Abstract: A vehicle includes a first control configured to operate the vehicle from a first operator position facing a front of the vehicle and a second control configured to operate the vehicle from a second operator position facing a rear of the vehicle. The vehicle further includes a processor configured to monitor for an operator presence in the first operator position or the second operator position and receive a vehicle operating request, wherein the operator presence is monitored independent of receiving the vehicle operating request. The processor is further configured to enable either the first control or the second control and select a vehicle operating parameter associated with the vehicle operating request, wherein the vehicle operating parameter varies according to which control is enabled.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a first control configured to operate the vehicle from a first operator position facing a front of the vehicle and a second control configured to operate the vehicle from a second operator position facing a rear of the vehicle. The vehicle further includes a processor configured to monitor for an operator presence in the first operator position or the second operator position and receive a vehicle operating request, wherein the operator presence is monitored independent of receiving the vehicle operating request. The processor is further configured to enable either the first control or the second control and select a vehicle operating parameter associated with the vehicle operating request, wherein the vehicle operating parameter varies according to which control is enabled.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a plurality of different motors used in a corresponding plurality of power tool applications requiring different operational characteristics. In one implementation a method involves the use of a single universal control module to store a generic, non-application-specific control algorithm. The generic, non-application-specific control algorithm has at least one programmable constant. The programmable constant is selected to transform the generic, non-application-specific control algorithm into an application-specific control algorithm. The programmable constant represents a function parameter relating to a specific functionality of a specific, selected motor used in a specific, selected motor application to implement a phase control over the specific, selected motor.

Abstract: A method for controlling the operation of a motor utilizing a generic motor control module. The method includes sampling at least one motor operating criterion during operation of the motor and executing a generic control algorithm at a predetermined periodic interval. Execution of the algorithm provides a firing angle, duty cycle, or other suitable control function solution for an electronic valve for each periodic interval, thereby controlling the behavior of the motor. Additionally, the method includes firing the electronic valve at the calculated timing during each periodic interval such that the motor functions in accordance with desired motor operational parameters.

Abstract: A method for controlling the operation of a motor utilizing a generic motor control module. The method includes sampling at least one motor operating criterion during operation of the motor and executing a generic control algorithm at a predetermined periodic interval. Execution of the algorithm provides a firing angle, duty cycle, or other suitable control function solution for an electronic valve for each periodic interval, thereby controlling the behavior of the motor. Additionally, the method includes firing the electronic valve at the calculated timing during each periodic interval such that the motor functions in accordance with desired motor operational parameters.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a first control configured to operate the vehicle from a first operator position facing a front of the vehicle and a second control configured to operate the vehicle from a second operator position facing a rear of the vehicle. The vehicle further includes a processor configured to monitor for an operator presence in the first operator position or the second operator position and receive a vehicle operating request, wherein the operator presence is monitored independent of receiving the vehicle operating request. The processor is further configured to enable either the first control or the second control and select a vehicle operating parameter associated with the vehicle operating request, wherein the vehicle operating parameter varies according to which control is enabled.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for obtaining data stored in an electronic module within a power tool over a power line cord of the tool, and without any disassembly of the tool being required. An interface subsystem applies a high frequency, low power AC input signal to the power cord of the tool. A controller within the tool recognizes this signal as an indication that the tool is to be placed in a communications mode. The controller modulates a power switching device used for turning on and off the motor of the tool in such a fashion that current pulses are transmitted over the power line cord back to the interface subsystem. The current pulses correspond to tool usage/performance/identification information stored in the electronic module of the tool. This information is interpreted by a current reader circuit of the interface subsystem as binary information which is then transmitted to an external computing device for analysis and/or recording.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for obtaining data stored in an electronic module within a power tool over a power line cord of the tool, and without any disassembly of the tool being required. An interface subsystem applies a high frequency, low power AC input signal to the power cord of the tool. A controller within the tool recognizes this signal as an indication that the tool is to be placed in a communications mode. The controller modulates a power switching device used for turning on and off the motor of the tool in such a fashion that current pulses are transmitted over the power line cord back to the interface subsystem. The current pulses correspond to tool usage/performance/identification information stored in the electronic module of the tool. This information is interpreted by a current reader circuit of the interface subsystem as binary information which is then transmitted to an external computing device for analysis and/or recording.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for obtaining data stored in an electronic module within a power tool over a power line cord of the tool, and without any disassembly of the tool being required. An interface subsystem applies a high frequency, low power AC input signal to the power cord of the tool. A controller within the tool recognizes this signal as an indication that the tool is to be placed in a communications mode. The controller modulates a power switching device used for turning on and off the motor of the tool in such a fashion that current pulses are transmitted over the power line cord back to the interface subsystem. The current pulses correspond to tool usage/performance/identification information stored in the electronic module of the tool. This information is interpreted by a current reader circuit of the interface subsystem as binary information which is then transmitted to an external computing data logging device for analysis and/or recording.

