Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Visteon Global Technolgoies, Inc.

Visteon Technologies, Inc.

Bernard Dale Baughn

Timothy Matthew Staton

John Robert Grabowski

Ross Maxwell Stuntz

Theodore Joseph Filippi

James Richard Robertson

John Harvey Lee

A self-aligning cartridge pump is provided including a pumping mechanism a curved upper plate and a retaining ring The curved upper plate is in communication with the retaining ring such that the self-aligning cartridge pump can pivot into proper alignment.

Self aligning cartridge pump

An integrated, i.e unitary, rotary hydraulic vane pump assembly reduces cost and simplifies manufacturing thereof. The integrated assembly includes an electric motor, a rotary vane pump, a pump housing and an end bell. The end bell has an inlet fitting or passageway which communicates with the inlet of the rotary vane pump. The pump housing receives the vane pump and is received within the end bell. The electric motor is secured to the face of the pump housing opposite the end bell. The pump housing includes outlet passageways and a centrally disposed axial opening for receiving an output shaft of the electric motor. The rotary vane pump includes end sections and a center, cam ring section which receives a vane rotor assembly coupled to the output shaft.

Integrated vane pump and motor

A cartridge-style pump &lsqb; &rsqb; for a vehicle power steering system can be assembled, tested and shipped independently of an associated pump housing &lsqb; &rsqb;. The pump &lsqb; &rsqb; includes an upper plate &lsqb; &rsqb;, a cam plate &lsqb; &rsqb; having a bore &lsqb; &rsqb; formed therein for receipt of a rotor &lsqb; &rsqb;, and a lower plate &lsqb; &rsqb;. A plurality of alignment pins &lsqb; &rsqb; are pressed into the lower plate &lsqb; &rsqb; with the cam plate &lsqb; &rsqb; and the upper plate &lsqb; &rsqb; placed onto the alignment pins &lsqb; &rsqb; to locate the plates in their proper position. A plurality of retaining clips &lsqb; &rsqb; are placed onto a respective alignment pin &lsqb; &rsqb; to hold the pump &lsqb; &rsqb; together.

Cartridge-style power steering pump

A power assisted steering system,has a control valve,, a pump,coupled to the control valve,, and a motor,coupled to the pump. A controller,is coupled to the motor. The controller generates a control signal having a voltage and a current. The controller,generates a desired motor current in response to a desired flow rate and valve angle of the control valve

Control method and apparatus for an electro-hydraulic power assisted steering system

A method is provided for controlling an electro-hydraulic power assist steering system including a variable-speed electric motor for pumping hydraulic fluid in the system. The method includes monitoring vehicle speed and vehicle steering wheel angle. A vehicle yaw rate is estimated using the monitored vehicle speed and monitored vehicle steering wheel angle. A control signal for setting the speed of the variable speed electric motor is compensated based based on the estimated vehicle yaw rate. Accordingly, a wide range of vehicle driving conditions are accommodated and vehicle fuel efficiency is improved.

Method for compensating a power assist steering system control signal

A method and apparatus for determining a center position of the vehicular steering system includes a vehicle speed sensor, a steering sensor and a control unit. The control unit uses a strategy to determine an estimate of the steering assist force. When the steering assist force is below a force threshold and a vehicle speed is above a speed threshold, the controller filters data from the steering sensor so as to rapidly determine a precise center position for the steering system.

Method and apparatus for determining the center position of a steering

A method is provided for controlling an electro-hydraulic power assist steering system including a variable-speed electric motor for pumping hydraulic fluid in the system. The method includes monitoring vehicle speed, vehicle steering wheel angle, and vehicle steering wheel turning rate. A parking mode or a driving mode is selected based upon the monitored vehicle speed. The speed of the variable speed electric motor is controlled based upon the monitored vehicle steering wheel turning rate if the parking mode is selected. If the driving mode is selected, the speed of the variable speed electric motor is controlled based upon the monitored vehicle speed, vehicle steering wheel angle and vehicle steering wheel angle turning rate. Accordingly, a wide range of vehicle driving conditions are accommodated and vehicle fuel efficiency is improved.

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Livonia, MI, United States of America

Bernard Dale Baughn