Abstract: A drive system for a vehicle having a rear drive assembly powered by a first power source, a front drive assembly in selective electrical communication with a second power source, a selector switch to selectively permit or prevent electrical communication between the front drive assembly and the second power source, and an output capacity sensor to detect an output of the first power source, where the rear drive assembly drives the vehicle when the selector switch is in a first position and both the rear and front drive assemblies drive the vehicle when the selector switch is in a second position and the output capacity sensor detects that the output of the first power source meets a threshold output.

Abstract: Electronic control systems and related control methods for controlling electric drive motors for propelling a vehicle and electric auxiliary motors for performing work, such as electric deck motors for mower blades. The apparatus is shown in use with a vehicle that includes a mowing deck. Features of the control systems allow for safe and efficient use of the vehicle. Controller assemblies and packaging for electronic control systems of electric motors utilized in utility vehicles or other power equipment are also disclosed. The controller assemblies are packaged for robust design and heat dissipation, while collectively housing the controllers, switches and sensors needed to operate multiple motors performing different functions, or the same function in serial.

Abstract: A drive system for a vehicle having a rear drive assembly having a first pair of axles drivingly engaged to a pair of rear wheels, a single front drive assembly in selective electrical communication with a power source and having a second pair of axles drivingly engaged to a pair of front wheels, a selector switch having a first position which prevents electrical communication between the front drive assembly and the power source and a second position which places the front drive assembly in electrical communication with the power source, where the rear drive assembly can power the vehicle when the selector switch is in the first position, and both the rear drive assembly and the front drive assembly can power the vehicle when the selector switch is in the second position.

Abstract: Electronic control systems and related control methods for controlling electric drive motors for propelling a vehicle and electric auxiliary motors for performing work, such as electric deck motors for mower blades. The apparatus is shown in use with a vehicle that includes a mowing deck. Features of the control systems allow for safe and efficient use of the vehicle. Controller assemblies and packaging for electronic control systems of electric motors utilized in utility vehicles or other power equipment are also disclosed. The controller assemblies are packaged for robust design and heat dissipation, while collectively housing the controllers, switches and sensors needed to operate multiple motors performing different functions, or the same function in serial.

Abstract: An electronic steering and control apparatus and related control methods for a pair of variable drive units. The variable drive units may be hydrostatic, continuously variable transmissions (CVTs), or other similar devices. The apparatus is shown in use with a vehicle that may include a mowing deck.

Abstract: A drive system for a vehicle having a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels is disclosed having a rear drive assembly having a first pair of axles extending from opposite sides of the vehicle, each axle of the first pair of axles drivingly engaged to one of the pair of rear wheels, a prime mover drivingly engaged to the rear drive assembly, a power source disposed on the vehicle, a front drive assembly in selective electrical communication with the power source and having a second pair of axles extending from opposite sides of the vehicle, each axle of the second pair of axles is drivingly engaged to one of the pair of front wheels and has a pivotable segment along its length, a steering mechanism in communication with the pivotable segment of each of the second pair of axles, an accelerator mechanism in communication with the rear drive assembly and the front drive assembly, a selector switch having a first position which prevents electrical communication between the front drive assembly and the pow

Abstract: Electronic control systems and related control methods for controlling electric auxiliary motors for performing work, such as electric deck motors for mower blades. The apparatus is shown in use with a vehicle that includes a mowing deck. Features of the control systems allow for safe and efficient use of the vehicle.

Abstract: Electronic control systems and related control methods for controlling electric drive motors for propelling a vehicle and electric auxiliary motors for performing work. The apparatus is shown in use with a vehicle that includes a mowing deck. Features of the control systems allow for safe and efficient use of the vehicle. These features include a power take-off timeout, automatic fail-safe brake (parking), and customized drive characteristics.

Abstract: An electric motor includes an upper housing, a lower housing including a flange for mounting the upper housing thereon and a cone-shaped portion extending away from the flange and the upper housing. The electric motor further includes a stator assembly formed of a first core having a first height and fitted into the upper housing, a rotor assembly rigidly joined to a shaft to rotate therewith within the stator assembly and formed of a second core having a second height, and a hub connected to a lower end of the shaft to rotate therewith in relation to the cone-shaped portion. The hub is configured to secure an operable implement to the electric motor. The second height is greater than the first height.

