Abstract: Exemplary systems and methods associated with generating a customized touch screen configuration for a user of a wheelchair based on the user's disease state. The systems and methods determine the user's ability using various assessments. Generating a customized touch screen configuration includes modifying various touch screen feature settings in accordance with the user's capabilities. These settings include various techniques to better recognize touch screen input gestures from users with disabilities.

Abstract: Exemplary systems and methods associated with generating a customized touch screen configuration for a user of a wheelchair based on the user's disease state. The systems and methods determine the user's ability using various assessments. Generating a customized touch screen configuration includes modifying various touch screen feature settings in accordance with the user's capabilities. These settings include various techniques to better recognize touch screen input gestures from users with disabilities.

Abstract: A mobility device profile generation system for producing a control profile for operating a mobility device. A system processor displays profile data stored in memory on a display device in the form of a graphical representation depicting a relationship between at least two variables associated with operating the mobility device. Using a human input device a user may interactively adjust the graphical representation to calibrate the relationship between the at least two variables to produce a control profile that limits the range of operation of a controller of a mobility device according to the graphical representation. This control profile may be loaded into a controller of a mobility device to limit operation according to the profile.

Abstract: A method and system for calibrating a control profile of a controller having at least one output variable used to control the operation of a mobility device. The calibration system controls the mobility device according to a prescribed routine under a range of changes of values of the output variable. One or more sensors provided, either temporarily or permanently, on the mobility device sense operational parameters of the mobility device and send sensed data to the calibration system. The calibration system determines mobility device stability associated with the changes of the at least one output variable based on the sensed data and produces a control profile that restricts a controller from outputting changes of values of the output variable associated with mobility device instability.

Abstract: A method of determining when to utilize a back EMF sampling method for motor resistance profiling in at least one DC motor, the method including the steps of analyzing a parameter prior to initializing the back EMF sampling method, and upon a determination that the analyzed parameter is within a defined range, initializing the back EMF sampling method.

Abstract: A method of controlling at least one motor in a motorized mobility vehicle, wherein the motor is part of a drive circuit for mobilizing the mobility vehicle, the method comprising the steps of: utilizing a stored profile of a motor performance parameter to develop a compensation term for controlling the motor, wherein the stored profile is of a resistance based variable associated with the motor as a function of a further variable and dynamically updating the compensation term when the mobility vehicle is in use.

Abstract: An electromechanical steering system for attachment to a manually operated wheelchair, the electromechanical steering system including: an input device arranged to develop an input signal, a motor and a wheel steering system driven by the motor and arranged to communicate with a wheel of the manually operated wheelchair to adjust a steering direction of the wheel based on the input signal.

Abstract: A method of controlling at least one motor in a motorised mobility vehicle, wherein the motor is part of a drive circuit for mobilising the mobility vehicle, the method comprising the steps of: utilising a stored profile of a motor performance parameter to develop a compensation term for controlling the motor, wherein the stored profile is of a resistance based variable associated with the motor as a function of a further variable and dynamically updating the compensation term when the mobility vehicle is in use.

Abstract: A method and controller for controlling electric vehicles wherein an output level to an output device is determined on the basis of timing information of input timing data. In one embodiment the timing data is provided on the basis of the duration of one or more user input device, such as one or more buttons. Different algorithms may be applied depending upon the duration of activation of the input device. An electric vehicle including the controller is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electric vehicle and display device for an electric vehicle having a plurality of display elements (including 10a, 10d and 10j). In one embodiment display elements (10a, 10d) are actuated in proportion to the ratio of actual vehicle speed to the maximum allowable speed for a given mode of operation. In another embodiment a display element (10j) is driven to indicate the maximum allowable speed for a selected mode of 10d operation. In another embodiment the estimated speed of the electric vehicle is based upon user input only.

Abstract: To effect failure detection and communication between the modules in a modular control system for an electrically driven vehicle in which modules are interconnected by a serial data bus, one line of the serial bus may be biased high or low by modules of the system when a fault is detected. This is detected by a kill system of the modules to which disable safety related functions of each module are applicable. Modules other than the remote control module can include wake up circuitry which supplies power to the modules at start up, or deactivated modules, when the data line is biased high. The modules preferably operate as finite state machines with each module storing in its memory network variables required for the operation of that module. The network variables include the state of other modules, external demand signals, and measured variables of the system.

Abstract: A de-icing blanket and method of ice-removal from a moving object such as an airfoil comprises a center portion including a heater, and side portions flanking the center portion, each side portion including an electro-expulsive de-icing system (EEDS). The center portion is placed on the leading edge of the airfoil forwardly with respect to the side longitudinal portions such that when the airfoil is in motion, an airflow impinging on the airfoil forces water contacting an exposed surface of the center portion to flow rearwardly and to freeze on accreting surfaces of the side portions where the ice is subsequently removed by energizing the EEDS. The blanket may include a leading edge cap made of a highly polished impervious material to protect the blanket from atmospheric weathering.

Abstract: A composite fabric electro-expulsive blanket is provided for shattering and removing ice and other fungible material from an accretion surface such as an airfoil. The blanket includes composite fabric upper and lower layers having a modulus of elasticity approximately between 10 to 100 million psi. Upper and lower conductor segments are positioned within the blanket so that when electrically energized, they repel one another so as to rapidly set the outer ice-accreting surface into motion. Bowed or loose stitches connecting the outer and inner layers become taut during the motion of the ice-accretion surface, thereby rapidly decelerating the surface and shattering accumulated ice thereon. Slits in the outer layer limit undesired hoop stress.

Abstract: A closed loop control apparatus utilizes a cooling effect sensor to measure the cooling capacity of a fluid in a supply conduit connected to one or more thermal loads. The sensor includes an electrical heater that is regulated to heat a sampled portion of the cooling fluid at a known rate, and a temperature sensor positioned downstream of the heater to measure the temperature of the heated fluid and thereby determine the cooling effect or capacity of the fluid. A control signal developed by the temperature sensor is fed back to a flow modulating valve that adjusts the flow of cooling fluid to the thermal loads.

Abstract: A closed loop control apparatus utilizes a cooling effect sensor to measure the cooling capacity of a fluid in a supply conduit connected to one or more thermal loads. The sensor includes an electrical heater that is regulated to heat a sampled portion of the cooling fluid at a known rate, and a temperature sensor positioned downstream of the heater to measure the temperature of the heated fluid and thereby determine the cooling effect or capacity of the fluid. A control signal developed by the temperature sensor is fed back to a flow modulating valve that adjusts the flow of cooling fluid to the thermal loads.

Abstract: A rotary actuator for a valve is associated with an indicator mechanism provided entirely exteriorily to the housing of the valve and out of axial alignment with the valve spindle. The indicator rotates with an actuating member of the valve and is movable relative to a surface of the actuating member to provide a visual and tactile indication of the operative position of the valve.