Brian J Magnus

US Patent:

6547031, Apr 15, 2003

Filed:

Oct 16, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/981598

Inventors:

Brian J. Magnus - Frankenmuth MI

Assignee:

Delphi Technologies, Inc. - Troy MI

International Classification:

B60T 824

US Classification:

180444, 180446, 192 12 B

Abstract:

A variable control steering actuator for mechanically adjusting an angle of the steerable wheel of a motor vehicle includes a controller, a braking device in operable communication with the controller, and a clutch device associated with the braking device. The clutch device is disposed on an input pinion of the steering shaft. The input pinion is in operable mechanical communication with the steerable wheel through both the clutch device and the braking device. A method for mechanically adjusting the angle of the steerable wheel of the vehicle in order to control the vehicle includes disengaging the clutch device and rotating the steering shaft independently of an input from an operator of the vehicle. The rotation of the steering shaft may be effectuated through a motor disposed in operable communication with the steering shaft.

US Patent:

6575265, Jun 10, 2003

Filed:

Mar 19, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/812240

Inventors:

Mark A. Richardson - Midland MI
Brian Jerome Magnus - Saginaw MI
Chad David Bauer - Freeland MI
Jeremy L. Cradit - Saginaw MI

Assignee:

Delphi Technologies, Inc. - Troy MI

International Classification:

B62D 504

US Classification:

180444, 180446, 475339

Abstract:

A gear assembly comprising a linear differential disposed at the gear assembly wherein the linear differential has a predetermined ratio from an input shaft to an output shaft, the ratio being adjustable by axially rotating the linear differential. A method of adjusting steering output as compared to steering input, which comprises powering a motor in operable communication with a worm and worm gear mechanism and rotating the worm and the worm gear mechanism fixed to a differential carrier. The method also comprises rotating the differential carrier, which comprises an input sun gear meshed with input differential planet gear, an input differential planet gear meshed with an output differential planet gear, and an output sun gear meshed with the output differential planet gear. The method further comprises rotating the output sun gear fixed to a differential output shaft.

US Patent:

6588540, Jul 8, 2003

Filed:

Jul 26, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/915887

Inventors:

David Wayne Graber - Millington MI
Brian Jerome Magnus - Frankenmuth MI
Timothy Wesley Kaufmann - Frankenmuth MI

Assignee:

Delphi Technologies, Inc. - Troy MI

International Classification:

B62D 506

US Classification:

180402, 180446, 701 41

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for steering a vehicle (not shown) provides an input member or steering wheel for receiving steering inputs from a user; a steering-torque sensor mechanically coupled to the input member for sensing the torque applied to the steering wheel; a control circuit electronically coupled to the steering-torque sensor for producing a signal corresponding to the measured driver steering torque; an output actuator electronically coupled to the control circuit and road wheel for receiving the electronic signal and translating it into mechanical motion; and an output member or road wheel mechanically coupled to the output actuator for steering the vehicle (not shown).

US Patent:

6817437, Nov 16, 2004

Filed:

Jun 6, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/163927

Inventors:

Brian J. Magnus - Frankenmuth MI
Michael J. Augustine - Mayville MI
Michael J. Cole - Saginaw MI

Assignee:

Delphi Technologies, Inc. - Troy MI

International Classification:

B62D 504

US Classification:

180403, 180443

Abstract:

A steer-by-wire handwheel actuator in a vehicle is presented. The handwheel actuator comprises a driver input shaft; a gear train connected to the driver input shaft; a motor responsive to control signals from a controller and variably geared to the gear train; a electro-mechanical brake responsive to the control signals from the controller and geared to one of the driver input shaft and the gear train; and a stop mechanism attached to a housing and coupled to one of the electro-mechanical brake and the gear train.

