Abstract: A ride control system and method where the system includes first hydraulics for equalizing pressure between ride control accumulators and boom cylinder head side, and second hydraulics for providing low pressure drop connection between ride control accumulators and boom cylinder head side. When ride control is engaged, the first hydraulics equalizes pressure between ride control accumulators and boom cylinder head side to within a pressure threshold, then the second hydraulics provides the low pressure drop connection between ride control accumulators and boom cylinder head side. Ride control system can include third hydraulics for providing fluid connection between boom cylinder rod side and tank; where after first hydraulics equalizes pressure to within pressure threshold, then third hydraulics provides connection between boom cylinder rod side and tank. The ride control system can also monitor the condition of the ride control accumulators.

Abstract: A method is provided of calibrating a position sensor of an electric motor of a vehicle.

Abstract: An operator selectable transmission and method for a vehicle with variable drivetrain and torque control. The operator selectable transmission includes a plurality of transmission modes, each mode including a plurality of selectable contour relationships between vehicle ground speed and transmission rim-pull, an operator mode selector for selecting transmission mode, and an operator contour selector for selecting a contour for the selected mode. There can be hydrostatic, torque converter, direct drive and other transmission modes. An operator interface can display the currently selected mode, and its affects on performance, fuel consumption, and brake wear. The contour selector can be a foot pedal, hand lever or other device.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided having an electric motor and a controller configured to control the electric motor. The controller may calculate the torque output of the motor based on the acceleration and deceleration rates of the motor. Moments of inertia for components rotationally coupled to the motor may be employed in the torque calculation.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of controlling movement of a reference point on an end effector of a machine, where the machine includes a controller, a first control mechanism, and a second control mechanism. The method includes initiating a movement of the reference point to a desired location with the first control mechanism. The method also includes determining an actual position of the reference point and communicating the actual position of the reference point to the controller. A second control mechanism controls the movement of the reference point to the desired location.

Abstract: A final drive assembly is driven by an electric motor and includes a park and service brake arrangement including a shared disc brake pack that is compressed by a preload exerted by a compression spring arrangement defined by a stack of Belleville springs for establishing an engaged park brake condition in the absence of pressurized brake actuating fluid being routed to a park brake piston. An electrical control is provided for computing disc brake pack wear based on a stored load curve of the stack of Belleville springs containing information correlating preload amounts to various compressed heights of the stack of Belleville springs, and on the magnitude of a drive signal sent to the electric motor for causing sufficient drive torque to be developed for causing the rotor discs of the engaged disc brake pack to slip relative to the stator discs.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of controlling movement of a reference point on an end effector of a machine, where the machine includes a controller, a first control mechanism, and a second control mechanism. The method includes initiating a movement of the reference point to a desired location with the first control mechanism. The method also includes determining an actual position of the reference point and communicating the actual position of the reference point to the controller. A second control mechanism controls the movement of the reference point to the desired location.

Abstract: A hydraulic circuit comprises a hydraulic cylinder, an accumulator, and a bi-directional variable displacement hydraulic pump for managing flow between a head side of the hydraulic cylinder and both of a rod side of the hydraulic cylinder and the accumulator.

Abstract: An operator selectable transmission and method for a vehicle with variable drivetrain and torque control. The operator selectable transmission includes a plurality of transmission modes, each mode including a plurality of selectable contour relationships between vehicle ground speed and transmission rim-pull, an operator mode selector for selecting transmission mode, and an operator contour selector for selecting a contour for the selected mode. There can be hydrostatic, torque converter, direct drive and other transmission modes. An operator interface can display the currently selected mode, and its affects on performance, fuel consumption, and brake wear. The contour selector can be a foot pedal, hand lever or other device.

Abstract: A ride control system and method where the system includes first hydraulics for equalizing pressure between ride control accumulators and boom cylinder head side, and second hydraulics for providing low pressure drop connection between ride control accumulators and boom cylinder head side. When ride control is engaged, the first hydraulics equalizes pressure between ride control accumulators and boom cylinder head side to within a pressure threshold, then the second hydraulics provides the low pressure drop connection between ride control accumulators and boom cylinder head side. Ride control system can include third hydraulics for providing fluid connection between boom cylinder rod side and tank; where after first hydraulics equalizes pressure to within pressure threshold, then third hydraulics provides connection between boom cylinder rod side and tank. The ride control system can also monitor the condition of the ride control accumulators.

Abstract: Control of a vehicle to perform a task employs first control input provided by a human operator and second control input provided by an automated controller. A relationship between the first control input and the second control input is determined. Either the first control input or the second control input is used to control the vehicle to perform the task based on the determined relationship. An indicator may be used to indicate to the operator when the control input provided by the human operator is being used to control the vehicle.

Abstract: A method is provided of calibrating a position sensor of an electric motor of a vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided having an electric motor and a controller configured to control the electric motor. The controller may calculate the torque output of the motor based on the acceleration and deceleration rates of the motor. Moments of inertia for components rotationally coupled to the motor may be employed in the torque calculation.

Abstract: A final drive assembly is driven by an electric motor and includes a park and service brake arrangement including a shared disc brake pack that is compressed by a preload exerted by a compression spring arrangement defined by a stack of Belleville springs for establishing an engaged park brake condition in the absence of pressurized brake actuating fluid being routed to a park brake piston. An electrical control is provided for computing disc brake pack wear based on a stored load curve of the stack of Belleville springs containing information correlating preload amounts to various compressed heights of the stack of Belleville springs, and on the magnitude of a drive signal sent to the electric motor for causing sufficient drive torque to be developed for causing the rotor discs of the engaged disc brake pack to slip relative to the stator discs.

Abstract: A steering system has a steering control unit and a ratio adjuster for varying a flow rate amplification ratio of the steering control unit.

Abstract: A work vehicle that includes a boom; a boom actuator connected to the boom, the boom actuator being adapted to controllably move the boom about a boom pivot in response to receiving a boom control signal; and a controller having computational and time-keeping capabilities. The controller communicates with the boom actuator, and calculates the boom velocity, compares the calculated velocity to a commanded velocity to obtain a velocity error, and, if necessary, de-rates the tractive effort of the wheels to prevent the boom from stalling. The controller also determines if the operator is actuating the boom, and reads the boom position to calculate the boom velocity based upon the current boom position and a previous boom position. The controller uses a predefined algorithm to de-rate the tractive effort of the wheels as a function of the power train configuration.

Abstract: An articulated vehicle is provided including a stabilization system configured to resist roll-over of a trailer portion of the vehicle.

Abstract: An anti-overspeed system is adapted to prevent overspeeding of an engine of a vehicle. The anti-overspeed system has an anti-overspeed hydraulic circuit operably connected to the engine and a controller for controlling the hydraulic circuit in a manner that prevents overspeeding of the engine.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for a work vehicle including a manifold assembly configured to prioritize hydraulic fluid flow to priority functions over a wide range of engine speeds.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a loader of a construction apparatus such as front-end wheel loader or an agricultural tractor. Specifically, the present invention is related to a control system for a loader.