Abstract: One embodiment is a control system for a vehicle comprising a plurality of wheels, the control system comprising a master control unit (MCU); a plurality of traction systems corresponding to the wheels; and a plurality of rolling radius offset values stored in a memory device of the MCU and each corresponding to one of the wheels. The MCU determines for each wheel a command speed based on the rolling radius offset value for the wheel in combination with a tire diameter of the wheel, a steered angle of the vehicle, a traction pedal command, and vehicle geometry information, and provides the determined command speed for the wheel to the corresponding traction system, which controls a speed of the wheel based on the determined command speed received from the MCU.

Abstract: An off-highway recreational vehicle includes side-by-side passenger and driver seats held within a chassis. The seats sit low in the chassis and are covered by a roll-over protection system (ROPS). The vehicle is powered by an engine rearward of the seats that utilizes a continuously variable transmission (CVT) to provide power to the ground engaging members, wherein the CVT is cooled via air captured by a CVT intake body located adjacent the driver-side seat, between the frame and external panels of the utility vehicle.

Abstract: A method includes receiving operational data from a plurality of vehicles comprising a fleet of vehicles operating in an area of interest, the operational data indicating a motion and a corresponding location of the vehicle; processing the received operational data to identify events of interest, wherein each of the identified events of interest has an event type and has associated therewith a geographic area in which the event of interest occurred; and identifying clusters of the events of interest, wherein each of the clusters comprises multiple occurrences of ones of the events of interest having the same type and having associated therewith the same geographic area. A responsive action to mitigate operating conditions associated with the event type of the events of interest of the at least one of the identified clusters may subsequently be taken.

Abstract: A method for forming composite components includes disposing composite laminate over a mandrel. The method further includes infusing the composite laminate with a resin. A gelation of the infused resin is caused by applying a first environmental condition to the composite laminate and mandrel. At least a portion of the mandrel is deformed by applying a second environmental condition to the composite laminate and mandrel. The method further includes forming a composite structure by curing the composite laminate infused with resin. The deformed mandrel is removed from the composite structure after forming the composite structure.

Abstract: A half-shaft assembly includes a first constant velocity (CV) joint, a second CV joint and an axial movement joint connected between the first CV joint and the second CV joint. The axial movement joint includes a first shaft coupled to the first CV joint and a second shaft coupled to the second CV joint, wherein mechanical input received on the first shaft is communicated to the second shaft, and wherein the second shaft slides axially within the first shaft. The axial movement joint further includes an axial boot cover coupled on a first end to the first shaft and on a second end to the second shaft that accommodates axial movement of the first shaft relative to the second shaft. The first constant velocity (CV) joint is coupled to provide torsional input received at an input to the first shaft, the first CV joint having a first CV boot cover. The second CV joint coupled to provide torsional output received from the second shaft to an output, the second CV joint having a second CV boot cover.

Abstract: One embodiment is a cutting assembly for a mower, the cutting assembly comprising a cutting unit comprising a plurality of blades; a lift arm including a float plate, wherein the cutting unit is connected to the lift arm via a yoke and wherein a slot is provided in the float plate; a lift actuator comprising a lift pin disposed in the slot; and a control system for selectively controlling a position of the lift actuator; wherein the position of the lift actuator comprises one of a first operating position, in which the lift pin is positioned proximate a center of the slot and a second operating position, in which the lift pin is positioned between the center of the slot and an end of the slot proximate a body of the actuator.

Abstract: An aircraft landing gear shimmy damping device for aircraft landing gear with castering may include a centering cam engaged in a curvic slot in an internal diameter of an aircraft landing gear wheel spindle when the landing gear wheel is aligned with forward ground travel of the aircraft, engaging a landing gear wheel shimmy dampener. The centering cam may be pushed out of the curvic slot when the aircraft begins to turn, disengaging the landing gear wheel shimmy dampener, and may slide back into the curvic slot and (re)engage the shimmy dampener, when the landing gear wheel is realigned with forward ground travel of the aircraft.

Abstract: An electric pushback vehicle includes a frame having a forward portion and a rear portion. The vehicle further includes front drive axle and a rear drive axle configured to communicate power to ground engaging members. A traction battery is housed within the electric pushback vehicle and provides electric power to an electric motor to drive an output shaft. A transmission is connected to receive mechanical power from the electric motor through a torque converter.

Abstract: A magnetorheological damper, wherein the damper comprises a housing that is at least partially filed with a magnetorheological fluid, and a magnetorheological valve disposed within the housing. The valve includes a magnetically permeable core having at least one coil reservoir formed therein, and at least one conductor coil, wherein each conductor coil is disposed around a portion of the core within a respective one of the coil reservoir(s). The valve additionally includes a fluid flow path adjacent the conductor coil(s). The fluid flow path is structured and operable to allow the magnetorheological fluid to flow adjacent the conductor coil(s). The valve further includes at least one coil cover, wherein each coil cover is disposed over a respective one of the coil(s) such that the respective coil is protected from exposure to magnetorheological fluid flowing through the fluid flow path.

