Abstract: An electric parking brake control system for automatically controlling one or more parking brakes in a vehicle. The parking brake control system includes an electric brake switch in communication with a low-pressure switch for automatically applying the parking brakes. The electric brake switch is preferably a latching type mechanism, which is capable of controlling a solenoid air valve external to the vehicle cab. The low-pressure switch automatically monitors an air reservoir for a low-pressure condition. The electric brake switch incorporates a time delay upon release of the switch, in order to prevent inadvertent application of the parking brakes due to a momentary loss of vehicle electrical power.

Abstract: A drive-by-wire throttle control apparatus and method includes a variable resistance sensor. A contact arm can be mechanically connected between a thumb lever and a variable resistance sensor. The variable resistance sensor possesses a resistive film that includes a fixed resistor and a variable resistor configured from a carbon film. As the thumb lever rotates, the contact arm traverses the resistive film, thereby altering the resistance of the variable resistor, determining the position of the thumb lever and thereafter generating a signal based on the sensed position. The signal can be sent to an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) in the form of a varying voltage, which in turn controls the throttle of a vehicle.

Abstract: An electric parking brake control system for automatically controlling one or more parking brakes in a vehicle. The parking brake control system includes an electric brake switch in communication with a low-pressure switch for automatically applying the parking brakes. The electric brake switch is preferably a latching type mechanism, which is capable of controlling a solenoid air valve external to the vehicle cab. The low-pressure switch automatically monitors an air reservoir for a low-pressure condition. The electric brake switch incorporates a time delay upon release of the switch, in order to prevent inadvertent application of the parking brakes due to a momentary loss of vehicle electrical power.

Abstract: A drive-by-wire non-contact capacitive throttle control apparatus and method of forming the same. A capacitive position sensor is provided, which includes a stationary electrode and a rotatable electrode. The rotatable electrode can be attached to a throttle lever such that the rotatable electrode rotates as the throttle lever rotates. The capacitance between the rotatable electrode and the stationary electrode varies with the position of the throttle lever. The position of the throttle lever can be measured by measuring the capacitance between the electrodes and a signal can be generated based on the sensed position. The signal can be electrically transmitted to an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) utilizing one or more electrical wires. The signal can be sent in the form of a varying voltage, which in turn controls the throttle of a vehicle.

Abstract: A drive-by-wire throttle control apparatus and method includes a variable resistance sensor. A contact arm can be mechanically connected between a thumb lever and a variable resistance sensor. The variable resistance sensor possesses a resistive film that includes a fixed resistor and a variable resistor configured from a carbon film. As the thumb lever rotates, the contact arm traverses the resistive film, thereby altering the resistance of the variable resistor, determining the position of the thumb lever and thereafter generating a signal based on the sensed position. The signal can be sent to an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) in the form of a varying voltage, which in turn controls the throttle of a vehicle.

Abstract: A drive-by-wire throttle control apparatus and method of forming the same. The apparatus includes a Hall-effect magnetic sensor. A thumb lever can be assembled into a mounting bracket inside a cylindrical hole, which can rotate to a desired angle. The thumb lever can be mechanically connected to a magnet holder, which includes a magnet, utilizing a key-slot mechanism. The magnet holder can be placed inside a housing that allows the magnet holder to rotate and restrict other movements. When the thumb lever rotates, the lever rotates the magnet holder, which in turn detects the position of the throttle utilizing a varying voltage output from an associated Hall-effect chip. A signal can be generated based on the sensed position.

Abstract: A drive by wire contactless throttle control which includes a contactless Hall-effect magnetic sensor. The Hall-effect magnetic sensor can be located in a mounting bracket in contactless association with a thumb lever on a handle bar. A magnet can be placed in a slot inside the thumb lever with a bonder and filled with an epoxy. The Hall-effect magnetic sensor senses the magnetic field produced by the magnet as the thumb lever rotates and determines position of the thumb lever and generates a signal based on the sensed position. The signal can be sent to an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) utilizing electrical wires in the form of varying voltage, which in turn controls throttle of a vehicle, such as an all terrain vehicle, snowmobile, etc.

Abstract: A smart monitoring and wireless query system is disclosed which includes a sensor suite, an RFID chip, and a microcontroller. The sensor suite with appropriate sensors can be mounted to a separate circuit board installed in a housing of a fixture with the RFID chip in proximity to the sensors. The sensor suite includes, but is not limited to, various sensors for monitoring humidity, light intensity, temperature, and/or power consumption to determine the entire status of a product. A microcontroller can be employed to determine the condition of the fixture from the sensor inputs and convert that information into an RFID signal having a specific timing and pattern. A remote reader can receive said RFID signal pattern from the fixture and can then decode the signal in order to identify which particular fixture from which the signal is received and the status of that particular fixture.