Abstract: A lateral move irrigation system more effectively irrigates a field by minimizing the portions of the field that receive no irrigation. The irrigation system includes a plurality of mobile towers, a plurality of elongated support structures attached to and extending between the towers, and a fluid delivery system. Each mobile tower has wheels and a motor for driving the wheels. A safety circuit stops the motors on all the mobile towers when any of the towers reaches an end-of-run position. Location determining components determine locations of the mobile towers as they traverse a field, and a control system stops or slows any of the towers before they trigger the safety circuit so that lagging mobile tower may catch up before the safety circuit shuts down or reverses all the motors.

Abstract: A lateral move irrigation system more effectively irrigates a field by minimizing the portions of the field that receive no irrigation. The irrigation system includes a plurality of mobile towers, a plurality of elongated support structures attached to and extending between the towers, and a fluid delivery system. Each mobile tower has wheels and a motor for driving the wheels. A safety circuit stops the motors on all the mobile towers when any of the towers reaches an end-of-run position. Location determining components determine locations of the mobile towers as they traverse a field, and a control system stops or slows any of the towers before they trigger the safety circuit so that lagging mobile tower may catch up before the safety circuit shuts down or reverses all the motors.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for operating a supercharger for an automotive engine is disclosed. The supercharger has: an input shaft for coupling to an engine crankshaft, and coupled to the rotor of a first electrical machine and a first component of an epicyclic gear train; and an output shaft connected to a compressor and a second component of the epicyclic gear train; wherein the third component of the epicyclic gear train is connected to the rotor of a second electrical machine. The first electrical machine is selectively operable to supply electrical energy to the second electrical machine. The method includes the steps of: (a) calculating a required speed of the second electrical machine that would give rise to a required pressure at an outlet of the compressor; and (b) setting the speed of the second electrical machine to the calculated required speed.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for operating a supercharger for an automotive engine is disclosed. The supercharger has: an input shaft for coupling to an engine crankshaft, and coupled to the rotor of a first electrical machine and a first component of an epicyclic gear train; and an output shaft connected to a compressor and a second component of the epicyclic gear train; wherein the third component of the epicyclic gear train is connected to the rotor of a second electrical machine. The first electrical machine is selectively operable to supply electrical energy to the second electrical machine. The method includes the steps of: (a) calculating a required speed of the second electrical machine that would give rise to a required pressure at an outlet of the compressor; and (b) setting the speed of the second electrical machine to the calculated required speed.

Abstract: A rotary device includes a stator for receiving or outputting electrical power; a rotor arranged coaxially within the stator and having one or more magnets arranged thereon, the rotor including a rotor housing having an inner wall, the magnets being arranged around the housing, and wherein the rotor also includes an axial fluid conduit for the flow of a coolant between a first end of the rotor and a second distal end of the rotor; the rotor further including one or more radial fluid conduits, the radial fluid conduits being fluidly coupled to the axial fluid conduit and arranged in use to receive coolant from or provide coolant to the axial fluid conduit, the inner wall having one or more fluid paths for the flow of coolant, thereby to cool the rotor; and a fluid impeller arranged at the first or distal end of rotor and arranged to rotate with the rotor and impart to and/or maintain rotary movement of or remove from and/or maintain rotary movement of fluid entering or leaving the rotary device.

Abstract: An automotive air blower, in particular a supercharger, includes an air pump, such as an air impeller connected to the output shaft of a transmission system, the input shaft of which is connected, in use, to the engine of a motor vehicle. The input and output shafts are connected to respective branches of a three-branch epicyclic differential gearset. The third branch of the gearset and the input shaft are connected to the rotor of respective electrical machines, the electrical connections of the stators of which machines are connected together via a controller arranged to control the flow of electric power between them.

Abstract: An automotive air blower includes an air pump (14) connected to the output shaft of a transmission system, whose input shaft is connected, in use, to the engine (16) of a motor vehicle. The input and output shafts are connected to the ring gear (10) and sun gear (13), respectively, of a three-branch epicyclic differential gearset. The planet carrier (12) of the gearset is connected to the rotor (2) of an electric motor/generator and the input shaft is connected to the rotor of an electrical machine (1), which constitutes at least a generator. The electrical connections of the stators of the two machines are connected together via a controller arranged to control the flow of electrical power between them. A selectively engageable mechanical connection (15) is provided between two of the branches of the gearset and arranged to connect the two branches together such that the gearset will rotate as a single unit.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for operating a supercharger for an automotive engine is disclosed. The supercharger has: an input shaft for coupling to an engine crankshaft, and coupled to the rotor of a first electrical machine and a first component of an epicyclic gear train; and an output shaft connected to a compressor and a second component of the epicyclic gear train; wherein the third component of the epicyclic gear train is connected to the rotor of a second electrical machine. The first electrical machine is selectively operable to supply electrical energy to the second electrical machine. The method includes the steps of: (a) calculating a required speed of the second electrical machine that would give rise to a required pressure at an outlet of the compressor; and (b) setting the speed of the second electrical machine to the calculated required speed.

Abstract: An automotive air blower includes an air pump (14) connected to the output shaft of a transmission system, whose input shaft is connected, in use, to the engine (16) of a motor vehicle. The input and output shafts are connected to the ring gear (10) and sun gear (13), respectively, of a three-branch epicyclic differential gearset. The planet carrier (12) of the gearset is connected to the rotor (2) of an electric motor/generator and the input shaft is connected to the rotor of an electrical machine (1), which constitutes at least a generator. The electrical connections of the stators of the two machines are connected together via a controller arranged to control the flow of electrical power between them. A selectively engageable mechanical connection (15) is provided between two of the branches of the gearset and arranged to connect the two branches together such that the gearset will rotate as a single unit.

Abstract: An automotive air blower, in particular a supercharger, includes an air pump, such as an air impeller connected to the output shaft of a transmission system, the input shaft of which is connected, in use, to the engine of a motor vehicle. The input and output shafts are connected to respective branches of a three-branch epicyclic differential gearset. The third branch of the gearset and the input shaft are connected to the rotor of respective electrical machines, the electrical connections of the stators of which machines are connected together via a controller arranged to control the flow of electric power between them.

Abstract: An automotive air blower, in particular a supercharger, comprises an air pump, such as an air impeller (2) connected to the output shaft (4) of a transmission system, the input shaft of which is connected, in use, to the engine of a motor vehicle. The input and output shafts (6, 4) are connected to respective branches of a three-branch epicyclic differential gearset. The third branch of the gearset and the input shaft (6) are connected to the rotor (20, 22) of respective electrical machines, the electrical connections of the stators (24, 26) of which machines are connected together via a controller (27) arranged to control the flow of electric power between them.

Abstract: A system for controlling the movement of a linear irrigation apparatus having a boom that is supported on at least two drive towers. The guidance system includes through at least one GPS signal receiving unit associated with one of the drive towers for the apparatus. The signal receiving unit has a GPS receiving antenna mounted from the drive tower so that it is in a position forwardly of a nonsteerable wheel for the tower. When the apparatus deviates from a desired path of travel, a drive relay is actuated to vary the actuation of the drive motors on the towers to return the apparatus to the desired path of travel.