Including Traction Motor Of Kind Driven By Noncompressible Fluid Received Under Pressure From A Pump Patents (Class 180/305)
  • Patent number: 11832547
    Abstract: An agricultural planter is configured to be moved over a supporting surface by a vehicle. The agricultural planter includes a frame and a planter assembly coupled to the frame. A first propulsion assembly is coupled to the frame at a first position with the first propulsion assembly having a first traction member configured to engage the supporting surface. A second propulsion assembly is coupled to the frame at a second position with the second propulsion assembly having a second traction member configured to engage the supporting surface. A drive assembly is operably coupled to at least one of the first or second propulsion assemblies and configured to drive at least one of the first or second traction members during operation of the planter assembly. The first traction member is configured to be driven independently of the second traction member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Gerald E. Rains, James R. Peterson, Nathan A. Mariman
  • Patent number: 11343964
    Abstract: In a riding mower having a frame, a mower deck supported beneath the frame, a chair on said frame and a source of motive power also supported on said frame and including two hydraulic transaxles depending beneath the frame to each selectively rotate a drive wheel. The frame is supported on forward and rear wheel assemblies with a supporting wheel. The transaxles are supported beneath the frame and pivotally secured thereto by a flange captivating vibration pillows and proximate the driven wheel and an inner pivot rod secured to the frame by apertures in downwardly depending tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Bad Boy, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Bradley Covington, Warren Russell Long
  • Patent number: 11267335
    Abstract: An energy-producing system comprising an axle configured to be driven by an electric vehicle's wheels when in motion. The axle supports a series of wind-catching cups contained within an aerodynamic housing configured to direct air to the cups while also increasing the air speed. During vehicle motion, the cups are acted upon by rushing air causing the rotation of the axle such that the rotation may be transferred into energy via a generator/alternator linked thereto. A series of similarly polarized magnets integrated on said cups and/or spacers and/or housing proximate thereto further maintain the axle in motion during short vehicle stops. The system extends the life of the batteries between charges as well the distance the vehicle can travel between charges. A power controller is configured to distribute power from said generator to an axle drive motor, vehicle drive motor and/or start-up battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Inventor: Cecil Knickerbocker
  • Patent number: 11235814
    Abstract: A utility vehicle includes a frame having a front section, a midsection, and a rear section, the frame defining a cab rearward of the front section. The utility vehicle further includes a plurality of body panels including a hood, a first side panel, and a second side panel coupled to the front section of the frame. Additionally, the utility vehicle includes an engine supported by the frame and operably coupled to the ground engaging members. A cooling assembly of the utility vehicle is fluidly coupled to the engine and supported on a top surface of the front section of the frame. The cooling assembly is angled relative to the longitudinal direction and spaced apart from a line of sight extending from the cab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Adam J. Schlangen, Jason K. Raska, Aaron D. Deckard
  • Patent number: 11167919
    Abstract: A refuse vehicle includes a battery and electric power take-off system that includes a second motor configured to convert electrical power into hydraulic power, an inverter configured to provide electrical power to the second motor from the battery, a heat dissipation device in thermal communication with the inverter, wherein the heat dissipation device includes a plurality of conduits and a thermal fluid pump configured to pump cooling fluid through the plurality of conduits, a thermal sensor configured to detect thermal energy within the inverter, a flow meter configured determine a flow rate of cooling fluid through the plurality of conduits, and a controller configured to receive data from the thermal sensor and the flow meter and provide operating parameters to the heat dissipation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Oshkosh Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey Koga, Emily Davis, Clinton T. Weckwerth, Vincent Hoover, Zachary L. Klein, Jerrod Kappers, Derek A. Wente, Logan Gary, Joshua D. Rocholl, Nader Nasr, Chad K. Smith
  • Patent number: 11046165
    Abstract: A method to use hydraulic pressure to power a vehicle includes providing a hydraulic fluid power system having a motor in communication with a hydraulic pump; a hose in communication with the hydraulic pump, the hose having a one way valve; a gear motor in fluid communication with the hose to receive hydraulic fluid therefrom; and an alternator to receive power from the gear motor and to transfer power to a battery for storage; operating the hydraulic pump via the motor such that hydraulic fluid is pumped through the hose to the gear motor; charging the battery with power generated by the gear motor and alternator; and using the battery for one or more components of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Inventor: Joseph Hogan
  • Patent number: 10836427
    Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a drive configuration for a skid steered vehicle includes first and second torque outputs coupled by a differential and in a torque connection with first and second electric motors, the differential being configured to mechanically transfer power across itself; and a mechanical power splitter having a first torque transfer feature in a torque connection with a combustion engine, a second torque transfer feature in a torque connection with a respective additional electric motor and a third torque transfer feature in a torque connection with at least one of the first and second torque outputs of the drive configuration, wherein torque output from the or each the mechanical power splitter in use is dependent on torques generated by the combustion engine and the associated additional electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: QINETIQ LIMITED
    Inventor: Robert John Bonner Flaxman
  • Patent number: 10793002
    Abstract: A drive apparatus for a vehicle includes a hydraulic pump connected to two separate hydraulic motors by a center section. A center section hydraulically connects the pump and the motors by means of a pump running surface connected to two motor running surfaces by hydraulic porting. A plurality of projections extend from the center section. Two of the projections have a first flat surface that is coplanar with the pump running surface, and a third projection has a separate flat surface that is parallel to and offset from the pump running surface. The third projection may be disposed between the two motor running surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Thomas J. Langenfeld
  • Patent number: 10618527
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for a work machine includes a prime mover, a setup member, a hydraulic pump, an operation valve, a hydraulic device, and a memory. The memory stores first control characteristics indicating relations between the first pressure and an actual revolution speed of the prime mover, and stores a second control characteristic indicating a relation between the first pressure and the actual revolution speed of the prime mover. The hydraulic system includes a controller to set the first pressure based on the second control characteristic when a dropping amount of the actual revolution speed from the target revolution speed is less than a threshold value and to set the first pressure based on the first control characteristics determined corresponding to the target revolution speed when the dropping amount of the actual revolution speed from the target revolution speed is the threshold value or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuji Fukuda, Ryosuke Kinugawa, Kazuyoshi Arii
  • Patent number: 10557544
    Abstract: A hydraulic fluid expansion tank is located inside a housing of a drive device and includes an upper check valve and a lower check valve in communication with a sump located within the drive device and an internal volume of the expansion tank. The tank may also include a vent opening in communication with a vent of the drive device that is in communication with atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Eric S. Phanco, Gregory Barton Moebs
  • Patent number: 10495164
    Abstract: Brake mechanisms (33) that apply braking to rotations of left and right rotational shafts (25) each include a projecting part (40) that faces a partition wall (15A) of a brake case (15) and projects radially inward from an inner diameter side of a piston (37), an engaging member (41) that is arranged in the inner diameter side of the piston (37) in a state of being movably engaged with the projecting part (40) by a predetermined dimension in the left-right direction, and a pin member (42) that is provided between the partition wall (15A) of the brake case (15) and the engaging member (41). A frictional resistance between the pin member (42) and the partition wall (15A) is set to a value smaller than a pressing force of the piston (37) at the braking. The projecting part (40) is provided with an engaging member insertion groove (40A) that the pin member (42) penetrates in the left-right direction, and the engaging member (41) is movably engaged with the projecting part (40) in the left-right direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi Kurihara
  • Patent number: 10464602
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a steering system useful for providing stable control during rear axle steering of harvesters, such as self-propelled windrowers. The steering system utilizes left and right-hand side drive motors, and allows for hydraulic fluid to flow between the left and right-hand side drive motors through crossover lines to regulate a speed differential between wheels when the steering system is actuated into a rear axle steering operation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey B. Fay, II, Philip J. Ehrhart
  • Patent number: 10449802
    Abstract: An electrical passenger car, the car including: an electrically driven motor; and wheels, where the wheels include a first wheel, a second wheel, a third wheel, and a fourth wheel, where the first wheel and the second wheel have a radius 20 percent larger than the third wheel and the fourth wheel, where the electrical passenger car includes a total weight, where the electrical passenger car includes a center of gravity designed so that greater than 50% of said total weight will be over the first wheel and the second wheel, and where the electrical passenger car is designed to travel for a greater distance for the same axial to wheel friction energy loss than a passenger car having wheels of a smaller radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Or-Ment LLC
