Visteon Global Technolgoies, Inc.

Paul Thomas Jordan

John Harry Floros

Nick Sarafopoulos

A method for detecting an absolute rotational position of an electromechanical device or the at least one component thereof comprising determining a first absolute position of the electromechanical device or the at least one component thereof based on a commutation index signal, obtaining a Z-index signal, and determining a second absolute position of the electromechanical device or the at least one component thereof based on the Z-index signal. The method initially determines a coarse rotational position of the electromechanical device such as a rotor or steering wheel based on the commutation index signal. When a device's position is first initialized by a commutation index signal before the Z-index pulse is detected, the device's position is re-initialized upon detection of the Z-Index pulse to provide a more accurate absolute device rotational position.

Method for initializing position with an encoder

A method for detecting failure of a relay operating in a vehicle having an ignition switch, a power supply, a capacitor, and a pre-charge circuit to pre-charge the capacitor with the relay switching power from the power supply to the pre-charged capacitor, the method comprising the steps of: performing a capacitor pre-charge test; and performing a capacitor discharge test. Preferably, the capacitor pre-charge test is performed when the ignition is switched ON and the capacitor discharge test is performed when the ignition is switched OFF.

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Lincoln Park, MI, United States of America

Paul Thomas Jordan