Abstract: A method of managing the braking of an aircraft having landing gear with wheels fitted with friction brakes and with auxiliary brakes that enable energy to be dissipated by other than friction. The method comprises the steps of, (1) when braking is requested, testing the braking parameters to determine whether the aircraft is in a braking situation for which the friction brakes are not essential for providing the requested braking, and (2) performing the requested braking by giving priority to actuating the auxiliary brakes so long as the aircraft remains within the braking situation, and actuating the friction brakes only if the aircraft departs from the braking situation.

Abstract: Actuator device for brakes suitable to be operatively connected to at least a first braking device acting on a brake disc or drum, so as to exercise a braking action, the actuator device for brakes being fitted with a lever and/or pedal for its manual operation, and being provided with a body which houses at least one piston which acts on a hydraulic circuit fluidically connected to said at least one first braking device for the hydraulic operation thereof, the lever and/or pedal being operatively connected to said piston so as to command its movement in an operating direction so as to exert pressure on the fluid of the hydraulic circuit, characterized in that the actuator device for brakes is fitted with an automatic actuator, operatively connected to the piston and/or to the operating lever and/or pedal so as to increase, control or reduce the braking action imposed manually by the operation of the operating lever and/or pedal, controlling the operating stroke of the piston.

Abstract: An automatic emergency braking system for a vehicle includes a forward viewing camera and a control. At least in part responsive to processing of captured image data, the presence of another vehicle closing on the subject vehicle is determined, and a relative speed of the subject vehicle relative to the other vehicle is also determined. Responsive at least in part to a speed of the subject vehicle and the determined relative speed, the control controls the subject vehicle's brake system. Responsive to determination that the driver of the subject vehicle is impaired, the automatic emergency braking system does not allow the driver to override the control's control of the subject vehicle's brake system. Responsive to a determination that the driver of the subject vehicle is not impaired, the automatic emergency braking system allows the driver to override the control's control of the subject vehicle' brake system.

Abstract: There is provided an automatic train operation system which can stop a train precisely at a stop target position without worsening ride quality even with the control system being a discrete system. The automatic train operation system comprises a relative distance measuring device to acquire information about a relative distance of the train relative to a stop position of a station to output average distance information that is the average of relative distances and a brake control device. The brake control device includes a sensor information holding unit to hold speed information and position information detected by sensors to output; a correction amount computing unit to compute a specifying value correction amount to output; and an instruction planning unit to compute a deceleration specifying value based on the specifying value correction amount and sensor information.

Abstract: A power brake system having electronic slip regulation, and a method for controlling a power brake system having electronic slip regulation. A return line is equipped with a pressure medium storage unit for storing pressure medium with a pressure that is greater than an ambient atmospheric pressure, and is equipped with a blocking device that is controllable and that is situated between the pressure medium storage device and the reservoir. In addition, there is a pressure medium connection between the pressure medium storage unit and the plunger working space. A controlling of a power brake system takes place using the blocking device in such a way that the return line is blocked relative to the reservoir as soon as a plunger piston, driven by a drive unit, has traveled a definable path in the forward direction.

Abstract: Methods and systems of validating a vehicle safety function. In one implementation, a plurality of vehicle safety function software programs are developed. A first one of the software programs is installed in a memory of a vehicle controller. The program is run on the controller without delivering at least one vehicle actuator output of the controller generated as a result of running the program. Activation data for the safety function is recorded and the steps of installing, running, and recording with a second one of the plurality of vehicle safety function software programs are repeated.

Abstract: A method for operating a brake system of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, including at least one wheel brake having a displaceable brake piston and an electric motor first actuator of a parking brake and a hydraulic second actuator of an operating brake for displacing the brake piston in each case. For operating the parking brake, the electric motor first actuator is activated in order to set a specifiable target clamping force of the wheel brake. If the maximum clamping force that is achievable by the electric motor first actuator is lower than the target clamping force, then the hydraulic second actuator is activated to provide an additional clamping force.

