Abstract: A power system includes a mechanical module having an engine, a transmission, a cooling unit, and a motor-generator unit. The power system includes a frame connected to the mechanical module and removably connectable to a mount within a vehicle, such that the frame and the mechanical module are removable from the vehicle. The power system includes an electrical module having one or more batteries, a thermal management system, and one or more power electronics. The power system includes a housing which at least partially supports the electrical module. The housing includes feet that are releasably insertable into cleats connected to the vehicle, such that the housing and the electrical module are separately removable from the vehicle.

Abstract: A power system includes a mechanical module having an engine, a transmission, a cooling unit, and a motor-generator unit. The power system includes a frame connected to the mechanical module and removably connectable to a mount within a vehicle, such that the frame and the mechanical module are removable from the vehicle. The power system includes an electrical module having one or more batteries, a thermal management system, and one or more power electronics. The power system includes a housing which at least partially supports the electrical module. The housing includes feet that are releasably insertable into cleats connected to the vehicle, such that the housing and the electrical module are separately removable from the vehicle.

Abstract: A power system includes a mechanical module having an engine, a transmission, a cooling unit, and a motor-generator unit. The power system includes a frame connected to the mechanical module and removably connectable to a mount within a vehicle, such that the frame and the mechanical module are removable from the vehicle. The power system includes an electrical module having one or more batteries, a thermal management system, and one or more power electronics. The power system includes a housing which at least partially supports the electrical module. The housing includes feet that are releasably insertable into cleats connected to the vehicle, such that the housing and the electrical module are separately removable from the vehicle.

Abstract: A power electronics module (PEM) is constructed to convert electricity from an input form to an output form. Electrical power conversion subcircuits having input and output ports are positioned proximal to a front mounting plate. Rigid conductor elements having respective preformed shapes are constructed to electrically interconnect the subcircuits at input and output ports thereof to form a power conversion circuit selected from among multiple power conversion circuits configurable solely by selection of the conductor elements. Other preformed conductor shapes are constructed to interconnect input and output ports of the selected power conversion circuit to ports disposed on a rear mounting plate. A controller is mechanically coupled to the front mounting plate and constructed to operate the semiconductor switches in a prescribed timing that converts the electricity of the input form to the electricity of the output form by the selected power conversion circuit.

Abstract: A power electronics module (PEM) is constructed to convert electricity from an input form to an output form. Electrical power conversion subcircuits having input and output ports are positioned proximal to a front mounting plate. Rigid conductor elements having respective preformed shapes are constructed to electrically interconnect the subcircuits at input and output ports thereof to form a power conversion circuit selected from among multiple power conversion circuits configurable solely by selection of the conductor elements. Other preformed conductor shapes are constructed to interconnect input and output ports of the selected power conversion circuit to ports disposed on a rear mounting plate. A controller is mechanically coupled to the front mounting plate and constructed to operate the semiconductor switches in a prescribed timing that converts the electricity of the input form to the electricity of the output form by the selected power conversion circuit.

Abstract: A device for measuring rotation of a spherical joint in a steering system, may include an anchor secured within a ball stud of the spherical joint and a rotational tie having a first end and a second end. The first end of the rotational tie may be secured to the anchor to hold the first end parallel to a longitudinal axis of the ball stud. The device may also include a rotation sensor including a sensor target rotationally coupled to the second end of the rotational tie and secured for free rotation to a framework of the spherical joint. The rotation sensor may also include an angle sensor configured and arranged to sense a changing angle of the sensor target.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system includes a base having a substantially planar surface, a plurality of support legs to support the hose management system on a ground surface such that the base is substantially parallel to the ground surface, a tower, a pivot connection point disposed on the base, the pivot connection point configured to pivotably attach to a proximal end of the tower, a winch attached to the base, and a winch cable configured to be attached between the winch and the tower. Activation of the winch applies a tension to the winch cable to cause the tower to pivot from a prone position to an upright position.

Abstract: A payload measurement system can be used to measure the payload added to a machine supported on a plurality of walking beams. A plurality of load cell sensors is mounted to the walking beams in locations where, when the walking beam bends, the sensors are placed under load. The load cell sensors include a symmetrical strain bar having first and second mounting ends connected by a connecting span, wherein the end thickness is greater than the span thickness of the connecting span. The connecting span is disposed between and spaced apart from an upper plane and a lower plane with which the surfaces of the mounting ends are aligned.

Abstract: A construction system includes an excavator having a hydraulically controlled linkage and a hydraulic robot. The hydraulic robot includes a plurality of arms extending from a base, each arm having a hydraulic motor. The hydraulic robot further includes a robot control system directing movement of the plurality of arms and an end effector platform movable by rotation of the arms.

