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8402 results about "Steering system" patented technology

The steering system converts the rotation of the steering wheel into a swivelling movement of the road wheels in such a way that the steering-wheel rim turns a long way to move the road wheels a short way.

Recovery of calibrated center steering position after loss of battery power

The steering angle of a vehicle is monitored using position sensors of an electric motor of an electric power assisted steering (EPAS) system. A position of the electric motor corresponding to the straight-ahead, center position of the steering system is stored in non-volatile memory during a steering calibration procedure, such as an end-of-line calibration in a vehicle assembly plant. Following power loss due to a dead battery, a steering angle zeroing procedure performed in a vehicle stability control (VSC) system generates a center position with enough accuracy to be within one electrical cycle of the motor. The pre-stored electric motor position is then used to determine the electrical cycle where the center position was located, and accurate monitoring of steering angle is resumed.
Owner:TRW AUTOMOTIVE US LLC

Piston-actuated endoscopic steering system

Endoscopic steering apparatus is provided, including an endoscope (80) having distal (82) and proximal (98) ends thereof. In a preferred embodiment, at least one proximal cylinder (92) is disposed in a vicinity of the proximal end of the endoscope, and at least one proximal piston (94) is slidably coupled to the at least one proximal cylinder. This piston is typically manually driven. A first distal cylinder (88) is disposed at the distal end of the endoscope, and a first distal piston (90) is slidably coupled to the first distal cylinder. A second distal cylinder (88) is disposed at the distal end of the endoscope, and a second distal piston (90) is slidably coupled to the second distal cylinder. A first tube (86) is coupled to the first distal cylinder and to the at least one proximal cylinder, and a second tube (86) is coupled to the second distal cylinder and to the at least one proximal cylinder. A linkage (96) is disposed at the distal end of the endoscope and coupled to the first distal piston and to the second distal piston, such that displacement of at least one of the distal pistons causes displacement of the linkage and steering of the distal end of the endoscope.
Owner:STRYKER GI

Ablation instrument having a flexible distal portion

An ablation instrument having a flexible portion at or near the distal portion of the instrument, is provided. The instrument includes an elongated tubular member having a steerable distal end configured to deflect, or otherwise direct, and properly position at least a portion of the distal portion, comprising an ablation device, during an ablation procedure. The instrument further includes a deflectable member which cooperates with the steering system allowing for the proper placement of the ablation device adjacent or proximate to the target tissue surface. The steering system may alternatively be incorporated into a separate guiding catheter as part of the catheter system.
Owner:AFX +1

Electrical steering assist for material handling vehicles

Electrical steering assist systems reduce the operator applied steering effort necessary to operate material handling vehicles. A steer drive unit including a motor is coupled to a steerable wheel for providing steering assist. The amount of steering assist provided by the steer drive unit is determined by a controller that receives input from one or more input sensing devices. The input sensing device(s) may include force sensors that detect an operator applied turning force. The input sensing device(s) may also detect the movement of one steering component relative to another. Further, the input sensing device(s) may include operator activated controls such as a joystick, potentiometer, switches and voice initiated commands. Input sensing device(s) may additionally be provided to detect operational parameters such as the load on the material handling vehicle, vehicle speed, or environmental conditions such as travel path obstruction detection, homing and proximity sensing.
Owner:CROWN EQUIP CORP

Detecting driver grip on steering wheel

Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to determining by what degree a driver is gripping a steering wheel. In one example, a computer may send an electrically assisted power steering system (EPS) motor an excitation command to move. The EPS motor may respond by moving a flexible coupling between the steering wheel and the EPS motor. This may cause a corresponding movement at the steering wheel. A torque sensor may generate pattern data by monitoring the flexible coupling during the movement. The EPS motor may generate system position data for the entire steering system, for example, from the tires to the steering wheel. The pattern data and the system position data may be compared by the computer to determine the degree of grip. In this regard, the computer may determine the degree of a driver's grip without the need for additional sensors.
Owner:WAYMO LLC

Model based predictive control for automated lane centering/changing control systems

