Abstract: The present invention relates to a powered vehicle. The powered vehicle includes a first frame assembly and a second frame assembly. A first axle is coupled to the first frame assembly and a second axle is coupled to the second frame assembly. The powered vehicle further includes a first powertrain assembly and a second powertrain assembly. The first powertrain assembly and second powertrain assembly are interchangeably coupled to the first axle and second axle.

Abstract: An axle tube comprising a dry section interposing a first wet section and a second wet section, the first and second wet sections housing a liquid lubricant, the dry section having an interior isolated from the liquid lubricant, at least one of the first and second wet sections includes a power train, and at least one of the first and second wet sections includes an electric motor, wherein the electric motor is at least partially received within the dry section, wherein a fluidic seal interposes the electric motor and the dry section, and wherein the electric motor is not rigidly mounted to the dry section.

Abstract: A hybrid power system for a vehicle which may include an internal combustion engine and a supplemental energy system for converting the mechanical energy generated by the engine to electrical energy and storing it as opportunity provides; and using the stored electrical energy to augment engine output as necessary. The supplemental energy system may include a motor-generator engaged with a flywheel.

Abstract: An axle tube comprising a dry section interposing a first wet section and a second wet section, the first and second wet sections housing a liquid lubricant, the dry section having an interior isolated from the liquid lubricant, at least one of the first and second wet sections includes a power train, and at least one of the first and second wet sections includes an electric motor, wherein the electric motor is at least partially received within the dry section, wherein a fluidic seal interposes the electric motor and the dry section, and wherein the electric motor is not rigidly mounted to the dry section.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a powered vehicle. The powered vehicle includes a first frame assembly and a second frame assembly. A first axle is coupled to the first frame assembly and a second axle is coupled to the second frame assembly. The powered vehicle further includes a first powertrain assembly and a second powertrain assembly. The first powertrain assembly and second powertrain assembly are interchangeably coupled to the first axle and second axle.

Abstract: Hydraulic circuits used to manipulate tools in, for example construction equipment, uses less power for a retraction of a hydraulic cylinder than for an extension of that cylinder. Provided is a hydraulic circuit that uses the stored energy from the low energy phase to lower the energy load on the hydraulic pump during the high energy phase. Energy from the hydraulic pump is increased during the low energy phase to increase the amount of stored hydraulic energy. The increased amount of stored energy is then used to intensify or add to the energy generated by the hydraulic pump for the high energy phase.

Abstract: A closed circuit hydraulic system includes a fluid reservoir, a hydraulic cylinder having a cylinder rod, a bidirectional variable displacement hydraulic pump that pumps fluid to either extend or retract the cylinder rod on demand, a flow control valve for relieving pressure between the variable displacement hydraulic pump and the cylinder, and a low pressure check valve between the variable displacement hydraulic pump and the fluid reservoir. Also included is a charge pump for charging the variable displacement hydraulic pump and an accumulator for saving extra energy and fluid from the hydraulic cylinder during the retraction of an extended cylinder rod and using that fluid and energy during the extension of the hydraulic cylinder to reduce a load on the charge pump. The flow control valve opens on demand to allow floating. The low pressure check valve opens when pressure at an inlet of the variable displacement hydraulic pump is low to provide additional fluid and pressure so as to avoid cavitation.

Abstract: A spool-type hydraulic directional control valve having improvements to reduce cavitation when the spool is in the float position. The flow area of a first passageway on the valve spool is appropriately sized to reduce the flow hydraulic fluid flow from the head end of the hydraulic cylinder to the hydraulic fluid reservoir, such that a sufficient proportion of that hydraulic fluid instead flows internally through control valve and back to the rod end of the hydraulic cylinder to reduce cavitation when the valve spool is in the “float” position. Additionally, a second passageway on the valve spool may be blocked-off, eliminating the hydraulic fluid flow path from the hydraulic fluid reservoir to the rod end of the hydraulic cylinder when the valve spool is in the “float” position.

Abstract: A product delivery system and method are provided including an electromechanical vibratory conveyor which has a product conveying member, a vibrator for vibrating the product conveyor and a control system for controlling electronically the vibration of the product conveying member both statically and dynamically to optimize performance both with and without product on the product conveying member. The vibration of the product conveying member is tuned both statically and dynamically with a coarse tuning followed by a fine tuning. An improved pulse width modulation drive circuit for the vibrator includes vibrating frequency and amplitude varying devices for adjusting the frequency and amplitude of the vibrator for increased efficiency, optimized performance and reduction in energy consumption. Several redundant safety devices to safeguard the switching devices and the vibrator are also provided.

Abstract: A product delivery system and method are provided including an electromechanical vibratory conveyor which has a product conveying member, a vibrator for vibrating the product conveyor and a control system for controlling electronically the vibration of the product conveying member both statically and dynamically to optimize performance both with and without product on the product conveying member. The vibration of the product conveying member is tuned both statically and dynamically with a coarse tuning followed by a fine tuning. An improved pulse width modulation drive circuit for the vibrator includes vibrating frequency and amplitude varying devices for adjusting the frequency and amplitude of the vibrator for increased efficiency, optimized performance and reduction in energy consumption. Several redundant safety devices to safeguard the switching devices and the vibrator are also provided.

Abstract: Packaging apparatus for packaging units in flexible sheet material with the units spaced longitudinally in a tube formed of a web of the material and with the tube sealed together between successive units. The apparatus includes a rotary sealing wheel carrying a series of sealing assemblies for sealing the tube, the sealing assemblies being uncoupled from the wheel and held at a hold position for again being released in timed relation to movement of the tube for sealing the tube between successive units. The apparatus also includes an electronic pulse counter or encoder driven at a speed proportional to the speed of the wheel to effect the release of a sealing unit in the event the passage of a unit to be packaged is not sensed by a photoelectric sensor when packaging the units in unprinted sheet material, or to control the placement of units to be packaged on a web of the material having registration marks preprinted thereon.