Abstract: A lubricant or fluid distributor may have a housing made in one piece and comprising an inner wall and an outer wall. The inner wall encloses an inlet chamber fluidly connected with an outside of the housing through a fluid inlet. A main chamber may be formed in between the outer wall and the inner wall, the main chamber fluidly connected with the inlet chamber and fluidly connected with the outside of the housing through one or more fluid outlets. A lubricant fitting member may be encapsulated within the inlet chamber. A system with the lubricant or fluid distributor may have a part to be lubricated.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for 3D printing. In one example, a 3D multi-layer structure is printed with a cavity distributed over multiple layers of a first filamentary material and shaped as a double-headed rivet. Further, the cavity is filled with a second filamentary material in a vertical direction to form a filament-based rivet, the vertical direction perpendicular to the plane of the multiple layers.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for 3D printing. In one example, a 3D multi-layer structure is printed with a cavity distributed over multiple layers of a first filamentary material and shaped as a double-headed rivet. Further, the cavity is filled with a second filamentary material in a vertical direction to form a filament-based rivet, the vertical direction perpendicular to the plane of the multiple layers.

Abstract: A hydraulic circuit for an adaptive park braking system and method of operation thereof. The method of operating an adaptive park braking system includes providing a vehicle having a motor, a front axle system, a rear axle system, wherein the front axle system has one or more front axle braking systems and the rear axle system has one or more rear axle braking systems. Identifying when the vehicle is engaged in a digging operation. Disconnecting the front axle system or the rear axle system from driving engagement with the motor of the vehicle. Activating the one or more braking systems of the disconnect axle system to apply an amount of force to the disconnected axle system of the vehicle. Then applying an amount of torque with the motor to the axle system in driving engagement with the motor.

Abstract: A lubricant or fluid distributor may have a housing made in one piece and comprising an inner wall and an outer wall. The inner wall encloses an inlet chamber fluidly connected with an outside of the housing through a fluid inlet. A main chamber may be formed in between the outer wall and the inner wall, the main chamber fluidly connected with the inlet chamber and fluidly connected with the outside of the housing through one or more fluid outlets. A lubricant fitting member may be encapsulated within the inlet chamber. A system with the lubricant or fluid distributor may have a part to be lubricated.

Abstract: A driveline for a vehicle and its method of operating are described. The driveline may have a power source and a front axle assembly drivingly engaged or selectively drivingly engaged with the power source. The front axle assembly may have a front left half shaft, a front right half shaft, a front left torque transmission control mechanism configured to control the transmission of torque to the FL half shaft, and a front right torque transmission control mechanism configured to control the transmission of torque to the FR half shaft. The driveline may also have a rear axle assembly drivingly engaged or selectively drivingly engaged with the power source. The rear axle assembly may have a rear left half shaft, a rear right half shaft, a rear left torque transmission control mechanism configured to control the transmission of torque to the RL half shaft, a rear right torque transmission control mechanism configured to control the transmission of torque to the RR half shaft.

Abstract: A rotary joint for use with a central tire inflation system and a network of sensorized components for a driveline is provided. The rotary joint comprises a sealing gasket wear detection system and a rotary encoder disposed within a joint cavity. The network of sensorized components comprises a sensorized wheel hub, a transmission speed sensor, and a controller in communication with the sensorized wheel hub and the transmission speed sensor through a communication bus. A method of utilizing a network of sensorized components to analyze a driveline and a method for monitoring a wear of a sealing gasket of a rotary joint is also provided.

Abstract: A system for recovering energy from a hydraulic actuator and to a method of operating the system are described. The system may have a hydraulic actuator and a source of hydraulic pressure, comprising a hydraulic pump, in fluid communication with the hydraulic actuator for pressurizing the hydraulic actuator. The system may also have a hydraulic accumulator assembly for selectively absorbing energy from the hydraulic actuator or via the hydraulic actuator. The system may also have a first one-way valve configured to provide fluid communication between the hydraulic actuator and the hydraulic accumulator assembly. The first one-way valve may be configured to permit a flow of fluid through the first one-way valve from the hydraulic actuator to the hydraulic accumulator assembly. The first one-way valve may also be configured to block a flow of fluid through the first one-way valve from the hydraulic accumulator assembly to the hydraulic actuator.