    Inventor: Zvi Or-Bach
  • Patent number: 10443718
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system of an automatic transmission for a vehicle provided with an ISG system is disclosed. The hydraulic control system supplies hydraulic pressure to first and second friction members operated at a gear stage where starting control is performed. In particular, the hydraulic control system includes: a mechanical hydraulic pump; an electric hydraulic pump; first and second linear solenoid valves to control hydraulic pressure generated by the mechanical pump; first and second switch valves to selectively supply the controlled hydraulic pressure to the first and second friction members, respectively; and a third switch valve to selectively supply a portion of the hydraulic pressure of the first friction member to the second friction member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jin Young Hwang
  • Patent number: 10369883
    Abstract: A work vehicle such as a tractor including a fuel tank (19), a fuel tank cover (30), a dashboard support member (40), and a dashboard (50). The fuel tank (19) is disposed in a rear portion of a hood in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle body of the tractor. The fuel tank cover (30) covers a rear portion of the fuel tank (19). The dashboard support member (40) is attached to the fuel tank cover (30). The dashboard (50) is supported by the dashboard support member (40). The fuel tank cover (30) includes a first attachment portion (31) for attaching the dashboard support member (40). The dashboard (50) is configured to be directly attachable to the first attachment portion (31) (without using the dashboard support member (40)).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: YANMAR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masakazu Komatsu
  • Patent number: 10358123
    Abstract: Presented are engine-disconnect clutches with attendant control logic, methods for making/operating such disconnect clutches, and hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) equipped with an engine that is coupled to/decoupled from a transmission and electric motor via a disconnect clutch. A representative method for controlling an HEV powertrain includes receiving an HEV powertrain operation command, then determining a clutch mode of a multi-mode clutch device to execute the HEV powertrain operation. This multi-mode clutch device is operable in: a lock-lock mode, in which the clutch device transmits torque to and from the engine; a free-free mode, in which the clutch device disconnects the engine's output member from the transmission's input member, preventing torque transmission to and from the engine; a lock-free mode, in which the clutch device transmits torque from but not to the engine; and, a free-lock mode, in which the clutch device transmits torque to but not from the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC.
    Inventors: Chunhao J. Lee, Neeraj S. Shidore, Dongxu Li, Norman K. Bucknor, Farzad Samie, Derek F. Lahr
  • Patent number: 10272897
    Abstract: A control method of a power train for a hybrid vehicle is provided. The method includes determining whether an engine corresponds to an optimal operating point when intervention for upshifting is demanded during an HEV driving mode and determining whether an amount of demanded intervention is equal to or less than a value adding maximum intervention torques of a drive motor and an HSG. Each intervention torque of the drive motor and the HSG is determined to adjust a whole energy-collect rate by the drive motor and the HSG to a maximum value of the amount of demanded intervention, and simultaneously, the value adding the intervention torques of the drive motor and the HSG satisfies the amount of demanded intervention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Young Jun Lee
  • Patent number: 10215147
    Abstract: A power transmission apparatus, which is disposed on a power transmission path from an output shaft of an internal combustion engine to a transmission in a vehicle, is provided with a rotating electrical machine including a rotor and a stator. The rotor is coupled to a synchronous rotating member that rotates synchronously with the output shaft of the internal combustion engine, and takes a central axis of the output shaft of the internal combustion engine as a rotating shaft. The stator is fixed to a fixing member on a non-rotating side with respect to the synchronous rotating member, and faces the rotor with a first gap therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: EXEDY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keiji Sato, Hitoshi Katsura, Yoshihiro Matsuoka, Kohsuke Murata, Taichi Kitamura
  • Patent number: 10137366
    Abstract: A dual joystick system for operating a main electronic controller generally includes first and second joystick devices. Each comprises a casing configured to be gripped by a hand, at least one trigger switch configured to operable by a forefinger, a thumb activated switch on an upper end of the casing, a switch cluster on a side of the casing operable by a thumb, and at least one microprocessor configured to process signals from the switches and to communicate remotely with the main controller. The switch clusters may be located to the side of the respective casings, the orientation of each cluster may be adjustable, and at least one switch cluster may be a digital thumbstick. One or more bases may be configured to allow the first and second joystick devices to operate as analog joysticks. One base may have a separable joint that when separated forms two bases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Inventors: Dan Quesnel, Jesse Cofske
