Abstract: A controller, control system and method for controlling an auxiliary device comprising a wheelchair lift, ramp, or the like are provided. An exemplary embodiment of the auxiliary device controller is microprocessor-based and communicates with a vehicle's OEM controller for receiving a plurality of sensor inputs, which originate from OEM and auxiliary sensors, process the sensor inputs, and control various OEM and auxiliary systems relative to the sensor inputs to effect a number of safety interlocks. The controller may operate to coordinate various OEM and auxiliary subsystems to automate auxiliary device operation to reduce operator error.

Abstract: A controller, control system and method for controlling an auxiliary device comprising a wheelchair lift, ramp, or the like are provided. An exemplary embodiment of the auxiliary device controller is microprocessor-based and communicates with a vehicle's OEM controller for receiving a plurality of sensor inputs, which originate from OEM and auxiliary sensors, process the sensor inputs, and control various OEM and auxiliary systems relative to the sensor inputs to effect a number of safety interlocks. The controller may operate to coordinate various OEM and auxiliary subsystems to automate auxiliary device operation to reduce operator error.

Abstract: A controller, control system and method for controlling an auxiliary device comprising a wheelchair lift, ramp, or the like are provided. An exemplary embodiment of the auxiliary device controller is microprocessor-based and communicates with a vehicle's OEM controller for receiving a plurality of sensor inputs, which originate from OEM and auxiliary sensors, process the sensor inputs, and control various OEM and auxiliary systems relative to the sensor inputs to effect a number of safety interlocks. The controller may operate to coordinate various OEM and auxiliary subsystems to automate auxiliary device operation to reduce operator error.

Abstract: A wheelchair lift system having a stacking platform for use in conjunction with a vehicle. The wheelchair lift platform includes a first portion with an elongated support having fixed and moveable platform sections and a linear actuator powerable for moving between outboard and inboard positions. When stored in an upright, vertical orientation, one section of the platform is stored in a stacking or overlapping fashion behind the other section and stored upright inside the vehicle. Upon deploying the platform to its horizontal orientation, the two sections of the platform form one continuously coplanar lifting platform with the moveable platform section moving relative to the fixed platform section. A linkage system couples the moveable platform section for linear movement with the linear actuator for an orientation with the moveable platform section stowed as being stacked or overlapping with the fixed platform section.

Abstract: A hydraulic drive system for an access apparatus and a method of access is presented. The hydraulic drive system may include a hydraulic power unit, a hydraulic cylinder and a subsystem for limiting motion of the access system according to the position of and/or load supported by the access system. The subsystem may prevent motion, such as stowing and/or folding, when the access apparatus is supporting a load and/or is in a predetermined position. To limit motion, the subsystem may create a fluid path from the hydraulic power unit that bypasses the hydraulic cylinder, thus preventing the cylinder from moving the access apparatus. The subsystem may include a first valve that is opened when the access apparatus is in the predetermined position, and/or a second valve that is opened when the access apparatus is supporting a load.

Abstract: A hydraulic drive system for reversibly operating a device such as a wheelchair ramp or other type of mobility access device is provided. The hydraulic drive system includes a bi-directional power unit that is in fluid communication with a cylinder for deploying and stowing the ramp. The system further includes valves disposed between the cylinder and pump, which may be spring biased shuttle-type valves. In one embodiment, the valves are normally biased so that the cylinder and ramp may move freely such that the ramp may be manually operated during a loss of electrical power to the power unit.

Abstract: A controller, control system and method for controlling an auxiliary device comprising a wheelchair lift, ramp, or the like are provided. An exemplary embodiment of the auxiliary device controller is microprocessor-based and communicates with a vehicle's OEM controller for receiving a plurality of sensor inputs, which originate from OEM and auxiliary sensors, process the sensor inputs, and control various OEM and auxiliary systems relative to the sensor inputs to effect a number of safety interlocks. The controller may operate to coordinate various OEM and auxiliary subsystems to automate auxiliary device operation to reduce operator error.

Abstract: A wheelchair lift system having a stacking platform for use in conjunction with a vehicle. The wheelchair lift platform includes a first portion with an elongated support having fixed and moveable platform sections and a linear actuator powerable for moving between outboard and inboard positions. When stored in an upright, vertical orientation, one section of the platform is stored in a stacking or overlapping fashion behind the other section and stored upright inside the vehicle. Upon deploying the platform to its horizontal orientation, the two sections of the platform form one continuously coplanar lifting platform with the moveable platform section moving relative to the fixed platform section. A linkage system couples the moveable platform section for linear movement with the linear actuator for an orientation with the moveable platform section stowed as being stacked or overlapping with the fixed platform section.

Abstract: A wheelchair access system with a stacking platform for use in conjunction with a vehicle having a floor, which includes a right-side vertical arm and an elongated support with a first and second portion. The first portion of the elongated support is pivotably coupled with the vertical arm. The vertical arm operates for deployment of the platform structure. The left side also has a vertical arm and an elongated support with a first and second portion, the first portion of which is coupled with the vertical arm. There is a fixed platform section attached intermediate to the first portions of the right-side and left-side elongated supports and an actuator that is powerable for moving the right-side and left-side vertical arms between positions that are both outboard and inboard the vehicle.

Abstract: A system for, and method of, managing out-of-order memory access requests and a memory unit incorporating the system or the method. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a shift register for containing memory addresses and associated request validity indicators corresponding to a plurality of memory access requests and (2) control logic, coupled to the shift register, for modifying a validity indicator for a selected one of the memory access requests, the modifying causing the selected one of the memory access requests to be removed from the shift register.