Abstract: A hydraulic circuit for an adaptive park braking system and method of operation thereof. The method of operating an adaptive park braking system includes providing a vehicle having a motor, a front axle system, a rear axle system, wherein the front axle system has one or more front axle braking systems and the rear axle system has one or more rear axle braking systems. Identifying when the vehicle is engaged in a digging operation. Disconnecting the front axle system or the rear axle system from driving engagement with the motor of the vehicle. Activating the one or more braking systems of the disconnect axle system to apply an amount of force to the disconnected axle system of the vehicle. Then applying an amount of torque with the motor to the axle system in driving engagement with the motor.

Abstract: A hydraulic hybrid powertrain for a vehicle is disclosed. The powertrain has an internal combustion engine selectively drivingly engaged with an input of a stepped-ratio transmission through a torque converter and through a speed direction changing device. An output of the stepped-ratio transmission is selectively drivingly engaged with a vehicle output. An intermediate gear set is drivingly engaged with the speed direction changing device and drivingly engaged with the input of the stepped-ratio transmission. A hydraulic machine in fluid communication with a hydraulic accumulator assembly, a transmission shaft of the hydraulic machine being drivingly engaged or selectively drivingly engaged with the intermediate gear set for providing energy to the intermediate gear set and for absorbing energy from the intermediate gear set. Also disclosed are methods of operating the hydraulic hybrid powertrain.

Abstract: A series hydraulic hybrid driveline for a vehicle, having a hydraulic circuit with a first hydraulic displacement unit in fluid communication with a second hydraulic displacement unit, the first hydraulic displacement unit having a variable hydraulic displacement and the first hydraulic displacement unit being drivingly engaged with an internal combustion engine. A hydraulic accumulator assembly selectively fluidly connected to the hydraulic circuit, the hydraulic accumulator assembly having a high pressure hydraulic accumulator and a low pressure hydraulic accumulator. And a hydraulic actuator adapted to control the hydraulic displacement of the first hydraulic displacement unit, the hydraulic actuator being in fluid communication with the hydraulic accumulator assembly and/or with the hydraulic circuit.

Abstract: A rotary joint for use with a central tire inflation system and a network of sensorized components for a driveline is provided. The rotary joint comprises a sealing gasket wear detection system and a rotary encoder disposed within a joint cavity. The network of sensorized components comprises a sensorized wheel hub, a transmission speed sensor, and a controller in communication with the sensorized wheel hub and the transmission speed sensor through a communication bus. A method of utilizing a network of sensorized components to analyze a driveline and a method for monitoring a wear of a sealing gasket of a rotary joint is also provided.

Abstract: A system for recovering energy from a hydraulic actuator and to a method of operating the system are described. The system may have a hydraulic actuator and a source of hydraulic pressure, comprising a hydraulic pump, in fluid communication with the hydraulic actuator for pressurizing the hydraulic actuator. The system may also have a hydraulic accumulator assembly for selectively absorbing energy from the hydraulic actuator or via the hydraulic actuator. The system may also have a first one-way valve configured to provide fluid communication between the hydraulic actuator and the hydraulic accumulator assembly. The first one-way valve may be configured to permit a flow of fluid through the first one-way valve from the hydraulic actuator to the hydraulic accumulator assembly. The first one-way valve may also be configured to block a flow of fluid through the first one-way valve from the hydraulic accumulator assembly to the hydraulic actuator.

Abstract: A rotary joint for use with a central tire inflation system and a network of sensorized components for a driveline is provided. The rotary joint comprises a sealing gasket wear detection system and a rotary encoder disposed within a joint cavity. The network of sensorized components comprises a sensorized wheel hub, a transmission speed sensor, and a controller in communication with the sensorized wheel hub and the transmission speed sensor through a communication bus. A method of utilizing a network of sensorized components to analyze a driveline and a method for monitoring a wear of a sealing gasket of a rotary joint is also provided.

