Abstract: A wading vehicle (100) having a water level sensor (114) comprising a hydrostatic pressure sensor.

Abstract: The invention relates to determining the presence of flowing water (B) in the vicinity of a vehicle. It relies on a pair of sensors (6a) emitting periodic signals, receiving reflected signals and comparing them to each other to determine the presence of flowing water in the area surrounding the vehicle. Another approach relies on a single sensor and analyses perturbations in the signal of said sensor. Preferably, the invention uses sensors already installed, namely parking sensors and a radar.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining the ground speed of a vehicle comprising, two or more vehicle-mounted sensors including at least one radar sensor and at least one acoustic sensor, wherein the or each of the vehicle-mounted sensors is associated with a respective vehicle subsystem, a controller for calculating the ground speed of the vehicle, wherein the controller is configured to receive a data input from the or each vehicle-mounted sensor, to calculate a ground speed value based on the received data input and to provide ground speed output data signal to one or more client systems of the vehicle. The invention also resides in a method for determining the ground speed of a vehicle and a computer program product that embodies said method.

Abstract: A system for use in a vehicle determining the type of terrain ahead of the vehicle, the system comprising; a processor configured to receive sensor output data from a plurality of vehicle-mounted sensors, including at least one radar sensor and at least one acoustic sensor, each for receiving a reflected signal from the terrain ahead of the vehicle; and a data memory configured to store pre-determined data relating sensor output data, for the or each acoustic sensor and the or each radar sensor, to a terrain type; wherein the processor is configured to compare the sensor output data with the pre-determined data to determine an indication of the terrain type corresponding to the sensor output data.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining the ground speed of a vehicle, comprising a plurality of sensing systems each of which is configured to provide a respective data source indicative of the ground speed of the vehicle; a controller configured to receive each of the data sources from the plurality of sensing systems; wherein the controller is configured to arbitrate between the received plurality of data sources from the plurality of sensing systems, determine a ground speed parameter from one of the data sources, and output the ground speed parameter for use within the vehicle. The invention also resides in a method for determining the ground speed of a vehicle and a computer program product that embodies said method.

Abstract: A system for use in a vehicle for determining an indication of the type of terrain in the vicinity of the vehicle, the system comprising; means configured to receive sensor output data from at least one vehicle-mounted sensor (12, 22) which is configured to receive a reflected signal from the terrain; means configured to calculate at least two parameters from the sensor output data; means configured to convert the at least two parameters to a data point for a cluster model comprising a plurality of clusters of pre-determined data points, wherein each cluster corresponds to a different terrain type; and means configured to define to which one of the clusters the data point belongs, so as to determine an indication of the terrain type.

Abstract: A vehicle having a system for determining that there is a possibility that the vehicle has entered or is about to enter water at a vehicle wading depth. The system comprising at least one under-body mounted sensor both configured to remotely and directly detect the presence of water substantially below and about the under-body mounted sensor. The under-body mounted sensor may be an ultrasound transducer sensor both configured to estimate a depth of water the surface of which is substantially below the sensor and to detect the presence of water when the sensor is in contact with water. In response to determining that there is a possibility that the vehicle has entered or is about to enter water at a vehicle wading depth, the system is configured to implement one or more vehicle control strategies.

Abstract: A vehicle (100) comprising a wading information display (1020) and a wading depth sensor, the display showing an elevation of a vehicle on which is superimposed the current wading depth. The display may also indicate simultaneously the maximum wading depth calculated according to the ride height of the vehicle, the inclination of the vehicle by inclination of the displayed elevation, and an advisory speed according to wading depth and/or vehicle inclination.

Abstract: The invention provides a system method and vehicle for profiling the terrain ahead of a vehicle. The system comprises receiving means configured to receive sensor output data from a plurality of vehicle-mounted sensors, including at least one radar sensor and at least one acoustic sensor, each for receiving a reflected signal from the terrain ahead of the vehicle. A determining means is configured to determine at least one parameter from the sensor output data for the at least one radar sensor and the at least one acoustic sensor, and an image generation means is configured to generate an image of the terrain ahead of the vehicle based on the at least one parameter from the at least one radar sensor. A processing means enhances the clarity of the image based on the at least one parameter from the at least one acoustic sensor.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a plurality of water level sensors, for example comprising capacitive or resistive sensors, from the outputs of which can be determined vehicle orientation when wading. In conjunction with a vehicle orientation sensor, the outputs from any one water level sensor permits calculation of water depth at any point on the vehicle body.

