Abstract: A method for controlling a power-split gear shift device in a vehicle by providing an electric variator and a transmission with variable gear shift and connecting a drive motor to a traction drive of the vehicle. The electric variator has a compound gear train with at least one first and at least one second electric machine. The method also includes providing a controller for the electric machines for steplessly varying a gear shift of the compound gear train. Upon detection of an external power requirement by an electric consumer, a gear shift region of the transmission with variable gear shift is set to operate the first electric machine in a generator mode and to operate the second electric machine to compensate for an existing power deficit or a power excess relative to an external power demand.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for reducing engine flywheel power reduction of an engine while protecting a drivetrain. The method includes monitoring transmission gear selection; determining reduction in flywheel power to protect the drivetrain; and monitoring engine power consumption by other engine power loads. When other engine power loads consume less power than the reduction in flywheel power to protect the drivetrain, the method includes reducing flywheel power by the power difference. When other engine power loads consume the same or more power than the reduction in flywheel power to protect the drivetrain, the method includes not reducing the flywheel power. Engine power can be consumed by both on-vehicle and off-vehicle power loads. Engine power can be consumed by an electric generator and/or a plurality of inverters, and their power consumption can be monitored. Information and commands can be communicated over a controller area network (CAN) bus.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for reducing engine flywheel power reduction of an engine while protecting a drivetrain. The method includes monitoring transmission gear selection; determining reduction in flywheel power to protect the drivetrain; and monitoring engine power consumption by other engine power loads. When other engine power loads consume less power than the reduction in flywheel power to protect the drivetrain, the method includes reducing flywheel power by the power difference. When other engine power loads consume the same or more power than the reduction in flywheel power to protect the drivetrain, the method includes not reducing the flywheel power. Engine power can be consumed by both on-vehicle and off-vehicle power loads. Engine power can be consumed by an electric generator and/or a plurality of inverters, and their power consumption can be monitored. Information and commands can be communicated over a controller area network (CAN) bus.

Abstract: A power-split gearbox device in an agricultural work vehicle. The gearbox device includes a compounded gearbox, an electrical variator for the continuous varying of a ratio of the compounded gearbox, and a gearbox with an adjustable ratio to connect a drive motor with a propulsion of the work vehicle.

Abstract: A method for controlling a power-split gear shift device in a vehicle by providing an electric variator and a transmission with variable gear shift and connecting a drive motor to a traction drive of the vehicle. The electric variator has a compound gear train with at least one first and at least one second electric machine. The method also includes providing a controller for the electric machines for steplessly varying a gear shift of the compound gear train. Upon detection of an external power requirement by an electric consumer, a gear shift region of the transmission with variable gear shift is set to operate the first electric machine in a generator mode and to operate the second electric machine to compensate for an existing power deficit or a power excess relative to an external power demand.

Abstract: An infinitely variable transmission includes a clutch, a brake and a first planetary gear set, including first and second components, and a double planetary gear set, including input and output components and additional third and fourth components. The first component receives power from an engine. The double planetary set sums mechanical power from the first planetary set and an infinitely variable power source (“IVP”). The third component receives mechanical power from a IVP. The second component directly transmits power to the input component. The clutch directly controls power transmission between the first and second components. The brake engages the fourth component to stop its rotation. The output component receives mechanical power directly from the input component and the fourth component. During operation of the engine, controlled actuation of the brake and the clutch causes the output component to be powered by the infinitely variable power source but not by the engine.

Abstract: An infinitely variable transmission includes a clutch, a brake and a first planetary gear set, including first and second components, and a double planetary gear set, including input and output components and additional third and fourth components. The first component receives power from an engine. The double planetary set sums mechanical power from the first planetary set and an infinitely variable power source (“IVP”). The third component receives mechanical power from a IVP. The second component directly transmits power to the input component. The clutch directly controls power transmission between the first and second components. The brake engages the fourth component to stop its rotation. The output component receives mechanical power directly from the input component and the fourth component. During operation of the engine, controlled actuation of the brake and the clutch causes the output component to be powered by the infinitely variable power source but not by the engine.

Abstract: A power train arrangement for a work vehicle with an engine may include an infinitely variable power source (“IVP”). An energy storage device may be configured to receive energy from the IVP for storage and to provide stored energy from the energy storage device to power one or more components of the IVP. A transmission may be configured to relay power from the engine and from the one or more components of the IVP to other components of the vehicle. A transient power event may be identified, during which a present operating state of the engine does not provide sufficient power for operations of the work vehicle. The energy storage device may be caused to provide stored energy to power the one or more components of the IVP source and thereby to provide power to the transmission.