  • Patent number: 10138806
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a control device and to a control method for a vehicle drive mechanism including a moving body having a movability range regulated by two stoppers, and a sensor which senses a position of the moving body. The control device of the present invention learns an output of the sensor corresponding to a contact state of a high-rigidity stopper, and limits, to a lower level, an operation variable of the actuator for moving the moving body toward a low-rigidity stopper along with an increase in an amount of change in the output of the sensor from the contact state of the high-rigidity stopper. Then, the control device learns the output of the sensor corresponding to the contact state of the low-rigidity stopper, and controls the actuator based on the output of the sensor learned at both the stopper positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Okamoto, Yuya Shinozaki
  • Patent number: 9926931
    Abstract: A motor-driven compressor is provided with a motor including a rotor, a housing including an inlet through which low-pressure refrigerant serving as a low-pressure fluid is drawn in, a compression unit that compresses the low-pressure refrigerant and discharges compressed high-pressure fluid, an inverter that drives the motor, and a controller that controls the inverter. If the rotor is activating in a reverse direction that is opposite to a forward direction when activating the motor, the controller obtains a position of a d-axis of the rotor and controls the inverter so that current flows to the obtained d-axis and so that frequency of current flowing to the motor decreases as time elapses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventors: Shinichi Kawamura, Akimitsu Ichihara, Takashi Kawashima
  • Patent number: 9856891
    Abstract: The travel end expansion valve (1) for a piston type pressure converter (2) whose master cylinder (3) and slave cylinder (4) define a master chamber (9) and a slave chamber (10), respectively, includes an expansion master cylinder (12) which communicates with the slave chamber (10) and in which there can move an expansion main master piston (14) which is mechanically connected by a lever type transmission (11) with progressive effect to an expansion slave pump piston (15) which can move in an expansion slave cylinder (13), the transmission (11) being provided in such a manner that, when the expansion main master piston (14) is at the top dead center, the expansion slave pump piston (15) is at the bottom dead center, and vice versa, while an expansion release actuator (30) can cause the transmission (11) to move.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventor: Vianney Rabhi
  • Patent number: 9849779
    Abstract: Disclosed is a utility work vehicle having an engine section at a rear portion of a vehicle body. The engine section includes an engine having an output shaft oriented laterally along a right/left direction of the vehicle body, a speed changer device having an input shaft oriented laterally along the right/left direction of the vehicle body, the speed changer device being disposed rearwardly of the engine, a belt type stepless speed changer device disposed on one right/left side of the engine and the speed changer device and configured to transmit power from the engine to the speed changer device. A clutch is disposed between the engine and the belt type stepless speed changer device. A space is formed downwardly of the clutch between the engine and the belt type stepless speed changer device. At a portion downwardly of the speed changer device and facing the space, a front wheel driving output shaft extends forwardly from the speed changer device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroki Bessho
  • Patent number: 9802469
    Abstract: A series hydraulic hybrid driveline for a vehicle is described. The driveline has a power source, a hydraulic circuit having a first hydraulic displacement unit and a second hydraulic displacement unit, a hydraulic accumulator assembly with high pressure and low pressure hydraulic accumulators, at least one accumulator valve, at least one input device, and a control unit. The first hydraulic displacement unit is drivingly engaged with the power source. The accumulator assembly is selectively fluidly connected to the hydraulic circuit through the accumulator valve. The control unit is configured to compute a total power requested from the power source based on an input command from the input device, compare the computed total power to a threshold power, and control a valve state of the accumulator valve based upon the result of the comparison. A method of controlling the driveline is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Dana Italia SPA
    Inventors: Giulio Ornella, Fabrizio Zendri, Ettore Cosoli, Donald Remboski, Timothy Morscheck, Lorenzo Serrao
  • Patent number: 9791029
    Abstract: Provided is a hydrostatic transmission including a pump/motor module having a reservoir housing and a hydraulic pump and motor disposed in the reservoir housing, and a speed reduction module having a speed reduction housing coupled to the reservoir housing and a speed reduction assembly disposed in the speed reduction housing. The speed reduction assembly includes an input member driven by the output shaft of the hydraulic motor, an output member rotationally connected to the input member by one or more belts/chains, and an axle shaft driven by rotation of the output member. By providing the speed reduction assembly in a separate housing from the hydraulic fluid in the reservoir housing, the speed reduction assembly is isolated from the hydraulic fluid thereby preventing particulates from the speed reduction assembly from entering the hydraulic fluid in the reservoir housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Tholan Crosby, Jason Lee Emmette, David Mark Heathcoat, Jr., Jason Scot Richardson
