Abstract: A dual-motor drive assembly comprising a housing, a shaft mounted to the housing, a first gear connected to the shaft, a first motor lane comprising motor an output, a motor drive-stage driving the first motor in response to a torque demand and applying a torque to the first gear, and a first position sensor generating a first motor position signal, a second motor lane comprising a motor having an output, a motor drive-stage driving the second motor in response to a torque demand, and applying a torque to the first gear, and a second position sensor generating a second motor signal, the two motor outputs engaging with the first gear such that both motors' torque output is applied to the shaft. A processor generates an estimate of the first motor position using the signal from the second sensor and the effect of any backlash in the assembly, and cross-checks first signal against the estimate to determine if one of the motor position sensors is faulty.

Abstract: A dual motor drive assembly comprising a housing, a shaft rotatably mounted with respect to the housing, a first gear connected to and configured to rotate with the shaft, first and second motor circuits, each motor circuit including a motor having an output driving a respective output gear, the output gears being engaged with the first gear, a control circuit adapted to allocate independent torque demands to each of the first and second motors to cause a net torque to be applied to the shaft comprising the sum of the torques applied by the two motors, and a processing circuit adapted to estimate the level of load independent mechanical friction of the system by applying torque demands to the two motors.

Abstract: A dual-motor drive assembly, comprising a housing, a shaft rotatably mounted to the housing, a first gear connected to the shaft, first and second motors, each driving a respective output gear which are engaged with the first gear, a motor controller allocating torque demands to the first and second motors to apply a torque to the first gear, a determination unit for an angular position signal of the first and second motors, and a processing unit receiving the angular position signals when the motor controller allocates a torque demand that produces a differential torque at the shaft having a first sense; the differential torque taking up any free-play between the two output gears and the first gear, receiving the angular position signals—when the motor controller allocates a torque demand that produces a differential torque at the shaft having a second sense, the differential torque taking up any free-play between the two output gears and the first gear, and the processing arrangement estimates the level of

Abstract: A dual motor drive assembly comprises a housing, a shaft rotatably mounted with respect to the housing, a first gear connected to and configured to rotate with the shaft, and first and second motors, each having an output driving a respective output gear, the output gears being engaged with the first gear, in which each motor comprises a permanent magnet motor that has the same number of poles and stators such that each motor produces the same pattern of cogging torque over a complete mechanical revolution of the motor.

Abstract: A dual motor drive assembly comprising a housing, a shaft rotatably mounted to the housing, a first gear rotatably connected to the shaft, first and second motors, each having an output driving a respective output gear, the output gears being engaged with the first gear, a torque allocation arrangement for allocating torque demands to each of the first and second motors, a measurement arrangement for measuring first and second temperature relating to the first and second motors respectively, a torque limit allocation arrangement for allocating a maximum torque limit based on the first and second temperature respectively, wherein a maximum total torque is equal to the sum of maximum torque limits of the first and second motors, wherein in a first mode the allocated torque demand to each of the motors is to provide opposing torques to the shaft, and in a second mode to provide torques in the same direction to the shaft, wherein the torque demand allocations change from the first mode to the second mode at a thr

Abstract: A dual motor drive assembly, for a handwheel actuator assembly of a vehicle, comprises a housing, a shaft rotatably mounted to the housing, a first gear connected to and configured to rotate with the shaft, first and second motors, each having an output driving a respective output gear, the output gears being engaged with the first gear, a torque allocation arrangement for allocating torque demands to each of the first and second motors according to a first and second mode, wherein in the first mode the torque demand allocated to the first motor follows a first profile and the torque demand allocated to the second motor follows a second profile, wherein the first and second profiles represent defined relationships between a total torque demand and the torque demand allocated to one of the first and second motors, wherein in the second mode the torque demand allocated to the first motor follows the second profile and the torque demand allocated to the second motor follows the first profile, further comprising

Abstract: A dual motor drive assembly can include a housing, a shaft rotatably mounted with respect to the housing, a first gear connected to and configured to rotate with the shaft, first and second motors, each having an output driving a respective output gear, the output gears being engaged with the first gear. The dual motor drive assembly can also include a control circuit which is adapted to allocate independent torque demands to each of the first and second motors to cause a net torque to be applied to the shaft.

