Abstract: A braking system for electric vehicles that gives a driver the feel of a conventional hydraulic braking system while maximizing the recuperation of electrical power is described herein. A single brake pedal is used to control both electric and hydraulic braking assemblies. A feedback force generator is provided to give the driver the impression that a completely hydraulic braking system is used. Therefore, the driver is not inclined to further depress the pedal, thereby preventing the premature activation of the hydraulic braking system.

Abstract: The electrically motorized wheel assembly comprises a hollow shaft having a first opening at one end thereof and a second opening, the first opening receiving conductors from outside of the assembly; a stator coaxial with and fixedly attached to the shaft, the stator being provided with a hollow portion and coils; a rotor coaxial with the stator and mounted for rotation about the stator; and converting system for converting an input electrical current to a variable AC electrical current, the converting system including power electronics fixedly mounted within the hollow portion, input terminals for receiving the input electrical current and output terminals for delivering the variable AC electrical current; whereby, to provide the variable AC current to the coils of the stator.

Abstract: The electrically motorized wheel assembly comprises a hollow shaft having a first opening at one end thereof and a second opening, the first opening receiving conductors from outside of the assembly; a stator coaxial with and fixedly attached to the shaft, the stator being provided with a hollow portion and coils; a rotor coaxial with the stator and mounted for rotation about the stator; and converting system for converting an input electrical current to a variable AC electrical current, the converting system including power electronics fixedly mounted within the hollow portion, input terminals for receiving the input electrical current and output terminals for delivering the variable AC electrical current; whereby, to provide the variable AC current to the coils of the stator.

Abstract: A steering system used in a ground-engaged vehicle having independently motorized steerable wheels, where a steering assistance is provided by generating a differential torque in the motors for producing steering assistance forces, is disclosed. The steering assistance is provided, when a torque is applied on the steering wheel, by generating the differential torque by the motors and thus producing steering assistance forces due to virtual lever arms defined between the mean contact point of a wheel with the ground, and the virtual intersection with the ground of a prolongation of the pivot axis of the wheel.

Abstract: A semaphore for use in a detection system for a high voltage device and for signalling a predetermined state of the device. The semaphore comprises a housing supporting therein a retroreflector element. The housing has an aperture and the retroreflector has a reflective surface supported in a alignment with the aperture. The housing is mounted in close proximity to the device. A linkage is associated with the housing and the device and is actuated upon the occurrence of a predetermined condition whereby to expose the reflective surface in the housing for the reflection of signals through the apertures. A remote scanning device continuously generates infrared signals in the direction of the aperture and detects reflective signals from the reflective surface.

Abstract: A protection system for protecting the secondary windings of current transformers against overvoltages. The protection system consists of a device shunting the secondary winding and having a triggering device operative when the winding is subjected to a voltage higher than the voltage appearing across the terminals of the secondary winding, under normal operating conditions and during a fault on the HV power network. The shunting device comprises a latching relay incorporating a coil which is energized by the triggering device to short-circuit the current secondary transformer through the relay contact, and, also, a voltage regulator connected in parallel with the relay coil. This protection system is simple, compact, lightweight and consumes no energy when the current transformer operates under normal conditions.

Abstract: A signalling system to indicate the position of a disconnect switch used in an electric transmission line. The switch has at least one moving contact and at least one fixed contact. The system comprises two transmitters associated with the moving and fixed contacts to transmit at least one ultrasonic signal indicating the position of the moving contact with relation to the fixed contact of the disconnect switch. A receiver assembly receives the ultrasonic signal transmitted by the transmitters and generates an output signal representative of the position of the moving and fixed contacts.