Abstract: A vehicle includes a pump having a swash plate tiltable about a swashplate tilt axis, wherein rotation of the swashplate changes the title angle and effects a change in volumetric displacement of the pump. A controller is operatively coupled to the swashplate to effect rotation of the swashplate, the controller including a processor and memory, and logic stored in the memory and executable by the processor, the logic configured to automatically control at least one vehicle characteristic independent of a user input command.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method comprises automatically uploading device information from a first network device in a first operating state to a second network device in response to an event, such as an initial power up. The second network device is part of the cloud, and thus, providing cloud-based services. Subsequent to the uploading of the device information, the first network device receives information controlling the operation of the first network device based on the device information.

Abstract: An agricultural data collection framework is provided in a system and method for tracking and managing livestock, and for analyzing animal conditions such as health, growth, nutrition, and behavior. The framework uses ultra-high frequency interrogation of RFID tags to collect individual animal data across multiple geographical locations, and incorporates artificial intelligence techniques to develop machine learning base models for statistical process controls around each animal for evaluating the animal condition. The framework provides a determination of normality at an individual animal basis or for a specific location, and generates alerts, predictions, and a targeted processing or application schedule for prioritizing and delivering resources when intervention is needed.

Abstract: A roof moisture detection and removal system that is operable to provide detection and removal of moisture for low slope or no slope roof types. The present invention further includes a roof vent having a vent riser tube with a roof vent cap proximate the upper end and a split base ring proximate the lower end. The split base ring further includes a plurality of airflow spacers and airflow extension tubes mounted thereto that function to increase the air intake plenum for the roof vent in order to optimize the moisture reduction delivered by the roof vents of the present invention. The roof vents of the present invention further include a roof vent cap having a photovoltaic panel configured to supply power to a detection-communications module. A plurality of sensors are integrated into the detection-communications module and are configured to measure parameters such as humidity, temperature and pressure.

Abstract: A zero turn mower vehicle 10 includes left and right hydrostatic transmissions 11a, 11b driving wheels 15a, 15b. The transmissions 11a, 11b each include a swashplate type axial piston hydraulic pump 17 having a swashplate 22. A system 12 and method controls each pump 17. A controller 31 receives input signals and provides output signals to electric motors 33a, 33b to control each swashplate 22. Operator interface input devices 30a, 30b provide inputs to controller 31. Angle sensors 35a, 35b provide additional inputs to controller 31. Displacement amplifiers 36a, 36b amplify displacement of each swashplate 22, and torque amplifiers 34a, 34b amplify torque of electric motors 33a, 33b.

Abstract: A constant pulling force winch control system includes a sensor that senses a degree of winding of a winch cable around a winch drum, and a control system configured to control a winch motor to achieve a constant pulling force on the winch cable based on the degree of winding sensed by the sensor. The sensor may be a position sensor that measures a position of the winch cable relative to a centerline of the winch drum as the degree of winding. The position sensor may sense an angular position of a tension plate relative to a tensioner shaft to measure the degree of winding. The winch motor may be a hydraulic winch motor or an electric motor, and the control system is configured to control the power applied to the hydraulic winch motor to achieve the constant pulling force based on the degree of winding sensed by the sensor.

Abstract: A braking mechanism is provided for a hydraulic motor driven wheel utilizing a two-piece design of a hub that rotates by means of a drive shaft. A hydraulic chamber is created on the hub in which a piston resides. The piston is grounded (i.e., non-rotatable relative to the motor housing) in the sealed chamber. The piston face inside of the chamber has a radial set of face teeth. These face teeth are similar to the face teeth inside of the hydraulic chamber. When the chamber is pressurized, the piston face teeth are pushed away from the hub face teeth allowing the hub to freely rotate. When pressure is released from the chamber, a spring, or a number of springs, push the piston into the hub causing it to stop rotating relative to the piston.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a pump having a swash plate tiltable about a swashplate tilt axis, wherein rotation of the swashplate changes the title angle and effects a change in volumetric displacement of the pump. A controller is operatively coupled to the swashplate to effect rotation of the swashplate, the controller including a processor and memory, and logic stored in the memory and executable by the processor, the logic configured to automatically control at least one vehicle characteristic independent of a user input command.