  • Patent number: 9770981
    Abstract: A torque transmission and sealing assembly includes a ring gear having a first axial end, a second axial end opposite the first axial end, an inner surface including a plurality of teeth and an axial-facing surface at the first axial end, a barrel portion joined to the second axial end of the ring gear, and a plurality of annular, axial extending fingers integrally formed with the ring gear and extending from the axial-facing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gregory Tarbell, Anthony Giammarise, Jeremy Plummer, Carlos Vallejo, Steven Owens, Dennis Richter, Gregory Hecker
  • Patent number: 9765799
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a hydrostatic transmission apparatus including a pump, a first motor, and a second motor having two elementary motors. Each of the motors having first and second enclosures for feed/discharge. In work mode and in road mode, the second enclosure of the first elementary motor of the second motor and the first enclosure of the first motor are connected together in series, the second enclosure of the first motor being connected to the second port of the pump, and the second enclosure of the second elementary motor of the second motor is connected to the second port of the pump. In work mode, the first enclosure of each of the two elementary motors of the third motor is connected to the first port of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Poclain Hydraulics Industrie
    Inventors: André Prigent, Romain Gostomski, Jean Heren
  • Patent number: 9561788
    Abstract: A hybrid work vehicle includes: a work device; a traveling drive device; a lever operation quantity detection unit that detects a lever operation quantity of a control lever operated to control the work device; an engagement state detection unit that detects an engaged state and a non-engaged state of the work device; a pedal operation quantity detection unit that detects a pedal operation quantity of an accelerator pedal; a travel state detection unit that detects a traveling state and a non-traveling state of the traveling drive; and an engine control unit that controls an engine rotation rate based upon at least either the lever operation quantity or the pedal operation quantity in correspondence to either the engaged state or the non-engaged state and either the traveling state or the non-traveling state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: KCM Corporation
    Inventor: Noritaka Ito
  • Patent number: 9533560
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a crane, particularly a crawler crane, whereby at least two different drive units can be alternately connected with the crane. The invention is additionally directed at corresponding drive units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Dieter Willim
  • Patent number: 9512918
    Abstract: A speed control system for a hydrostatic transmission includes an engine having a drive shaft connected to a hydraulic pump. At least one hydrostatic motor is connected to the pump in a closed circuit by a flow line. Connected to the motor via a system shaft is a vehicle system. A controller is connected to a plurality of sensors and a high pressure relief valve that is connected to the flow line between the pump and the motor. Based on information received from the sensors, the controller sets the pump and motor displacements to limit the pressure to a value that will not overspeed the engine and allow the system to automatically provide braking beyond the engine's capability. This may be accomplished through the use of various algorithms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: DANFOSS POWER SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: Frank J. Rozycki, Simon L. Nielsen, Gary R. LaFayette
  • Patent number: 9487086
    Abstract: Provided is an auxiliary power module removably connectable to a mobile platform, such as a municipal vehicle having a prime mover mounted thereon for powering the auxiliary power module. The auxiliary power module includes a connector configured to be fluidly connected to a connector on the vehicle, a hydraulic motor fluidly connected to the connector through a hydraulic circuit, and an auxiliary device, such as a generator, mechanically driven by the hydraulic motor. When the auxiliary power module is connected to the municipal vehicle, the existing vehicle hydraulic circuit may be used with the auxiliary power module to provide output power from the generator during emergency and disaster situations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond E. Collett, Spiro Kattan
  • Patent number: 9415660
    Abstract: The generation of electrical power for large-vehicle transport refrigeration units (TRU) such as semi-trailer reefers. A generator is mounted to the vehicle frame or axle carriage and driven by a wheel-pulley system. Translational motion of the heavy vehicle produces electrical power using the substantial momentum of the vehicle. The electrical power can also be supplemented by at least one solar panel mounted on the roof of the semi-trailer reefer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Inventor: Ronald Koelsch
  • Patent number: 9366272