A system and method for providing steering control for lane changing and lane centering purposes in an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle system. A vehicle vision system calculates roadway lane marking information, such as lateral offset, yaw angle and roadway curvature with respect to the vehicle's centered coordinate system. The roadway is then modeled as a second order polynomial equation. The method then predicts roadway lateral position and yaw angle over a pre-defined lane change completion time using a vehicle dynamic model. The method then compares a predicted vehicle path with a desired vehicle path to generate an error value, and calculates a steering angle command to minimize the error value, where the steering angle command is calculated as a function of vehicle lateral position, vehicle lateral speed, vehicle yaw rate and vehicle yaw angle. The steering angle command is then sent to the vehicle steering system.
Owner:GM GLOBAL TECH OPERATIONS LLC

Steering system for heavy mobile medical equipment

In one embodiment of the invention, a steering system for mobile medical equipment is disclosed including left and right steerable wheel assemblies including left and right steerable wheels, left and right parallelogram linkages coupled to the left and right steerable wheel assemblies, a steering function generator coupled to the left and right parallelogram linkages, and a steering tiller coupled to the steering function generator. The left and right parallelogram linkages transfer differing left and right wheel angles to the left and right steerable wheel assemblies respectively. The steering function generator generates the left wheel angle (LWA) of the left steerable wheel and the right wheel angle (RWA) of the right steerable wheel. The steering tiller receives an input steering angle to generate the left wheel angle and the right wheel angle to control the direction of the mobile medical equipment around flooring.
Owner:INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS INC

Automatic steering system and method

An automatic steering system and method are provided for a vehicle including an hydraulic primary steering system. The automatic steering system includes a guidance module with a GPS receiver and a microprocessor adapted to process and store GPS data defining travel paths, which can be associated with a cultivated field in an agricultural vehicle application. An automatic steering module is connected to the guidance module and to a steering valve control block, which provides pressurized hydraulic fluid in parallel with the vehicle's primary hydrostatic steering system. The automatic steering system utilizes a constant factor, such as steering rate, for predictability and simplicity in the operation of the automatic steering system. A feedback loop from the vehicle hydrostatic steering system uses the vehicle's actual turning rate for comparison with a desired turning rate. The system is adapted for original equipment installation and retrofitting on vehicles, such as farm tractors, with various primary hydrostatic steering system configurations. An automatic steering method includes the steps of: initializing the system; adjusting the steering with an hydraulic valve to provide a constant steering rate; providing feedback corresponding to the vehicle's actual turning rate and combining the feedback with other input signals to provide automatic steering.
Owner:AGJUNCTION

Steerable needle

InactiveUS20040133168A1Improved level of guidanceEasy to detectElectrotherapyInfusion syringesNeedle guidanceCannula tip
The invention relates to a needle guidance system provided by a needle with a steerable tip. The needle has a cannula and a stylet. The stylet adjacent to its tip has a naturally curved portion The stylet is movable in two degrees of freedom with respect to the cannula-axial translation and axial rotation with respect to the cannula axis. When extended, the stylet curves off-axis and provides cannula tip steering. Driving and / or steering systems may be provided to the orientation and relatively move the stylet.
Owner:SALCUDEAN SEPTIMIU E +3

Vehicle with high integrity perception system

The illustrative embodiments provide an apparatus for processing sensor data and controlling the movement of a vehicle. In an illustrative embodiment, an operating environment around the vehicle is identified and sensor data is selected from a set of sensors. The movement of the vehicle is controlled based on the operating environment identified. In another illustrative embodiment, a sensor system has some sensors that are more accurate in a particular environment than other sensors. A dynamic condition is identified by the sensor system and commands are sent to the steering system, the propulsion system, and the braking system to move the vehicle using the sensor data detected by the sensor system. The environment is identified using the plurality of different types of sensors on the vehicle.
Owner:DEERE & CO

