Abstract: An automated design system for facilitating intelligent design of electromechanically controlled hydraulic systems. The automated design system utilizes one or more servers and one or more processors for accessing design information related to the hydraulic systems. The design system also includes a display device which provides an interface, an input device and a software program which allow a user to select various design characteristics related to a product design. The automated design system also provides text-based and graphical outputs pertaining to a product design.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a boom lift, cherry picker, or other similar device are disclosed, including monitoring a controller for an operator desired action; receiving signals from one or more sensors through one or more inputs; using a platform location algorithm and the signals from the one or more sensors to compute current angles and/or lengths of the boom lift; using a platform control algorithm to calculate a control signal to achieve the operator desired action; and using a control signal generator to communicate the control signal to one or more assembly controllers of the boom lift. Other embodiments are desired and claimed.

Abstract: An automated design system for facilitating intelligent design of electromechanically controlled hydraulic systems. The automated design system utilizes one or more servers and one or more processors for accessing design information related to the hydraulic systems. The design system also includes a display device which provides an interface, an input device and a software program which allow a user to select various design characteristics related to a product design. The automated design system also provides text-based and graphical outputs pertaining to a product design.

Abstract: An automated design system for facilitating intelligent design of electromechanically controlled hydraulic systems. The automated design system utilizes one or more servers and one or more processors for accessing design information related to the hydraulic systems. The design system also includes a display device which provides an interface, an input device and a software program which allow a user to select various design characteristics related to a product design. The automated design system also provides text-based and graphical outputs pertaining to a product design.

Abstract: A joystick controller is disclosed for controlling movement of a boom lift platform, the controller having actuators or the like that provide one or more forms of tactile feedback that are intuitively interpreted and adjusted by the user of the joystick motion control, the joystick being neutrally-biased to effect a null movement when the joystick is positioned in a neutral position, but also being adapted with at least one form of tactile feedback by which the joystick controller conveys information about the boom lift's operation to the joystick operator, such as through resistive force or through vibrations or the like.

Abstract: A steering control system for ski boat with an inboard motor and a single, non-steerable propeller. The control system augments the traditional aft rudder with a forward rudder (located immediately in front of the propeller), and controls one or both rudders to improve steering when backing and in low forward speed conditions. The control system may control only the forward rudder, while the pre-existing controls operate the aft rudder, or optionally controls both rudders. The rudder angle control algorithm calculates proportional rudder angles based on helm and throttle settings, or optimal rudder angles based on more sensed conditions including the operator's helm and throttle controls, the ski boat's direction and speed, propeller RPM and thrust direction, and each rudder's angle. An electronic controller sends control signals to the rudders to achieve the optimal rudder angles.

Abstract: A ski boat throttle control system incorporating a rotary assembly such as a thumbwheel within the control lever knob which is part of the control lever assembly that is gripped and held by the operator of the boat during use. The incorporation of such a thumbwheel assembly allows the operator to make more controlled adjustment to the speed of the boat when the boat is in normal operational mode and to intuitively make adjustments to the cruise control speed of the boat when in cruise control.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enabling a handheld device to easily collect, analyze, transmit, and act on wireless information transmitted from various instruments on hydrocarbon production and pipeline skids. The handheld device preferentially presents available data streams based on which instruments are closest to the handheld device, as determined using available information such as signal strength or GPS or other location-based services.

Abstract: A joystick controller is disclosed for controlling movement of a boom lift platform, the controller having actuators or the like that provide one or more forms of tactile feedback that are intuitively interpreted and adjusted by the user of the joystick motion control, the joystick being neutrally-biased to effect a null movement when the joystick is positioned in a neutral position, but also being adapted with at least one form of tactile feedback by which the joystick controller conveys information about the boom lift's operation to the joystick operator, such as through resistive force or through vibrations or the like.

Abstract: Systems and methods for collecting, analyzing, transmitting, and acting on information collected from instruments monitoring and controlling equipment used for natural gas well production collection and pipeline insertion platforms (skids). Said instruments may include handheld computing devices like the Apple iPhone, iPad, or other PDAs; said devices using short or long range, wired or wireless communication. The systems and methods reduce costs, errors, inefficiencies, and increase safety by giving the user simple GUI interfaces for data collection and for action items. The said handheld devices can guide the data collector to the skid location using GPS or other location based services, collect data via wired of wireless methods, guide the data collector through manual data input methods or safety action items, compare current readings to past history and evaluate current safety or out-of-tolerance conditions or entries, among other items.

Abstract: A joystick controller is disclosed for controlling speed of a boom lift platform, the controller having motors or the like that provide tactile feedback that is intuitively interpreted and adjusted by the user of the joystick speed control, the joystick being neutrally-biased to effect a null velocity when the joystick is positioned in a neutral position, but the tactile feedback forcing the joystick away from neutral to a degree that represents the platform's actual speed.