    Abstract: A hydraulic fan circuit is provided. The hydraulic fan circuit includes a tank, a motor having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and a pump to draw fluid at a low pressure from the tank and discharge the fluid at elevated pressures to the motor via the fluid inlet. The hydraulic fan circuit further includes a directional control valve disposed between the fluid outlet of the motor and the tank. The directional control valve is operable to move between a flow blocking position and a flow passing position. Further, the directional control valve is configured to reduce a positive speed of the motor below a lowest positive speed attainable through control of pump output. Furthermore, the hydraulic fan circuit includes a pressure control circuit configured to provide a pilot fluid flow at varying pressure to move the directional control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Susan E. Bieker, Eric P. Jakubiak, Dennis R. Barber, John J. Kaufman, Edward W. Mate, Scott D. Vollmer, Michael D. Hudson, Moses I. Akpan
  • Patent number: 9345204
    Abstract: A working apparatus comprises a working machine, a tool, a boom construction, and a control system. A first end of the boom construction is connected to the working machine. The tool is connected to an opposite second end of the boom construction. The boom construction comprises a first boom and a first actuator controlling the first boom, a second boom articulated to the first boom and a second actuator controlling the second boom, and a third actuator controlling the position of the tool. The control system has a link mode, a parallel mode, and a tool-levelling mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: John Deere Forestry Oy
    Inventor: Jarkko Jäntti
  • Patent number: 9341258
    Abstract: A return to neutral (RTN) mechanism for a variable drive apparatus having a rotatable control shaft is provided. The RTN mechanism incorporates a neutral lockdown plate secured to the housing of the variable drive apparatus and disposed about the rotatable control shaft, a control arm fixed to the control shaft to impart rotation thereto, a single, rotatable return arm piloted upon a protective cover, and a pair of springs to bias the control shaft back to a neutral position from either a forward or reverse rotation. A single spring may optionally be used to form a unidirectional RTN mechanism, or two springs having different spring rates may optionally be used to alter the return rates of the control shaft back to a neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Austin J. Templin
  • Patent number: 9139983
    Abstract: An engine (10) electronically controlled by a control device (33), a hydraulic motor (24) for traveling which is driven by a pressurized oil delivered from a hydraulic pump (13), and a traveling speed switching member (29) which switches a traveling speed by the hydraulic motor (24) at least in two stages of a low speed and a high speed. The control device (33) includes an output lowering determination unit for determining whether or not a fuel injection amount to be supplied to the engine (10) is limited and an engine output is in a lowered state and a low-speed control unit in which, when the engine (10) output is in a lowered state, a traveling speed is controlled to a low speed state kept lower than a high speed even if the traveling speed switching member (29) has been switched to the high speed side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hajime Yoshida, Hajime Ishii, Syuuhei Noguchi
  • Patent number: 9132855
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include power machines that provide an electronic tag along mode of operation. A control system is coupled to and selectively provides power to the left and right side tractive elements from the power source. First and second user input devices each provide an actuation signal indicative of manipulation between a neutral state and a forward state. An electronic tag-along input device provides a tag-along activation signal. When each of the first and second user input devices are in the forward state and the electronic tag-along input device provides a tag-along activation signal, a controller maintains power to the left and right side tractive elements when one of the first and second user input devices is in the forward state and the other of the first and second user input devices is the forward or neutral state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventors: Brady J. Bertsch, Jason L. Magnuson, Christopher L. Young, John M. Hoaby, Charles P. Hoaby
  • Patent number: 9074546
    Abstract: A work vehicle includes a controller. The controller is configured to determine whether low-load conditions indicating that the work vehicle is in a low-load state are satisfied. The controller is configured to control an engine so that an upper limit value of an output torque of the engine when the low-load conditions are satisfied is made less than when the low-load conditions are not satisfied. Also, the controller is configured to vary a reduction amount of the upper limit value of the output torque of the engine when the low-load conditions are satisfied, in accordance with variation in at least one of vehicle speed, vehicle acceleration, and engine-rotation-speed acceleration, and in accordance with variation in engine rotation speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Asami, Jun Koizumi, Shotaro Ishii, Takahisa Oasa, Ai Haginiwa, Masahiro Minato
  • Patent number: 9022159