Motor vehicle warning and control system and method

A system and method assists the driver of a motor vehicle in preventing accidents or minimizing the effects of same. In one form, a television camera or other ranging device is mounted on a vehicle and scans the roadway ahead of the vehicle as the vehicle travels. Continuously generated video picture signals output by the camera are electronically processed and analyzed by a fuzzy-logic-based image analyzing computer mounted in the controlled vehicle, which generates control signals and applies them to control the operation of the accelerator, brake, and steering system of the vehicle in a coordinated way to attempt to avoid or lessen the effects of a collision. In a particular form, the decision computer may select the evasive action taken from a number of choices, depending on whether and where the detection device senses other vehicles and obstacles. Warning signals may also be generated.
Owner:LEMELSON JEROME H +2

Pointing element enhanced speaker system

A pointing element enhanced speaker system addresses the need for consistent sound. Despite wide variations in the design and architecture of different venues, the system helps performers ensure that they deliver the desired sound for their audiences. Performers and their technicians, though faced with grueling schedules that impose severe time constraints on equipment setup and tuning as the performers move between venues, may turn to the system to provide the sound desired at each new venue.
Owner:HARMAN INT IND INC

High repetition rate laser produced plasma EUV light source

An EUV light source apparatus and method are disclosed, which may comprise a pulsed laser providing laser pulses at a selected pulse repetition rate focused at a desired target ignition site; a target formation system providing discrete targets at a selected interval coordinated with the laser pulse repetition rate; a target steering system intermediate the target formation system and the desired target ignition site; and a target tracking system providing information about the movement of target between the target formation system and the target steering system, enabling the target steering system to direct the target to the desired target ignition site. The target tracking system may provide information enabling the creation of a laser firing control signal, and may comprise a droplet detector comprising a collimated light source directed to intersect a point on a projected delivery path of the target, having a respective oppositely disposed light detector detecting the passage of the target through the respective point, or a detector comprising a linear array of a plurality of photo-sensitive elements aligned to a coordinate axis, the light from the light source intersecting a projected delivery path of the target, at least one of the which may comprise a plane-intercept detection device. The droplet detectors may comprise a plurality of droplet detectors each operating at a different light frequency, or a camera having a field of view and a two dimensional array of pixels imaging the field of view. The apparatus and method may comprise an electrostatic plasma containment apparatus providing an electric plasma confinement field at or near a target ignition site at the time of ignition, with the target tracking system providing a signal enabling control of the electrostatic plasma containment apparatus. The apparatus and method may comprise a vessel having and intermediate wall with a low pressure trap allowing passage of EUV light and maintaining a differential pressure across the low pressure trap. The apparatus and method may comprise a magnetic plasma confinement mechanism creating a magnetic field in the vicinity of the target ignition site to confine the plasma to the target ignition site, which may be pulsed and may be controlled using outputs from the target tracking system.
Owner:ASML NETHERLANDS BV

GNSS and optical guidance and machine control

A global navigation satellite system (GNSS) and gyroscope control system for vehicle steering control comprising a GNSS receiver and antennas at a fixed spacing to determine a vehicle position, velocity and at least one of a heading angle, a pitch angle and a roll angle based on carrier phase position differences. The system also includes a control system configured to receive the vehicle position, heading, and at least one of roll and pitch, and configured to generate a steering command to a vehicle steering system. A vehicle control method includes the steps of computing a position and a heading for the vehicle using GNSS positioning and a rate gyro for determining vehicle attitude, which is used for generating a steering command. Relative orientations and attitudes between tractors and implements can be determined using optical sensors and cameras. Laser detectors and rangefinders can also be used.
Owner:AGJUNCTION

Method and Apparatus for Controlling a Parking Process of a Vehicle

A method and apparatus for controlling a parking process of a vehicle. The method including setting an upper speed limit; using a speed-limiting device to limit the speed of the vehicle at a parking speed that is less than or equal to the upper speed limit speed; suppressing an accelerator pedal speed increase request that increases the vehicle speed over the upper speed limit; and performing the assisted parking operation while limiting the vehicle speed and terminating the suppression of the increase in speed when the accelerator pedal is depressed by more than a predetermined value. Wherein the predetermined value is selected as a function of a slope on which the vehicle is located. The invention also relates to a steering system for an assisted parking procedure of a vehicle and a vehicle with such a steering system.
Owner:FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

