Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a plurality of analog inputs, and an analog multiplexer (MUX). The MUX includes a common output node configured to provide a MUX output, a plurality of analog switches, and a shared buffer. Each switch includes a corresponding bootstrap circuit coupled to a control electrode of a corresponding pass transistor in which the corresponding bootstrap circuit includes a corresponding boosting capacitor. Each analog switch of the plurality of analog switches has a first input coupled to a corresponding analog input of the plurality of analog inputs, a second input, and an output coupled to the common output node. The shared buffer has an input coupled to the common output node and coupled to provide a common buffered MUX output to the second input of each of the plurality of analog switches.

Abstract: A track system includes an attachment assembly including at least one of a first pivot defining a roll pivot axis, a second pivot defining a pitch pivot axis, and a third pivot defining a yaw pivot axis of the track system. A frame assembly is disposed laterally outwardly from the attachment assembly and connected to the attachment assembly. The track system further includes at least one actuator for pivoting the frame assembly about at least one of the roll and yaw pivot axes, and at least one monitoring for determining, at least indirectly, at least one of a state of the track system and a ground surface condition. The at least one monitoring sensor is communicating with a track system controller to control the operation of the at least one actuator based on the at least one of the state of the track system and the ground surface condition.

Abstract: A track system includes an attachment assembly including at least one of a first pivot defining a roll pivot axis, a second pivot defining a pitch pivot axis, and a third pivot defining a yaw pivot axis of the track system. A frame assembly is disposed laterally outwardly from the attachment assembly and connected to the attachment assembly. The track system further includes at least one actuator for pivoting the frame assembly about at least one of the roll and yaw pivot axes, and at least one monitoring for determining, at least indirectly, at least one of a state of the track system and a ground surface condition. The at least one monitoring sensor is communicating with a track system controller to control the operation of the at least one actuator based on the at least one of the state of the track system and the ground surface condition.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a plurality of track systems, a fluid pump, a plurality of fluid lines fluidly connecting the fluid pump to at least some of the tires of the wheels of each of the track systems, a plurality of pneumatic inflation actuators, a plurality of pneumatic deflation actuators, and a system controller. The system controller is in electronic communication with the fluid pump, the plurality of pneumatic inflation actuators, and the plurality of pneumatic deflation actuators. The system controller is operable to selectively adjust fluid pressure in select ones of the wheels of any one of the track systems of the vehicle by actuating corresponding ones of the plurality of pneumatic inflation actuators and the plurality of pneumatic deflation actuators. A track system has at least one of the leading idler wheels, trailing idler wheels, and mid-roller wheels including a tire containing a fluid.

Abstract: A track system for use with a vehicle includes an attachment assembly connectable to the chassis of the vehicle having a multi-pivot assembly having a first pivot extending longitudinally and defining a roll pivot axis, and a second pivot extending laterally and defining a pitch pivot axis. A frame assembly is disposed laterally outwardly from the attachment assembly and connected thereto. The frame assembly includes at least one wheel-bearing frame member. The track system further includes at least one actuator connected between the attachment assembly and the frame assembly for pivoting the frame assembly about the roll pivot axis, a leading idler wheel assembly, a trailing idler wheel assembly, at least one support wheel assembly, and an endless track.

Abstract: A track system includes an attachment assembly, a frame assembly connected to the attachment assembly including at least one wheel-bearing frame member. The track system further has leading and trailing idler wheel assemblies at least indirectly connected to the at least one wheel-bearing frame member, at least one support wheel assembly at least indirectly connected to the at least one wheel-bearing frame member, an endless track extending around the leading idler wheel assembly, the trailing idler wheel assembly, and the at least one support wheel assembly. At least one monitoring sensor connected to the endless track and including an array of sensing devices communicates with a track system controller for determining, at least indirectly, at least one of a state of the track system and a ground surface condition.