Abstract: A dual motor drive assembly comprising a housing, a shaft rotatably mounted with respect to the housing, a first gear connected to and configured to rotate with the shaft, first and second motors, each having an output driving a respective output gear, the output gears being engaged with the first gear, an allocation arrangement for allocating torque demands to each of the first and second motors, a target friction detection arrangement for determining a target friction, a calculation arrangement for calculating a mechanical friction, wherein the target friction and mechanical friction are compared, and wherein the mechanical friction is modified to meet the target friction by varying the difference between the two motor torque demands when the two motor torques are in opposing directions.

Abstract: A steering column assembly for a vehicle comprises: a steering column rotatably mounted about a longitudinal axis and configured for attachment of a steering wheel at one end; a first gear configured to rotate with the steering column; first and second, each having an output driving a respective output gear, the output gears being engaged with the first gear; and an ECU configured to operate the motors to apply torque to the first gear. The output gears are worm gears and the output gears are offset with respect to one another in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the steering column to produce a partial overlap of the contact areas of the first and second output gears with the teeth of the first gear, which reduces wear of the first gear and prolongs its useful life.

Abstract: A travel limiter for a rotatable steering column of a vehicle comprises: a housing; an elongate threaded member rotatably mounted about its longitudinal axis within the housing; a nut member threadedly mounted on the elongate threaded member, the exterior of the nut member comprising a toothed gear; connector for connection of a rotatable steering column of a vehicle to the elongate threaded member, whereby the steering column and the threaded member are constrained to rotate together; end stops which engage with the nut member to define the maximum axial displacement of the nut member along the elongate threaded member in both directions; a drive motor having an output shaft configured to rotate an output gear member meshed with the gear on the exterior of the nut member; and a controller configured to control the operation of the drive motor.

Abstract: A steering column assembly for a vehicle, comprises: an elongate steering column mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis and configured for attachment to a steering wheel at one end; a first gear connected to the steering column at a location spaced from the one end to which the steering wheel is attached and configured to rotate with the steering column; first and second motors, each having an output shaft; first and second worm screws directly connected to and rotatable with the output shaft of the first and second motors respectively and engaged with the first gear; a control arrangement configured to operate the first and second motors; and a motor position sensor arrangement for sensing the rotational position of the motor output shafts, each sensor arrangement comprising a target member fixedly mounted to a respective motor output shaft on the opposite side of the worm screw from the motor and a sensor for detecting the target member.

Abstract: A steering column assembly for a vehicle comprises a steering column mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis and configured for attachment to a steering wheel at one end; a first gear connected to the steering column at a location spaced from the end where the steering wheel may be attached and configured to rotate with the steering column; first and second motors; first and second worm screws connected to and rotatable with an output of the first and second motors respectively and engaged with the first gear; and a control arrangement configured to operate the first and second motors. The control arrangement comprises a circuit board located between the first and second worm screws and their respective motors. The circuit board comprises a motor output position sensor for each of the first and second motors.

Abstract: A steering column assembly for a vehicle comprises a steering column mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis and configured for attachment of a steering wheel at one end; a first gear connected to the steering column at a location spaced from the steering wheel attachment portion and configured to rotate with the steering column; first and second motors; first and second worm screws connected to and rotatable with the output of the first and second motors respectively and engaged with the first gear; and a control arrangement configured to operate the first and second motors; wherein rotational axes of the first and second worm screws are inclined with respect to a plane extending perpendicular to the rotational axis of the steering column.