Moisture diversion apparatus for air inlet system and method

A moisture diversion system for a gas turbine inlet. The moisture diversion system comprises a housing that is operably connected with a gas turbine and defines an opening through which air flows to the gas turbine. A hood is attached to the housing adjacent the opening. The hood has a surface disposed at an acute angle relative to horizontal. A device is disposed relative to the hood to separate moisture from air flowing through the device. Separated moisture is directed onto the hood. A gutter is disposed adjacent an edge of the hood to collect moisture from the hood. A conduit is fluidly connected with the gutter to conduct water away from the gutter and the opening in the housing to inhibit separated moisture from re-entering the air flow through the opening to the gas turbine.
Owner:BHA ALTAIR

Steering system with joystick mounted controls

A steering system is provided for a work machine. The steering system may include at least one hand-operated work implement control device and a steering mechanism configured to control a direction of travel of the work machine. The system may also include a first steering device operatively coupled to the steering mechanism and configured to control at least one component of the steering mechanism based on operator input. The system may further include a second steering device mounted on the work implement control device. The second steering device may be configured to be selectively operatively coupled to the steering mechanism to thereby control a direction of travel of the work machine based on lateral movement of the second steering device relative to the work implement control device.
Owner:CATERPILLAR INC

Implement control system and method of using same

InactiveUS20080195268A1Easy to correctReduce or completely eliminate losses caused by driftGuiding agricultural machinesVehicle position/course/altitude controlControl systemEngineering
An implement steering system includes at least one sensor for providing an indication of tilt associated with an implement as it traverses along an implement path of travel and at least another sensor for providing an indication of the current position of the implement as it traverses along the implement path of travel. A processor provides an implement drift correction signal in response to the indication of tilt and the indication of current position in order of facilitate correcting the implement path of travel so it corresponds to a desired path of travel, while an implement steering arrangement which is responsive to the drift correction signal causes the implement path of travel to be corrected so it corresponds to the desired path of travel as the implement is pulled through an open field by an implement pulling vehicle.
Owner:NOVARIANT

Free-to-lean three-wheeled passenger vehicle, power plant controller and body therefor

A three-wheeled leaning passenger vehicle comprises a frame rigidly mounting a passenger seat; a drive wheel rotatably mounted on the frame preferably in a rearward region thereof; a frame-mounted rotary drive cooperatively coupled with the drive wheel for rotation of the drive wheel relative to the frame; and a frame-mounted coast / steer system including two rotatable and preferably front wheels freely rotatable relative to the frame in a forward region thereof, and a handlebar coupled with the two front wheels for turning the two rotatable wheels in a plane defined by their rotational axes substantially parallel with one another to corner, the vehicle being configured to substantially freely lean left and right in a natural response to a driver thereof in the driver seat steering the vehicle and leaning respectively left and right, and, alternatively or additionally, to have controlled leaning in response to a hydraulically or otherwise provisioned leaning, suspension, and stand-up mechanisms. The rotary drive includes a frame-mounted power plant operatively couple-able with the drive wheel, the rotary drive including an internal combustion engine and an electric motor selectively operatively couple-able with the drive wheel to power the vehicle. The power plant is selectively operable to power the vehicle in three modes of operation including a hybrid mode characterized by operation of the internal combustion engine and the electric motor coordinated substantially to optimize fuel economy, an electric-only mode characterized by operation only of the electric motor, and a sport mode characterized by concurrent operation of the internal combustion engine and the electric motor.
Owner:GREEN LITE MOTORS

