliver to the actuator a control signal.

Abstract: A method and device for controlling an actuator in response to an input signal is provided The device detects actuator position, calculates a force applied to the actuator as a function of the detected position using a predetermined formula, and responsively produces a force feedback signal. The device receives the input signal and the force feedback signal and responsively delivers to the actuator a control signal.

Abstract: A controller for controlling an actuator in response to an input signal. The controller includes a first control block and a second control block. The first control block receives the input signal, detects an operating condition of the input signal, and responsively produces an operating condition signal. The operating condition signal has a first value if the operating condition of the input signal is in a small signal mode and a second value if the operating condition of the input signal is in a saturated mode. The second control block has a small signal portion and a saturation portion. The second control block is adapted to receive the input signal and the operating condition signal and responsively deliver to the actuator a control signal.

Abstract: A safety redundant drive by wire system includes a plurality of first control members to which control signals may be communicated and a plurality of device controllers adapted to deliver control signals to a respective first control member. At least one sensor is coupled to each first control member for sensing a parameter of the first control member and responsively generating a sensor signal. Each device controller includes a first microprocessor for communicating control signals to the first control member and all other device controllers. Each device controller further includes a second microprocessor for redundantly communicating control signals to all other device controllers and for communicating with the first microprocessor. Each device controller is adapted to receive sensor signals and provide these sensor signals to the first and second microprocessors.

Abstract: A control-by-wire control system comprising a plurality of control device(s), each control device is responsive to, and configured to receive a control signal. Also included in the control-by-wire control system is a plurality of sensors wherein certain sensors are coupled to particular control devices. The sensors, each sense a parameter of the system and generate various sensor signals in response. A plurality of control modules is also included in control-by-wire control system. Each control module is interfaced to at least one of the control devices and is adapted to receive at least one or more sensor signals. The control modules also generate control signals for communication to the control devices. A communication interface of at least two communication networks provides communications among various control modules.

Abstract: A method of operating a four quadrant motor involves (a) monitoring a motor voltage magnitude request signal which varies between zero and a maximum value and (b) monitoring a motor direction request input. In step (c), based upon the request signal and input monitored in steps (a) and (b), a voltage request reference signal is established. In a step (d) a current magnitude request signal is monitored and in a step (e) a first current request reference signal and a second current request reference signal are established based upon the signal monitored in step (d). In a step (f) a voltage across a current sense resistor of a bus connected for powering the motor is monitored and in a step (g) a sense resistor reference signal is established based upon the signal monitored in step (f). In a step (h) the first current request reference signal is compared with a feedback current signal and in a step (i) the second current request reference signal is also compared with the feedback current signal.

Abstract: An improved commutation control method precisely controls commutation in a switched reluctance machine with a relatively low resolution position encoder and a low cost micro-processor based controller. The control method involves the formation of a motor position signal having logic level transitions, or edges, that define base commutation signals for commutating the motor phase windings in sequence with no phase advance. When no phase advance is desired, the controller turns the phase windings on and off in time with the respective base commutation signals. When phase advance is desired, the controller turns each of the windings on and off relative to the base commutation signal for the preceding phase winding. More specifically, the turn-on and turn-off points for phase advance control are timed to occur a delay time after the edges of the base commutation signal for the preceding phase.

Abstract: A low cost switched reluctance motor drive circuit is achieved by establishing an alternate supply bus which effectively extends the voltage range of the DC supply for the drive. The alternate bus is maintained at a voltage which is either higher or lower than the supply voltage. A first capacitor is connected in parallel with the supply voltage and a second capacitor is connected between the alternate bus and one terminal of the supply voltage. At least one of the motor phase windings is connected in parallel with the first capacitor and at least one other of the phase windings is connected in parallel with the second capacitor. The phase winding(s) drawing energy from the first capacitor return inductive current to the second capacitor, and the phase winding(s) drawing energy from the second capacitor return inductive current to the first capacitor.

Abstract: A power latch circuit for a computer is improved by the expansion of an activate control circuit to include overvoltage protection circuitry. The activate control circuit is responsive to either an activate input circuit or a feedback latch circuit to activate an activating transistor which in turn activates a series transistor providing power from a DC electric power source through a voltage regulating circuit to the computer, which is programmed to turn itself off by activating a deactivate transistor to deactivate the activating and series transistors.

Abstract: A software-controlled latched voltage regulator includes three bipolar transistors responsive to a wiper switch multiplexed signal to place a latch formed by the transistors in an energized state, thereby supplying power to a microcontroller. One of the bipolar transistors is responsive to a deenergization signal supplied by the microcontroller, under software control, to place the latch in a deenergized state wherein regulated power is no longer supplied to the microcontroller. The voltage regulator further includes a zener diode that provides a reference voltage for use in connection with one of the transistors to implement a decoding function that is applied to the switch multiplexed signal to provide a pair of wiper switch position signals for use by the microcontroller during operation. While the latch remains in an energized state, the supplied regulated voltage enables the microcontroller to park a wiper arm of a wiper system, even though an ignition switch is an off position.