Delphi Technologies, Inc.

Joyce D Carsey

Daniel Alexander Crawford

Lawrence Dean Hazelton

Stephen Paul Sanders

Thomas Wayne Newman

Thomas E Gyoergy

Jos Lang

Frederic Jacquot

Robert Harold Wind

Diana K Voges

Paul Louis Du Bois

Steven C Kekel

William Frank Pakkala

Michael G Schuplin

David Lynn Ehle

An actuator includes a motor operated by a controller through a pulse width modulation drive signal applied to a drive circuit that drives the motor. The actuator has an output shaft connected to a coupling structure for manipulating a device such as a variable geometry turbine (VGT) or an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve. The device has a range of motion limited by first and second mechanical stops located at opposing low and high ends of the range. The controller learns the location of the mechanical stops during calibration. An external control unit transmits a desired position to the actuator. A protocol allows the external control unit to implicitly request a positioning mode by virtue of what value range the desired position falls into. The controller is configured to limit the drive signal to a non-harmful level when one of the positioning modes calls for pushing the device against one of the stops.

Method for controlling a holding force against, and limiting impact with travel limit positions

An embodiment of the invention is an actuator controller for use in an actuator assembly. The actuator controller includes a processor for controlling an actuator associated with the actuator controller. A communication device is in communication with the processor. The communication device receives control commands from a master controller and is capable of communicating in multiple languages. A memory is accessible by the processor and the processor determines the language of the control commands and retrieves a control program from the memory corresponding to the language.

Actuator controller for selecting a communication language

A multi-strike throttle minimum learning system compares a signal received from at least one throttle position sensor to a predetermined minimum throttle position range based on throttle system component tolerances. A possible throttle obstruction is indicated when all of the sensor signal minimum values are outside the predetermined minimum range. In this case, the system deactivates electrical power for a predetermined delay period and then initiates another learn attempt in an effort to overcome the obstruction. This cycle is repeated until a valid throttle minimum position is detected, the number of learn attempts reaches a preset maximum, or a sensor fault is detected. If a valid throttle position minimum is detected within the allowed number of learning attempts, normal engine startup proceeds; otherwise, appropriate fault codes are communicated to the balance of the engine management system and, ultimately, to the operator.

Multi-strike throttle minimum learning system

A pulse generator for indicating a change in the magnitude of an input signal includes a comparator, a first network connected to one input of the comparator for receiving the input signal, and a second network connected to the other input of the comparator for receiving the input signal. Both the first and second networks provide output signals to the comparator which transition in response to a magnitude change of the input signal from their respective baseline magnitudes to respective peak magnitudes, and back to their respective baseline magnitudes. The component values of the networks are selected such that one of the first or second network output signals is positive relative to the other network output signal over some period of time during the transition to the peak magnitude and return to the baseline magnitude to cause the comparator to generate a pulse indicating a change in the magnitude of the input signal.

Pulse generator for indicating a change in the magnitude of an input signal

An improved cruise control which produces a desired throttle position that is based in part on a selectively updated integral term. The integral term is only updated when the magnitude of the speed error exceeds a predefined value, thereby eliminating changes in the integral term when the speed error is smaller than the predefined threshold. In other words, the integral term is dynamic and responsive to a current error condition when the speed error magnitude exceeds the threshold, and static when the speed error is within the threshold. In this way, the operational advantages of the integral term are retained while avoiding its disadvantages, and the transition between the static and dynamic states of the integral term are smooth and seamless.

Motor vehicle cruise control with selectively updated integral gain

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Swartz Creek, MI, United States of America

Joyce D Carsey