Abstract: A brake control device capable of preventing a braking force from being excessive when information cannot be transmitted between a first control unit configured to control operation of a boost mechanism and a second control unit configured to control operation of a hydraulic control mechanism. When a second ECU (32) cannot transmit information to a first ECU (26) due to a disconnection of a signal line (27), the second ECU carries out backup control of detecting a braking operation amount of a driver based on signal input from hydraulic pressure sensors (29), and operating a hydraulic pressure supply device (30) based on the detected braking operation amount, to thereby pressurize insides of wheel cylinders. In this case, the second ECU decreases a pressurization amount of a pressure inside the wheel cylinders when a pressure of a master cylinder (8) exceeds a predetermined value (PM0) during the backup control.

Abstract: This electric braking device uses drive torque of an electric motor to push a friction member against a rotating member secured to a vehicle wheel and produce braking torque in the vehicle wheel. This device comprises a body power source for electric motor power supply secured to a body of the vehicle, and a vehicle wheel power source for electric motor power supply secured to the vehicle wheel. The body power source supplies power to the vehicle wheel power source via a first electric path, and the vehicle wheel power source supplies power to the electric motor via a second electric path. When braking torque is produced in the vehicle wheel, the electric motor is normally driven using the vehicle wheel power source. An electric braking device is thereby provided in which a power line electrically connecting the body side and the vehicle wheel side bends readily.

Abstract: A hydraulic power unit for a braking system of a vehicle, including a first sub-brake circuit or brake circuit and a second sub-brake circuit or brake circuit, a first supply line branching into a first line section having a first circuit separating valve situated therein, and a second line section having a first electrically controllable reservoir separating valve and/or first check valve situated therein, and a second supply line branching into a third line section having a second circuit separating valve situated therein and a fourth line section having a second electrically controllable reservoir separating valve and/or second check valve situated therein.

Abstract: An air dryer for a locomotive air supply system that includes a controller programmed to initiate a sleep mode that inhibits the air dryer and de-energizes all valves. The controller determines when it is appropriate to enter into sleep mode based on various conditions of the locomotive air supply system. More specifically, the controller is programmed to calculate whether the air dryer should be placed into sleep mode based on operational characteristics of the locomotive air supply system that are indicative that the system has been idled. The initiation of an air dryer sleep mode by the controller prevents undesirable venting of air from the air supply system and unnecessary usage of locomotive battery power.

Abstract: In the case of a method for braking a vehicle having a hydraulic vehicle brake and an electromechanical braking device, the brake motor of the electromechanical braking device is influenced with an increased supply voltage in the event of a failure of the hydraulic vehicle brake.

Abstract: A power transmission device includes: an engine; a rotary machine; and an oil pump connected to each of a rotary shaft of the engine and a rotary shaft of the rotary machine through a one-way clutch. The power transmission device is configured to allow the rotary machine to rotate at a rotational speed higher than the rotational speed corresponding to a speed of the engine and lower than the rotational speed corresponding to an idling speed of the engine at the time of startup of the engine.

Abstract: In a method for controlling a vehicle with a drive system comprising an output shaft of a combustion engine and a planetary gear with a first and a second electrical machine, connected via their rotors to the components of the planetary gear, the combustion engine is started while the vehicle is driven by ensuring that the rotor of the second electrical machine is connected with the output shaft of the combustion engine, and controlling such electrical machine's rotational speed towards the combustion engine's idling speed, whereupon fuel injection into the combustion engine is carried out to start the latter.

