The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 07, 2002
Filed:
Jun. 20, 2000
Steven A. Peppler, West Lafayette, IN (US);
TRW Inc., Lyndhurst, OH (US);
Abstract
An apparatus ( ) for turning the steerable wheels ( ) of a vehicle in response to the turning of the steering wheel ( ). The apparatus ( ) includes a drive mechanism ( ), a first motor ( ), a second motor ( ), a sensor ( ) for sensing that the first motor ( ) is inoperative, and a torque sensor ( ). In response to the turning of the steering wheel ( ), the drive mechanism ( ), is actuated, resulting in a turning the steerable wheels ( ). The first motor ( ), for inputting motion to the drive mechanism ( ), is hydraulically powered. The second motor ( ), for inputting motion to the drive mechanism ( ), is electrically powered. The sensor ( ) for sensing that the first motor ( ) is inoperative produces an enabling signal and communicates the enabling signal to the second motor ( ) to enable the operation of the second motor ( ). The torque sensor ( ) responds to the turning of the steering wheel ( ) and controls the second motor ( ) when the second motor ( ) is enabled.