Patents by Inventor Scott T. Sanford

Scott T. Sanford 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).

  • Publication number: 20250136174
    Abstract: A method for mitigating undesirable steering torque includes: in response to a determination that a vehicle is braking, determining whether the vehicle is experiencing brake pull: in response to a determination that the vehicle is experiencing brake pull, determining whether the vehicle is moving in according to a driver intention; in response to a determination that the vehicle is moving according to the driver intention, learning function coefficients for a rack-force impact due to the brake pull; in response to a determination that a learning is matured, predicting a rack load effect due to the brake pull; and generating a handwheel actuator command, the handwheel actuator command being configured to, when applied to the handwheel actuator, cause the handwheel actuator to oppose the rack load effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2024
    Publication date: May 1, 2025
    Inventors: KARTHIK RENGARAJAN, SCOTT T. SANFORD
  • Publication number: 20250050850
    Abstract: Disclosed is a number of variations that may include a method, system, or computer product useful in determining an intended yaw or yaw rate that a driver desires using a model, comparing the yaw or yaw rate with the actual vehicle yaw or yaw rate to determining a yaw error or yaw rate error, using the yaw error or yaw rate error in a model predictive control to determine the brake pressure required to minimize or reduced to zero the yaw error or the yaw rate error.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2023
    Publication date: February 13, 2025
    Inventors: Omkar Karve, Sarin Kodappully, Alexander Jennings, Michael S. Wyciechowski, Scott T. Sanford, Iulian Ungureanu
  • Patent number: 12195082
    Abstract: A number of variations may include a method including using at least one of brakes or propulsion energy to steer an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle if a primary, secondary or other redundant steering system for an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle has failed or is insufficiently unhealthy to perform a desired function, the method including determining if a primary, secondary or other redundant steering system of an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle has failed or is not sufficiently healthy to perform a desired function, and if so, converting a steer request into a desired yaw rate, curvature, curvature over time, radius, radius or time or yaw rate acceleration, calculating a brake pressure sufficient to produce the desired yaw rate, curvature, curvature over time, radius, radius or time or yaw rate acceleration, delivering brake pressures signals via a lateral control module to an actuator for at least one brake connected to a wheel of the vehicle so that the brake pressure causes the vehicle ya
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignees: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation, Continental Automotive Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Clinton L. Schumann, Scott T. Sanford, Michael S. Wyciechowski, Todd Bowman
  • Patent number: 12128948
    Abstract: A number of illustrative variations may include a system that may manage torque overlay scenarios in a vehicle where the brakes and propulsion system are providing both lateral and longitudinal movement commands and there is a change in longitudinal acceleration requested from a driver or autonomous driving system. The system may manage driver brake inputs and brake-to-steer brake inputs to maintain brake-to-steer functionality while also applying sufficient braking as requested by the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignees: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation, Continental Automotive Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Labarbera, Clinton L. Schumann, Scott T. Sanford, Michael Wyciechowski, Emmanuel Garcia
  • Patent number: 12103539
    Abstract: A number of illustrative variations may include the steps of providing a first vehicle including at least one sensor, a controller configured to process sensor data, and a vehicle communication system; providing a driving surface having an actual coefficient of friction; determining at least one estimated driving surface coefficient of friction; communicating the at least one estimated driving surface coefficient from the first vehicle to the vehicle communication system; and communicating the at least one estimated driving surface coefficient from the vehicle communication system to at least one other vehicle directly or indirectly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Clinton L. Schumann, Scott T. Sanford, Geoff Bauer, Joseph A. LaBarbera
  • Publication number: 20240308485
    Abstract: Steering a vehicle may include applying a net brake-steering force to a steered wheel sufficient to affect a steering moment upon the steered wheel sufficient to move the steered wheel away from a zero steering angle, and resisting movement of the steered wheel back toward the zero steering angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2024
    Publication date: September 19, 2024
    Inventors: Clinton L. Schumann, Scott T. Sanford
  • Patent number: 12017629
    Abstract: Steering a vehicle may include applying a net brake-steering force to a steered wheel sufficient to affect a steering moment upon the steered wheel sufficient to move the steered wheel away from a zero steering angle, and resisting movement of the steered wheel back toward the zero steering angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignees: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation, Continental Automotive Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Clinton L. Schumann, Scott T. Sanford
  • Publication number: 20240101117
    Abstract: A number of illustrative variations may include a system including brake-to-steer algorithms may achieve lateral control of a vehicle without longitudinal compensation but may also force a vehicle to slow down too rapidly before appropriate lateral movement can be achieved and may deliver an unnatural driving experience for vehicle occupants. A more natural feeling deceleration may be achieved by optimally selecting appropriate transmission shifts to allow for optimal engine speed or electric motor speed and torque based on current vehicle speed thereby reducing undesirably longitudinal disturbance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Joseph A. LaBarbera, Michael S. Wyciechowski, Clinton L. Schumann, Emmanuel Garcia, Scott T. Sanford, Gregory J. Katch
  • Publication number: 20240092326
