Abstract: The present invention relates broadly to a rigid wing (10) which in its preferred embodiment is a rigid wing sail fitted to a water-borne vessel. The rigid wing sail (10) comprises a pair of elongate rigid panels (12A) and (12B), and a hinge element designated generally as (14) coupled to the panels (12/B) to permit pivotal movement of the panels (12A/B) relative to one another. Each of the pair of panels such as (12A) includes an adjoining edge (16A) and an opposing lateral edge (18A). The hinge element (14) is coupled to the panels (12A/B) at the respective adjoining edges (16A/B) to form either: 1) a closed configuration of the wing (10) with lateral edges (18A/B) of respective panels (12A/B) positioned adjacent one another wherein the rigid wing sail (10) is closed; or 2) an open configuration of the wing (10) with the lateral edges (18A/B) of the respective panels (12A/B) separated from one another wherein the rigid wing sail (10) is set at a variable camber.

Abstract: A battery assembly is disclosed that includes a battery housing, a battery array, and one or more cooling plates. The battery housing forms a battery compartment having a width and length greater than a height. The battery array includes a plurality of cylindrical battery cells oriented with an axis perpendicular to the height of the battery compartment. The plurality of cells are organized into a plurality of rows within the battery compartment. The one or more cooling plates oriented perpendicular to the axis of the battery cells and positioned proximal to an end of battery cells within a row of the plurality of rows.

Abstract: A utility task vehicle (UTV) includes a frame having frame rails and a battery assembly positioned laterally between the frame rails. The battery assembly includes a battery housing and a battery array having a plurality of battery cells. The battery array is positioned within the battery housing and the battery assembly provides support for or is located under a floor of a cabin of the utility task vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention relates broadly to a rigid wing (10) which in its preferred embodiment is a rigid wing sail fitted to a water-borne vessel. The rigid wing sail (10) comprises a pair of elongate rigid panels (12A) and (12B), and a hinge element designated generally as (14) coupled to the panels (12/B) to permit pivotal movement of the panels (12A/B) relative to one another. Each of the pair of panels such as (12A) includes an adjoining edge (16A) and an opposing lateral edge (18A). The hinge element (14) is coupled to the panels (12A/B) at the respective adjoining edges (16A/B) to form either: 1) a closed configuration of the wing (10) with lateral edges (18A/B) of respective panels (12A/B) positioned adjacent one another wherein the rigid wing sail (10) is closed; or 2) an open configuration of the wing (10) with the lateral edges (18A/B) of the respective panels (12A/B) separated from one another wherein the rigid wing sail (10) is set at a variable camber.

Abstract: A rigid wing sail fitted to a water-borne vessel. The rigid wing sail includes a pair of elongate rigid panels, and a hinge element designated generally as coupled to the panels to permit pivotal movement of the panels relative to one another. Each of the pair of panels includes an adjoining edge and an opposing lateral edge. The hinge element is coupled to the panels at the respective adjoining edges to form either a closed configuration of the wing with lateral edges of respective panels positioned adjacent one another wherein the rigid wing sail is closed or an open configuration of the wing with the lateral edges of the respective panels separated from one another wherein the rigid wing sail is set at a variable camber.

Abstract: A tracked vehicle has a pivotable suspension. The vehicle includes a vehicle frame, a motor configured to produce power for the vehicle, and left and right track assemblies that are each connected to the frame. The assemblies each have a drive wheel configured to be driven by the motor, an endless track driven by the drive wheel, wherein the endless track has an outer side and an inner side, a bogie positioned on the inner side of the endless track, a support wheel attached to the bogie and configured to roll on the endless track, a strut connected to the frame and to the bogie, and a shock absorber connected to the frame and to the strut. The strut and the shock absorber are pivotable relative to the frame. The vehicle may have low ground pressure, consistent traction, and may be modularly configured with a floatable hull for aquatic travel.

Abstract: A hydraulic hybrid system for implementation in a machine. The system includes a hydraulic system, an energy source, an output, and a transmission. The hydraulic system includes a primary hydraulic pump/motor (primary motor) that is hydraulically coupled to a reservoir and a variable-volume accumulator assembly. The primary motor is configured to charge an accumulator of the variable-volume accumulator assembly with a working fluid when mechanically driven. The storage volume of variable-volume accumulator assembly varies based on a kinetic output condition of the machine. The energy source is configured to produce primary kinetic energy. The output is configured to receive at least a first portion of the primary kinetic energy. The transmission is coupled between the energy source and the output and selectively coupled to the primary motor. The transmission is configured to mechanically drive the primary motor using a second portion of the primary kinetic energy.