Abstract: A therapeutic apheresis system including a tube set and a panel is presented. The tube set includes an in-line pressure sensor in fluid connection with tubing. The panel includes apertures that are aligned with electrical connectors through which a rigid plug portion of an in-line pressure sensors extends and makes electrical connection with at least one electrical connector.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method comprises automatically uploading device information from a first network device in a first operating state to a second network device in response to an event, such as an initial power up. The second network device is part of the cloud, and thus, providing cloud-based services. Subsequent to the uploading of the device information, the first network device receives information controlling the operation of the first network device based on the device information.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method comprises automatically uploading device information from a first network device in a first operating state to a second network device in response to an event, such as an initial power up. The second network device is part of the cloud, and thus, providing cloud-based services. Subsequent to the uploading of the device information, the first network device receives information controlling the operation of the first network device based on the device information.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a particular network device that comprises at least one hardware processor is described. The network device is configured to perform operations including operating in a first mode by communicating wirelessly with at least one wireless client device to provide the at least one wireless client device access to one or more resources, where the operating in the first mode comprises receiving packets transmitted by the at least one wireless client device and forwarding the packets to the one or more resources. Furthermore, the network device performs operations, including switching from operating in the first mode to operating in a monitoring mode and operating in the monitoring mode by decoding data packets addressed to network devices other than the particular network device.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method comprises automatically uploading device information from a first network device in a first operating state to a second network device in response to an event, such as an initial power up. The second network device is part of the cloud, and thus, providing cloud-based services. Subsequent to the uploading of the device information, the first network device receives information controlling the operation of the first network device based on the device information.

Abstract: A landscaping material cleaning technique involves the application of a vacuum cleaner attachment. This attachment defines a conduit extending from a suction inlet to a suction outlet. The suction outlet is sized and shaped to connect to a vacuum cleaner in fluid communication therewith. The attachment further includes a number of teeth extending away from the inlet and optionally a grating that extends across the conduit to define a number of apertures circumscribed by a conduit margin. These apertures are sized and shaped to selectively separate fine particulate debris from a coarser landscaping medium when suction is applied through the conduit. The teeth project out of one end of the conduit to serve as a rake for grooming the coarser medium as the particulate debris is separated from it by suction applied through the conduit with a vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: A braking mechanism is provided for a hydraulic motor driven wheel utilizing a two-piece design of a hub that rotates by means of a drive shaft. A hydraulic chamber is created on the hub in which a piston resides. The piston is grounded (i.e., non-rotatable relative to the motor housing) in the sealed chamber. The piston face inside of the chamber has a radial set of face teeth. These face teeth are similar to the face teeth inside of the hydraulic chamber. When the chamber is pressurized, the piston face teeth are pushed away from the hub face teeth allowing the hub to freely rotate. When pressure is released from the chamber, a spring, or a number of springs, push the piston into the hub causing it to stop rotating relative to the piston.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a pump having a swash plate tiltable about a swashplate tilt axis, wherein rotation of the swashplate changes the title angle and effects a change in volumetric displacement of the pump. A controller is operatively coupled to the swashplate to effect rotation of the swashplate, the controller including a processor and memory, and logic stored in the memory and executable by the processor, the logic configured to automatically control at least one vehicle characteristic independent of a user input command.

Abstract: A braking mechanism is provided for a hydraulic motor driven wheel utilizing a two-piece design of a hub that rotates by means of a drive shaft. A hydraulic chamber is created on the hub in which a piston resides. The piston is grounded (i.e., non-rotatable relative to the motor housing) in the sealed chamber. The piston face inside of the chamber has a radial set of face teeth. These face teeth are similar to the face teeth inside of the hydraulic chamber. When the chamber is pressurized, the piston face teeth are pushed away from the hub face teeth allowing the hub to freely rotate. When pressure is released from the chamber, a spring, or a number of springs, push the piston into the hub causing it to stop rotating relative to the piston.

Abstract: A hydrostatic transmission system includes a pump including a rotatable swash plate, wherein rotation of the swashplate effects a change in volumetric displacement of the pump. An actuator is coupled to the swashplate, the actuator operative to effect rotation of the swashplate to change the volumetric displacement of the pump. An electronic controller is operatively coupled to the actuator, the electronic controller configured to command the actuator to effect rotation of the swashplate.