Abstract: A V-drive motor arrangement for a motor vehicle, with the motor vehicle including a pair of frame members maintained in a spaced apart relationship. The V-drive motor arrangement includes a first motor mounted between the two frame members and coupled to a first gear set. A second motor is mounted between the two frame members and coupled to a gear set. Each motor is aligned with each respective gear set at a gear mesh angle other than 90°. Another embodiment of the V-drive motor arrangement includes the motors mounted at an angle relative to the horizontal plane of the frame members. Each gear set can be a bevel gear set.

Abstract: A system comprises an equipment service vehicle and an off-board computer system. The equipment service vehicle further includes a power source, a power transmission link, a plurality of input devices, a plurality of output devices, and an on-board computer system. The on-board computer system further includes a plurality of microprocessor-based interface modules and a communication network. The plurality of interface modules are coupled to the power source by way of the power transmission link and are interconnected to each other by way of the communication network. Each of the plurality of interface modules is coupled to respective ones of the plurality of input devices and the plurality of output devices by way of respective dedicated communication links. The on-board computer system stores I/O status information for the plurality of input devices and the plurality of output devices.

Abstract: A turret control system and method for a fire fighting vehicle is disclosed. The turret control system includes one or more control modules, such as an envelope control module, turret targeting module, a turret pan module, a turret deploy module, a turret store module. The preferred turret control system also provides improved turret control flexibility and improved operator feedback.

Abstract: An electronic traction vehicle comprising a principal power unit, a power storage unit mounted on a vehicle platform. A plurality of wheels are rotably mounted on the vehicle platform with an electric motor coupled to at least one wheel. A drive controller is coupled to the electric motor and a vehicle controller having an input and output terminal is coupled to the drive controller. A data bus network is coupled to the drive controller and the vehicle controller. An A/C bus assembly is coupled to the principal power unit, the power storage unit and the electric motor through the drive controller. Another embodiment of the electronic traction vehicle provides at least four electric motors and four drive controllers coupled to four wheels and the data bus network and A/C power bus assembly. Another embodiment of the electronic traction vehicle provides the components of the vehicle as moduled including an auxiliary module removably connected to the data bus network and the A/C bus assembly.

Abstract: A turret control system and method for a fire fighting vehicle is disclosed. The turret control system includes one or more control modules, such as an envelope control module, turret targeting module, a turret pan module, a turret deploy module, a turret store module. The preferred turret control system also provides improved turret control flexibility and improved operator feedback.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a prime mover, a first output shaft, a second output shaft and a planetary gear assembly. The planetary gear assembly includes a sun gear, a ring gear and a plurality of planetary gears supported between the ring gear and the sun gear by a carrier. One of the sun gear and the ring gear is coupled to the prime mover. The other of the ring gear and the sun gear is coupled to the first output shaft. The first carrier is coupled to the second output shaft.

Abstract: A turret control system includes one or more control modules, such as an envelope control module, turret targeting module, a turret pan module, a turret deploy module, a turret store module. The preferred turret control system also provides improved turret control flexibility and improved operator feedback.

Abstract: A pallet system for supporting and transporting cargo on a cargo carrier. The cargo carrier has a plurality of rollers and a pair of retaining rails. The pallet system comprises a pallet member having a top late and a bottom plate, with each plate maintained in a spaced apart relationship to define an interior space. A pair of pallet extension members reciprocally mounted in the interior space. One extension member is mounted a spaced distance from the other extension member, with each pallet extension member having an outer edge configured to engage the retaining rails. An extension mechanism is mounted in the interior space and coupled to the pallet member and the pallet extensions. The extension mechanism moves each pallet extension member from a first position to a second position.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus for use within a suspension system having a frame member, a control arm, and an elongated suspension member extending between the frame member and the control arm is disclosed. The mounting apparatus includes a cup, a seal, a resilient element, and a fastener. The cup includes an end that is at least partially closed, a side wall, and an open end. The seal is disposed within the cup and is configured to be coupled to the elongated suspension member. The resilient element is at least partially disposed within the cup and is substantially encapsulated by the cup and the seal. The fastener is configured to couple the cup, the seal, and the resilient element between the elongated suspension member and one of the frame member and the control arm.

Abstract: A fire fighting vehicle includes a turret and a turret controller. The turret includes a base which is coupled to the vehicle, and the turret is configured to rotate relative to the vehicle at the base. The turret controller is configured to use feedback control to control the movement of the turret from a first position where the turret is positioned at a first angle of rotation at the base to a second position where the turret is positioned at a second angle of rotation at the base, where the first and second angles are different.

Abstract: A method and a vehicle door assembly for a vehicle with the vehicle having a cab frame. The vehicle door assembly comprises a door frame movably coupled to the cab frame. An upper door member is pivotally coupled to the door frame. The lower door member is movably coupled to the upper door member. The door frame is movable from a first position alongside the cab frame to a second position inside the cab frame. The upper door member is movable from a closed position to one of an open position and a stored position inside the cab frame.

