Abstract: A vibratory compaction machine includes one or more vibratory energy converter assemblies. Each vibratory energy converter assembly includes a housing coupled to the vibratory compaction machine, which transfers vibration energy from an eccentric vibration system of the vibratory compaction machine to the vibratory energy converter assembly. Each vibratory energy converter assembly includes an actuator that is carried by the housing. The actuator has a translational degree of freedom of movement with respect to the housing, and vibration of the housing by the vibratory compaction machine causes movement of the actuator with respect to the housing in a first direction. Each vibratory energy converter assembly includes a generator subassembly to convert mechanical vibratory energy of the movement of the actuator into electrical energy.

Abstract: An electronic control unit monitors pressure conditions present at the input to the steering system and other vehicle data signals and then provides override control of a hydro-mechanical flow control device. An electro-hydraulic valve is connected to the supply side of the hydro-mechanical flow control device and reacts to the electronic monitoring of pressure and other vehicle data to alter the counter-balancing forces within the hydro-mechanical flow control device. This causes a by-pass diversion of steering fluid to the source by the hydro-mechanical flow control device and thereby relieves backpressure on the pump when relatively little steering assist is required to be provided by the steering system. The control of steering fluid diversion at such times results in a significant reduction in parasitic losses within the steering system and improves the operating and fuel efficiency of the vehicle.

Abstract: A tunable mass damper for use in a vehicle steering system in which a rack and pinion gearing subsystem would otherwise transfer resonant vibrations to the vehicle steering wheel. The mass damper element is a generally cylindrical mass supported and suspended around the shaft extending from the pinion gear by several cantilevered spring elements. The mass damper is tunable by modifying the size of the mass or the size or material or length of the springs so that the damper's resonant frequency for axial oscillation matches the resonant vibrations present at the steering shaft extending from the pinion gear.

Abstract: An electronic control unit monitors pressure conditions present at the input to the steering system and other vehicle data signals and then provides override control of a hydro-mechanical flow control device. An electro-hydraulic valve is connected to the supply side of the hydro-mechanical flow control device and reacts to the electronic monitoring of pressure and other vehicle data to alter the counter-balancing forces within the hydro-mechanical flow control device. This causes a by-pass diversion of steering fluid to the source by the hydro-mechanical flow control device and thereby relieves backpressure on the pump when relatively little steering assist is required to be provided by the steering system. The control of steering fluid diversion at such times results in a significant reduction in parasitic losses within the steering system and improves the operating and fuel efficiency of the vehicle.

Abstract: A power steering system includes at least one motor to assist the operator of a vehicle in turning the wheels and steering the vehicle and at least one computer or microprocessor controller. One of the processors adjusts the motor assist torque to reduce the driver effort based on specified requirements defined by boost curves. A second microprocessor controller uses an algorithm to calculate the output of the power steering motor, and compare the relationship between the driver torque and the power assist torque. If the relationship between the two is out of specified bounds, then the power steering assist is deemed inappropriate and the power system may go to a power-off state to assure that the motor does not generate an undesirable torque that has not been requested by the driver.

Abstract: A power steering system includes at least one motor to assist the operator of a vehicle in turning the wheels and steering the vehicle and at least one computer or microprocessor controller. One of the processors adjusts the motor assist torque to reduce the driver effort based on specified requirements defined by boost curves. A second microprocessor controller uses an algorithm to calculate the output of the power steering motor, and compare the relationship between the driver torque and the power assist torque. If the relationship between the two is out of specified bounds, then the power steering assist is deemed inappropriate and the power system may go to a power-off state to assure that the motor does not generate an undesirable torque that has not been requested by the driver.

Abstract: A motor controller for regulating the speed and limiting the input current to a dc motor is disclosed. The motor controller includes an electronic control unit, a current sensor and a speed sensor. The motor controller provides control of the dc motor by applying a varying voltage to maintain a motor speed in the presence of a varying load. The motor controller also monitors the input current to the dc motor to predict an input current to the dc motor. The ECU compares the predicted input current to a input current limit range and switches to a current-limiting mode when it determines that an overcurrent condition is reached based on the comparison. The motor controller modifies the control signal by a first control decay factor when the predicted input current exceeds the input current limit range. The motor controller modifies the control signal by a second control decay factor when the predicted input current is within the input current limit range level.

Abstract: A motor controller for regulating the speed and limiting the input current to a dc motor is disclosed. The motor controller includes an electronic control unit, a current sensor and a speed sensor. The motor controller provides control of the dc motor by applying a varying voltage to maintain a motor speed in the presence of a varying load. The motor controller also monitors the input current to the dc motor to predict an input current to the de motor. The ECU compares the predicted input current to a input current limit range and switches to a current-limiting mode when it determines that an overcurrent condition is reached based on the comparison. The motor controller modifies the control signal by a first control decay factor when the predicted input current exceeds the input current limit range. The motor controller modifies the control signal by a second control decay factor when the predicted input current is within the input current limit range level.