    Abstract: [OBJECT] To provide a device which is held by vacuum on a wall surface or a window surface of glass of a building, and which is moved along the surface, thereby performing the cleaning operation. [SOLVING MEANS] In three clinging units which are arranged in a row, each of the clinging units includes clinging unit putting forward/backward means for putting the clinging unit in and out in a direction intersecting with the surface. The clinging units adjacent to each other are coupled by transverse expansion and contraction means via the clinging unit putting forward/backward means, so as to constitute a row clinging unit group. In three row clinging unit groups which are arranged in the longitudinal direction, the row clinging unit groups adjacent to each other are coupled by lengthwise expansion and contraction means via the clinging unit putting forward/backward means. Each of the clinging units can be selectively set in one of three states, i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignees: Urakami LLC, Fujii Denko Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Fukashi Urakami
  • Publication number: 20150081190
    Abstract: In a method for controlling a traction system for a heavy road vehicle, the system includes a first mechanical propulsion system, a second hydraulic propulsion system, and a control unit. The method includes measuring a first parameter value, indicative of the rolling radius of a first traction wheel, measuring a second parameter value, indicative of the rolling radius of a second traction wheel, and the control unit using the first and second parameter values for determining a present relation between the rolling radii of the first and second traction wheels. The control unit provides an output signal based on the present relation to optimize the traction applied to the second traction wheel. A traction system and a heavy vehicle incorporating a traction system are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: VOLVO LASTVAGNAR AB
    Inventors: Lena Larsson, Jan Öberg, Filip Alm
  • Publication number: 20150059106
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a steering system for a suction cleaning device, a locomotion system for a pool cleaner, and a turbine for use in an automatic cleaner. The steering system includes a fluid driven turbine that rotates a cam gear that is interconnected with a cam wheel for directing a drive pinion. The drive pinion is positionable in a plurality of positions to drive a nose cone that steers the suction cleaning device. The locomotion system includes first and second A-frame arms that respectively engage first and second bearings about first and second eccentrics of a turbine. Rotation of the turbine causes the first and second A-frame arms to rotate back and forth driving associated walking pod assemblies. The turbine includes a turbine rotor and a plurality of vanes connected to the turbine rotor. The plurality of vanes including lateral edges having lateral open regions to facilitate debris-removing efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: POOLVERGNUEGEN
    Inventors: Dieter J. Rief, Hans Rainer Schlitzer, Manuela Rief, Rosemarie Rief, Benoit Joseph Renaud
  • Patent number: 8960358
    Abstract: A speed-based system for controlling a pump displacement to control a pump flow rate of a hydraulic pump in a vehicle, such as a hybrid. The system includes a plurality of sensors, a controller, and a hydraulic pump. The controller is configured to receive data from the sensors, ascertain a speed of the vehicle, determine a target pump displacement, and transmit the target pump displacement. The target pump displacement is less than a predetermined maximum value when the speed of the vehicle is greater than a first predefined threshold, and equal to the predetermined maximum value when the speed of the vehicle is less than or equal to the first predefined threshold. The hydraulic pump is configured to ascertain an actual pump displacement, receive the target pump displacement from the controller, and alter the actual pump displacement to the target pump displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Sowards, Brian Leslie, Frank Kachinski
  • Patent number: 8915327
    Abstract: A system and method for operating a large single engine sweeper includes a transfer case assembly inserted into the chassis drive train of the vehicle on which a package of sweeping equipment is mounted. In road mode operation, power from the chassis engine passes through a chassis automatic transmission, through a transfer case assembly to the differential and real wheel assembly. In sweep mode, power passes from a propel hydraulic motor into the transfer case assembly and then to the differential and real wheel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Alamo Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Brooker
  • Patent number: 8899371
    Abstract: A vehicle body frame of a bulldozer has a left side frame, a right side frame, a base plate, and a cross member. The left and right side frames each extend in the front and back direction. The base plate spans across between the left and right side frames. The cross member is positioned between a hydraulic pump and left and right hydraulic motors. The cross member protrudes upward from the base plate. The cross member spans across between the left and right side frames. The cross member has a left conduit hole and a right conduit hole which are spaced apart in a left and right direction of the bulldozer. The first and second left hydraulic fluid tubes pass through the left conduit hole. The first and second right hydraulic fluid tubes pass through the right conduit hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Uno, Ikuo Kita
  • Patent number: 8893831
