Abstract: Systems and methods allow for the accurate determination of the terrestrial position of an autonomous vehicle in real time. A first position estimate of the vehicle 102 is derived from satellites of a global positioning system and/or a pseudolite(s). The pseudolite(s) may be used exclusively when the satellites are not in the view of the vehicle. A second position estimate is derived from an inertial reference unit and/or a vehicle odometer. The first and second position estimates are combined and filtered using novel techniques to derive a more accurate third position estimate of the vehicle's position. Accordingly, accurate autonomous navigation of the vehicle can be effectuated using the third position estimate.

Abstract: An apparatus (102) assists an earthmoving vehicle (104) in the fracture of material (106). The apparatus (102) includes a ripping structure (108) having at least one ripper (112) and one electrode (130). The apparatus (102) generates electrical energy and discharges the electrical energy into the material through the ripping structure (108).

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for controllably actuating a work implement. The work implement includes at least a first linkage and a second linkage. The apparatus produces a control signal, senses the position and velocity of the first and second linkages and responsively produces position and velocity signals. The apparatus responsively produces a command signal as a function of the control signal and the position and velocity signals. The command signal controls actuation of the first linkage such that dynamic coupling between the first and second linkages is minimized.

Abstract: An integrated Marx generator circuit is constructed in one assembly from a housing with two oil-filled cavities. First and second capacitors each include two sets of spaced apart capacitor plates. The first and second capacitors are formed in the separate cavities. The space between the capacitor plates are filled with oil and insulating material. A set of four spark gap switches control the charging and discharging of the generator circuit.

Abstract: An electrohydraulic control device for a drive train of a vehicle is provided. The drive train includes an engine, a transmission, a source of pressurized fluid, and an input clutch connected between the engine and the transmission. The control device senses the rotational output speed of the engine and responsively engages and disengages the input clutch as a function of the engine speed.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing an engine (102) including the steps of sensing a first set of parameters of the engine (102) and determining a modeled value of a first operating characteristic. A second set of parameters of the engine (102) is sensed and used to determined a modeled value of a second operating characteristic. The modeled values are compared to actual values and the engine is responsively diagnosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods allow for the accurate determination of the terrestrial position of an autonomous vehicle in real time. A first position estimate of the vehicle 102 is derived from satellites of a global positioning system and/or a pseudolite(s). The pseudolite(s) may be used exclusively when the satellites are not in the view of the vehicle. A second position estimate is derived from an inertial reference unit and/or a vehicle odometer. The first and second position estimates are combined and filtered using novel techniques to derive a more accurate third position estimate of the vehicle's position. Accordingly, accurate autonomous navigation of the vehicle can be effectuated using the third position estimate.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the speed and direction of a rotating shaft is provided. The apparatus includes a rotor connected to the shaft. The rotor has a plurality of teeth of alternating widths. The apparatus detects the teeth and responsibly determines the speed and direction of rotation of the shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are adapted for detecting an end-of-fill condition of an actuator having a varying control volume is provided. The end-of-fill condition corresponds to the varying control volume being pressurized to a predetermined end-of-fill pressure. The apparatus comprises a solenoid having a coil and an armature. The armature is movable relative to the coil in response to energization of the coil. A valve delivers a flow of fluid to the actuator. The fluid flow having a rate responsive to the movement of the armature. The apparatus and method controllably energizes the coil with a control current. The apparatus and method detects a flyback current in the coil, detects a change in the level of noise in said flyback current, and responsively producing an end-of-fill signal in response to the change being greater than a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An apparatus is adapted to detect the linear extension, velocity and acceleration of a hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic cylinder defines a variable length coaxial resonant cavity Under the control of a controller, an RF transmitting section and an RF receiving section are used to determine the resonant frequency of the cavity. The receiving section includes a comparator circuit for increasing the sensor's sensitivity and eliminating spurious detections of the cylinder's resonant frequency. The linear extension of the cylinder is determined as a function of the resonant frequency.

Abstract: An apparatus for controllably actuating a hydraulic actuator is provided. The apparatus is connected between a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid and the hydraulic actuator. The apparatus controllably provides pressurized hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuator. The apparatus includes a controller for receiving an operating signal and a load pressure signal and responsively actuating the hydraulic actuator.

Abstract: An apparatus for controllably actuating a hydraulic actuator is provided. The apparatus is connected between a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid and the hydraulic actuator. The apparatus controllably provides pressurized hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuator. The apparatus includes a controller for receiving an operating signal and a load pressure signal and responsively actuating the hydraulic actuator.

Abstract: An apparatus for controllably actuating at least two hydraulic actuator is provided. The apparatus controllably provides pressurized hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuators through closed center spool valves. The apparatus receives operating signals and a pump pressure signal and responsively controls the output of a variable flow pump. In a first mode, the output flow of the pump is a function of the operating signals and the pump pressure signal. In a second mode, the output flow of the pump is a function of the operating signals alone.

Abstract: An apparatus is adapted to detect the linear extension of a hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic cylinder defines a variable length coaxial resonant cavity. Under the control of a controller, a transmitting section and a receiving section are used to determine the linear extension of the hydraulic cylinder. The controller detects two subsequent harmonics of the resonant frequency and responsively determines the resonant frequency. The linear extension is determined as a function of the resonant frequency.

Abstract: A switch includes a housing forming a cavity, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The first electrode has an inner surface having a generally circular cross-section perpendicular to an axis and extending along the cavity in a first direction along the axis, forming a hollow tube. The second electrode has a generally circular cross-section perpendicular to the axis and extending into the cavity in a second direction along the axis. The second electrode extends at least partially into the hollow tube formed by the first electrode.

Abstract: An apparatus, is adapted to controllably position a movable element in a hydraulic motor. A controller receives a request signal and velocity and/or position signals from sensors. The controller, in accordance with a control scheme using velocity and/or position feedback, determines the flow of hydraulic fluid to the cylinder needed to reduce velocity and/or position errors. A directional valve, actuated by an electrohydraulic pilot system, delivers hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic motor.

Abstract: An apparatus is adapted to detect the linear extension, velocity and acceleration of a hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic cylinder defines a variable length coaxial resonant cavity. Under the control of a controller, an RF transmitting section and an RF receiving section are used to determine the resonant frequency of the cavity. The receiving section includes an equalizer circuit for compensating for the insertion losses of the hydraulic cylinder. The linear extension of the cylinder is determined as a function of the resonant frequency.

Abstract: An apparatus determines the payload carried in a work vehicle by monitoring the pressure of a fluid contained within front and rear suspension struts. The struts are connected in supporting relation between a load carrying portion and a ground engaging portion of the work vehicle such that a compression condition of the strut is detected while the work vehicle is in motion. Moreover, a pressure differential corresponding to the compression condition is indicative of the magnitude of the payload supported by the strut.

Abstract: An apparatus is adapted to detect particles within a fluid. The apparatus includes first and second electrodes within a housing. The first and second electrodes form a "V" shaped recess. A magnet is positioned within the housing to attract ferrous particles into the recess. The resistance between the first and second electrodes is measured as an indication of particles within the fluid.

Abstract: A system is provided for operating a fan to move air past a heat exchanger. The fan is driven by hydraulic fluid supplied from a pressure compensated pump. Such fluid driven fan systems are commonly utilized on industrial vehicles and on stationary engines having fluid type systems. The system controllably operates the fan at relatively high speed in response to the temperature of least one of the fluid coolant and hydraulic fluid being greater than respective first and second predetermined upper temperature values, and controllably operates the fan at a second relatively slow speed in response to the temperature of each of the fluid coolant and hydraulic fluid being less than respective first and second predetermined lower temperature values.