Abstract: A track system includes an attachment assembly including at least one of a first pivot defining a roll pivot axis, a second pivot defining a pitch pivot axis, and a third pivot defining a yaw pivot axis of the track system. A frame assembly is disposed laterally outwardly from the attachment assembly and connected to the attachment assembly. The track system further includes at least one actuator for pivoting the frame assembly about at least one of the roll and yaw pivot axes, and at least one monitoring for determining, at least indirectly, at least one of a state of the track system and a ground surface condition. The at least one monitoring sensor is communicating with a track system controller to control the operation of the at least one actuator based on the at least one of the state of the track system and the ground surface condition.

Abstract: A track system for use with a vehicle includes an attachment assembly connectable to the chassis of the vehicle having a first pivot extending vertically and defining a yaw pivot axis of the track system, and a second pivot extending laterally and defining a pitch pivot axis of the track system. A frame assembly is disposed laterally outwardly from the attachment assembly and connected thereto. The frame assembly includes at least one wheel-bearing frame member. The track system further includes at least one actuator connected between the attachment assembly and the frame assembly for pivoting the frame assembly about the yaw pivot axis, a leading idler wheel assembly at least indirectly connected to the at least one wheel-bearing frame member, a trailing idler wheel assembly at least indirectly connected to the at least one wheel-bearing frame member, at least one support wheel assembly, and an endless track.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a plurality of track systems, a fluid pump, a plurality of fluid lines fluidly connecting the fluid pump to at least some of the tires of the wheels of each of the track systems, a plurality of pneumatic inflation actuators, a plurality of pneumatic deflation actuators, and a system controller. The system controller is in electronic communication with the fluid pump, the plurality of pneumatic inflation actuators, and the plurality of pneumatic deflation actuators. The system controller is operable to selectively adjust fluid pressure in select ones of the wheels of any one of the track systems of the vehicle by actuating corresponding ones of the plurality of pneumatic inflation actuators and the plurality of pneumatic deflation actuators. A track system has at least one of the leading idler wheels, trailing idler wheels, and mid-roller wheels including a tire containing a fluid.

Abstract: A novel smart track system having embedded sensors and method of using the same is disclosed. The smart track system comprises a track system having a traction band. The traction band having sensors embedded therein. The embedded sensors are preferably autonomously powered sensor is embedded within the track, wherein the autonomously powered sensor is configured to sense one of the following parameter of the track: temperature, acceleration, angular moment, displacement, magnetic field or geolocation.

Abstract: A steering knuckle to be used with the steering assembly of a vehicle such as a farming tractor is disclosed. The steering knuckle comprises preconfigured attachment areas where attachment element(s) or bracket(s) can be releasably yet rigidly secured. The attachment areas may be further reinforced with additional knuckle material (e.g. metal, metallic alloy). The steering knuckle therefore provides predetermined and preconfigured attachment location(s) where a wheel-replacing track system can be secured, thereby allowing the track system to be mounted to the vehicle while avoiding attachment at inconvenient or weak locations.

Abstract: A steering knuckle to be used with the steering assembly of a vehicle such as a farming tractor is disclosed. The steering knuckle comprises preconfigured attachment areas where attachment element(s) or bracket(s) can be releasably yet rigidly secured. The attachment areas may be further reinforced with additional knuckle material (e.g. metal, metallic alloy). The steering knuckle therefore provides predetermined and preconfigured attachment location(s) where a wheel-replacing track system can be secured, thereby allowing the track system to be mounted to the vehicle while avoiding attachment at inconvenient or weak locations.

Abstract: A track system configured to be mounted to a vehicle comprises a drive wheel, a frame assembly, front and rear idler wheels respectively pivotally mounted at the front and rear extremities of the track system, road wheels pivotally mounted along the length of the track system, between the front and rear idler wheels, and an endless traction band disposed about the drive wheel, the idler wheels and the road wheels. The idler wheels and the road wheels are pivotally mounted on tandem frames such that adjacent tandem frames are overlapping. The tandem frames are pivotally mounted to the frame assembly via longitudinally spaced pivoting points.

