Abstract: A drive and control system for a lawn tractor includes a CAN-Bus network, a plurality of controllers, a pair of electric transaxles controlled by the plurality of controllers, and one or more steering and drive input devices coupled to respective sensor(s) for sensing user steering and drive inputs. The plurality of controllers communicate with one or more vehicle sensors via the CAN-Bus network. The plurality of controllers receive the user's steering and drive inputs and posts on the CAN-Bus network and generate drive signals to obtain the desired speed and direction of motion of the lawn tractor.

Abstract: A drive and control system for a utility vehicle includes a CAN-Bus network and a vehicle control module operable to communicate signals to and from one or more components via the CAN-Bus network. The system includes first and second electric actuators with first and second electronic drive modules, respectively. The system includes a steering and drive input device and a steering and drive sensor module operable to post on the CAN-Bus network a steering and drive input command. The vehicle control module processes the steering and drive input command and post on the CAN-Bus network a steering and drive output command. The first and second electronic drive modules process and convert the steering and drive output command to appropriate first and second actuator commands to drive the first and second electric actuators to obtain the desired speed and direction of motion of the utility vehicle.

Abstract: A drive and control system for a lawn tractor includes a CAN-Bus network, a vehicle controller, a pair of hydrostatic or electric transaxles controlled by respective electronic drive controllers, and one or more steering and drive input devices coupled to respective sensor(s) for sensing user steering and drive inputs. The vehicle controller communicates with one or more vehicle sensors and one or more vehicle controllers that control one or more vehicle components via the CAN-Bus network. The vehicle controller processes the user's steering and drive inputs and posts on the CAN-Bus network digital drive signals configured to obtain the desired speed and direction of motion of the lawn tractor. The electronic drive controllers convert the digital drive signals to appropriate signals for driving the hydrostatic transaxles or the electric transaxles, as equipped, based on tunable motion parameters to obtain the desired speed and direction of motion of the lawn tractor.

Abstract: A drive and control system for a lawn tractor includes one or more sensors configured to detect an operational parameter of an aspect of the vehicle, and one or more controllers for controlling one or more components of the vehicle and for receiving data output from the one or more sensors. The controller communicates with the one or more sensors and one or more vehicle modules configured to control one or more vehicle components via a CAN Bus network. The controller may be coupled to an IMU mounted on the vehicle for dynamically controlling the vehicle on sloped terrain, for example. The controller may be accessible from a remote device over a wireless network for communicating setup, diagnostic, and performance data to and from the vehicle.

Abstract: A drive and control system for a lawn tractor includes a CAN-Bus network, a vehicle controller, a pair of hydrostatic or electric transaxles controlled by respective electronic drive controllers, and one or more steering and drive input devices coupled to respective sensor(s) for sensing user steering and drive inputs. The vehicle controller communicates with one or more vehicle sensors and one or more vehicle controllers that control one or more vehicle components via the CAN-Bus network. The vehicle controller processes the user's steering and drive inputs and posts on the CAN-Bus network digital drive signals configured to obtain the desired speed and direction of motion of the lawn tractor. The electronic drive controllers convert the digital drive signals to appropriate signals for driving the hydrostatic transaxles or the electric transaxles, as equipped, based on tunable motion parameters to obtain the desired speed and direction of motion of the lawn tractor.

Abstract: An electric actuator for use with a variable drive apparatus is disclosed herein. The electric actuator has a rotary design incorporating a magnetic field sensor chip disposed on a circuit board to sense the rotational orientation of the magnetic field of a cylindrical diametric magnet positioned on the end of a control shaft of a hydrostatic drive unit. The circuit board includes a microprocessor, electric motor power control and CAN Bus communication capability. The gear housing of the electric actuator features an integral end cap to accommodate mounting of the electric motor to enable a compact design.

Abstract: A lawn tractor includes one or more sensors configured to detect an operational parameter of an aspect of the vehicle, and one or more controllers for controlling one or more components of the vehicle and for receiving data output from the one or more sensors. The controller communicates with the one or more sensors and one or more vehicle modules configured to control one or more vehicle components via a CAN Bus network. The controller may be coupled to an IMU mounted on the vehicle for dynamically controlling the vehicle on sloped terrain, for example. The controller may be accessible from a remote device over a wireless network for communicating setup, diagnostic, and performance data to and from the vehicle.