Abstract: A steering control system is disclosed for a vehicle train with a tow vehicle, a first towed vehicle with at least one ground-engaging member, and a second towed vehicle. A steering assembly may be configured to control steering of the at least one ground-engaging member. One or more sensing devices may be configured to determine orientation information for one or more of the tow vehicle, the first towed vehicle, and the second towed vehicle, during operation of the vehicle train. A steering correction may be determined for the second towed vehicle based upon the determined orientation information. The steering correction may be applied for the second towed vehicle by controlling the steering assembly to steer the first towed vehicle.

Abstract: A steering control system is disclosed for a vehicle train with a tow vehicle, a first towed vehicle with at least one ground-engaging member, and a second towed vehicle. A steering assembly may be configured to control steering of the at least one ground-engaging member. One or more sensing devices may be configured to determine orientation information for one or more of the tow vehicle, the first towed vehicle, and the second towed vehicle, during operation of the vehicle train. A steering correction may be determined for the second towed vehicle based upon the determined orientation information. The steering correction may be applied for the second towed vehicle by controlling the steering assembly to steer the first towed vehicle.

Abstract: A control system is provided for an implement such as a mower having a rotary blade driven by a gear box which is driven by a PTO shaft of a vehicle which is coupled to the mower. The vehicle has a drivetrain which drives the PTO shaft. The control system includes an acceleration sensor for sensing vibrations of the blade and generating a blade vibration signal. A PTO speed sensor generates a PTO shaft speed signal. A control unit is connected to the sensors and to the drivetrain. The control unit generates, as a function of the speed signal, an expected acceleration value representing a blade loss condition and an expected acceleration value range. The control unit compares the vibration signal to the range, and the control unit stops the drivetrain from rotating the blade if the vibration signal is within the range.

Abstract: A control system is provided for an implement such as a mower having a rotary blade driven by a gear box which is driven by a PTO shaft of a vehicle which is coupled to the mower. The vehicle has a drivetrain which drives the PTO shaft. The control system includes an acceleration sensor for sensing vibrations of the blade and generating a blade vibration signal. A PTO speed sensor generates a PTO shaft speed signal. A control unit is connected to the sensors and to the drivetrain. The control unit generates, as a function of the speed signal, an expected acceleration value representing a blade loss condition and an expected acceleration value range. The control unit compares the vibration signal to the range, and the control unit stops the drivetrain from rotating the blade if the vibration signal is within the range.

Abstract: A fan assembly includes an axial flow fan between an inlet stator and an outlet stator. The inlet stator has inlet stator blades which extend outwardly from an inner ring. Each inlet stator blade has a downstream edge which has a tangent which is oriented at a first variable angle with respect to a plane which is perpendicular to the fan axis. The first angle increases with increasing distance from the inner support ring. The outlet stator has a plurality of outlet stator blades which extend outwardly from a second inner ring. Each outlet stator blade has an upstream edge which has a tangent which is oriented at a second variable angle with respect to a plane which is perpendicular to the fan axis. The second angle decreases with increasing distance from the inner ring.

Abstract: A fan assembly includes an axial flow fan between an inlet stator and an outlet stator. The inlet stator has inlet stator blades which extend outwardly from an inner ring. Each inlet stator blade has a downstream edge which has a tangent which is oriented at a first variable angle with respect to a plane which is perpendicular to the fan axis. The first angle increases with increasing distance from the inner support ring. The outlet stator has a plurality of outlet stator blades which extend outwardly from a second inner ring. Each outlet stator blade has an upstream edge which has a tangent which is oriented at a second variable angle with respect to a plane which is perpendicular to the fan axis. The second angle decreases with increasing distance from the inner ring.

Abstract: A vehicle hybrid drive supplies torque to an axle. The drive includes a first engine and a transmission which couples the first engine to the axle. The drive also includes a second engine, a flywheel driven by the second engine, an electric generator driven by the flywheel, a generator controller coupled between the generator and a motor controller, and an electric motor coupled to the motor controller. A gearbox is coupled between the electric motor and the axle. The vehicle drive may also include a further flywheel driven by the first engine, with the transmission being driven by the second flywheel.

Abstract: A vehicle hybrid drive supplies torque to an axle. The drive includes a first engine and a transmission which couples the first engine to the axle. The drive also includes a second engine, a flywheel driven by the second engine, an electric generator driven by the flywheel, a generator controller coupled between the generator and a motor controller, and an electric motor coupled to the motor controller. A gearbox is coupled between the electric motor and the axle. The vehicle drive may also include a further flywheel driven by the first engine, with the transmission being driven by the second flywheel.