Abstract: Apparatus and methods for cooling controller assemblies for electric utility vehicles are disclosed. Auxiliary implements powered by electric motors onboard a utility vehicle create airflow that is captured and directed to provide increased ambient airflow across heat sinks used to dissipate heat from heat generating components. Airflow across heated surfaces is further created by vehicle movement and vacuum pressure. Fins and other heat dissipating architecture are employed. Features of the cooling systems enable increased controller assembly functionality and/or decreased controller assembly package size.

Abstract: An engine configuration is disclosed. The engine configuration incorporates hydraulic pumps within the sump of the engine, and drives the hydraulic pumps from one of the engine shafts. A portion of the hydraulic pumps extends outside the sump of the engine so that hydraulic lines may be connected between the hydraulic pumps and separate wheel motors used to propel a vehicle.

Abstract: A drive apparatus with a housing, a first and second axle mounted in the housing and a ring gear located within the housing is provided. A brake clutch assembly is located on each axle with a planetary gear arrangement, a drive plate engaged to the planetary gear arrangement, a brake plate mounted on the corresponding axle and an engagement assembly disposed about the drive plate and the brake plate. The engagement assembly may be remotely actuated, either electrically or hydraulically, and is used to selectively engage the drive plate or the brake plate.

Abstract: A mechanism for sensing the direction of a vehicle, or other application using a drive device such as a hydrostatic transmission. An actuation mechanism is mounted to a rotatable shaft or gear in the drive device and has an actuated position when the shaft or gear is rotating in a first direction and an unactuated position when the shaft or gear is rotating in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A dual pump apparatus for use on a vehicle or industrial application having a housing in which a pair of hydraulic pumps are mounted and driven by a prime mover. The prime mover is drivingly coupled to a main input shaft, which drives the hydraulic pumps. An auxiliary pump may be drivingly coupled to the main drive shaft and a power take off unit may also be connected thereto. The power take off unit may be driven by a power take off unit output drive shaft, on which a cooling fan may be attached.

Abstract: A drive apparatus for a zero turn vehicle or similar application comprising a pair of pumps mounted in a common housing and having coaxial input shafts and an input shaft mounted in the common housing perpendicular to the two pump shafts. A pair of center sections or end caps including hydraulic porting are mounted to opposite ends of the common housing, and each center section has a hydraulic motor mounted thereon external to the common housing.

Abstract: A transaxle including a hydrostatic transmission mounted in a transmission housing and having a pair of hydraulic pumps and hydraulic motors operatively connected together. First and second axle housings are mounted on opposite ends of the transmission housing, with output axles mounted in the axle housings, where each output axle is connected to its respective hydraulic motor through a gear train in the axle housing. A brake is provided on each axle housing to directly engage one of the gears in the gear train to provide a braking force for the output axles.

Abstract: A dual pump apparatus having two pumps mounted in a housing, where the housing comprises two elements mounted on opposite sides of a hydraulic mounting member or center section. The pumps are mounted on one side of the hydraulic mounting member in a pump cavity, and the hydraulic mounting member and second housing element form a drive cavity in which gears or an endless coupling member such as a chain or belt to connect the two pump input shafts are located.

Abstract: A drive apparatus includes a pair of axial piston pump assemblies in an inline relationship, each pump assembly having an end cap mounted to a pump housing to form a sump. The pump assemblies are mounted to a gearbox at one end thereof, and an input shaft extends into both pump housings and the gearbox to drive the axial piston pumps and one of the gears. A power take off mechanism is also engaged to the gearbox at another end thereof and includes a drive shaft at least partially disposed in the gearbox and driven by one of the transmission gears, and an output shaft extending in the opposite direction from the drive shaft.

Abstract: A module for use in connection with a dual pump apparatus, where each pump is hydraulically connected to a separate hydraulic motor. The module may include motors and/or an engine for ease of installation in a vehicle, providing flexibility for different applications. Various brackets, stabilizers and other elements are provided to assist in securing the module to the vehicle.

