Abstract: Apparatus and methods for cooling controller assemblies for electric utility vehicles are disclosed. Auxiliary implements powered by electric motors onboard a utility vehicle create airflow that is captured and directed to provide increased ambient airflow across heat sinks used to dissipate heat from heat generating components. Airflow across heated surfaces is further created by vehicle movement and vacuum pressure. Fins and other heat dissipating architecture are employed. Features of the cooling systems enable increased controller assembly functionality and/or decreased controller assembly package size.

Abstract: A gaming system includes at least one light pipe which splits, reflects, and propagates light provided from one or more internal light sources to a plurality of external regions of the gaming system. The light sources may include sets of LEDs which deliver light via multiple light pipes or differing sections of the same light pipe, in varying configurations. Each light pipe may utilize a light splitter-reflector to receive, split, direct, propagate, and emit light from one or more sections of internally positioned light sources, simultaneously projecting decorative lighting to multiple exterior surfaces and regions of the gaming system. Light pipe assemblies may be constructed from modular pieces which include a separate light splitter-reflector, or from a single piece of uniform material which splits, directs, and emits light. Variations of direct light, indirect (reflected) light, and combinations of both enable various lighting patterns on the exterior of gaming machines.

Abstract: A gaming system includes at least one light pipe which splits, reflects, and propagates light provided from one or more internal light sources to a plurality of external regions of the gaming system. The light sources may include sets of LEDs which deliver light via multiple light pipes or differing sections of the same light pipe, in varying configurations. Each light pipe may utilize a light splitter-reflector to receive, split, direct, propagate, and emit light from one or more sections of internally positioned light sources, simultaneously projecting decorative lighting to multiple exterior surfaces and regions of the gaming system. Light pipe assemblies may be constructed from modular pieces which include a separate light splitter-reflector, or from a single piece of uniform material which splits, directs, and emits light. Variations of direct light, indirect (reflected) light, and combinations of both enable various lighting patterns on the exterior of gaming machines.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for cooling controller assemblies for electric utility vehicles are disclosed. Auxiliary implements powered by electric motors onboard a utility vehicle create airflow that is captured and directed to provide increased ambient airflow across heat sinks used to dissipate heat from heat generating components. Airflow across heated surfaces is further created by vehicle movement and vacuum pressure. Fins and other heat dissipating architecture are employed. Features of the cooling systems enable increased controller assembly functionality and/or decreased controller assembly package size.

Abstract: A method of refreshing data on a hard disk drive configured to carry out commands issued by a host that comprises tracking run-time conditions related to patterns of host command activity on the hard disk drive; selecting an entry from a high priority pool that is configured to hold a predetermined maximum number of entries, each entry comprising a plurality of tracks having been designated as being eligible for a high priority refresh operation as a result of the host command activity; refreshing data stored on at least one track of the selected entry; pausing the refreshing for a period of time equal to a throttle interval to process at least one command issued by the host before returning to the selecting or to the refreshing, and periodically modifying a value of the throttle interval depending upon the tracked run-time conditions.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for cooling controller assemblies for electric utility vehicles are disclosed. Auxiliary implements powered by electric motors onboard a utility vehicle create airflow that is captured and directed to provide increased ambient airflow across heat sinks used to dissipate heat from heat generating components. Airflow across heated surfaces is further created by vehicle movement and vacuum pressure. Fins and other heat dissipating architecture are employed. Features of the cooling systems enable increased controller assembly functionality and/or decreased controller assembly package size.

Abstract: A drive apparatus having an actuator assembly mounted on a control device is disclosed. The drive apparatus comprises an input, a variable drive system, a control device, and an actuator assembly. The drive apparatus is mounted on a vehicle that comprises an operating system. A prime mover drives the input, which subsequently drives one or more axle shafts. The variable drive system is capable of operation in forward and reverse directions. The control device determines the direction of operation and speed of the variable drive system. The actuator assembly is mounted to a component of the control device. The actuator assembly determines the state of operation of the output device with respect to the forward or reverse operation of the variable drive system.

Abstract: A drive apparatus having an actuator assembly mounted on a control device is disclosed. The drive apparatus comprises an input, a variable drive system, a control device, and an actuator assembly. The drive apparatus is mounted on a vehicle that comprises an operating system. A prime mover drives the input, which subsequently drives one or more axle shafts. The variable drive system is capable of operation in forward and reverse directions. The control device determines the direction of operation and speed of the variable drive system. The actuator assembly is mounted to a component of the control device. The actuator assembly determines the state of operation of the output device with respect to the forward or reverse operation of the variable drive system.

Abstract: A hydraulic drive apparatus having an actuator assembly mounted on a control device is disclosed. The hydraulic drive apparatus comprises an input, a hydraulic pump, a control device, and an actuator assembly. The hydraulic drive apparatus is mounted on a vehicle that comprises an operating system. A prime mover drives the input, which subsequently drives one or more axle shafts. The transmission is capable of operation in forward and reverse directions. The control device determines the direction of operation and speed of the transmission. The actuator assembly is mounted to a component of the control device. The actuator assembly determines the state of operation of the output device with respect to the forward or reverse operation of the transmission.

Abstract: A control assembly for use with hydraulic apparatus having a housing, a trunnion extending from the housing, a return arm and a control arm mounted on the trunnion. The control assembly is attached to the trunnion arm and includes a pair of scissor return arms biased to place the hydraulic apparatus in a neutral condition, a pair of bushings and a spacer pressed into the bushings to form the assembly.

Abstract: A control assembly for use with hydraulic apparatus having a housing, a trunnion extending from the housing, a return arm and a control arm mounted on the trunnion. The control assembly is attached to the trunnion arm and includes a pair of scissor return arms biased to place the hydraulic apparatus in a neutral condition, a pair of bushings and a spacer pressed into the bushings to form the assembly.

Abstract: A clockspring for powering a heated steering wheel having a resettable fuse connected in series between the heating element and a power source for the heating element. When a predetermined current limit is exceeded the resettable fuse trips and breaks the circuit providing power to the heating element. After the resettable fuse cools, the resettable fuse automatically reestablished the connection between the heating element and the power source for the heating element. The resettable fuse can be easily and economically implemented into a conventional clockspring, thus enabling a conventional clockspring to provide electrical connections for high current devices, such as a steering wheel heating element. Moreover, the present invention provides a reliable and cost effective safety device for preventing damage to the clockspring and the vehicle, and serious injury to a driver or a passenger.

Abstract: A snap acting electrical switch in which a frame carries first, second and third wireform contacts and a plunger movable along a first axis. The first and second wireform contacts are biased together along a second axis transverse to the first axis, and are also biased against an end of the plunger. The first and second wireform contacts together are adapted to be deflected along the second axis by a cam surface on the housing as the plunger is depressed. As the second contact is caused to slide off the end of the plunger, it snaps against the third wireform contact which is in a fixed position along side the plunger.