Abstract: A hydraulic system incorporated into a vehicle is provided. The system includes a plurality of actuators for providing a desired configuration of a vehicle. A valve system is operatively coupled to the plurality of actuators for controlling a flow of pressurized fluid to the plurality of actuators to energize the actuators to produce, responsive to the desired configuration of the vehicle, a first configuration of a plurality of first configurations of the vehicle corresponding to the desired configuration of the vehicle, or a second configuration of a plurality of second configurations of the vehicle corresponding to the desired configuration of the vehicle.

Abstract: An auxiliary lean control system is provided for controlling a lean angle of at least a portion of a vehicle. The auxiliary lean control system includes an energy storage device for storing energy to actuate the lean control system, a stabilizing mechanism coupled to the energy storage device and to the at least a portion of the vehicle for applying energy received from the energy storage device to the at least a portion of the vehicle to adjust the lean angle of the at least a portion of a vehicle, and a linkage coupled to the energy storage device and to the stabilizing mechanism for transferring energy from the energy storage device to the stabilizing mechanism. The auxiliary lean control system controls the lean angle of the portion of the vehicle in an absence of control of the lean angle by a primary lean control system.

Abstract: A method for balancing brake force is disclosed. The method includes determining whether a deceleration value reaches a first deceleration threshold in response to a braking event and determining brake condition and vehicle motion. Based on brake condition and vehicle motion determination and the first deceleration threshold determination, the method determines whether the deceleration value reaches a second deceleration threshold, and applies threshold balancing when the second deceleration threshold is reached.

Abstract: A flow rate of unconnected first and second fluid flows is matched or not matched, such as, but not limited to, matching or not matching the flow rate of the replacement water stream with the waste water stream in kidney dialysis. First and second flow paths are interconnected so substantially the same flow from a first positive displacement pump in the first path encounters a flow-rate transducer in the second path. A first set of transducer readings are taken for various values of the controllable first pump speed of the first pump. The first and second flow paths are disconnected, and a second set of transducer readings are taken for various values of the controllable second pump speed of the second pump. The flow rates are substantially matched or not matching by controlling one of the first and second pump speeds using the other of the pump speeds and the first and second sets of readings.

Abstract: A method is directed to controlling an electric caliper brake system. The method provides for receiving an ignition voltage signal, receiving a caliper position signal, sending a motor shut down signal, sending a back drive control signal based on the received ignition voltage signal and the caliper position signal, and releasing stored energy from a non-linear device to a caliper brake system motor responsive to the back drive control signal. The non-linear device may be implemented as a capacitor. The step of sending a back drive control signal based on the received ignition voltage and the capacitor position signal includes analyzing the ignition voltage signal for an ignition voltage failure, analyzing the caliper position signal for caliper engagement, and transmitting the back drive control signal responsive to the ignition voltage failure and caliper engagement. Ignition voltage failure occurs when the ignition voltage signal is a low value.

Abstract: A flow rate of unconnected first and second fluid flows is matched or not matched, such as, but not limited to, matching or not matching the flow rate of the replacement water stream with the waste water stream in kidney dialysis. First and second flow paths are interconnected so substantially the same flow from a first positive displacement pump in the first path encounters a flow-rate transducer in the second path. A first set of transducer readings are taken for various values of the controllable first pump speed of the first pump. The first and second flow paths are disconnected, and a second set of transducer readings are taken for various values of the controllable second pump speed of the second pump. The flow rates are substantially matched or not matching by controlling one of the first and second pump speeds using the other of the pump speeds and the first and second sets of readings.

Abstract: A property of unconnected first and second fluid flows is matched, such as, but not limited to, matching the flow rate of the replacement water stream with the waste water stream in kidney dialysis. The first and second flow paths are interconnected so substantially the same flow from the first flow source encounters a first flow transducer which is in the first flow path and a second flow transducer which is in the second flow path. Transducer readings are taken for various identical values of the property of the first fluid flow. Then the first and second flow paths are disconnected, and the property, such as but not limited to flow rate, of one of the fluid flows in one of the flow paths is controlled using transducer readings and the previous interconnected-path transducer readings to match the property in the two flows. In one example, the transducers are uncalibrated transducers.

Abstract: A flow rate of unconnected first and second fluid flows is matched, such as, but not limited to, matching the flow rate of the replacement water stream with the waste water stream in kidney dialysis. The first and second flow paths are interconnected so substantially the same flow from a positive displacement pump in the first path encounters a flow-rate transducer in the second path. Transducer readings are taken for various values of the controllable pump speed of the pump. Then, the first and second flow paths are disconnected, a transducer reading is taken, and the flow rate of the fluid flow in the first flow path is controlled by controlling the pump speed using the value of the pump speed from the previous interconnected paths which corresponds to the value of the transducer reading from the previous interconnected paths which matches the transducer reading for the disconnected paths.

Abstract: An intelligent input push rod assembly for applying an input force from a brake pedal to a power booster of a brake system. The input push rod assembly includes a sensor that is capable of generating an electrical output having a magnitude that varies with the amount of force applied to the input push rod by the brake pedal. Preferably, the sensor generates an output voltage signal that is generally proportional to the input force applied to the input push rod. A shunt is provided so that springs associated with the sensor operate in a generally linear force-deflection operating range of the springs. The output signal generated by the sensor is applied to a brake light control system that is supported by the input push rod assembly. The brake light control system uses the signal generated by the sensor to determine whether the vehicle brake lights should be illuminated and also to cause direct illumination of the brake lights during a braking operation.