Abstract: A dual pump apparatus for use on a vehicle or industrial application having a housing in which a pair of hydraulic pumps are mounted and driven by a prime mover. The prime mover is drivingly coupled to a main input shaft, which drives the hydraulic pumps. An auxiliary pump may be drivingly coupled to the main drive shaft and a power take off unit may also be connected thereto. The power take off unit may be driven by a power take off unit output drive shaft, on which a cooling fan may be attached.

Abstract: Controller assemblies and packaging for electronic control systems of electric motors utilized in utility vehicles or other power equipment. Features of the controller assemblies and packaging described herein allow for, among other things, modularity, scalability, and improved heat transfer.

Abstract: A drive apparatus for a zero turn vehicle or similar application comprising a pair of pumps mounted in a common housing and having coaxial input shafts and an input shaft mounted in the common housing perpendicular to the two pump shafts. A pair of center sections or end caps including hydraulic porting are mounted to opposite ends of the common housing, and each center section has a hydraulic motor mounted thereon external to the common housing.

Abstract: A system and method for electronically controlling the displacement of hydraulic pumps, transmissions or transaxles. A moveable swash plate is cooperable with a rotatable hydraulic pump for controlling the output thereof, and a rotatable trunnion arm is coupled to the moveable swash plate. A pair of switches may be mounted in separate locations to detect the position of a control arm used to rotate the trunnion arm. The control arm may be connected to an electronic actuation drive used to electronically control the rotatable control arm.

Abstract: A system for use with a vehicle such as a tractor having an output device such as a mower deck or snow thrower comprising a sensor positioned to detect the rotational direction of a shaft such as an output axle. The operational status of the output device can be changed depending on the rotational direction of the shaft.

Abstract: An axle driving apparatus including a hydrostatic transmission disposed in a housing, with at least one axle extending from a side of the housing and an input shaft extending into the housing to drive the hydrostatic transmission, an output shaft engaged to and driven by the hydrostatic transmission and having one end external to the housing, a brake mechanism engaged to the external end of the output shaft, a trunnion engaged to the hydrostatic transmission and having one end extending from the housing, and a bypass actuator engaged to the hydrostatic transmission and having one end extending from the housing, wherein each of the axle, output shaft, trunnion, and bypass actuator are oriented generally perpendicular to the input shaft, and each of the output shaft, trunnion and bypass actuator extend from the same side of the housing.

Abstract: A transaxle including a hydrostatic transmission mounted in a transmission housing and having a pair of hydraulic pumps and hydraulic motors operatively connected together through a center section mounted in the housing. First and second axle housings are mounted on opposite ends of the transmission housing, with output axles mounted in the axle housings and connected to the respective hydraulic motors, and the output axles are offset so that the axes of rotation of the axles do not intersect any portion of the transmission housing.

Abstract: A front steering module adapted for integration with the subframe of a zero-turn radius vehicle incorporating an electronic steering apparatus. The module provides both front wheel steering and corresponding control inputs for the electronic steering apparatus. The module has a frame member having a pair of steered wheel assemblies mounted thereto and a mounting member for attachment to the vehicle. The module further comprises a steering mechanism and a steering position sensor for providing input to the electronic steering apparatus.

Abstract: A hydraulic motor assembly having a hydraulic motor mounted in a motor housing and an axle mounted in a separate axle housing. A ring gear and a port block are mounted between the motor housing and the axle housing. A swash plate is mounted in the motor housing and is engaged to the hydraulic motor to control the hydraulic output thereof, and the swash plate is movable between at least a first position and a second position.

Abstract: An electronic steering control system for controlling the lateral movement of a vehicle powered by a pair of hydrostatic drive devices, where the system controls a pair of actuators. Each actuator is configured to move a control member associated with one of the hydrostatic drive devices.