Abstract: The vehicle steering system includes front vehicle motive members, rear vehicle motive members, a steering input device, a front steering subsystem, a rear steering subsystem and a rear steering control mechanism. The front steering subsystem is operably coupled to the steering input device and coupled to the front motive members to steer the front motive members. The rear steering subsystem is coupled to the rear motive members to steer the rear motive members. The rear steering control mechanism includes a movable input member coupled to the steering input device so as to move in response to input from the device and a movable output member coupled to the rear steering subsystem. The rear steering subsystem adjusts steering of the rear motive members in response to movement of the output member.

Abstract: A refuse vehicle is disclosed comprising a refuse loader capable of moving a load of refuse along a path and into the refuse vehicle and an electronic control system capable of controlling the refuse loader. The refuse loader controlled by the electronic control system is capable of moving the load along the path and performing an operation in relation to a position along the path.

Abstract: An arrangement of equipment elements to facilitate the maintenance of a work vehicle. The work vehicle has a support structure with a power source mounted on an end of the support structure and a vehicle body mounted on the support structure and enveloping at least a portion of the power source. The arrangement comprises a center compartment located at the rear of the vehicle body and configured to allow access to the power source. A first compartment on one side of the center compartment contains wet equipment elements. A second compartment on another side of the center compartment contains dry equipment elements. Another embodiment of the arrangement of equipment elements to facilitate maintenance includes an additional compartment on a side of the work vehicle proximate to the rear of the work vehicle.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicle comprises a power source, a power transmission link, a plurality of input and output devices, a plurality of microprocessor-based interface modules, and a communication network that interconnects the interface modules. The interface modules are also each coupled to respective local subsets of the input and output devices. Each of the interface modules collects input status information from the respective local subset of the input devices and transmits the input status information over the communication network to the remaining interface modules.

Abstract: An aircraft rescue fire fighting vehicle comprises a chassis module, a cab module, and a control system. The control system further comprises a plurality of input devices, a plurality of output devices, a plurality of interface modules, and a communication network. The plurality of interface modules is distributed throughout the fire fighting vehicle and are coupled to each other by way of the communication network. The plurality of interface modules are each coupled to the plurality of input devices and output devices. The plurality of interface modules are operative to control the output devices based on input status information from the plurality of input devices. Some of the plurality of interface modules are mounted on the chassis module and other ones of the plurality of interface modules are mounted on the cab module.

Abstract: A method of ordering parts for an equipment service vehicle comprises performing a diagnostic test on the equipment service vehicle, the performing step being performed by an on-board computer system of the equipment service vehicle and transmitting a request for a replacement part for the equipment service vehicle, the request being transmitted from the on-board computer system to an off-board computer system by way of a wireless radio-frequency (RF) communication link. A method of scheduling maintenance for an equipment service vehicle comprises performing a diagnostic test on the equipment service vehicle using an on-board computer system of the equipment service vehicle, and transmitting a request to schedule the equipment service vehicle for maintenance. The request is transmitted from the on-board vehicle computer system to an off-board computer system by way of a wireless radio-frequency communication link.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for use with a mounting surface includes an arm, a pin, a pair of clamping blocks and a fastener. The arm has a cylindrical bore at one end. The pin extends through the bore. Each block of the pair of clamping blocks includes a central opening and is circumferentially discontinuous about the central opening. Each clamping block further includes a slot defined by portions of the block. The slot is dimensioned to allow the pin to pass through the slot when the block is in an unclamped position and to tightly grip the pin when the block is in a clamped position. The fasteners extend across the slots and are configured to engage the mounting surface to mount the blocks to the mounting surface.

Abstract: An environmental shield for reducing or eliminating leakage of materials from transit vehicles, including truck-mounted concrete mixers, is provided. The environmental shield preferably engages at least a portion of an opening on a mixer drum such that the leakage that generally occurs in such situations as travel along hilly or bumpy terrain, surging, etc. may be prevented or minimized. The environmental shield preferably includes a discharge cover and a combination steel/rubber abrasion resistant sealing member and may be preferably coupled to a charging hopper of the transit vehicle.

Abstract: A light weight but strong extension chute for discharging concrete from a concrete transportation vehicle or a cement mix plant. An extension concrete chute comprising a chute assembly including a frame having a first end and a second end, with each end including an arcuate end angle member maintained in a spaced apart relationship by a pair of chute rails attached to each end angle member. The chute assembly also includes a chute skin mounted within the frame and attached to each chute rail and each end angle member, wherein the chute assembly defines a longitudinally elongated concave chute. A removable aligner is mounted within the chute assembly adjacent to the chute skin. Each chute rail is provided with a hook mounted on each chute rail proximate the second end of the chute assembly and a bracket assembly mounted on each chute rail proximate the first end of the chute assembly. The chute rails are configured to releaseably engage and support the liner.