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 method of monitoring a vehicle axle, and of discriminating between a plurality of axle failure modes, is described. The method may include acquiring first axle data and second axle data, detecting at least one first anomaly if the acquired first axle data deviate from first reference data provided by a model of the axle, detecting at least one second anomaly if the acquired second axle data deviate from second reference data, detecting at least one out of a plurality of axle failure modes based on which anomaly or which anomalies have been detected, and issuing a failure notice indicative of the at least one detected axle failure mode.

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 series hydraulic hybrid system for a vehicle may have: a hydraulic circuit with a first hydraulic displacement unit in fluid communication with a second hydraulic displacement unit, a hydraulic actuator, and a hydraulic accumulator assembly. The hydraulic accumulator assembly is selectively in fluid communication with the hydraulic circuit via at least one controllable circuit valve. The hydraulic accumulator assembly is selectively in fluid communication with the hydraulic actuator via at least one controllable actuator valve, such that the hydraulic accumulator assembly is configured to be selectively fluidly connected with and to be selectively fluidly disconnected from the hydraulic actuator via the at least one actuator valve independently of a control position of the at least one circuit valve. A method of operating the system is also described.

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 controller is configured to output a control command for controlling at least one driveline component according to a control map. The control map may define a dependence of the control command on at least one of: a control position of an input device, and at least one first condition of the driveline. The controller may also be configured to receive at least one input signal, the input signal may have a plurality of signal values recorded at different times. The signal values of the at least one input signal are indicative of at least one of: the control position of the input device, the at least one first condition of the driveline, and at least one second condition of the driveline. The controller may also be configured to derive a feature from the plurality of signal values and adapt the control map based on the derived feature.

Abstract: A rotary joint assembly for a tire inflation system includes a rotating portion. The rotating portion is attached to a wheel rim for rotation therewith. The rotating portion includes a center portion which has an air passageway formed therein. The rotary joint assembly also includes a non-rotating portion. The non-rotating portion has a non-rotating portion air passageway formed therein. The non-rotating portion air passageway is in fluid communication with the air passageway formed in the rotating portion via a chamber. A pair of annular sealing members are attached to the rotating portion and sealingly contact a sealing surface of the non-rotating portion. The annular sealing members define an inboard end and an outboard end of the chamber.

Abstract: A bogie axle assembly for a vehicle, in particular for an off-highway vehicle such as a forestry machine, the bogie axle assembly comprising: a rigid link arm; a first joint disposed on the link arm for pivotally coupling the link arm to a vehicle frame; a second joint disposed on the link arm, at a distance from the first joint; a bogie pivotally coupled to the link arm via the second joint; and a ground engaging structure comprising one or more wheels rotatably mounted on the bogie. The present disclosure further relates to a vehicle comprising said bogie axle assembly.

Abstract: A hydraulic driveline for a vehicle may have a main hydraulic circuit with a first hydraulic displacement unit and a second hydraulic displacement unit. The driveline may have a hydraulic accumulator assembly which is selectively fluidly connected to the main hydraulic circuit by one or more controllable valves of a first group of valves. The driveline may also have a first secondary module that has a first fluid communication of the hydraulic accumulator assembly with a first secondary hydraulic load of the hydraulic driveline. The first fluid communication may be one or more controllable valves that allow connecting the hydraulic accumulator assembly with the first secondary load or separating the hydraulic accumulator assembly from the first secondary load and that belong to a second group of valves. The controllable valves of the second group of valves are controllable independently of the controllable valves of the first group of valves.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a vehicle axle, and of discriminating between a plurality of axle failure modes, is described. The method may include acquiring first axle data and second axle data, detecting at least one first anomaly if the acquired first axle data deviate from first reference data provided by a model of the axle, detecting at least one second anomaly if the acquired second axle data deviate from second reference data, detecting at least one out of a plurality of axle failure modes based on which anomaly or which anomalies have been detected, and issuing a failure notice indicative of the at least one detected axle failure mode.