Abstract: A hose management system for a 3D printing system having a print medium pump and a print nozzle may include a base, a vertical tower extending upward from the base, a vertical pipe rotatably coupled to the vertical tower, a boom pipe extending laterally outward from and rotating with the vertical pipe, a stick connected to the boom pipe for relative rotation about at least two perpendicular axes, and a print hose connected between the boom pipe and the print nozzle so that the vertical pipe, the boom pipe and the print hose place the print medium pump in fluid communication with the print nozzle. The print hose may be suspended from the stick such that the vertical pipe, the boom pipe, the stick and the print hose follow movement of the print nozzle by the 3D printing system to print a 3D object.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system includes a base having a substantially planar surface, a plurality of support legs to support the hose management system on a ground surface such that the base is substantially parallel to the ground surface, a tower, a pivot connection point disposed on the base, the pivot connection point configured to pivotably attach to a proximal end of the tower, a winch attached to the base, and a winch cable configured to be attached between the winch and the tower. Activation of the winch applies a tension to the winch cable to cause the tower to pivot from a prone position to an upright position.

Abstract: A payload measurement system can be used to measure the payload added to a machine supported on a plurality of walking beams. A plurality of load cell sensors is mounted to the walking beams in locations where, when the walking beam bends, the sensors are placed under load. The load cell sensors include a symmetrical strain bar having first and second mounting ends connected by a connecting span, wherein the end thickness is greater than the span thickness of the connecting span. The connecting span is disposed between and spaced apart from an upper plane and a lower plane with which the surfaces of the mounting ends are aligned.

Abstract: A construction system includes an excavator having a hydraulically controlled linkage and a hydraulic robot. The hydraulic robot includes a plurality of arms extending from a base, each arm having a hydraulic motor. The hydraulic robot further includes a robot control system directing movement of the plurality of arms and an end effector platform movable by rotation of the arms.

Abstract: A system for additive manufacturing includes a mobile implement system with a nozzle, an implement system pose sensor, and a controller. The controller determines a plurality of potential poses and a plurality of potential paths of the nozzle. A desired pose and a desired path are selected and a sequence and rate of operation of the mobile implement system is determined to permit the nozzle to deposit sequential layers of material to form a desired structure. After moving the mobile implement system towards the desired pose, a modified sequence and rate of operation of the mobile implement system is determined that will cause the nozzle to follow the desired path even if the mobile implement system is not at the desired pose while depositing the sequential layers of material along the desired path to form the structure.

Abstract: A disconnect clutch and method of controlling the connection of a parasitic load to an engine disposed on a machine is disclosed. The disconnect clutch may comprise a flywheel assembly, a friction plate and a coupling. The flywheel assembly may include a flywheel having a cavity, a chamber, a piston moveable between a contracted position and an expanded position, a pressure plate, a lever, and a coupling operably connected to the friction plate. The flywheel may include an end plate. The chamber may be defined by the flywheel and the piston. The lever may apply an activation force to the pressure plate when the piston is in the expanded position. The friction plate may be attached to and rotatable with the flywheel assembly when the piston is in the expanded position and generally stationary when the piston is in the contracted position.

Abstract: A disconnect clutch and method of controlling the connection of a parasitic load to an engine disposed on a machine is disclosed. The disconnect clutch may comprise a flywheel assembly, a friction plate and a coupling. The flywheel assembly may include a flywheel having a cavity, a chamber, a piston moveable between a contracted position and an expanded position, a pressure plate, a lever, and a coupling operably connected to the friction plate. The flywheel may include an end plate. The chamber may be defined by the flywheel and the piston. The lever may apply an activation force to the pressure plate when the piston is in the expanded position. The friction plate may be attached to and rotatable with the flywheel assembly when the piston is in the expanded position and generally stationary when the piston is in the contracted position.

Abstract: The described system and method are implemented within a motor grader or other machine for grading of surfaces, wherein the machine includes a ground engaging element, as well as one or more blades for removing surface material. In this context, the described system and method prevent slippage of the ground engaging element against the underlying surface. In an embodiment, a torque limit is applied, wherein the torque limit corresponds to a torque that is less than that required for slippage under the current operating conditions, thus avoiding the problems caused by both overly aggressive and overly conservative cut depth strategies.

Abstract: An improved speed sensing system is disclosed for a machine, such as a truck, that has an axle with an end and an axis. The machine further includes a sensor non-rotatably coupled to the end of the axle and coaxial with the axis. A wheel hub is rotatably coupled to the axle and a wheel cover is coupled to the wheel hub. The machine further includes a magnet coaxially disposed with the axis and coupled to the wheel cover for rotation about the axis as the wheel rotates. The sensor generates signals based on the rotational speed of the magnet and the wheel. For non-rotating axles that are solid or include solid spindles, a passageway for a communication line between the sensor and electronic control module (ECM) may be easily drilled thereby making the disclosed system easy to add to an existing machine or vehicle.

Abstract: A method of braking a hydrostatic drive machine includes steps of reducing a displacement of a pump of a hydrostatic drive system to a non-zero displacement, and increasing a displacement of a motor of the hydrostatic drive system to a displacement that is less than a maximum displacement. The method also includes a step of accelerating an engine of the hydrostatic drive system toward a desired engine speed range.

Abstract: The described system and method are implemented within a motor grader or other machine for grading of surfaces, wherein the machine includes a ground engaging element, as well as one or more blades for removing surface material. In this context, the described system and method prevent slippage of the ground engaging element against the underlying surface. In an embodiment, a torque limit is applied, wherein the torque limit corresponds to a torque that is less than that required for slippage under the current operating conditions, thus avoiding the problems caused by both overly aggressive and overly conservative cut depth strategies.