Hydraulic system of orchard picking equipment

The invention belongs to the field of orchard mechanical equipment and particularly relates to a hydraulic system of orchard picking equipment. Power is provided for an up-installed conveying system and a chassis steering system simultaneously through a constant displacement pump. Flow input of a stacking conveying belt motor and a main conveying belt motor is controlled through a proportional multi-way valve. Control over the extending-and-contracting movement speed of a hydraulic cylinder is achieved through a speed regulation valve. Functions such as automatic conveying of fruit picking andautomatic cartoning of fruits are achieved. Problems that labor capacity of pure manual picking is large, picking efficiency is low and the picking cost is high are solved. The characteristics that fruit harvesting is strong in seasonality and short in harvesting time are met.
Owner:YANTAI JEREH PETROLEUM EQUIP & TECH CO LTD

Lane keeping assist system and lane keeping assist method

The invention proposes a lane keeping assist system and a lane keeping assist method. The method comprises the steps of comprehensively detecting a people-vehicle-road driving environment through a lane environment detection module, a vehicle state detection module, a driver driving state detection module and a vehicle and road surface rolling friction coefficient detection module; calculating a corresponding detection signal through a lane keeping control module; judging whether a vehicle deviates from a lane or not; performing transverse lane return-to-center control through cooperative control of an electric power steering system (EPS) and an electronic stability program (ESP), and keeping a longitudinal safety distance through ESP control; and giving an alarm for reminding. Through the technical scheme provided by the invention, the driving safety of vehicle driving is remarkably improved; and the lane keeping is realized through the cooperative control of the EPS and the ESP, so that on the premise of ensuring the driving safety of the vehicle, the working comfort of the lane keeping assist system can be improved to the maximum extent.
Owner:CHERY AUTOMOBILE CO LTD

Combined GNSS gyroscope control system and method

A global navigation satellite sensor system (GNSS) and gyroscope control system for vehicle steering control comprising a GNSS receiver and antennas at a fixed spacing to determine a vehicle position, velocity and at least one of a heading angle, a pitch angle and a roll angle based on carrier phase position differences. The roll angle facilitates correction of the lateral motion induced position errors resultant from motion of the antennae as the vehicle moves based on an offset to ground and the roll angle. The system also includes a control system configured to receive the vehicle position, heading, and at least one of roll and pitch, and configured to generate a steering command to a vehicle steering system. The system includes gyroscopes for determining system attitude change with respect to multiple axes for integrating with GNSS-derived positioning information to determine vehicle position, velocity, rate-of-turn, attitude and other operating characteristics. A vehicle control method includes the steps of computing a position and a heading for the vehicle using GNSS positioning and a rate gyro for determining vehicle attitude, which is used for generating a steering command.
Owner:HEMISPHERE GNSS

Method for controlling the driving of a motor vehicle and drive control system

A method for remotely controlling a motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle comprises a steering system and a drive train, which can both be electronically actuated by control means of the motor vehicle and by way of which the motor vehicle can be driven automatically. The control means of the motor vehicle have a wireless communication link to the touchscreen device so that automatic driving of the motor vehicle can be remotely controlled by way of the touchscreen device.
Owner:ROBERT BOSCH AUTOMOTIVE STEERING

Multi-antenna GNSS control system and method

A global navigation satellite sensor system (GNSS) and gyroscope control system for vehicle steering control comprising a GNSS receiver and antennas at a fixed spacing to determine a vehicle position, velocity and at least one of a heading angle, a pitch angle and a roll angle based on carrier phase position differences. The roll angle facilitates correction of the lateral motion induced position errors resultant from motion of the antennae as the vehicle moves based on an offset to ground and the roll angle. The system also includes a control system configured to receive the vehicle position, heading, and at least one of roll and pitch, and configured to generate a steering command to a vehicle steering system. The system includes gyroscopes for determining system attitude change with respect to multiple axes for integrating with GNSS-derived positioning information to determine vehicle position, velocity, rate-of-turn, attitude and other operating characteristics. A vehicle control method includes the steps of computing a position and a heading for the vehicle using GNSS positioning and a rate gyro for determining vehicle attitude, which is used for generating a steering command. Alternative aspects include multiple-antenna GNSS guidance methods for high-dynamic roll compensation, real-time kinematic (RTK) using single-frequency (L1) receivers, fixed and moving baselines between antennas, multi-position GNSS tail guidance (“breadcrumb following”) for crosstrack error correction, articulated implements with multiple antennas on each implement section, video input and guiding multiple vehicles and pieces of equipment relative to each other.
Owner:AGJUNCTION

