Abstract: An autonomous vehicle and navigation system, including a chassis, a propulsor arranged to drive the chassis, wherein the propulsor is operably connected with an electric power source, a load bearing dynamic platform operable to translate vertically, and a controller operable to receive and transmit signals, wherein the controller is operable to control the propulsor. Wherein the controller is operable to navigate an environment utilizing one or more pre-planned routes in an automated guidance mode as a function of guidance from a global controller, and the controller is operable to navigate the environment utilizing signals from a remote control in a localized remote guidance mode.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle and navigation system, including a chassis, a propulsor arranged to drive the chassis, wherein the propulsor is operably connected with an electric power source, a load bearing dynamic platform operable to translate vertically, and a controller operable to receive and transmit signals, wherein the controller is operable to control the propulsor. Wherein the controller is operable to navigate an environment utilizing one or more pre-planned routes in an automated guidance mode as a function of guidance from a global controller, and the controller is operable to navigate the environment utilizing signals from a remote control in a localized remote guidance mode.

Abstract: An autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle camera system including a camera having a field of view, wherein the camera is operable to receive optical information in the field of view. A display located in the camera field of view. A controller in electrical connection with the camera, wherein the controller is operable to conduct a Built-in-Test. Wherein the Built-in-Test is configured to present one or more images in the camera field of view via the display to determine functionality of the camera system.

Abstract: A voltage converter (110, 210) having a first bidirectional voltage line (112, 212), a second bidirectional voltage line (114, 214), a power storage element (L1) arranged between the first bidirectional voltage line and the second bidirectional voltage line, a switch element electronically coupled to the power storage element, a controller (141) for controlling the switch, and the controller configured and arranged to adjust a current flow between the first voltage line and the second voltage line such that a voltage level on the second bidirectional voltage line is substantially maintained at a target DC voltage.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle and navigation system, including a chassis, a propulsor arranged to drive the chassis, wherein the propulsor is operably connected with an electric power source, a load bearing dynamic platform operable to translate vertically, and a controller operable to receive and transmit signals, wherein the controller is operable to control the propulsor. Wherein the controller is operable to navigate an environment utilizing one or more pre-planned routes in an automated guidance mode as a function of guidance from a global controller, and the controller is operable to navigate the environment utilizing signals from a remote control in a localized remote guidance mode.

Abstract: An autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle camera system including a camera having a field of view, wherein the camera is operable to receive optical information in the field of view. A display located in the camera field of view. A controller in electrical connection with the camera, wherein the controller is operable to conduct a Built-in-Test. Wherein the Built-in-Test is configured to present one or more images in the camera field of view via the display to determine functionality of the camera system.

Abstract: A voltage converter (110, 210) having a first bidirectional voltage line (112, 212), a second bidirectional voltage line (114, 214), a power storage element (L1) arranged between the first bidirectional voltage line and the second bidirectional voltage line, a switch element electronically coupled to the power storage element, a controller (141) for controlling the switch, and the controller configured and arranged to adjust a current flow between the first voltage line and the second voltage line such that a voltage level on the second bidirectional voltage line is substantially maintained at a target DC voltage.

Abstract: A voltage converter (110, 210) having a first bidirectional voltage line (112, 212), a second bidirectional voltage line (114, 214), a power storage element (L1) arranged between the first bidirectional voltage line and the second bidirectional voltage line, a switch element electronically coupled to the power storage element, a controller (141) for controlling the switch, and the controller configured and arranged to adjust a current flow between the first voltage line and the second voltage line such that a voltage level on the second bidirectional voltage line is substantially maintained at a target DC voltage.

Abstract: The present invention provides a unique improvement (23) in an electronic motor drive (20) having an LC filter (21) to reduce conducted emissions from a motor (M) back to a voltage source (V1). The improvement broadly includes diode (24) in series with the inductor (L1) of said filter to prevent transmission of regenerative power from the motor to said voltage source; and a bypass switch (25) arranged in parallel with the diode and selectively operable to enable transmission of regenerative power from the motor to said voltage source.

Abstract: The present invention provides a unique improvement (23) in an electronic motor drive (20) having an LC filter (21) to reduce conducted emissions from a motor (M) back to a voltage source (V1). The improvement broadly includes diode (24) in series with the inductor (L1) of said filter to prevent transmission of regenerative power from the motor to said voltage source; and a bypass switch (25) arranged in parallel with the diode and selectively operable to enable transmission of regenerative power from the motor to said voltage source. The switch may be a transistor. The improvement may further include a freewheeling diode (26) arranged to allow inductor current flow when the switch is turned off. The invention allows the designer to use an undamped input filter, even in the presence of ah high input voltage ripple or multiple axes on a high source impedance distribution bus. This, in turn, allows the filter to be smaller, lighter and/or more efficient.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved current spike limiting circuit (49) for a DC brushless motor controller (21) arranged to operate in six-step mode. The controller has three electrically-controllable first switches (A.sub.U, B.sub.U, C.sub.U) arranged between a supply voltage (22) and a terminal (26, 28, 29) of a respective one of the field coils (A, B, C), and has three electrically-controllable second switches (A.sub.L, B.sub.L, C.sub.L) severally arranged between a ground (23) and the field coils. The improved circuit broadly comprises a regeneration polarity comparator (50) for sensing regenerative operation of the motor; a tachometer (58) for sensing motor speed; and an adjustable pulse generator (55) from momentarily opening a conducting one of the first switches for a predetermined time interval (t.sub.p) after a predetermined delay (t.sub.d) following a point in time (t.sub.s) when one of the second switches is closed and another of the second switches is opened.

Abstract: A high efficiency switching power supply includes a non-dissipative snubber circuit which provides dual polarity power utilized by a driver of the switching transistor. The snubber circuit, protecting the switching transistor in the supply and utilizing an inductor for storing energy normally dissipated as heat, charges filter capacitors with the stored energy to provide the dual polarity power sources. Zener diodes, paralelling the filter capacitors, regulate the power sources to provide output voltages sufficient for the driver to ensure saturation and cut-off of the switching transistor. The power sources allow the driver to directly drive the switching transistor for a high efficiency, small size, low cost and lightweight switching power supply.