Abstract: An automatic and dynamic maintenance scheduling system for surface cleaning machines. Based on the receipt or lack of receipt of machine usage data from the machine, the system will adjust or maintain scheduled service call dates.

Abstract: A battery-powered vehicle and a vehicle battery maintenance system that includes a battery charger that monitors energy consumption data from the vehicle battery to generate charging instructions to a charger. A central data unit (CDU) can determine whether if a vehicle electrical load is consuming too much energy and then generate instructions to the vehicle controller to limit the energy consumption. The CDU can notify an offsite central computer if the battery has not been charged according to charging instructions.

Abstract: An automatic and dynamic maintenance scheduling system for surface cleaning machines. Based on the receipt or lack of receipt of machine usage data from the machine, the system will adjust or maintain scheduled service call dates.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a cleaning apparatus, such as a battery-powered vacuum cleaner, that has a body and a cleaning wand. The apparatus operates in a multiple power mode, uses a wireless system to allow an operator interface to be provided on the cleaning wand and/or uses a motion detector on the cleaning wand to operate the cleaning apparatus in an intelligent manner. In cases where the cleaning apparatus is a battery-powered apparatus, the use of a multiple power mode, wireless system and/or a motion detector helps to extend the life of a battery.

Abstract: A battery-powered vehicle and a vehicle battery maintenance system that includes a battery charger that monitors energy consumption data from the vehicle battery to generate charging instructions to a charger. A central data unit (CDU) can determine whether if a vehicle electrical load is consuming too much energy and then generate instructions to the vehicle controller to limit the energy consumption. The CDU can notify an offsite central computer if the battery has not been charged according to charging instructions.

Abstract: A floor cleaning machine having a passive mapping system for determining position information associated with a plurality of RFID tags dispersed within a floor field during a floor cleaning process. The passive mapping system defines a floor map based on position information collected from the plurality of RFID tags. The floor map may be communicated to a remote map server and be utilized by a second floor cleaning machine during a different floor cleaning process. The mapping system can periodically update the floor map based on information collected during subsequent floor cleaning processes. The information may include RFID tag movement or replacement. In one embodiment, a remote mapping system communicates with a floor cleaning machine via wireless communication.

Abstract: A machine and method of use for cleaning a floor surface by traversing the floor field with a floor cleaning machine having an RFID system and accessing a plurality of RFID tags within the floor field to determine a position of the cleaning machine within the floor field during a cleaning session. An electronic map may be generated by and/or stored on the floor cleaning machine or may be remotely accessed during the floor cleaning session. A variety of information relating to machine operation characteristics and/or performance can be collected during the cleaning session in combination with machine location information from the RFID system.

Abstract: A rider surface maintenance vehicle with variable dynamic braking, in contrast to a mechanically-engaged braking system that uses a brake cable. A brake pedal engages a sensor that encodes the pedal position as an electronic signal. The electronic signal, along with the vehicle velocity, determines a machine deceleration rate, or braking rate, either by calculation, lookup table, or a combination of the two. The braking rate may be tuned so that the of the brake mimics or approximates the feel of a conventional mechanically-engaged brake that uses a brake cable. During stopping, once the vehicle passes below a threshold velocity, a parking brake is automatically engaged. The braking rate is converted to a duty cycle, and the braking is preferably accomplished by pulse width modulation (PWM) of an electrical load applied in parallel to the motor.

Abstract: A brush wear adjustment system for use in a powered street sweeper to provide for consistent sweeping performance where wear of rotary brush bristles is constantly sensed and the rotational speed of the rotary brush is automatically increased to maintain a desired bristle tip speed to maintain desirable sweeping attributes. Rotary brush support arm angular displacement is monitored in order for an electro-hydraulic controller to influence rotational speed of the rotary brush and to provide a readout relative to bristle length.

Abstract: A control system for controlling the work output delivered to a floor surface by a work tool associated with a floor maintenance machine, such as a burnisher, is provided. In one embodiment, a voltage regulator regulates the voltage provided to the motor assembly that drives the work tool. A current sensor monitors the motor current drawn by the motor assembly and provides a signal representative thereof to a controller. The controller also receives as an input a work selector signal representative of a desired level of work output. Based on the work selector signal and the sensed motor current, the controller provides a control signal to an actuator. In response to the control signal, the actuator raises or lowers the work tool relative to the floor as need to control the work output delivered to the floor.