Abstract: A vehicle comprises a system for aiding driver control of the vehicle when the vehicle is wading in a body of water, the system comprising a measurement apparatus for determining a measured depth of water in which the vehicle is wading. The measurement apparatus is positioned and arranged relative to the vehicle such that the measured depth is indicative of the depth of water in a first measurement region relative to the actual vehicle. The processor is coupled to the measurement apparatus and is configured to calculate an estimated water depth in dependence upon the measured depth and in dependence upon the vehicle speed.

Abstract: A vented gaiter (6) for mounting to a shaft (4) comprises: a rim (34) defining an opening (33) for receiving the shaft (4); and a separate venting element (40). The venting element (40) is disposed within said opening (33). The shaft (4) is received in the opening (33), and the rim (34) is mounted to the shaft by means of a circular clamp (22). The venting element (40) is thus retained in place between the shaft (4) and the rim (34) and allows any air accumulated inside a CV joint enclosure (28) formed by the gaiter (6) when the gaiter (6) is mounted to the shaft (4) to vent axially according to a direction substantially parallel to the shaft longitudinal axis. The venting element (40) comprises a gas-permeable liquid-impermeable membrane (41).

Abstract: A method of controlling an HMI-apparatus for providing information comprising comparing data from two or more remote-ranging sensors disposed at an elevation greater than the threshold wading depth of the vehicle.

Abstract: A gaiter (4) for a lubricated joint (1) comprises a sidewall structure (9) defining an enclosure (5) for receiving a lubricant and a passageway (24) for conveying a gas. In use, the passageway (12) conveys gas in isolation from said enclosure (5). Gaiters (4) in accordance with the invention find application in vehicle central tyre inflation systems (CTIS).

Abstract: A filter device (7, 8) for a conduit (9, 10) comprises a gas-permeable pre-filter element (21, 23) and a gas-permeable, liquid-impermeable filter element (22, 24). The filter device (7, 8) is configured to be fluidly coupled to a conduit (9, 10) such that a gas can be caused to flow, in sequence, through the pre-filter element (21, 23), the filter element (22, 24) and then the conduit (9, 10). Such a filter device (7, 8) can for example be used in each of a vehicle hollow driveshaft (2) and a hollow wheel stub axle (6) forming a CV joint (11) having a compressed air supply line which passes therethrough, as is the case in some central tyre inflation systems (CTISs). Thus, compressed air can be supplied via said air supply line without the need for an additional fluid transfer device fluidly connecting the driveshaft and the stub axle's conduits (9, 10).

Abstract: A method of determining a wade depth (dMax) in relation to a vehicle (1) when at least partially submerged in water. An attitude of the vehicle (1) is determined and a first height (dSensed) of the surface of the water measured relative to a first reference point on the vehicle (1). The wade depth (dMax) is determined based on the attitude of the vehicle (1) and said first height (dSensed). Alternatively, or in addition, the travel height (HS) of a vehicle suspension is determined. Aspects of the invention also relates to a system and a vehicle (1).

Abstract: A vehicle (100) comprising a wading information display (1020), a memory and a processor, the memory containing a program configured to run on the processor to calculate the maximum wading depth of the vehicle from the measured suspension travel, and to display the maximum wading depth on the display. The display may also show a dual wading depth, an advisory wading speed, and vehicle inclination.

Abstract: A wading indicator system for a vehicle comprising: at least one sound wave pulse emitter device; at least one sound wave pulse receiver device; and a control unit. The control unit configured to measure one or more of the following variables: (i) the time of flight of a sound pulse between the at least one sound wave pulse emitter device and the at least one sound wave pulse receiver device; (ii) the amplitude of a sound pulse emitted by the at least one sound wave pulse emitter device when received by the at least one sound wave pulse receiver device; and (iii) the wavelength of a sound pulse emitted by the at least one sound wave pulse emitter device when received by the at least one sound wave pulse receiver device. Thereby the control unit is configured to determine whether at least a portion of the vehicle is immersed in water.

Abstract: A vehicle having a system for determining that there is a possibility that the vehicle has or is about to enter water at a vehicle wading depth. In response to determining that there is a possibility that the vehicle has or is about to enter water at a vehicle wading depth, the system is configured to implement one or more vehicle control strategies. The system comprises at least one remote sensor configured to remotely detect the presence of water about or ahead of the vehicle.

Abstract: A predictive method of detecting the depth of water ahead of a wading vehicle comprises providing a wading sensor and an attitude sensor on the vehicle, and using this information to estimate the depth of water at a location ahead of the direction of vehicle movement. Corresponding apparatus is disclosed.