Abstract: A brake test method is disclosed for use in testing the operation of a brake of a drive system comprising a motor operable to drive a pair of drive shaft arrangements for rotation, an inboard brake associated with the motor, a first outboard brake associated with an end part of a first one of the drive shaft arrangements, and first and second outboard position sensors associated with the end parts of respective ones of the drive shaft arrangements, the method comprising the steps of applying the first outboard brake, operating the motor to apply a torque to the first drive shaft arrangement, applying the inboard brake, de-activating the motor, and using the output of the second outboard position sensor in determining an operating status of the inboard brake and/or first outboard brake.

Abstract: A multiple eye paintball loader motor controller having a container and an outfeed tube to direct paintballs to a marker. Ball sensors are in the loader outfeed tube to predict incoming paintballs and the rate of supply. A controller is connected to the ball sensor to sense the incoming balls to control or adapt the operation of the loader in accordance with the supply rate. Secondary sensors may also be utilized to provide additional information. Secondary sensors may be placed in the outfeed tube, placed to provide supplemental side information, or a combination of these placements. Various placements provide feed rate information and may also detect jammed ball positions in the transition area at the end of the outfeed tube.

Abstract: A skew detection arrangement comprises first and second series of targets movable past respective sensors, and monitoring means operable to monitor the outputs of the sensors, wherein the monitoring means is operable upon sensing that an output of a first one of the sensors is in a transition state to determine, from a transition direction of the transition state and an output of the other of the sensors, whether a skew condition has arisen. A skew detection method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A brake test method is disclosed for use in testing the operation of a brake of a drive system comprising a motor operable to drive a pair of drive shaft arrangements for rotation, an inboard brake associated with the motor, a first outboard brake associated with an end part of a first one of the drive shaft arrangements, and first and second outboard position sensors associated with the end parts of respective ones of the drive shaft arrangements, the method comprising the steps of applying the first outboard brake, operating the motor to apply a torque to the first drive shaft arrangement, applying the inboard brake, de-activating the motor, and using the output of the second outboard position sensor in determining an operating status of the inboard brake and/or first outboard brake.

Abstract: A fuel rail mounting bracket for use in a fuel charging assembly of a vehicle engine is disclosed. The fuel rail mounting bracket may include a bolt support portion mounted to the vehicle engine; a transition zone extending from the bolt support portion; and a support hoop portion extending from the transition zone and supportably mounted around the fuel rail, the support hoop portion having a main wall thickness and including an upper fracture recess adjacent to the transition zone that has an upper fracture wall thickness that is less than the main wall thickness, and a lower fracture recess, adjacent to the transition zone and spaced from the upper fracture recess, having a lower fracture wall thickness that is less than the main wall thickness.

Abstract: A material handling vehicle including a structure having ground engageable propulsion means and material handling apparatus mounted on the structure for movement relative thereto. The material handling apparatus has a first part and a second part. A first fluid operated actuator moves the first part relative to the structure, and a second fluid operated actuator moves the second part relative to the first part. An operator control generates a fluid pressure control signal. A first control valve supplies fluid pressure to the first actuator, a second control valve supplies fluid pressure to the second actuator in response to the fluid pressure control signal, and a modulating valve varies the fluid pressure control signal. An electronic control unit operable to control the modulating valve in accordance with a desired operation of the material handling apparatus.

Abstract: A calculation module for calculating the position of a mechanical element, the calculation module being operable to receive an input signal, detect a first plurality of corresponding features in the input signal, calculate the spacing between successive features of the first plurality of corresponding features, generate a first numerical sequence in accordance with the spacing between successive features of the first plurality of corresponding features, detect a second plurality of corresponding features in the input signal, calculate the spacing between successive features of the first plurality of corresponding features, and generate a second numerical sequence in accordance with the spacing between successive features of the first plurality of corresponding features.

Abstract: An operator display system for a material handling vehicle, the material handing vehicle having a material handling device comprising an arm and a material handling implement mounted on the arm, the operator display system being operable to receive input information comprising information relating to the orientation of the arm and of the material handling implement and calculate the position of the material handling implement, the operator display system further having a head-up display, the operator display system being operable to generate an output in accordance with the input information and display the output on the head-up display.