    Abstract: A swather tractor has a pair of driven ground wheels at one end where a header is supported and a pair of steerable wheels at the other end for supporting the tractor. The driven ground wheels are hydraulically driven so that an operator controlled steering control is arranged to control a differential in rate of supply of hydraulic fluid to control a relative speed of rotation of the driven wheels and thus a turning direction of the tractor. The steerable wheels have a steering system that is operable in response to the steering control to positively steer the steerable wheels and there is provided an arrangement to deactivate the steering system at large turns so that the steerable wheels are free to castor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: MacDon Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: Philip J. Otto
  • Patent number: 8875829
    Abstract: Provided is a construction machine, wherein an upper slewing body comprises a slewing frame and first and second power units, and wherein the second power unit comprises a second engine, a second controller to control driving of the second engine, a second hydraulic oil tank, a second hydraulic pump configured to be driven by the second engine to thereby suck hydraulic oil from the second hydraulic oil tank and discharge the hydraulic oil toward a hydraulic actuator, a second fuel tank configured to store fuel, and a second support member supporting the second engine, the second hydraulic oil tank, the second hydraulic pump and the second fuel tank, and wherein the second support member is configured to be attachable and detachable with respect to the slewing frame independently of a first support member of the first power unit, and the second hydraulic pump is detachably connected to the hydraulic actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Kobelco Cranes Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohiko Asakage, Hironori Takenaka
  • Patent number: 8869928
    Abstract: A regeneration apparatus for executing a regeneration process to an exhaust gas purifying apparatus and an engine control device that controls a rotational speed of an engine according to an instruction value by a rotational speed instruction apparatus are provided. When a directional control valve is in a neutral position, the engine control device controls the rotational speed of the engine to an automatic idle rotational speed (Nai) by an automatic idle selection unit regardless of the instruction value. However, when it is determined that the regeneration process of the exhaust gas purifying apparatus is executed in a state of controlling the rotational speed of the engine at the automatic idle rotational speed (Nai), the engine control device increases the rotational speed of the engine to a regeneration processing rotational speed (N1) higher than the automatic idle rotational speed (Nai).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hajime Yoshida, Hajime Ishii, Shuuhei Noguchi
  • Patent number: 8844660
    Abstract: A hybrid working machine includes an engine, an assist motor configured to assist the engine, a hydraulic pump driven by the engine, an electric power accumulating unit configured to feed the assist motor with electric power, an electric-discharge electric motor configured to perform power running with electric power of an electric power accumulator of the electric power accumulating unit, an electric-discharge hydraulic motor connected to the electric-discharge electric motor, and a hydraulic circuit configured to control driving of the electric-discharge hydraulic motor. The hydraulic circuit includes a circulation circuit configured to be connected to a hydraulic feed port and a hydraulic discharge port of the electric-discharge hydraulic motor and a selector valve configured to perform such switching as to connect the electric-discharge hydraulic motor to the circulation circuit at a time of performing an electric discharge operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Kawashima, Makoto Yanagisawa
  • Patent number: 8839897
    Abstract: A drive system for a hybrid hydraulic vehicle. The drive system includes an engine, a hydraulic pump driven by the engine, a converter coupled to the pump, a drive train coupled to the converter a first hydraulic pathway coupling the hydraulic pump to the converter, a second hydraulic pathway coupling the hydraulic pump to the converter, a reservoir positioned in the second hydraulic pathway, an accumulator positioned in the first hydraulic pathway, a pressure sensor configured to sense the pressure of hydraulic fluid in the accumulator, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive an indication of the pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the accumulator from the pressure sensor, and to adjust a low pressure level threshold of the pressure of hydraulic fluid in the accumulator based on the operation of the vehicle such that the pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the accumulator reaches a predetermined target pressure when the vehicle brakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Charles Moore
  • Patent number: 8807263
    Abstract: An excavator includes a frame, and a platform on top of the frame. A hydraulic distribution system is received on top of the frame but below the platform. A pilot valve unit is at least partly received on top of the platform. The platform includes a dedicated hole capable of receiving therethrough at least that part of the pilot valve unit which is received on top of the platform. The pilot valve unit is fixed, directly or indirectly, on the platform. The pilot valve unit can be mounted from below the platform, through the dedicated hole, and is fixed on the platform from above the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Volvo Compact Equipment SAS
    Inventors: Roger Caillieret, Gregory Arnal