Abstract: A series hydraulic hybrid driveline for a vehicle, having a hydraulic circuit with a first hydraulic displacement unit in fluid communication with a second hydraulic displacement unit, the first hydraulic displacement unit having a variable hydraulic displacement and the first hydraulic displacement unit being drivingly engaged with an internal combustion engine. A hydraulic accumulator assembly selectively fluidly connected to the hydraulic circuit, the hydraulic accumulator assembly having a high pressure hydraulic accumulator and a low pressure hydraulic accumulator. And a hydraulic actuator adapted to control the hydraulic displacement of the first hydraulic displacement unit, the hydraulic actuator being in fluid communication with the hydraulic accumulator assembly and/or with the hydraulic circuit.

Abstract: A series hydraulic hybrid system for a vehicle and a method of operating the same is described. The series hydraulic hybrid system has a hydraulic circuit, high and low pressure hydraulic accumulators, and a control unit. The hydraulic circuit has first and second hydraulic displacement units in fluid communication. The first hydraulic displacement unit is drivingly engaged with an internal combustion engine. The high pressure hydraulic accumulator and the low pressure hydraulic accumulator are fluidly connected to the hydraulic circuit through at least one accumulator valve. The control unit is adapted to receive an input from an operator, compute a requested torque and a target system pressure based on the input, compare an accumulator pressure to the target system pressure, and control at least one of a speed of the internal combustion engine and a valve state of the accumulator valve based on the outcome of the comparison.

Abstract: A series hydraulic hybrid driveline for a vehicle is described. The driveline has a power source, a hydraulic circuit having a first hydraulic displacement unit and a second hydraulic displacement unit, a hydraulic accumulator assembly with high pressure and low pressure hydraulic accumulators, at least one accumulator valve, at least one input device, and a control unit. The first hydraulic displacement unit is drivingly engaged with the power source. The accumulator assembly is selectively fluidly connected to the hydraulic circuit through the accumulator valve. The control unit is configured to compute a total power requested from the power source based on an input command from the input device, compare the computed total power to a threshold power, and control a valve state of the accumulator valve based upon the result of the comparison. A method of controlling the driveline is also described.

Abstract: A hydraulic hybrid powertrain for a vehicle is disclosed. The powertrain has an internal combustion engine selectively drivingly engaged with an input of a stepped-ratio transmission through a torque converter and through a speed direction changing device. An output of the stepped-ratio transmission is selectively drivingly engaged with a vehicle output. An intermediate gear set is drivingly engaged with the speed direction changing device and drivingly engaged with the input of the stepped-ratio transmission. A hydraulic machine in fluid communication with a hydraulic accumulator assembly, a transmission shaft of the hydraulic machine being drivingly engaged or selectively drivingly engaged with the intermediate gear set for providing energy to the intermediate gear set and for absorbing energy from the intermediate gear set. Also disclosed are methods of operating the hydraulic hybrid powertrain.

Abstract: A series hydraulic hybrid driveline for a vehicle is described. The driveline has a power source, a hydraulic circuit having a first hydraulic displacement unit and a second hydraulic displacement unit, a hydraulic accumulator assembly with high pressure and low pressure hydraulic accumulators, at least one accumulator valve, at least one input device, and a control unit. The first hydraulic displacement unit is drivingly engaged with the power source. The accumulator assembly is selectively fluidly connected to the hydraulic circuit through the accumulator valve. The control unit is configured to compute a total power requested from the power source based on an input command from the input device, compare the computed total power to a threshold power, and control a valve state of the accumulator valve based upon the result of the comparison. A method of controlling the driveline is also described.

Abstract: A series hydraulic hybrid system for a vehicle and a method of operating the same is described. The series hydraulic hybrid system has a hydraulic circuit, high and low pressure hydraulic accumulators, and a control unit. The hydraulic circuit has first and second hydraulic displacement units in fluid communication. The first hydraulic displacement unit is drivingly engaged with an internal combustion engine. The high pressure hydraulic accumulator and the low pressure hydraulic accumulator are fluidly connected to the hydraulic circuit through at least one accumulator valve. The control unit is adapted to receive an input from an operator, compute a requested torque and a target system pressure based on the input, compare an accumulator pressure to the target system pressure, and control at least one of a speed of the internal combustion engine and a valve state of the accumulator valve based on the outcome of the comparison.