Abstract: A control system for estimating the approximate relative position of an electric linear actuator on a surface maintenance machine. The control system includes device for selectively coupling the electric motor of the linear actuator to the electric power source, device for measuring or estimating the current and voltage of the electric motor, device for estimating the motor speed based on the measured values of current and voltage, and storage device for storing values of estimated motor speed and integrating device for determining approximate linear actuator position, wherein the integrating device integrates the motor speed over time to determine the approximate position of the linear actuator position.

Abstract: A power management system for a surface maintenance machine, such as a street sweeper is disclosed. The system includes a variable speed engine for transporting the surface maintenance machine, a hydraulic pump powered by the engine, a vacuum fan motor powered by the hydraulic pump, an engine speed sensor coupled to the engine, an electric proportional valve coupled between the hydraulic pump and the vacuum fan motor, said valve for selectively restricting a flow rate to the vacuum fan motor, and a control unit operatively coupled to the engine speed sensor and the proportional valve, said control unit receiving engine speed information from the engine speed sensor and communicating a predetermined signal to the proportional valve to control the flow rate to the vacuum fan motor as a function of engine speed. A method of managing engine power from a single-engine street sweeper is also disclosed.

Abstract: A data collection and management method is disclosed for use in association with a surface maintenance machine wherein a control system controls selected machine operations in response to manually inputted operation settings selected by an operator and occurring at selected times. In broad terms, an embodiment of the present invention includes steps of receiving and storing operational and time information associated with machine operation, conveying information to an information processor, and processing the information so as to provide a report or record of time quantified machine information. In a particular application, reports or records can be utilized to provide feedback to a machine operator to improve the cleaning process, such as by minimizing the usage of wear parts, solutions, and or energy.

Abstract: A power management system for a surface maintenance machine, such as a street sweeper is disclosed. The system includes a variable speed engine for transporting the surface maintenance machine, a hydraulic pump powered by the engine, a vacuum fan motor powered by the hydraulic pump, an engine speed sensor coupled to the engine, an electric proportional valve coupled between the hydraulic pump and the vacuum fan motor, said valve for selectively restricting a flow rate to the vacuum fan motor, and a control unit operatively coupled to the engine speed sensor and the proportional valve, said control unit receiving engine speed information from the engine speed sensor and communicating a predetermined signal to the proportional valve to control the flow rate to the vacuum fan motor as a function of engine speed. A method of managing engine power from a single-engine street sweeper is also disclosed.

Abstract: A brush wear adjustment system for use in a powered street sweeper to provide for consistent sweeping performance where wear of rotary brush bristles is constantly sensed and the rotational speed of the rotary brush is automatically increased to maintain a desired bristle tip speed to maintain desirable sweeping attributes. Rotary brush support arm angular displacement is monitored in order for an electro-hydraulic controller to influence rotational speed of the rotary brush and to provide a readout relative to bristle length.

Abstract: A data collection and management method is disclosed for use in association with a surface maintenance machine wherein a control system controls selected machine operations in response to manually inputted operation settings selected by an operator and occurring at selected times. In broad terms, an embodiment of the present invention includes steps of receiving and storing operational and time information associated with machine operation, conveying information to an information processor, and processing the information so as to provide a report or record of time quantified machine information. In a particular application, reports or records can be utilized to provide feedback to a machine operator to improve the cleaning process, such as by minimizing the usage of wear parts, solutions, and or energy.

Abstract: A control system for controlling the work output delivered to a floor surface by a work tool associated with a floor maintenance machine, such as a burnisher, is provided. In one embodiment, a voltage regulator regulates the voltage provided to the motor assembly that drives the work tool. A current sensor monitors the motor current drawn by the motor assembly and provides a signal representative thereof to a controller. The controller also receives as an input a work selector signal representative of a desired level of work output. Based on the work selector signal and the sensed motor current, the controller provides a control signal to an actuator. In response to the control signal, the actuator raises or lowers the work tool relative to the floor as need to control the work output delivered to the floor.