Abstract: The disclosed dynamic suspension systems include (i) a fluid-filled suspension tube, (ii) a piston rod partially enclosed within the suspension tube, (iii) a first impedance plate coupled to the piston rod and comprising bypass apertures, (iv) a second impedance plate comprising bypass apertures and arranged relative to the first impedance plate to form overlap regions at each point where a portion of a bypass aperture of the first impedance plate overlaps a portion of a bypass aperture of the second impedance plate. In operation, the first or second impedance plates is movable to change a size or number of the overlap regions to adjust a fluid flow rate through the overlap regions to control the speed and/or acceleration of the piston rod as the piston rod moves through the fluid-filled suspension tube.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided that allow for a configurable computer system comprised of a common electronic base used in conjunction with interchangeable user interface system housings having a tablet display, a notebook display, or convertible display. The user interface systems comprise an upper housing that interfaces with the common electronic base through a personality module comprised of a configuration module connector and a configuration module. The physical structure and arrangement of the common electronic base and the personality module is designed to allow for interchangeability of two or more of the following: a tablet display, a notebook computer keyboard and notebook display, and a convertible display having a keyboard and a convertible display.

Abstract: Enclosures for laptops, notebooks, tablets, or other portable computers are provided, the enclosures comprising a first case having a first edge defined thereon, a second case having a second edge defined thereon, wherein said first edge of said first case and said second edge of said second case abut one another; and a belt disposed around the abutted first and second edges. The belt serves to couple the first case to the second case and in certain embodiments, provides a substantially uniform clamping force so as to compress the two cases together. In certain embodiments, advantages of the present invention include, but are not limited to, a more efficient and/or more cost-effective coupling device for electronic enclosures, a device for electronic enclosures that is easier to install and manipulate, and the ability to provide a substantially uniform clamping force across a selected joined area of an electronic enclosure.

Abstract: Electronic enclosures, enclosed circuit board assemblies, and computers having elastomeric truncated standoffs are provided. More particularly, systems and devices may comprise a computer case in which a plurality of elastomeric standoffs are mounted so as to support one or more circuit boards. The case may be formed of a first enclosure and a second enclosure with the standoffs secured therebetween. The elastomeric truncated standoffs pass partially through apertures in the circuit board such that the circuit board is supported by the standoffs and so that the circuit board is mechanically isolated from the case. Advantages include efficiently providing mechanical isolation to the circuit board and the components mounted to it, providing design flexibility by reducing or eliminating the necessity of permanently tooled or fixed boss mounts, and allowing elastomeric standoffs to be constructed of different materials than their corresponding enclosure.

Abstract: Single and multiple disc strobe tuners employ microprocessor controlled stepper motors for driving the disc(s) to facilitate the use of customized tuning schemes, such as unequal temperaments and stretch tuning. The tuning schemes are stored in a look up table and may be programmed by the user. The single disc embodiment preferably employs an auto note detector which determines the identity of a note being played by an instrument, and causes the microprocessor to adjust the speed of the stepper motor almost instantaneously to a speed assigned to that note in accordance with a selected tuning scheme. This enables a user to play through a series of notes rapidly to verify whether they are in tune with the selected tuning scheme. The multiple, preferably 12, disc embodiment employs a separate stepper motor and micro controller for each disc to accommodate individual tuning of each disc relative to one another.

Abstract: An electrical stepper motor system is provided in which a microcomputer controlled driver monitors the real time operating parameters of the stepper motor. The driver is controlled by the microcomputer to keep the real time operating parameters of the motor in a range that is governed by limiting parameters. The limiting parameters are determined by the microcomputer on a moment by moment basis in response to changes in certain conditions occurring within the stepper motor, as well as in the outside operating environment. The microcomputer compares the microcomputer determined safe operating parameters with any user stipulated operating parameters, stored in the storage means of the microcomputer, to determine limiting parameters on a moment by moment basis. An encoder senses the position and velocity of the motor and provides appropriate status signals to enable the driver to compensate for position and velocity errors of the stepper motor.

Abstract: An electrical motor system is provided in which driver means position the motor, control the speed of the motor and control the current delivered to the windings of the motor. The operating parameters of the system are sensed on a moment by moment basis and data concerning these operating parameters is provided to a memory. A user has the ability to provide a plurality of user-stipulated operating parameters during use of the motor system. The user-stipulated operating parameters are sensed on a moment by moment basis and data concerning the user-stipulated operating parameters is provided to the memory. The memory contains limiting parameters, sensed operating parameters and user-stipulated operating parameters and a set of adaptive programs for determining the relationship between these parameters. The various parameters are fed to a computer which operates with them, via the adaptive programs, to create, on a moment by moment basis, a new set of operational limiting parameters.