Abstract: A vehicle steering control method includes receiving a sensed handwheel angle corresponding to a position of a handwheel and receiving a sensed handwheel toque value indicating an amount of torque applied by an operator on the handwheel. The method also includes, in response to a determination that the handwheel motor is in an unlocked condition, generating a roadwheel angle based on the sensed handwheel angle and a vehicle speed. The method also includes, in response to a determination that the handwheel motor is in a locked condition generating the roadwheel angle based on the sensed handwheel torque value and the vehicle speed and, in response to a determination that the locked condition of the handwheel motor is an intermittent condition, maintaining the handwheel motor in the locked condition.

Abstract: A vehicle steering control method includes receiving a sensed handwheel angle corresponding to a position of a handwheel and receiving a sensed handwheel toque value indicating an amount of torque applied by an operator on the handwheel. The method also includes, in response to a determination that the handwheel motor is in an unlocked condition, generating a roadwheel angle based on the sensed handwheel angle and a vehicle speed. The method also includes, in response to a determination that the handwheel motor is in a locked condition generating the roadwheel angle based on the sensed handwheel torque value and the vehicle speed and, in response to a determination that the locked condition of the handwheel motor is an intermittent condition, maintaining the handwheel motor in the locked condition.

Abstract: According to one or more embodiments a steer by wire steering system includes a handwheel actuator that provides a commanded position for a rack of a vehicle. The steer by wire steering system further includes a roadwheel actuator that moves the rack to a rack position based on the commanded position from the handwheel actuator. The steer by wire steering system further includes a diagnostic apparatus to compute a reference position based on the commanded position, and to compute a reference tracking error based on a difference between the reference position and the rack position. The diagnostic apparatus further determines a fault condition with the steer by wire system using the reference tracking error.

Abstract: According to one or more embodiments described herein, a steer by wire steering system includes a pair of actuators, a handwheel actuator that provides a commanded position to a roadwheel actuator, which moves a rack of the vehicle to a rack position based on the commanded position from the handwheel actuator. The steer by wire steering system further includes a controller that generates a handwheel torque command, the handwheel actuator generates a feedback torque based on the handwheel torque command. The controller further computes a tracking error based on a difference between the commanded position and the rack position. The controller further determines a catch motor torque value using the tracking error. The controller further modifies the handwheel torque command using the catch motor torque, the handwheel actuator generates an amount of torque that is substantially a sum of the feedback torque and the catch motor torque.

Abstract: According to one or more embodiments of the present invention a steer by wire steering system includes a deviation detection unit configured to determine a deviation signal that is indicative of a disturbance in one or more components coupled to a rack. The steer by wire steering system further includes a handwheel notification module configured to generate a modification signal based on the deviation signal, in response to the deviation signal being detected for at least a predetermined duration. The steer by wire steering system further includes a handwheel control module that generates an input command corresponding to a reference torque generated by a road wheel actuator, a feedback torque for a driver is generated based on the input command. The handwheel control module further modifies the input command using the modification signal, the modification providing a notification corresponding to the disturbance to the driver.

Abstract: A musical instrument mute retention assembly with perpendicular mounting flange mount to a music stand at a parallel disposition with the ground surface, while also retaining multiple instrument mutes of various sizes and musical-related items in a level, upright disposition. The assembly provides a mute panel defined by mute apertures disposed in a linear, spaced-apart relationship. The mute panel also provides music item apertures disposed in a linear, spaced-apart relationship, and further being parallel to the mute apertures. A mounting flange fixedly attaches to the mute panel in a perpendicular disposition. The mounting flange interfaces with a gapped flange that extends from a sloped support panel of a music stand in slidable or fastenable engagement. Because the mounting flange is perpendicular to the mute panel, the retained mutes and music-related items are maintained parallel with the ground surface, facilitating access to the apertures and retained mutes.