Abstract: A flow control system and a valve for controlling a fluid flow in a flexible conduit. The valve includes a movable member movable to compressingly contact the outer surface of the flexible conduit to adjust the flow cross-sectional area of the flexible conduit. The flow control system includes the flexible conduit, the valve, and a controller. The controller is operatively connected to the movable member for controllably moving the movable member.

Abstract: A torque sensing apparatus for use with a brake caliper having opposing brake pads positioned on opposite sides of a rotor. The brake caliper causes the brake pads to apply a braking force against the rotor that generates a braking torque. A torque transfer device is supported by the brake caliper and is in contact with one of the brake pads. The torque transfer device is resiliently movable with respect to the brake caliper in response to the braking torque. A torque sensor is positioned in a sensing relationship relative to the torque transfer device. Thus, the torque sensor provides an output signal related to a change of position of the torque transfer device and the braking torque. The torque sensor includes a magnet mounted on the torque transfer device and a magnet field sensor, for example, a Hall Effect sensor, is mounted on the brake caliper.

Abstract: An assembly for actuating a parking brake comprises a screw, a nut mounted for translation on the screw, and a cable connected between the brake and the nut. A compliant element is mounted on the screw, and is adapted to expand axially with a change in tension in the cable.

Abstract: An intelligent input push rod assembly for applying an input force from a brake pedal to a power booster of a brake system. The input push rod assembly includes a sensor that is capable of generating an electrical output having a magnitude that varies with the amount of force applied to the input push rod by the brake pedal. Preferably, the sensor generates an output voltage signal that is generally proportional to the input force applied to the input push rod. A shunt is provided so that springs associated with the sensor operate in a generally linear force-deflection operating range of the springs. The output signal generated by the sensor is applied to a brake light control system that is supported by the input push rod assembly. The brake light control system uses the signal generated by the sensor to determine whether the vehicle brake lights should be illuminated and also to cause direct illumination of the brake lights during a braking operation.

Abstract: An intelligent input push rod assembly for applying an input force from a brake pedal to a power booster of a brake system. The input push rod assembly includes a sensor that is capable of generating an electrical output having a magnitude that varies with the amount of force applied to the input push rod by the brake pedal. Preferably, the sensor generates an output voltage signal that is generally proportional to the input force applied to the input push rod. A shunt is provided so that springs associated with the sensor operate in a generally linear force-deflection range of the springs. The output signal generated by the sensor is applied to a brake light control system that is supported by the input push rod assembly. The brake light control system uses the signal generated by the sensor to determine whether the vehicle brake lights should be illuminated and also to cause direct illumination of the brake lights during a braking operation.

Abstract: A flow rate of unconnected first and second fluid flows is matched, such as, but not limited to, matching the flow rate of the replacement water stream with the waste water stream in kidney dialysis. The first and second flow paths are interconnected so substantially the same flow from a positive displacement pump in the first path encounters a flow-rate transducer in the second path. Transducer readings are taken for various values of the controllable pump speed of the pump. Then, the first and second flow paths are disconnected, a transducer reading is taken, and the flow rate of the fluid flow in the first flow path is controlled by controlling the pump speed using the value of the pump speed from the previous interconnected paths which corresponds to the value of the transducer reading from the previous interconnected paths which matches the transducer reading for the disconnected paths.

Abstract: A flow control system and a valve for controlling a fluid flow in a flexible conduit. The valve includes a movable member movable to compressingly contact the outer surface of the flexible conduit to adjust the flow cross-sectional area of the flexible conduit. The flow control system includes the flexible conduit, the valve, and a controller. The controller is operatively connected to the movable member for controllably moving the movable member.

Abstract: A property of unconnected first and second fluid flows is matched, such as, but not limited to, matching the flow rate of the replacement water stream with the waste water stream in kidney dialysis. The first and second flow paths are interconnected so substantially the same flow from the first flow source encounters a first flow transducer which is in the first flow path and a second flow transducer which is in the second flow path. Transducer readings are taken for various identical values of the property of the first fluid flow. Then the first and second flow paths are disconnected, and the property, such as but not limited to flow rate, of one of the fluid flows in one of the flow paths is controlled using transducer readings and the previous interconnected-path transducer readings to match the property in the two flows. In one example, the transducers are uncalibrated transducers.

Abstract: A linear position sensor that includes a plurality of Hall effect transducers enables reliable positioning of a parking brake cable. Coarse positioning sensing is provided by longitudinally spacing the Hall effect transducers such that not more than one transducer has a positively sloped output signal for a given position of a magnet connected to a parking brake cable actuator. Fine position sensing is provided by linear approximation of the output signal with an offset appropriate for the specific transducer having the sensed positively sloped output signal.

Abstract: An assembly for actuating a parking brake comprises a screw, a nut mounted for translation on the screw, and a cable connected between the brake and the nut. A compliant element is mounted on the screw, and is adapted to expand axially with a change in tension in the cable.

Abstract: A torque sensing apparatus for use with a brake caliper having opposing brake pads positioned on opposite sides of a rotor. The brake caliper causes the brake pads to apply a braking force against the rotor that generates a braking torque. A torque transfer device is supported by the brake caliper and is in contact with one of the brake pads. The torque transfer device is resiliently movable with respect to the brake caliper in response to the braking torque. A torque sensor is positioned in a sensing relationship relative to the torque transfer device. Thus, the torque sensor provides an output signal related to a change of position of the torque transfer device and the braking torque. The torque sensor includes a magnet mounted on the torque transfer device and a magnet field sensor, for example, a Hall Effect sensor, is mounted on the brake caliper.