Abstract: An electromotive drive system including a small motor and a small-capacity battery more effectively improves the fuel economy of an engine-driven vehicle. An electromotive drive system includes: a motor for driving a vehicle; a battery storing electrical energy to rotate the motor; an inverter; a converting mechanism transmitting rotation of the motor to a drive shaft at a predetermined conversion ratio independently of a conversion ratio at which an engine is driven; and a control unit controlling an operation of the inverter. The control unit is configured so that upper vehicle speed limits, to which the motor is allowed to operate, can be set separately during powering and during regeneration, respectively.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting engine operation of a hybrid vehicle to increase power output and fuel efficiency. In one example, a method may include operating the engine using an Atkinson cycle during a lower than threshold engine torque demand and a lower than threshold battery state of charge, and operating the engine using an Otto cycle during a higher than threshold torque demand. During operation in the Otto cycle, an octane booster is injected to the fuel line to increase the octane level in the fuel, if desired.

Abstract: A method for managing power in a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain having multiple components including at least two of a group comprising an engine, a motor, a generator and a high voltage battery includes computing power losses for the individual components. An engine operating speed and torque for a given vehicle speed and total power command is determined so that total power losses for powertrain components are minimized.

Abstract: A method for predicting a range of a vehicle having an at least partially electric drive. When a first operating mode of the vehicle is ended at a time, the vehicle switches into a second operating mode when the first operating mode ends. The range of the vehicle is determined when the first operating mode ends. Starting at the time at which the first operating mode ends, the temporal development of a parameter from the surroundings of the vehicle is determined for a certain duration, wherein the vehicle is in the second operating mode for at least a portion of the certain duration. Also disclosed is a device for predicting a range of a vehicle having an at least partially electric drive.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling engine starting in a hybrid vehicle having an engine, a first electric machine selectively coupled to the engine by a first clutch, a second electric machine coupled to the engine, a step-ratio transmission selectively coupled to the electric machine by a second clutch include starting the engine using either the first electric machine or the second electric machine based on engine stop position. The first electric machine may be a low voltage starter motor or integrated starter-generator. The system and method may use the first electric machine when the engine stop position is within a specified range of positions relative to a piston top dead center position associated with higher cranking torques.

Abstract: A method of variably controlling a transmission pattern of a hybrid vehicle is provided. The method converts a transmission pattern into a pattern that sufficiently secures engine charge power by considering the total amount of electric load when the transmission pattern is determined based on a current SOC state. The method variably controls the transmission pattern of a hybrid vehicle to prevent a battery SOC excessive decrease due to an increase of electric load of a vehicle by reflecting and compensating for the used amount of electric load of a hybrid vehicle when the type of transmission pattern is determined. Also, fuel efficiency is improved based on the improvement of battery charge efficiency by determining the transmission pattern such that the speed of a transmission input terminal increases when the electric load increases and thus securing the engine charge power for the battery charge.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes powertrain components such as an engine, an automatic transmission, and a traction motor selectively coupled to the engine via a clutch and to the transmission. At least one controller is programmed to control these powertrain components. The vehicle is driven over a drive cycle that includes multiple engine starts and transmission gear shifts. An amount of fuel consumption used during these engine starts and transmissions gear shifts is stored on an on-board storage device. Subsequently, the engine is inhibited from starting and the transmission is inhibited from shifting gears based on the amount of fuel consumption associated with the engine starts and transmission gear shifts performed during the drive cycle as recalled from the storage device.

Abstract: A control device for a vehicle includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to set a share ratio of driving force of the first electric motor and the second electric motor. The electronic control unit is configured to set the share ratio of the driving force such that when the temperature of a pinion gear in a planetary gear mechanism is higher than a specified temperature, the share ratio of the driving force of the first electric motor is lower than the share ratio when the temperature is lower than the specified temperature.

Abstract: A control device that includes an electronic control unit that is programmed to: perform shift device shift control in order to change a speed ratio, which is a ratio of a rotational speed of the internal combustion engine to a rotational speed of the output member, by changing at least the shift speed that is established by the shift device; and perform differential gear shift control in in order to change the speed ratio by changing rotational speeds of the first rotary element and the second rotary element of the differential gear unit without changing the shift speed that is established by the shift device.