Abstract: An automatic timing measurement system that provides a measure of time of passage of a watercraft through a water course. Algorithms based on inertial or other estimates augmented by GPS speed/position measurements and/or image processing techniques on images provided by one or more cameras are used to track position of a watercraft. The position estimates and image processing techniques are used to allow the locations of water courses to be mapped and memorized. Algorithms are then used to allow the system to automatically detect passage of a watercraft through mapped courses for the purpose of measuring and reporting time of passage of said watercraft past key points in said course, and for modifying the behavior of the speed control portion of the apparatus if necessary at certain points in the mapped course. A measure of accuracy of driver steering can be provided along with the ability to automatically steer the watercraft through the course if “steer-by-wire” mechanism is available.

Abstract: A flexible and reconfigurable sport and ski watercraft power control system that not only distributes power but also wirelessly distributes power management to multiple nodes on the watercraft, typically via CAN network and typically to nodes in the helm, bow and stern areas, for driving and controlling ballast and trim motors as well as other powered subsystems that affect the operation, motion and attitude of the watercraft.

Abstract: An automatic timing measurement system provides a measure of time of passage of a watercraft through a prescribed course. Inertial or other estimates augmented by GPS speed/position measurements are used to track the position of a the watercraft. Position estimates are used to allow the locations of prescribed courses to be mapped and memorized. The passage of a watercraft through mapped courses may be detected for the purpose of measuring and reporting time of passage of the watercraft past key points in the course, and for modifying the behavior of the speed control portion of the apparatus if necessary. A measure of accuracy of driver steering can be provided along with the ability to automatically steer the watercraft through the course. GPS speed control is augmented with a secondary velocity measurement device that measures speed over water resulting in an optional user selectable real-time compensation for water current.

Abstract: An automatic timing measurement system provides a measure of time of passage of a watercraft through a prescribed course. Inertial or other estimates augmented by GPS speed/position measurements are used to track position of a watercraft, and those estimates are used to allow the locations of prescribed courses to be mapped and memorized. The apparatus may automatically detect passage of a watercraft through mapped courses for the purpose of measuring and reporting time of passage past key points in the course, and for modifying the behavior of the speed control of the apparatus if necessary at certain points in the mapped course. GPS speed control may be augmented with a secondary velocity measurement device that measures speed over water resulting in an optional user selectable real-time compensation for water current. Furthermore, GPS may be used as the key input to produce boat speed-based pull-up profiles.

Abstract: An automatic timing measurement system provides a measure of time of passage of a watercraft through a prescribed course. Inertial or other estimates augmented by GPS speed/position measurements are used to track position of a watercraft. Position estimates are used to allow the locations of prescribed courses to be mapped and memorized. Passage of a watercraft is automatically detected through mapped courses for the purpose of measuring and reporting time of passage past key points in the course, and the speed of the apparatus may be modified if necessary at certain points in the mapped course. A measure of accuracy of driver steering can be provided along with the ability to automatically steer the watercraft through the course. GPS speed control is augmented with a secondary velocity measurement device that measures speed over water resulting in an optional user selectable real-time compensation for water current.

Abstract: A watercraft attitude control system using GPS and other motion inputs in order to predictively control thrust, steering and hull characteristics in ways that will prevent and minimize porpoising motion of a watercraft.

Abstract: An automatic speed control system that provides desired watercraft velocity over land. The coupled algorithms correct engine speed and torque using inertia based measurements, GPS, and tachometer measurements, and the corrections are augmented and enhanced by velocity/speed and torque/speed relationships that are dynamically and adaptively programmed with real-time data collected during replicated operations of the watercraft in specified conditions.

Abstract: A steering control system for ski boat with an inboard motor and a single, non-steerable propeller. The control system augments the traditional aft rudder with a forward rudder (located immediately in front of the propeller), and controls one or both rudders to improve steering when backing and in low forward speed conditions. The control system may control only the forward rudder, while the pre-existing controls operate the aft rudder, or optionally controls both rudders. The rudder angle control algorithm calculates proportional rudder angles based on helm and throttle settings, or optimal rudder angles based on more sensed conditions including the operator's helm and throttle controls, the ski boat's direction and speed, propeller RPM and thrust direction, and each rudder's angle. An electronic controller sends control signals to the rudders to achieve the optimal rudder angles.

Abstract: An automatic timing measurement system provides a measure of time of passage of a watercraft through a prescribed course. Inertial or other estimates augmented by GPS speed/position measurements are used to track position of a watercraft. Position estimates are used to allow the locations of prescribed courses to be mapped and memorized. The passage of a watercraft through mapped courses is automatically detected for the purpose of measuring and reporting time of passage of the watercraft past key points in the course, and the speed of the apparatus may be modified if necessary at certain points in the mapped course. A measure of accuracy of driver steering can be provided along with the ability to automatically steer the watercraft through the course if “steer-by-wire” mechanism is available. GPS speed control is augmented with a secondary velocity measurement device that measures speed over water to provide real-time compensation for water current.