Abstract: An electronic control module provides dual insulation layers between an internal line voltage and a separate tool housing that serves as a heat sink, thereby allowing versatility in mounting the electronic control module within the tool housing interior, and thereby also eliminating the risk of electrical shock to a user making contact with an exterior tool housing surface. The control module includes a power device, connected to a line voltage, and a thermal pad. The power device provides a first layer of electrical insulation between the line voltage and an external tab of the power device while the thermal pad provides a second layer of electrical insulation. The combined first and second layers provide a minimum amount of electrical insulation between the line voltage and the tool housing thereby preventing electrical shock. Alternatively, the thermal pad is provided between the control module and the tool housing.

Abstract: An electronic control module provides dual insulation layers between an internal line voltage and a separate tool housing that serves as a heat sink, thereby allowing versatility in mounting the electronic control module within the tool housing interior, and thereby also eliminating the risk of electrical shock to a user making contact with an exterior tool housing surface. The control module includes a power device, connected to a line voltage, and a thermal pad. The power device provides a first layer of electrical insulation between the line voltage and an external tab of the power device while the thermal pad provides a second layer of electrical insulation. The combined first and second layers provide a minimum amount of electrical insulation between the line voltage and the tool housing thereby preventing electrical shock. Alternatively, the thermal pad is provided between the control module and the tool housing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for obtaining data stored in an electronic module within a power tool over a power line cord of the tool, and without any disassembly of the tool being required. An interface subsystem applies a high frequency, low power AC input signal to the power cord of the tool. A controller within the tool recognizes this signal as an indication that the tool is to be placed in a communications mode. The controller modulates a power switching device used for turning on and off the motor of the tool in such a fashion that current pulses are transmitted over the power line cord back to the interface subsystem. The current pulses correspond to tool usage/performance/identification information stored in the electronic module of the tool. This information is interpreted by a current reader circuit of the interface subsystem as binary information which is then transmitted to an external computing data logging device for analysis and/or recording.

Abstract: An electronic control module provides dual insulation layers between an internal line voltage and a separate tool housing that serves as a heat sink, thereby allowing versatility in mounting the electronic control module within the tool housing interior, and thereby also eliminating the risk of electrical shock to a user making contact with an exterior tool housing surface. The control module includes a power device, connected to a line voltage, and a thermal pad. The power device provides a first layer of electrical insulation between the line voltage and an external tab of the power device while the thermal pad provides a second layer of electrical insulation. The combined first and second layers provide a minimum amount of electrical insulation between the line voltage and the tool housing thereby preventing electrical shock. Alternatively, the thermal pad is provided between the control module and the tool housing.

Abstract: An electronic control module provides dual insulation layers between an internal line voltage and a separate tool housing that serves as a heat sink, thereby allowing versatility in mounting the electronic control module within the tool housing interior, and thereby also eliminating the risk of electrical shock to a user making contact with an exterior tool housing surface. The control module includes a power device, connected to a line voltage, and a thermal pad. The power device provides a first layer of electrical insulation between the line voltage and an external tab of the power device while the thermal pad provides a second layer of electrical insulation. The combined first and second layers provide a minimum amount of electrical insulation between the line voltage and the tool housing thereby preventing electrical shock. Alternatively, the thermal pad is provided between the control module and the tool housing.