Abstract: An all-terrain vehicle is provided comprising a chassis, four wheels and a passenger compartment that includes a passenger seating structure. The vehicle additionally comprises a drivetrain operatively connected to at least one of the wheels comprising at least one drive shaft and at least one torque transfer device. Furthermore the vehicle includes a prime mover that is mounted to the chassis entirely forward of a front edge of the seating structure and operatively connected to the drivetrain. The prime mover is structured and operable to provide motive force to at least one of the wheels.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission housing comprising an inner cover; and an outer cover connectable to the inner cover to provide the housing having an interior chamber defined therein. The housing outer cover comprises a primary clutch dome integrally formed within the housing outer cover and defining a primary clutch alcove within the interior chamber of the housing and an air duct integrally formed within the housing outer cover and extending from the primary clutch dome at a proximal end. The air duct structured and operable to direct air circulating within the interior chamber from the primary clutch alcove to an area of the interior chamber that is at an opposite end of the interior chamber from the primary clutch alcove.

Abstract: A hybrid power system for a vertical takeoff and landing (“VTOL”) aircraft including a first power source operable to provide a power output for at least a forward flight mode; and a second power source configured to provide a high specific power output for an altitude adjustment flight mode, the second power source including an auxiliary gas generator coupled to a turbine and a drive system. In other aspects, there is provided a VTOL aircraft and methods for providing power to a VTOL aircraft.

Abstract: A lightweight vehicle includes a pair of rear wheel assemblies, one or more front wheel assemblies, a universal assembly platform, and forward facing seating. The universal assembly platform includes a planar main vehicle chassis, a front suspension system connected to the planar main vehicle chassis and to which the one or more front wheel assemblies is mounted, and a rear suspension system connected to the planar main vehicle chassis and to which the pair of rear wheel assemblies is mounted. A front distal end of the one or more front wheel assemblies is longitudinally forward of a front end of the planar main vehicle chassis. The forward facing seating is mounted to the planar main vehicle chassis such that a portion of a seat bottom of the forward facing seating is located longitudinally rearward of an axis extending through a center of the pair of rear wheel assemblies.

Abstract: A lightweight vehicle includes a pair of rear wheel assemblies, one or more front wheel assemblies, a universal assembly platform, and forward facing seating. The universal assembly platform includes a main vehicle chassis, a front suspension system coupled to the main vehicle chassis and to which the one or more front wheel assemblies is mounted, and a rear suspension system coupled to the main vehicle chassis and to which the pair of rear wheel assemblies is mounted. A front distal end of the one or more front wheel assemblies is longitudinally forward of a front end of the main vehicle chassis. The forward facing seating is mounted to the main vehicle chassis such that a portion of a seat bottom of the forward facing seating is located longitudinally rearward of an axis extending through a center of the pair of rear wheel assemblies.

Abstract: A lightweight vehicle includes a first wheel assembly including a first wheel rotatable about an axis, a second wheel assembly including a second wheel rotatable about the axis, a platform including a chassis and a rear suspension assembly coupling the first wheel assembly and the second wheel assembly to the chassis, a first seat coupled to the chassis, and a second seat coupled to the chassis rearward of the first seat. At least a portion of the chassis has a planar shape. The second seat includes a bottom and a back. The back is positioned rearward of at least a portion of the bottom such that the second seat defines a forward-facing seating. At least a portion of the bottom of the second seat is positioned longitudinally rearward of a plane extending vertically upward from the axis about which the first wheel and the second wheel are rotatable.

Abstract: A golf car canopy extension panel that is connectable to a canopy main panel, wherein the extension panel comprises a first extension longitudinal water channel that is fluidly connectable to a first main longitudinal water channel main panel, and a second extension longitudinal water channel that is fluidly connectable to a second main longitudinal water channel of the main panel, wherein the first and second extension longitudinal water channels each comprise a termination end structured and operable to direct water to exit the respective extension longitudinal water channel at an end of a sidewall of the respective extension longitudinal water channel.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for manufacturing a honeycomb core sandwich panel includes placing a thermoset facesheet in contact with a thermoplastic honeycomb core without using a separate adhesive and attaching the thermoset facesheet to the thermoplastic honeycomb core by using a curing profile comprising a temperature that is lower than a gel point temperature of the thermoset facesheet and higher than a softening point temperature of the thermoplastic honeycomb core.

Abstract: A vehicle radiator air intake screen maintenance system comprising a radiator fan, a fan motor; and a processor operable to control the rotational speed and direction of the radiator fan to: periodically implement a drop cycle whereby a radiator cooling air flow generated by the fan rotating in a forward direction is slowed such debris collected on a radiator air intake screen of the vehicle is caused to fall off due to gravitational force; and periodically implement a full reverse cycle where a rotational direction of the fan is reversed and an expulsion air flow is generated whereby debris collected on vehicle radiator and the air intake screen will be blown off, whereafter reverse rotation of the fan is stopped and the fan is returned to the full forward operating speed and direction.

Abstract: A mower includes a frame, at least one cutting unit, and a lifting unit. The lifting unit is connected to the at least one cutting unit and includes a yoke assembly, a first arm assembly, a second arm assembly, and a third arm assembly. The yoke assembly is connected to the cutting unit. The first arm assembly is pivotably mounted to the vehicle frame about a first pivot axis. The second arm assembly is pivotably mounted to the first arm assembly about a second pivot axis and to the yoke assembly about a third pivot axis with the second pivot axis and third pivot axis being non-parallel to the first pivot axis. The third arm assembly includes a first end pivotally connected to the frame and a second end pivotally connected to the second arm assembly.