Abstract: According to one or more embodiments of the present invention a steer by wire steering system includes a deviation detection unit configured to determine a deviation signal that is indicative of a disturbance in one or more components coupled to a rack. The steer by wire steering system further includes a handwheel notification module configured to generate a modification signal based on the deviation signal, in response to the deviation signal being detected for at least a predetermined duration. The steer by wire steering system further includes a handwheel control module that generates an input command corresponding to a reference torque generated by a road wheel actuator, a feedback torque for a driver is generated based on the input command. The handwheel control module further modifies the input command using the modification signal, the modification providing a notification corresponding to the disturbance to the driver.

Abstract: A musical instrument mute retention assembly with perpendicular mounting flange mount to a music stand at a parallel disposition with the ground surface, while also retaining multiple instrument mutes of various sizes and musical-related items in a level, upright disposition. The assembly provides a mute panel defined by mute apertures disposed in a linear, spaced-apart relationship. The mute panel also provides music item apertures disposed in a linear, spaced-apart relationship, and further being parallel to the mute apertures. A mounting flange fixedly attaches to the mute panel in a perpendicular disposition. The mounting flange interfaces with a gapped flange that extends from a sloped support panel of a music stand in slidable or fastenable engagement. Because the mounting flange is perpendicular to the mute panel, the retained mutes and music-related items are maintained parallel with the ground surface, facilitating access to the apertures and retained mutes.

Abstract: According to one or more embodiments a steer by wire steering system includes a handwheel actuator that provides a commanded position for a rack of a vehicle. The steer by wire steering system further includes a roadwheel actuator that moves the rack to a rack position based on the commanded position from the handwheel actuator. The steer by wire steering system further includes a diagnostic apparatus to compute a reference position based on the commanded position, and to compute a reference tracking error based on a difference between the reference position and the rack position. The diagnostic apparatus further determines a fault condition with the steer by wire system using the reference tracking error.

Abstract: According to one or more embodiments described herein, a steer by wire steering system includes a pair of actuators, a handwheel actuator that provides a commanded position to a roadwheel actuator, which moves a rack of the vehicle to a rack position based on the commanded position from the handwheel actuator. The steer by wire steering system further includes a controller that generates a handwheel torque command, the handwheel actuator generates a feedback torque based on the handwheel torque command. The controller further computes a tracking error based on a difference between the commanded position and the rack position. The controller further determines a catch motor torque value using the tracking error. The controller further modifies the handwheel torque command using the catch motor torque, the handwheel actuator generates an amount of torque that is substantially a sum of the feedback torque and the catch motor torque.

Abstract: A mute rack with palette shape and multiple retention apertures for retaining wind instrument mutes and music related items in upright position. The mute rack provides a palette-shaped panel defined by an edge, a left region, and a right region. The left and right regions join together at a junction region. The left region forms multiple left apertures, the right region forms multiple right apertures, and the junction region forms a junction aperture, with at least one of the apertures having a different dimension. A clamp bar detachably attaches the panel to a rod, like a music stand. The clamp bar comprises a torque mechanism that is rotatably manipulated to detachably attach to the rod. The clamp bar also comprises a bracket fixedly mated with the edge of the panel. The bracket forms a hole that enables passage of a screw of the torque mechanism for tightening against the rod.

Abstract: A multi-arm swiveling mute rack provides swiveling arms and annular members that retain instrument mutes in an upright position, allowing each mute to be independently swiveled horizontally up to 360° for selective access to mutes. A base portion mounts to a shaft or flat surface near a musician for supporting mute rack. An axle extends vertically from base portion. A stationary lower plate receives axle, and a lower arm terminating at a lower annular member extends from the lower plate to retain a mute. Multiple rotatable upper plates and their respective upper arms terminating at upper annular members stacked above the lower plate. The upper plates swivel about the axle so that their respective arms and annular members swivel while retaining mutes. The arms are marked to define the relative angle of the mutes to each other. Multiple music item containers at the base portion retain music related items.

