Ford Motor Company Limited

Infineon Technologies Ag

International Business Machines Corporation

Visteon Global Technolgoies, Inc.

Richard Alan Kraus

Peter Langer

Hobart L Kurtz, Jr

Joseph A Boscove

Richard V Ballou

Hyung Kim

Mark Stanley Pikula

Kenneth M Nicolson

John Edward Dombrowski

Thomas W Sabon

A control system includes a controller configured to provide a drive signal, and a switching device configured to generate an output control signal as a function of the drive signal in an on-state mode of operation. The control system also includes a timing network configured to receive the drive signal and output a gated signal to the switching device, wherein the gated signal maintains a relationship with a predetermined threshold during the on-state of operation of the switching device.

Systems and methods for driving a motor

One embodiment of the invention relates to a control system. A control system includes a controller configured to generate a drive signal as a function of a comparison between a first control signal and a second control signal, wherein the first control signal differs from the second control signal. A switching device is configured to generate an output control signal having a duty cycle that is a function of the drive signal. Other systems and methods are also disclosed.

Systems and methods for driving a load

A method and system for transferring pulse messages between remote-controlled modules in an automotive vehicle includes a single wire bus coupled to each of the modules for transferring the pulse messages between each of the modules. A receiver circuit associated with at least one of the modules and coupled to the bus provides a communication current to the bus. A transmitter circuit associated with at least one of the modules and also coupled to the bus transmits the pulse messages utilizing the communication current. The receiver circuit, thus, becomes active and accepts the pulse messages being transmitted by the transmitter circuit upon detecting the communication current being drawn from the receiver circuit.

Method and system for communicating between remote-controlled modules in automotive vehicles

An automotive electrical system and method for coupling power to such a system in which current cumulatively drawn by the various modules of the system during its inactive state is minimized. In one aspect of the invention, the electrical system (10) comprises at least one remote module (14a-n) coupled to a power bus (21) and a signal bus (16), at least one of the remote modules (14a-n) is coupled to at least one wake-up input switch (28A-I); a central module (12) coupled to the remote module (14a-n) by the signal bus (16), the central module (12) coupling electrical power from a power source (20) to the power bus (21) in response to a detection of an activation of any of the wake-up input switches (28A-I). In another aspect of the invention, a method for awakening an automotive electrical system (10) from an inactive state, the electrical system (10) having a central module (12) for coupling power from a power source (20) to a power bus (21), at least one remote module (14a-n) coupled to the power bus (21), and the remote module (14a-n) coupled to at least one wake-up input switch (28A-I), the method comprising the steps of: generating a current transient upon activation of the wake-up input switch (28A-I), sensing the current transient, generating a power control signal in response to the sensed current transient and coupling power to the power bus (21) in response to the power control signal.

Automotive electrical system and method for coupling power to such

In a computerized automotive vehicle diagnostic system, a test probe cable is attached to individual components and consists of a multiple conductor cable which is attached ultimately to the component and to a computer in a technician terminal. Where the probe cable enters the technician terminal the conductors contained within it are fed into a programmable crosspoint switch which is controlled by a microcontroller. Test functions are provided by three programmable resources: (1) A program controlled multimeter, (2) A program controlled DC voltage source and ground sink; and (3) the microcontroller itself which receives and interprets commands from the computer and controls the various probe elements based upon the test commands received.

Fault isolation for vehicle using a multifunction test probe

A device for detecting the presence of water includes a capacitance sensor coupled to a windshield to detect capacitance changes. A multivibrator is coupled to the sensor to translate the detected capacitance change to the frequency domain. A phase-locked loop coupled to the multivibrator produces a phase pulse in response to water causing a change in capacitance and, in turn, a change in the frequency of the multivibrator.

Proximity moisture sensor

A DC voltage up-converter circuit having an inductor in series between the relatively low value of DC voltage and the stepped up output of the circuit, wherein the output end of the inductor is periodically switched to ground potential and an output storage capacitor stores the energy surges which result when the ground connection is disconnected. The cathode of a zener diode is connected to the output to provide a limit to the output of the circuit and the anode of the zener diode is connected to means for control limiting the amount of current through the switching means when said ground potential is connected.

Growing community of inventors

Farmington Hills, MI, United States of America

Richard Alan Kraus