Abstract: A transmission control device is provided for a hybrid vehicle that ensures gear shift responsiveness corresponding to a driver's request while achieving excellent gear shifting quality when shifting gears under normal conditions. The transmission control device includes a transmission controller that carries out a shift control for switching between gear shift patterns that are established by the multistage gear transmission by a movement of the engagement clutches based on a gear shift request. The transmission controller selects from among a plurality of gear shift patterns that can be established gear shift patterns in which one engagement clutch is present in a power transmission path leading from the power sources to a drive wheel, and designates the selected gear shift patterns as a normal-use gear shift pattern group, which is used for shift control under normal conditions.

Abstract: A method of controlling an engine speed of a hybrid vehicle including a motor that is connected to a transmission, a battery that provides a driving voltage to the motor, an engine that is selectively connected to the motor through an engine clutch, and a hybrid starter-generator (HSG) that is connected to the engine includes: comparing, when the engine is started, an external air temperature to a setting temperature; setting a battery rated derating factor based on the comparison of the external air temperature to the setting temperature; determining an output area of the HSG according to a battery voltage; and outputting an available torque of the HSG based on the set battery rated derating factor and the determined HSG output area.

Abstract: A hybrid system includes a hybrid module that is located between an engine and a transmission. The hybrid system includes an energy storage system for storing energy from and supplying energy to the hybrid module. An inverter transfers power between the energy storage system and the hybrid module. The hybrid system also includes a cooling system, a DC-DC converter, and a high voltage tap. The hybrid module is designed to recover energy, such as during braking, as well as power the vehicle. The hybrid module includes an electrical machine (eMachine) along with electrical and mechanical pumps for circulating fluid. A clutch provides the sole operative connection between the engine and the eMachine. The hybrid system further incorporates a power take off (PTO) unit that is configured to be powered by the engine and/or the eMachine.

Abstract: A fuel pump system of a hybrid vehicle is provided. The fuel pump system prevents a fuel pump from continuing to operate when fuel is exhausted, whereby the fuel pump may be damaged. The pressure of fuel is measured in response to exhaustion of fuel, and when the pressure of fuel is low, fuel is circulated within the fuel pump instead of being supplied to the engine side, thereby preventing the fuel pump from being stuck due to frictional heat.

Abstract: A two-wheeled vehicle having a first spring device of a front wheel and a second spring device of a rear wheel, and at least one acceleration and rate-of-rotation sensor, which are situated on a vehicle frame and are operationally connected to a control device, wherein the first and the second spring devices are provided with a spring travel sensor in each case, which are operationally connected to the control device.

Abstract: A method includes continuously recording, by the autonomous driving safety or driver assistance system, at least one of vehicle-related data and vehicle surroundings-related data, continuously repeatedly deciding, based on the recorded data, whether a driving safety or driver assistance system process is to be autonomously initiated or carried out, and carrying out a checking process, during which sensor data and parameter settings that are necessary for the operation of the driving safety or driver assistance system are checked for the plausibility thereof. The checking process is carried out immediately following a start of travel of the motor vehicle. In a period of time between the start of travel of the motor vehicle and a start of operation of the driving safety or driver assistance system, an auxiliary process for an immediate and safe auxiliary mode of the driving safety or driver assistance system is used during a checking period.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus includes management of cruise speed in anticipation of upcoming terrain changes. A cruise speed controller can be structured to predict a change in speed of vehicle in light of an upcoming terrain feature, and lead a change in reference speed to which the cruise speed controller is regulating vehicle speed to accommodate the upcoming terrain feature. In one embodiment a physics based model of the vehicle is used to predict a speed change. If predicted speed change exceeds a threshold, the cruise speed controller will initiate a change in speed to either speed up for an upcoming uphill terrain feature, or slow down for an upcoming downhill feature. In one form the distance in advance of the terrain feature as well as the velocity change profile (acceleration or deceleration) are determined by computation of a regression formula.

