Abstract: The invention provides for a high occupancy or heavy-duty vehicle with a battery propulsion power source, which may include lithium titanate batteries. The vehicle may be all-battery or may be a hybrid, and may have a composite body. The vehicle battery system may be housed within the floor of the vehicle and may have different groupings and arrangements.

Abstract: A disclosed drive assembly is suitable for driving an actuatable component in a first direction and a second direction. The drive assembly includes a housing and a drive rod. The drive rod selectively extends and retracts to apply a driving force to the actuatable component in a first and a second direction, respectively. The driving force creates a reactive force on the housing. An override assembly includes a spring in communication with the housing. The housing pushes a first end of the spring toward a second end of the spring when the reactive force exceeds a predetermined limit and the drive rod applies the driving force in the first direction. The housing pulls the second end of the spring toward the first end of the spring when the reactive force exceeds the predetermined limit and the drive rod applies the driving force in the second direction.

Abstract: A ramp assembly provides a transition surface between a vehicle floor and an alighting surface. The ramp assembly is moveable between a stowed position, a first deployed position, and a second deployed position. The ramp assembly includes a ramp portion coupled for rotational movement and a panel rotatable about a first end. The ramp portion supportingly engages a second end of the panel to elevate the second end of the panel as the ramp portion moves toward the second deployed position. A method of deploying the ramp portion includes the step of rotating the ramp portion until the ramp portion contacts the alighting surface. The method further includes the steps of rotating the ramp portion until the ramp assembly reaches the first deployed position, in which the ramp portion forms a predetermined angle with the panel, and selectively rotating the ramp portion to the second deployment position.

Abstract: An operable ramp is moveable between a lowered stowed position and a raised deployed position. The operable ramp has a ramp panel rotatable about a first axis located at a first end. A support element is slidingly coupled to the ramp panel. The operable ramp further includes a drive assembly comprising an endless loop coupled to an end of the support element. The endless loop has a linear portion and an arcuate portion. During a first phase of deployment, the end of the support element moves upward along the linear portion. During a second phase of deployment, the end of the support element moves along the arcuate portion of the endless loop.

Abstract: An aircraft system and method with a first counterweight rotating balancing rotor mass concentration, and a second counterweight rotating balancing rotor mass concentration to balance a first aircraft propeller. The system includes an inboard electromagnetic coil driver with a first inboard electromagnetic coil, and a second inboard electromagnetic coil, the inboard electromagnetic coil driver and the first counterweight balancing rotor and the second counterweight balancing rotor centered around the aircraft propeller shaft rotating machine member. The system/method utilizes a first control system controller to control the coils and position the mass concentrations to balance the first aircraft propeller. The system/method includes a third counterweight rotating balancing rotor mass concentration, and a fourth counterweight rotating balancing rotor mass concentration to balance a second aircraft propeller which positioned and controlled by a second control system controller.

Abstract: An aircraft system/method for propeller balancing.

Abstract: An operable ramp is moveable between a stowed position, a neutral position, and a deployed position. The operable ramp includes a ramp panel rotatably coupled at a first end about a first axis and a support that is rotatable in a first direction and a second direction about a second axis. A cam follower is coupled to the support and supportingly engages a second end of the ramp panel. Rotation of the support moves the cam follower along an arcuate path. The weight of the ramp panel biases the support in the second direction when the operable ramp is between the stowed position and the neutral position. A drive assembly selectively rotates the support in the first and second direction, and a stop limits rotation of the support in the second direction when the operable ramp is in the stowed position.

Abstract: Exemplary methods are provided for installing a ramp assembly into a vehicle. The vehicle includes a floor, a vehicle well disposed in the floor, and inboard and outboard ramp support members. In one embodiment, ramp assembly mounts, such as movable support fittings, are utilized for installing the ramp assembly into the vehicle.

Abstract: An operable ramp is moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The operable ramp includes a support element and an inner ramp rotatable at a first end about a first axis. The operable ramp further includes an outer ramp rotatably coupled to a second end of the inner ramp about a second axis. The outer ramp has a first cam follower that engages a slot formed in the support element. A drive assembly selectively rotates the inner ramp relative to the outer ramp, such that rotation of the inner ramp in a first direction moves the second axis from a raised position to a lowered position. The operable ramp forms a step in the stowed position, and the outer ramp and the inner ramp form an inclined transition between a first surface and a second surface when the operable ramp is in the deployed position.

