Bradley G Hochrein

US Patent:

20130151080, Jun 13, 2013

Filed:

Feb 11, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/764272

Inventors:

Ford Global Technologies - Dearborn MI, US
Bradley G. Hochrein - Dexter MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B62D 5/04

US Classification:

701 42

Abstract:

A system for powering a steering angle sensor coupled to a steering wheel and a controller comprising a switch, coupled to the sensor and the controller. The switch is activated upon motion of the steering wheel or steering shaft. The switch, when activated, connects a power supply, such as a vehicle battery, to the sensor and the controller so that a new steering angle may be sensed and stored. After a predetermined period of time, the controller sends a signal to deactivate the switch and disconnect the power supply.

US Patent:

6499507, Dec 31, 2002

Filed:

Sep 12, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/659950

Inventors:

Bradley George Hochrein - Dexter MI
Timothy Gerard Offerle - Whittaker MI

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, Inc. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B62D 5083

US Classification:

13762522, 91375 R

Abstract:

A rotary valve which includes a first sleeve member and a second shaft member The members and cooperatively provide pressure to a cylinder assembly effective to cause the cylinder assembly to move the wheels in a desired direction. The valve provides increased pressure to the low-pressure side of the piston as the amount of torque which is communicated to it is increased or as the velocity of the rack assembly is increased from wheels.

US Patent:

20210362779, Nov 25, 2021

Filed:

Aug 3, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/392796

Inventors:

- Dearborn MI, US
Bradley G. Hochrein - Dexter MI, US
Timothy Gerard Offerle - Saline MI, US

International Classification:

B62D 5/065
B62D 5/04

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus to reduce noise and vibration in a hybrid hydraulic power steering system are disclosed. A method includes receiving sensor data from sensors of a vehicle and mapping the sensor data to filter coefficients. The method further includes generating a torque demand based on an input of the filter coefficients into a polynomial filter and tuning at least one of a torque assistance or a steering damping of an assisted steering system of the vehicle based on the torque demand.

US Patent:

20200070886, Mar 5, 2020

Filed:

Aug 31, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/118559

Inventors:

- Dearborn MI, US
ANAND PRADIP NAIK - Royal Oak MI, US
BRADLEY G. HOCHREIN - Dexter MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B62D 15/02
B62D 5/065
B62D 5/14
B62D 5/18
G01L 5/22

Abstract:

A system includes a torque overlay device having an input shaft and an output shaft coupled to the input shaft. The system includes a steering wheel coupled to the input shaft. The system includes a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to detect a torque applied to the input shaft and to actuate the torque overlay device to provide torque to the output shaft in a direction opposite the torque applied to the input shaft.

US Patent:

20190337555, Nov 7, 2019

Filed:

May 1, 2018

Appl. No.:

15/968442

Inventors:

- Dearborn MI, US
Bradley G. Hochrein - Dexter MI, US
Anand Naik - Royal Oak MI, US

International Classification:

B62D 5/04
B62D 5/06

Abstract:

Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture are disclosed to modify a steering assist of a hydraulic power steering system. A disclosed method includes calculating modifier values based on sensor data of a vehicle, calculating a torque modifier value based on the modifier values, and generating a final torque assist based on the torque modifier value and a base torque assist, the final torque assist to be applied to a steering system of the vehicle.

US Patent:

20190308661, Oct 10, 2019

Filed:

Apr 5, 2018

Appl. No.:

15/946573

Inventors:

- Dearborn MI, US
Bradley G. Hochrein - Dexter MI, US
Timothy Gerard Offerle - Saline MI, US

International Classification:

B62D 5/065
B62D 5/04

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus to reduce noise and vibration in a hybrid hydraulic power steering system are disclosed. A method includes receiving sensor data from sensors of a vehicle and mapping the sensor data to filter coefficients. The method further includes generating a torque demand based on an input of the filter coefficients into a polynomial filter and tuning at least one of a torque assistance or a steering damping of an assisted steering system of the vehicle based on the torque demand.

US Patent:

20190210648, Jul 11, 2019

Filed:

Mar 15, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/354366

Inventors:

- Dearborn MI, US
Nathaniel A. Rolfes - Detroit MI, US
Bradley G. Hochrein - Dexter MI, US
Darrel Alan Recker - Ypsilanti MI, US
Donald Jacob Mattern - Canton MI, US
Michael Hafner - Ann Arbor MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B62D 13/06
B62D 15/02

Abstract:

A trailer backup assist system for motor vehicles includes an auxiliary user input feature that can be used by a vehicle operator to provide a steering curvature command corresponding to a desired vehicle path curvature without requiring a user to move a steering wheel of the motor vehicle. The trailer backup assist system is configured to control a vehicle speed while the vehicle is backing up with a trailer attached thereto utilizing an input comprising at least one of a steering curvature command and an angle of a trailer relative to the vehicle. The trailer backup assist system controls at least one of a brake system, an engine torque, and a transmission gear selection to thereby control vehicle speed in a reverse direction.

US Patent:

20170113722, Apr 27, 2017

Filed:

Oct 27, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/924103

Inventors:

- Dearborn MI, US
Bradley G. Hochrein - Dexter MI, US

International Classification:

B62D 13/06
B62D 6/00
B62D 15/02

Abstract:

A control system for a vehicle includes a steering system, an input including a rotatable rotary element, and a controller. The controller receives a trailer backup assist mode initiation command from the input and activates a trailer backup mode including outputting a vehicle steering command based on a first instantaneous position of the rotary element to the steering system. The controller further receives a terrain management mode initiation command from the input and activating a terrain management mode.