US Patent:

7150240, Dec 19, 2006

Filed:

Mar 17, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/803571

Inventors:

Stephen V. Gillman - Grand Blanc MI, US
Timothy W. Kaufmann - Frankenmuth MI, US
Matt H. Jimkoski - Freeland MI, US
Brian J. Magnus - Frankenmuth MI, US

Assignee:

Delphi Technologies, Inc. - Troy MI

International Classification:

B63H 25/10
B63H 25/46

US Classification:

114144R, 114151

Abstract:

A watercraft steer-by-wire control system comprising: an input device; at least one transducer in operable communication with the input device; a rudder control system in operable communication with the input device and configured to control a rudder of a watercraft; and a bow thruster control system in operable communication with the at least one transducer and configured to control a bow thruster of the watercraft. A method for the maneuvering if a watercraft. The method comprises: applying a force in a first degree of freedom of an input device; measuring the movement of the input device in the first degree of freedom; converting the movement into a signal proportional to the amount of movement; and transmitting the signal to a bow thruster control system.

US Patent:

7380828, Jun 3, 2008

Filed:

Mar 9, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/076222

Inventors:

Ratko Menjak - Frankenmuth MI, US
Timothy W. Kaufmann - Frankenmuth MI, US
Stephen V. Gillman - Grand Blanc MI, US
Brian J. Magnus - Frankenmuth MI, US
Michael J. Cole - Saginaw MI, US
Damir Menjak - Frankenmuth MI, US

Assignee:

Delphi Technologies, Inc. - Troy MI

International Classification:

B62D 1/16

US Classification:

280779, 74494, 200 6154

Abstract:

The invention provides a steering column assembly for a vehicle and a method for manufacturing the steering column assembly. The steering column assembly includes a steering column member having an aperture extending along an axis. The steering column assembly also includes a steering shaft rotatably disposed at least partially in the aperture. The steering shaft includes a steering wheel engaging end axially spaced from the aperture. The steering column assembly also includes a supporting member for supporting a vehicle accessory. The supporting member is cantilevered from the steering column member and cooperates with the steering column member to define a groove substantially surrounding the steering wheel engaging end.

US Patent:

7455321, Nov 25, 2008

Filed:

Feb 22, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/709632

Inventors:

Ratko Menjak - Frankenmuth MI, US
Karen A. Boswell - Freeland MI, US
Sainan Feng - Saginaw MI, US
James P. Kelly - Saginaw MI, US
Brian J. Magnus - Frankenmuth MI, US
Wayne M. Steverson - Saginaw MI, US

Assignee:

Delphi Technologies, Inc. - Troy MI

International Classification:

B62D 1/00

US Classification:

280777

Abstract:

A collapsible steering column assembly preferably has a collapsible steering shaft that extends rotatably along a centerline and a collapsible column that houses and co-extends with the shaft. The column preferably has inner and outer jackets that retract axially to collapse the column. An energy absorbing device has a member engaged between the inner and outer jackets and controls the collapse of the column generally via a high load stage and a low load stage of operation. The member is preferably elongated axially having a distal end that is looped over and spaced radially outward from the remainder of the member. The distal end is attached disengagably to the outer jacket via a pin received in a hole in the distal end and a fuse engaged operably to the pin and attached to the outer jacket.

US Patent:

7530422, May 12, 2009

Filed:

Aug 16, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/204706

Inventors:

Farhad Bolourchi - Novi MI, US
Michael J. Augustine - Mayville MI, US
Brian J. Magnus - Frankenmuth MI, US
Jon D. Demerly - Byron MI, US
Sanket S. Amberkar - Ann Arbor MI, US
Suat A. Ozsoylu - Rochester Hills MI, US
James Card - Lighthouse Point FL, US
Karen Boswell - Freeland MI, US

Assignee:

Delphi Technologies, Inc. - Troy MI

International Classification:

B62D 5/04

US Classification:

180406, 180444, 180446

Abstract:

A steering system with reduced coupling between a position overlay unit and a torque overlay unit may include a remote valve assembly for controlling a hydraulic assist force or an electric motor for providing torque overlay and electric assist to a rack of a rack and pinion steering system. In one embodiment, the position overlay unit may provide the assist force and the torque overlay unit may provide a motor command signal to the motor of a differential positioned on a steering shaft. In another embodiment, the position overlay unit may provide the motor command signal and the torque overlay unit may provide the assist force. In either embodiment, the position overlay unit may include variable ratio gain that uses a position signal to output a variable ratio command.