Abstract: An operable ramp is moveable between a lowered stowed position and a raised deployed position. The operable ramp has a ramp panel rotatable about a first axis located at a first end. A support element is slidingly coupled to the ramp panel. The operable ramp further includes a drive assembly comprising an endless loop coupled to an end of the support element. The endless loop has a linear portion and an arcuate portion. During a first phase of deployment, the end of the support element moves upward along the linear portion. During a second phase of deployment, the end of the support element moves along the arcuate portion of the endless loop.

Abstract: An operable ramp is moveable between a raised position and a lowered position. In the raised position, the operable ramp forms a step. The operable ramp has a first panel rotatably coupled at a first end about a first axis. The first axis moves in a first direction when the operable ramp moves toward the lowered position and in a second direction when the operable ramp moves toward the raised position. The operable ramp further includes a second panel rotatably coupled at a first end to a second end of the first panel. The first panel and the second panel cooperate to provide an inclined surface when the operable ramp is in the lowered position. A linkage is operably coupled to the first panel to selectively rotate the first panel about the first axis.

Abstract: An operable ramp is moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The operable ramp includes a ramp panel rotatable about a first end. A second end of the ramp panel is lower in the deployed position than in the stowed position. A rotatable support supports a second end of the ramp panel, and a drive assembly selectively rotates the support (1) in a first direction to lower the second end of the ramp panel and (2) in a second direction to raise the second end of the ramp panel. A stop limits rotation of the support in the second direction when the operable ramp is in the stowed position. The weight of the ramp panel biases the support in the second direction, i.e., toward the stop, when the operable ramp is in the stowed position.

Abstract: A ramp assembly for providing a transition surface between a vehicle floor and an alighting surface is disclosed. The ramp assembly includes a ramp portion that is rotatable between a stowed position and a deployed position. A target operably associated with the ramp portion so that the target reciprocates along a predetermined path when the ramp portion reciprocates between the stowed position and the deployed position. A sensor fitting maintains a fixed orientation relative to a horizontal plane. A sensor is mounted to the sensor fitting such that the sensor senses the target when the ramp portion is in a predetermined position.

Abstract: The invention provides for a high occupancy or heavy-duty vehicle with a battery propulsion power source, which may include lithium titanate batteries. The vehicle may be all-battery or may be a hybrid, and may have a composite body. The vehicle battery system may be housed within the floor of the vehicle and may have different groupings and arrangements.

Abstract: An operable ramp is moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The operable ramp includes a support element and an inner ramp rotatable at a first end about a first axis. The operable ramp further includes an outer ramp rotatably coupled to a second end of the inner ramp about a second axis. The outer ramp has a first cam follower that engages a slot formed in the support element. A drive assembly selectively rotates the inner ramp relative to the outer ramp, such that rotation of the inner ramp in a first direction moves the second axis from a raised position to a lowered position. The operable ramp forms a step in the stowed position, and the outer ramp and the inner ramp form an inclined transition between a first surface and a second surface when the operable ramp is in the deployed position.

Abstract: Exemplary methods are provided for installing a ramp assembly into a vehicle. The vehicle includes a floor, a vehicle well disposed in the floor, and first and second ramp support members. In one embodiment, ramp assembly mounts, such as movable mounting blocks, are utilized for installing the ramp assembly into the vehicle.

Abstract: A ramp assembly includes a ramp portion coupled for rotational movement between a stowed position and a deployed position. A first panel is rotatably coupled to the ramp portion about a first axis so that movement of the ramp portion between the stowed position and the deployed position moves the axis along an arcuate path. The ramp assembly further includes a guide that maintains a fixed position relative to the stowed position of the ramp portion. A second panel is slidably associated with the guide and is rotatably coupled to the first panel about a second axis.

Abstract: A ramp assembly includes a ramp portion configured for reciprocating motion between a stowed position, a deployed position, and a neutral position. The ramp assembly includes a counterbalance comprising a lug associated with the ramp portion so that movement of the ramp portion toward the deployed position moves the lug along an arcuate path in a first direction, and movement of the ramp portion toward the stowed position moves the lug along the arcuate path in a second direction. A link is coupled to the lug, and a guide is fixedly located relative to the stowed position of the ramp portion. A biasing element is associated with the link such that movement of the ramp portion away from the neutral position moves the biasing element toward the guide.

Abstract: A step assembly includes a tread and an actuator. The actuator is operably coupled to the tread and configured to selectively reciprocate the tread between a raised position and a lowered position. The actuator is rotatably coupled to the actuator mount, which is slidably coupled to a frame. A spring selectively maintains a position of the actuator mount relative to the frame.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for charging a vehicle. A vehicle and charging station can be designed such that an electric or hybrid vehicle can operate in a fashion similar to a conventional vehicle by being opportunity charged throughout a known route.