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:
Feb. 17, 2004
Filed:
Feb. 01, 2002
Russell Wilson-Jones, Warwickshire, GB;
Abstract
An electrical power-assisted steering system is disclosed comprising an electric motor connected through a gearbox to act on a steering mechanism of the vehicle, the electric motor having a plurality of phase windings connected to a star point and switching means provided in at least one phase of the motor, the switching means being movable between a closed position in which current is able to flow in the phase windings, and an open position which prevents current flowing in a respective phase winding. The system incorporates a safety circuit operative when a fault develops to smooth out the transition between the presence and absence of servo support in assisting and not assisting by providing a prescribed period of damped operation as part of a shut-down phase.