Abstract: A rotor comprises a first rotor lamination and a second rotor lamination. The first rotor lamination and the second rotor lamination are configured for defining, when joined into rotor assembly, a central axis of rotation and a plurality of interior magnet pockets disposed symmetrically about the central axis of rotation, each pocket of the plurality of interior magnet pockets is configured for housing and retaining a permanent magnet. A method of forming a rotor comprises forming a first rotor lamination and a second rotor lamination, rotating the second rotor lamination about an axis of symmetry of the second rotor lamination; and mating the first rotor lamination to the second rotor lamination such that a first notch of the first rotor lamination is disposed adjacent to the first notch of the second rotor lamination.

Abstract: A method of estimating friction in a steering system controlled by a control module is provided. The method includes performing by the control module, estimating a steering load gain; estimating a steering load hysteresis; and determining friction based on the steering load gain, the steering load hysteresis, and a reference model.

Abstract: A control system for an electric power steering system is provided. The system includes a motor and a control module in communication with the motor. The control module provides a compensation command to the motor. The control modules includes a frequency dependent damping module for determining a frequency dependent damping (FDD) coefficient based on a base assist command and a vehicle speed. The control module includes a coefficient module for determining a plurality of filter coefficients. The filter coefficients are based on the FDD coefficient, the vehicle speed, and an inertia compensation coefficient. The control module includes a filter module for determining the compensation command based on the plurality of filter coefficients.

Abstract: A rotor comprises a first rotor lamination and a second rotor lamination. The first rotor lamination and the second rotor lamination are configured for defining, when joined into rotor assembly, a central axis of rotation and a plurality of interior magnet pockets disposed symmetrically about the central axis of rotation, each pocket of the plurality of interior magnet pockets is configured for housing and retaining a permanent magnet. A method of forming a rotor comprises forming a first rotor lamination and a second rotor lamination, rotating the second rotor lamination about an axis of symmetry of the second rotor lamination; and mating the first rotor lamination to the second rotor lamination such that a first notch of the first rotor lamination is disposed adjacent to the first notch of the second rotor lamination.

Abstract: A control system for an electric power steering system is provided. The system includes a motor and a control module in communication with the motor. The control module provides a compensation command to the motor. The control modules includes a frequency dependent damping module for determining a frequency dependent damping (FDD) coefficient based on a base assist command and a vehicle speed. The control module includes a coefficient module for determining a plurality of filter coefficients. The filter coefficients are based on the FDD coefficient, the vehicle speed, and an inertia compensation coefficient. The control module includes a filter module for determining the compensation command based on the plurality of filter coefficients.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining an absolute rotational position of the vehicle handwheel are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a method includes determining a slope value based on the delta torque value associated with the vehicle steering system and the delta rotational position value associated with a vehicle handwheel. The method further includes setting an absolute position value indicating the absolute position of the vehicle handwheel equal to a predetermined steering travel limit of the vehicle handwheel when the slope value is within a predetermined slope range.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a vehicle steering system are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the method includes receiving a desired front road wheel angle signal at a controller. The desired front road wheel angle signal is indicative of a desired front road wheel angle of vehicle wheels. The method further includes receiving a parking assist request signal at the controller indicating a parking assist operational mode is desired. The method further includes generating a desired motor torque signal for controlling a power steering motor in the parking assist operational mode utilizing the controller, based on the desired front road wheel angle signal and the parking assist request signal.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for calculating a torque overlay command in a steering control system is provided. The method includes receiving a current hand wheel angle, receiving a change in vehicle yaw moment command, and calculating a lateral force in response to the change in vehicle yaw moment command. The method also includes determining a new tire side slip angle from the lateral force and calculating a commanded hand wheel angle from the new tire side slip angle. The method further includes calculating an error signal as a difference between the commanded hand wheel angle and the current hand wheel angle, and generating a torque overlay command from the error signal.