Abstract: A rigid wing sail fitted to a water-borne vessel. The rigid wing sail includes a pair of elongate rigid panels, and a hinge element designated generally as coupled to the panels to permit pivotal movement of the panels relative to one another. Each of the pair of panels includes an adjoining edge and an opposing lateral edge. The hinge element is coupled to the panels at the respective adjoining edges to form either a closed configuration of the wing with lateral edges of respective panels positioned adjacent one another wherein the rigid wing sail is closed or an open configuration of the wing with the lateral edges of the respective panels separated from one another wherein the rigid wing sail is set at a variable camber.

Abstract: An automatic pitch control system for riding power trowels enables a user to control and automatically adjust trowel blade pitch and height for concrete finishing. The disclosed system provides for blade pitch of separate rotor assemblies to be adjusted independently of one another or synchronously. The disclosed system also provides for a mode of operation that allows the user to completely flatten trowel blades for panning.

Abstract: A hydraulic hybrid system for implementation in a machine. The system includes a hydraulic system, an energy source, an output, and a transmission. The hydraulic system includes a primary hydraulic pump/motor (primary motor) that is hydraulically coupled to a reservoir and a variable-volume accumulator assembly. The primary motor is configured to charge an accumulator of the variable-volume accumulator assembly with a working fluid when mechanically driven. The storage volume of variable-volume accumulator assembly varies based on a kinetic output condition of the machine. The energy source is configured to produce primary kinetic energy. The output is configured to receive at least a first portion of the primary kinetic energy. The transmission is coupled between the energy source and the output and selectively coupled to the primary motor. The transmission is configured to mechanically drive the primary motor using a second portion of the primary kinetic energy.

Abstract: An automatic speed control system for a power trowel for regulated adjustment of rotational speed of the trowel rotor assemblies. The disclosure provides for and is configurable to automatically regulate trowel speed and can be adapted to utilize advanced control features like cruise control and power management. The disclosed system incorporates several user and feedback inputs in a number of logic patterns for trowel control.

Abstract: An automatic speed control system for a power trowel for regulated adjustment of rotational speed of the trowel rotor assemblies. The disclosure provides for and is configurable to automatically regulate trowel speed and can be adapted to utilize advanced control features like cruise control and power management. The disclosed system incorporates several user and feedback inputs in a number of logic patterns for trowel control.

Abstract: An automatic pitch control system for riding power trowels enables a user to control and automatically adjust trowel blade pitch and height for concrete finishing. The disclosed system provides for blade pitch of separate rotor assemblies to be adjusted independently of one another or synchronously. The disclosed system also provides for a mode of operation that allows the user to completely flatten trowel blades for panning.

Abstract: An unmanned, autonomous, waterborne vehicle (500) for marine use capable of operating on and below the surface of water, said vehicle (500) including an enclosed hull (501) having a payload bay (506), a hybrid propulsion system having energy collection means (504) in the form of a wing sail (503) covered with photovoltaic cells and energy storage means (511) for utilizing at least solar energy and wind energy, a plurality of sensors (508, 514) for detecting predetermined environmental parameters and a communications system (509, 515) for transmitting data from said sensors (508, 515) to and for receiving command signals from one or more remote stations and/or cooperating vehicles.

Abstract: An unmanned, autonomous, waterborne vehicle (500) for marine use capable of operating on and below the surface of water, said vehicle (500) including an enclosed hull (501) having a payload bay (506), a hybrid propulsion system having energy collection means (504) in the form of a wing sail (503) covered with photovoltaic cells and energy storage means (511) for utilising at least solar energy and wind energy, a plurality of sensors (508, 514) for detecting predetermined environmental parameters and a communications system (509, 515) for transmitting data from said sensors (508, 515) to and for receiving command signals from one or more remote stations and/or cooperating vehicles.

Abstract: A pivoting sailing rig adapted for use on a vehicle, such as a watercraft, includes a frame with spaced apart primary shafts which are oriented to rotate about and move axially along axes which are generally parallel to the center line or fore-aft axis of the watercraft. Wing sails are mounted on coupling elements secured to the primary shafts and are connected to rigging for rotating the wing sails about their longitudinal axes to vary the angle of attack, respectively. The primary shafts include control arms and rigging for rotating the primary shafts between substantially upright positions of the wing sails and laterally declined and reefed positions of the wing sails. The wing sails may include solar collectors mounted thereon and may be oriented in use to take advantage of wind as well as sunlight conditions to optimize sailing as well as energy collection.