Abstract: A handwheel actuator assembly 600 for a steer by wire steering system of a vehicle is disclosed. The assembly 600 comprises a steering wheel 601 and a feedback torque generator. The steering wheel 601 has at least one hand grip portion rotatable around an axis of rotation of the steering wheel 601 which can be gripped by a driver and a hub 602 that supports the hand grip portion. The feedback torque generator comprises an electric motor which has a stator 609 and a rotor 610. The rotor 610 is directly or indirectly fixed to and rotates with the hub of the steering wheel 601 and the stator 609 is secured to a fixed part of the vehicle body such that it cannot rotate relative to the vehicle body. The motor comprises a brushless permanent magnet Vernier motor.

Abstract: A steering column assembly is disclosed that comprises: an elongate rotatable steering column, a displacement motor, a torque feedback motor; an engagement mechanism and a control. The steering column is configured at one end for attachment of a steering member and is displaceable along its longitudinal axis between a withdrawn, stowed position in which the steering function of the steering column is inhibited and an extended, deployed position in which the steering function of the steering column can be enabled. The displacement motor displaces the steering column between the stowed and deployed positions. The torque feedback motor is connected to the steering column and by which the steering column is rotatable. The engagement mechanism is engaged when the steering column is in the stowed position and limits the angular displacement of the steering column to a predetermined value.

Abstract: A combined motor and gearbox assembly for an electric power steering system comprising an electric motor, a gearbox which includes a gearset that is connected on an input part to a rotor of the motor and in use is connected on an output part at least indirectly to a steering column shaft to transfer torque from the motor rotor to the steering column shaft, a motor drive circuit, a gearbox housing which in use accommodates the gearset of the gearbox, the electric motor including a motor housing, and a baseplate which connects an end face of the gearbox housing to an end face of the gearbox housing and which supports the drive circuit. At least one bolt having a stem passes through a central hole in a tubular rivet that secures the motor housing to the baseplate, the bolt securing the baseplate to the gearbox housing.

Abstract: A steering torque feedback assembly for a vehicle steering column includes a housing, a first gear rotatably mounted within the housing about a first rotatable axis and being configured to rotate with, or being connected to, a vehicle steering column, first and second electric motors mounted within the housing, each having a rotatable output shaft, second and third gears rotatably mounted within the housing and engaged with the first gear, and first and second reduction gearing connecting the output of the first and second motors and a respective one of the second and third gears.

Abstract: A handwheel actuator assembly includes a handwheel shaft configured to receive a handwheel; a feedback device operable to provide a variable level of resistance to rotation of the handwheel shaft; and a handwheel shaft position sensor operable to sense an angular position of the handwheel shaft. The handwheel shaft position sensor may be mounted on a circuit board. The circuit may comprise a controller that is configured to receive signals from the handwheel shaft position sensor.

Abstract: A system and method for recovering carbon dioxide from a stream of gas using an absorption unit configured to receive the stream of gas and a stream of liquid absorbent. The gas includes carbon dioxide and vaporized water, and the liquid absorbent is chemically reactive with the carbon dioxide to form a solidified carbon dioxide-rich absorbent material. The gas and the liquid absorbent are mixed in the absorption unit such that a slurry that includes the solidified carbon dioxide-rich absorbent material and condensed water is formed therein. The system and method may also employ a transport mechanism coupled in communication with the absorption unit, wherein the transport mechanism is configured to channel the slurry downstream from the absorption unit.

Abstract: A travel limiter for a rotatable steering column of a vehicle comprises: a housing; an elongate threaded member rotatably mounted about its longitudinal axis within the housing; a nut member threadedly mounted on the elongate threaded member, the exterior of the nut member comprising a toothed gear; connector for connection of a rotatable steering column of a vehicle to the elongate threaded member, whereby the steering column and the threaded member are constrained to rotate together; end stops which engage with the nut member to define the maximum axial displacement of the nut member along the elongate threaded member in both directions; a drive motor having an output shaft configured to rotate an output gear member meshed with the gear on the exterior of the nut member; and a controller configured to control the operation of the drive motor.