    Abstract: A number of variations may include a system, method, a non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions thereon executable by an electronic processor to implement functionality comprising enhancing the curvature capability of a tertiary rack and pinion actuator by using brake-to-steer while the tertiary rack and pinion actuator is operating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Michael S. Wyciechowski, Scott T. Sanford
  • Publication number: 20240075981
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method using a brake-to-steer model predictive control to providing a limited level of lateral control for self-driving or semi-self-driving vehicles, when a component of a vehicle steering system fails or is failing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Michael S. Wyciechowski, Iulian Ungureanu, Thomas Raste, Scott T. Sanford
  • Patent number: 11820377
    Abstract: A number of illustrative variations may include a system including brake-to-steer algorithms may achieve lateral control of a vehicle without longitudinal compensation but may also force a vehicle to slow down too rapidly before appropriate lateral movement can be achieved and may deliver an unnatural driving experience for vehicle occupants. A more natural feeling deceleration may be achieved by optimally selecting appropriate transmission shifts to allow for optimal engine speed or electric motor speed and torque based on current vehicle speed thereby reducing undesirably longitudinal disturbance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignees: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc., Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph A. LaBarbera, Michael S. Wyciechowski, Clinton L. Schumann, Emmanuel Garcia, Scott T. Sanford, Gregory J. Katch
  • Patent number: 11718299
    Abstract: A number of illustrative variations may include a system and method of controlling vehicle slowing while implementing brake-to-steer functionality that may include providing a feed-forward gain on vehicle propulsion torque to achieve or maintain target longitudinal acceleration and replicate the behavior of a vehicle not using brake-to-steer. The system may manipulate propulsion of the vehicle to manage longitudinal acceleration disturbance and speed disturbance during brake-to-steer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignees: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc., Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph A. Labarbera, Clinton L. Schumann, Scott T. Sanford, Michael Wyciechowski, Emmanuel Garcia
  • Publication number: 20230122952
    Abstract: A number of variations are discloses including a system and method including using differential braking to increase evasive lateral maneuver capability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: JOSEPH A. LABARBERA, CLINTON L. SCHUMANN, SCOTT T. SANFORD, MICHAEL WYCIECHOWSKI
  • Publication number: 20230124821
    Abstract: A number of illustrative variations may include a system that may manage torque overlay scenarios in a vehicle where the brakes and propulsion system are providing both lateral and longitudinal movement commands and there is a change in longitudinal acceleration requested from a driver or autonomous driving system. The system may manage driver brake inputs and brake-to-steer brake inputs to maintain brake-to-steer functionality while also applying sufficient braking as requested by the driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: JOSEPH A. LABARBERA, CLINTON L. SCHUMANN, SCOTT T. SANFORD, MICHAEL WYCIECHOWSKI, EMMANUEL GARCIA
  • Publication number: 20230121593
    Abstract: A number of variations are discloses including a system and method including using differential braking to reduce steering effort during loss of assist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: JOSEPH A. LABARBERA, CLINTON L. SCHUMANN, SCOTT T. SANFORD, MICHAEL WYCIECHOWSKI
  • Publication number: 20230121296
    Abstract: A number of illustrative variations may include a system and method of controlling vehicle slowing while implementing brake-to-steer functionality that may include providing a feed-forward gain on vehicle propulsion torque to achieve or maintain target longitudinal acceleration and replicate the behavior of a vehicle not using brake-to-steer. The system may manipulate propulsion of the vehicle to manage longitudinal acceleration disturbance and speed disturbance during brake-to-steer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: JOSEPH A. LABARBERA, CLINTON L. SCHUMANN, SCOTT T. SANFORD, MICHAEL WYCIECHOWSKI, EMMANUEL GARCIA
  • Publication number: 20230119160
    Abstract: A number of variations may include a method including pre-charging at least a portion of a vehicle brake system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: JOSEPH A. LABARBERA, CLINTON L. SCHUMANN, SCOTT T. SANFORD, MICHAEL WYCIECHOWSKI
  • Publication number: 20230119249
    Abstract: A number of illustrative variations may include a system including brake-to-steer algorithms may achieve lateral control of a vehicle without longitudinal compensation but may also force a vehicle to slow down too rapidly before appropriate lateral movement can be achieved and may deliver an unnatural driving experience for vehicle occupants. A more natural feeling deceleration may be achieved by optimally selecting appropriate transmission shifts to allow for optimal engine speed or electric motor speed and torque based on current vehicle speed thereby reducing undesirably longitudinal disturbance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Joseph A. LaBarbera, Michael S. Wyciechowski, Clinton L. Schumann, Emmanuel Garcia, Scott T. Sanford, Gregory J. Katch
  • Publication number: 20230058353
    Abstract: A number of illustrative variations may include a system and method of modifying steering wheel effort and end of travel limits dynamically during electronic power steering failure, steer-by-wire failure, or brake-to-steer implementation within a vehicle where steering systems have degraded or failed to provide a driver with a normal or near-normal steering driving experience while brake-to-steer systems are in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: Joseph A. LaBarbera, CLINTON L. SCHUMANN, SCOTT T. SANFORD, MICHAEL S. WYCIECHOWSKI
  • Publication number: 20230055296
    Abstract: A number of illustrative variations may include a system and method of using vehicle brakes to steer a vehicle where steer-by-wire steering systems have failed. The system may include supplying varying brake pressure, as needed, to different vehicle wheels to steer the vehicle. The system may include supplying engine system commands to maintain vehicle speed or acceleration such that in the event of steering system failure, a vehicle may continue to operate safely without effecting driver input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: Joseph A. LaBarbera, Clinton L. Schumann, Scott T. Sanford, Michael S. Wyciechowski