Abstract: A control system for use in a vehicle having left and right clutch assemblies, each clutch assembly including a brake mechanism and a drive mechanism. The control system includes a steering switch having a left steering position to actuate the left brake mechanism and the right drive mechanism, a neutral steering position to actuate the left and right drive mechanisms, and a right steering position to actuate the left drive mechanism and the right brake mechanism. The system may also include an operator switch having a first position to actuate brake mechanisms and disable the steering switch, and a second position that passes control of both brake clutch assemblies to the steering switch. The system may further include a brake switch having a brake position that actuates both brake mechanisms and disables the operator switch and the steering switch, and a drive position that passes control of both clutch assemblies to the operator switch.

Abstract: Electronic control systems and related control methods for controlling electric auxiliary motors for performing work, such as electric deck motors for mower blades. The apparatus is shown in use with a vehicle that includes a mowing deck. Features of the control systems allow for safe and efficient use of the vehicle.

Abstract: Electronic control systems and related control methods for controlling electric drive motors for propelling a vehicle and electric auxiliary motors for performing work. The apparatus is shown in use with a vehicle that includes a mowing deck. Features of the control systems allow for safe and efficient use of the vehicle. These features include a power take-off timeout, automatic fail-safe brake (parking), and customized drive characteristics.

Abstract: Electronic control systems and related control methods for controlling electric auxiliary motors for performing work, such as electric deck motors for mower blades. The apparatus is shown in use with a vehicle that includes a mowing deck. Features of the control systems allow for safe and efficient use of the vehicle.

Abstract: Electronic control systems and related control methods for controlling electric drive motors for propelling a vehicle and electric auxiliary motors for performing work. The apparatus is shown in use with a vehicle that includes a mowing deck. Features of the control systems allow for safe and efficient use of the vehicle. These features include a power take-off timeout, automatic fail-safe brake (parking), and customized drive characteristics.

Abstract: An electronic steering and control apparatus and related control methods for a pair of variable drive units. The variable drive units may be hydrostatic, continuously variable transmissions (CVTs), or other similar devices. The apparatus is shown in use with a vehicle that may include a mowing deck.

Abstract: Electronic control systems and related control methods for controlling electric auxiliary motors for performing work, such as electric deck motors for mower blades. The apparatus is shown in use with a vehicle that includes a mowing deck. Features of the control systems allow for safe and efficient use of the vehicle.

Abstract: A drive system for a vehicle having a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels is disclosed having a rear drive assembly having a first pair of axles extending from opposite sides of the vehicle, each axle of the first pair of axles drivingly engaged to one of the pair of rear wheels, a prime mover drivingly engaged to the rear drive assembly, a power source disposed on the vehicle, a front drive assembly in selective electrical communication with the power source and having a second pair of axles extending from opposite sides of the vehicle, each axle of the second pair of axles is drivingly engaged to one of the pair of front wheels and has a pivotable segment along its length, a steering mechanism in communication with the pivotable segment of each of the second pair of axles, an accelerator mechanism in communication with the rear drive assembly and the front drive assembly, a selector switch having a first position which prevents electrical communication between the front drive assembly and the pow

Abstract: Electronic control systems and related control methods for controlling electric drive motors for propelling a vehicle and electric auxiliary motors for performing work, such as electric deck motors for mower blades. The apparatus is shown in use with a vehicle that includes a mowing deck. Features of the control systems allow for safe and efficient use of the vehicle.

Abstract: Electronic control systems and related control methods for controlling electric drive motors for propelling a vehicle and electric auxiliary motors for performing work, such as electric deck motors for mower blades. The apparatus is shown in use with a vehicle that includes a mowing deck. Features of the control systems allow for safe and efficient use of the vehicle. Controller assemblies and packaging for electronic control systems of electric motors utilized in utility vehicles or other power equipment are also disclosed. The controller assemblies are packaged for robust design and heat dissipation, while collectively housing the controllers, switches and sensors needed to operate multiple motors performing different functions, or the same function in serial.

Abstract: An electronic steering and control apparatus and related control methods for a pair of variable drive units. The variable drive units may be hydrostatic, continuously variable transmissions (CVTs), or other similar devices. The apparatus is shown in use with a vehicle that may include a mowing deck.