High repetition rate laser produced plasma EUV light source

An EUV light source apparatus and method are disclosed, which may comprise a pulsed laser providing laser pulses at a selected pulse repetition rate focused at a desired target ignition site; a target formation system providing discrete targets at a selected interval coordinated with the laser pulse repetition rate; a target steering system intermediate the target formation system and the desired target ignition site; and a target tracking system providing information about the movement of target between the target formation system and the target steering system, enabling the target steering system to direct the target to the desired target ignition site. The target tracking system may provide information enabling the creation of a laser firing control signal, and may comprise a droplet detector comprising a collimated light source directed to intersect a point on a projected delivery path of the target, having a respective oppositely disposed light detector detecting the passage of the target through the respective point, or a detector comprising a linear array of a plurality of photo-sensitive elements aligned to a coordinate axis, the light from the light source intersecting a projected delivery path of the target, at least one of the which may comprise a plane-intercept detection device. The droplet detectors may comprise a plurality of droplet detectors each operating at a different light frequency, or a camera having a field of view and a two dimensional array of pixels imaging the field of view. The apparatus and method may comprise an electrostatic plasma containment apparatus providing an electric plasma confinement field at or near a target ignition site at the time of ignition, with the target tracking system providing a signal enabling control of the electrostatic plasma containment apparatus. The apparatus and method may comprise a vessel having and intermediate wall with a low pressure trap allowing passage of EUV light and maintaining a differential pressure across the low pressure trap. The apparatus and method may comprise a magnetic plasma confinement mechanism creating a magnetic field in the vicinity of the target ignition site to confine the plasma to the target ignition site, which may be pulsed and may be controlled using outputs from the target tracking system.
Owner:ASML NETHERLANDS BV

Vehicle steering system having a rear steering control mechanism

The vehicle steering system includes front vehicle motive members, rear vehicle motive members, a steering input device, a front steering subsystem, a rear steering subsystem and a rear steering control mechanism. The front steering subsystem is operably coupled to the steering input device and coupled to the front motive members to steer the front motive members. The rear steering subsystem is coupled to the rear motive members to steer the rear motive members. The rear steering control mechanism includes a movable input member coupled to the steering input device so as to move in response to input from the device and a movable output member coupled to the rear steering subsystem. The rear steering subsystem adjusts steering of the rear motive members in response to movement of the output member. The control mechanism operates in a rear steering state in which force is transmitted from the input member to the output member to move the output member and a dwell state in which the output member does not move in response to movement of the input member.
Owner:OSHKOSH CORPORATION

Systems and methods for automatic target tracking and beam steering

An automatic target tracking system and method employ an image capturing system for acquiring a series of images in real time of a distant area containing a remote target, and a processing system for processing the acquired images to identify the target and follow its position across the series of images. An automatic beam steering and method operate in conjunction with a laser source for emitting a laser beam to be transmitted in the form of a transmitted laser beam extending along a steerable beam transmission axis to the remote target. The beam steering system is controlled by the processing system to steer the beam transmission axis to be aimed at the target being tracked by the target tracking system, so that the transmitted laser beam will be transmitted at the appropriate angle and in the appropriate direction to be aimed at the tracked target.
Owner:INTELLIGENT AUTOMATION LLC

Steering angle control for multiple features

An autonomous steering system for a vehicle includes a park assist steering module configured to generate a first steering angle command across a communication network of the vehicle. A backup assist steering module is also configured to generate a second steering angle command across the communication network of the vehicle. A steering angle controller is configured to receive the first and second steering angle commands and generate a third steering angle command for controlling a steered wheel of the vehicle based on acceptable steering column torque conditions for the respective steering module.
Owner:FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC
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