Abstract: A steering knuckle to be used with the steering assembly of a vehicle such as a farming tractor is disclosed. The steering knuckle comprises preconfigured attachment areas where attachment element(s) or bracket(s) can be releasably yet rigidly secured. The attachment areas may be further reinforced with additional knuckle material (e.g. metal, metallic alloy). The steering knuckle therefore provides predetermined and preconfigured attachment location(s) where a wheel-replacing track system can be secured, thereby allowing the track system to be mounted to the vehicle while avoiding attachment at inconvenient or weak locations.

Abstract: A steering knuckle to be used with the steering assembly of a vehicle such as a farming tractor is disclosed. The steering knuckle comprises preconfigured attachment areas where attachment element(s) or bracket(s) can be releasably yet rigidly secured. The attachment areas may be further reinforced with additional knuckle material (e.g. metal, metallic alloy). The steering knuckle therefore provides predetermined and preconfigured attachment location(s) where a wheel-replacing track system can be secured, thereby allowing the track system to be mounted to the vehicle while avoiding attachment at inconvenient or weak locations.

Abstract: A steering knuckle to be used with the steering assembly of a vehicle such as a farming tractor is disclosed. The steering knuckle comprises several preconfigured attachment areas where attachment element(s) or bracket(s) can be releasably yet rigidly secured. The attachment areas may be further reinforced with additional knuckle material (e.g. metal, metallic alloy). The steering knuckle therefore provides predetermined and preconfigured attachment locations where a wheel-replacing track system can be secured, thereby allowing the track system to be mounted to the vehicle while avoiding attachment at inconvenient or weak locations.

Abstract: This invention relates to a traction assembly for a vehicle which uses an endless traction band and a plurality of wheels for propulsion. More particularly, the traction assembly comprises a sprocket wheel which has a different size and number of sprocket teeth depending on whether the traction kit replaces the front wheels or the rear wheels of the vehicle. The sprocket wheel of the traction kit can also be configured such that its sprocket teeth are laterally offset. The traction kit can also comprise an anti-torque system that prevent physical contact between the traction kit and the vehicle and that can bias the position of the traction kit in order to improve the steering performance. Finally, the traction assembly can comprise a pivotable extension which lengthens the traction assembly and improves its traction capabilities.

Abstract: This invention relates to a traction assembly for a vehicle which uses an endless traction band and a plurality of wheels for propulsion. More particularly, the traction assembly comprises a sprocket wheel which has a different size and number of sprocket teeth depending on whether the traction kit replaces the front wheels or the rear wheels of the vehicle. The sprocket wheel of the traction kit can also be configured such that its sprocket teeth are laterally offset. The traction kit can also comprise an anti-torque system that prevent physical contact between the traction kit and the vehicle and that can bias the position of the traction kit in order to improve the steering performance. Finally, the traction assembly can comprise a pivotable extension which lengthens the traction assembly and improves its traction capabilities.

Abstract: This invention relates to a traction assembly for a vehicle which uses an endless traction band and a plurality of wheels for propulsion. More particularly, the traction assembly comprises a sprocket wheel which has a different size and number of sprocket teeth depending on whether the traction kit replaces the front wheels or the rear wheels of the vehicle. The sprocket wheel of the traction kit can also be configured such that its sprocket teeth are laterally offset. The traction kit can also comprise an anti-torque system that prevent physical contact between the traction kit and the vehicle and that can bias the position of the traction kit in order to improve the steering performance. Finally, the traction assembly can comprise a pivotable extension which lengthens the traction assembly and improves its traction capabilities.

Abstract: This invention relates to a traction assembly for a vehicle which uses an endless traction band and a plurality of wheels for propulsion. More particularly, the traction assembly comprises a sprocket wheel which has a different size and number of sprocket teeth depending on whether the traction kit replaces the front wheels or the rear wheels of the vehicle. The sprocket wheel of the traction kit can also be configured such that its sprocket teeth are laterally offset. The traction kit can also comprise an anti-torque system that prevent physical contact between the traction kit and the vehicle and that can bias the position of the traction kit in order to improve the steering performance. Finally, the traction assembly can comprise a pivotable extension which lengthens the traction assembly and improves its traction capabilities.