Abstract: A planing amphibious vehicle has at least one trim tab at its stern. A vehicle control system includes a mode change controller and a trim tab controller. The mode change controller informs the trim tab controller when a mode change event is taking place. The trim tab controller retracts the trim tabs if the mode change is from marine to land mode; and deploys the tabs if the change is from land mode to marine mode, to assist the vehicle in rising on to the plane. The controller may also retract the tabs if the vehicle reverses; and deploy the tabs if a change is made from reverse to forward motion. The vehicle control system may connect to actuators and sensors for retractable road wheels, which may use hydropneumatic struts. Safeguards against system faults and/or erroneous switch operation are included. Road wheel drive decouples are used; a marine drive decoupler may also be fitted.

Abstract: Amphibious vehicle (1, FIG. 1) has retractable road wheels (2, 2?, FIG. 1). This may allow planing. During marine travel, at least one wheel may droop below the water line. This increases drag, particularly when cornering. Suspension height sensor 22 may be arranged to detect a threshold beyond which the wheel should not be allowed to droop over water, unless mode change is in progress. When this threshold is passed, pump 18 co-operates with controller 15 to pump fluid into lower chamber 7? of actuator 5 to retract the wheel. Switchable valves 9, 19, 21, and 23 are provided to allow adjustment of fluid chamber volumes. Gas filled accumulators 11 may be provided where a hydraulic suspension is used. Numeral 42 represents an adjustable trim tab. FIG. 4 shows an alternative fluid system layout, with valves 19, 19?, and 110 to allow fluid to be returned to tank 18?.

Abstract: A vehicle safety system having a plurality of safety device controllers and a method of controlling same are disclosed. The vehicle safety system provides for the protection of vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash. The system is capable of controlling safety devices such as airbag assemblies, seat belt tensioner assemblies, fuel cutoff switch assemblies, battery disconnect switch assemblies, assemblies for sending notification to emergency services, and assemblies for sending vehicle location data. The system accepts data from other vehicle systems such as speed data from the antilock brake system to distinguish between a low speed and a high speed crash, seat occupancy data to selectively activate airbags, and steering system and acceleration data to detect vehicle rollover conditions.

Abstract: A safety device controller for controlling safety devices and a method of controlling activation of a safety device in a vehicle safety system are disclosed. The safety device controller is capable of activating various safety devices to protect the occupants of a vehicle in the event of a crash. It is capable of operating devices such as airbags, seatbelt tensioners, fuel cutoff switches, battery disconnect switches, emergency notification devices, and location notification devices. The safety device controller is capable of performing self tests and sending the results of these tests to a central electronic control unit over a communication bus. Upon receipt of a coded command from the central electronic control unit, the safety device controller activates a safety device by discharging stored energy into a squib or electromechanical device to activate the safety device. An optional safing sensor may be installed in the safety device controller to prevent inadvertent actuation of the safety device.