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 method of drivingly engaging a first motor of a dual motor drive unit with an output shaft driven by a second motor of the dual motor drive unit includes actuating a clutching device for drivingly engaging the first motor with the output shaft. Next, a rotational speed of the first motor is synchronized with a rotational speed of the output shaft. When the rotational speed of the first motor and the rotational speed of the output shaft are synchronized, an output torque of the first motor is reduced. When the clutching device drivingly engages the first motor with the output shaft, the output torque of the first motor is increased. The invention further relates to a dual motor drive unit for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A method and system of detecting an impending tip over of a vehicle with the following steps and apparatus. Acquiring first measurement data, the first measurement data having strain data and at least one of attitude data and acceleration data. Acquiring second measurement data, the second measurement data having strain data and at least one of attitude data and acceleration data. Determining, based on the first measurement data and based on the second measurement data, if the second measurement data is indicative of an impending tip over of the vehicle. Only if it is determined that the second measurement data is indicative of an impending tip over of the vehicle, triggering an alarm signal, overriding a control command or overwriting a control command.

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 hydraulic driveline for a vehicle may have a main hydraulic circuit with a first hydraulic displacement unit and a second hydraulic displacement unit. The driveline may have a hydraulic accumulator assembly which is selectively fluidly connected to the main hydraulic circuit by one or more controllable valves of a first group of valves. The driveline may also have a first secondary module that has a first fluid communication of the hydraulic accumulator assembly with a first secondary hydraulic load of the hydraulic driveline. The first fluid communication may be one or more controllable valves that allow connecting the hydraulic accumulator assembly with the first secondary load or separating the hydraulic accumulator assembly from the first secondary load and that belong to a second group of valves. The controllable valves of the second group of valves are controllable independently of the controllable valves of the first group of valves.

Abstract: A series hydraulic hybrid system for a vehicle may have: a hydraulic circuit with a first hydraulic displacement unit in fluid communication with a second hydraulic displacement unit, a hydraulic actuator, and a hydraulic accumulator assembly. The hydraulic accumulator assembly is selectively in fluid communication with the hydraulic circuit via at least one controllable circuit valve. The hydraulic accumulator assembly is selectively in fluid communication with the hydraulic actuator via at least one controllable actuator valve, such that the hydraulic accumulator assembly is configured to be selectively fluidly connected with and to be selectively fluidly disconnected from the hydraulic actuator via the at least one actuator valve independently of a control position of the at least one circuit valve. A method of operating the system is also described.

Abstract: A hybrid driveline which may be operated in a hydrostatic drive mode and a direct drive mode and a method of operating a hybrid driveline in a hydrostatic drive mode and a direct drive mode is provided. The hybrid driveline comprises a power source, a first hydrostatic unit drivingly engaged with the power source, a second hydrostatic unit selectively drivingly engaged with a vehicle output and in fluid communication with the first hydrostatic unit, an accumulator assembly in fluid communication with the first hydrostatic unit and the second hydrostatic unit, and a clutching device selectively drivingly engaged with the vehicle output and one of the first hydrostatic unit and the second hydrostatic unit. The hybrid driveline provides the benefits of a series hybrid arrangement and a parallel hybrid arrangement, reduces torque interruptions during operation and shifting procedures, and increases an efficiency of a vehicle the driveline is incorporated in.

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 hydrostatic driveline has a power source and a hydrostatic pump in driving engagement with the power source; a primary driveline shaft in driving engagement with the power source. The driveline also has a first transmission portion and a second transmission portion in driving engagement with the first transmission portion. A hydrostatic motor is in fluid communication with the hydrostatic pump and is in driving engagement with the first transmission portion. A vehicle output is in driving engagement with the second transmission portion. The primary driveline shaft is also in driving engagement with the second transmission portion. The hydrostatic driveline may be operated in a hydrostatic mode or in a direct drive mode using the primary driveline shaft and the second transmission portion.

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.