Abstract: Provided is a device for preventing sudden unintended acceleration. The device includes a driving information collector, a vehicle characteristic storage, a controller configured to determine whether the vehicle is in a sudden unintended acceleration state, and a switch configured to block input power of the electronic throttle motor of vehicle on the basis of the determination of sudden unintended acceleration by the controller.

Abstract: A vehicle powertrain includes an engine and a transmission coupled to the engine. The transmission has a first neutral state in which a first combination of clutches are engaged and a second neutral state in which a second combination of clutches are engaged. A vehicle controller is programmed to, in response to the transmission being in the first neutral state and an engine-torque request exceeding a threshold value, shift the transmission to the second neutral state.

Abstract: A method controls a power train of a vehicle immobilized in a parking position, the vehicle being provided with a parking brake device for immobilizing the vehicle and at least one electric motor. The method includes detecting the slope direction and/or slope data when the parking brake device is in an actuated position, detecting that the parking brake device has switched from the actuated position to a released position, and applying a motor torque setpoint to the electric motor in accordance with the detected slope direction and/or slope data.

Abstract: A vibration damping control device that controls drive output of a vehicle so as to suppress pitch/bounce vibration of the vehicle includes a vibration damping control unit that controls driving torque of the vehicle so as to reduce an amplitude of the pitch/bounce vibration, based on wheel torque applied to wheels of the vehicle and generated at a location where the wheels contact with a road surface, and a compensation component adjusting unit that reduces an amplitude of a compensation component that corrects the wheel torque calculated by the vibration damping control unit so as to suppress the pitch/bounce vibration, as the magnitude of the steering angle velocity of the vehicle increases.

Abstract: An agricultural vehicle and method of controlling the same are provided, the vehicle having a motive power unit providing a driving torque to at least one driven wheel and having at least one tire or track frictionally coupled with the periphery of the driven wheel. A vehicle operating parameter is controlled in dependence on the driving torque and a slippage characteristic relating the respective driving torque at which the frictional coupling between driven wheel and tire or track begins to slip for a range of vehicle operating parameter values. The operating parameter is suitably a tire pressure or track tension, and the control may involve reducing driving torque or increasing pressure/tension to prevent slipping.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of controlling a vehicle powertrain including determining that a performance feature associated with the powertrain is outside of a desired performance range. A plurality of operation parameters that are associated with the powertrain are identified that have a relationship to the performance feature. An adjustment is automatically made to at least one of the identified operation parameters to thereby bring the performance feature closer to the desired performance range.

Abstract: One or more powertrains can include a motor-generator disposed therein that is electrically coupled to an energy storage device through an inverter gate. A regulation strategy can monitor operation of the powertrain to regulate the inverter gate to selectively discharge energy from the energy storage device to the motor-generator to assist the powertrain or to charge energy from the motor-generator to the energy storage device for future use. In an aspect, the regulation strategy may maintain a consistent speed of an internal combustion engine associated with the powertrain. In another aspect, the regulation strategy may regulate simultaneous operation of first and second powertrains disposed a parallel relation.

Abstract: Provided is a control device for a vehicle including a continuously variable transmission. The control device includes a lock-up clutch, an oil pump, an electric motor, and a device control unit. The lock-up clutch is disposed in a torque converter coupled to the engine and switchable between an engaged state and a released state. The oil pump is driven by the engine and supplies a hydraulic oil to the continuously variable transmission. The electric motor is coupled to the engine and controlled to be in a powering state in which the engine is rotationally driven. The device control unit controls the lock-up clutch to put into the released state and controls the electric motor to put into the powering state if a discharge pressure of the oil pump falls below a threshold value at the time of a vehicle deceleration in which a fuel supply to the engine is cut off.

Abstract: A control device controls a four-wheel drive vehicle including an engine, a torque transmission mechanism which transmits an output torque of the engine to main drive wheels and to auxiliary drive wheels, and a torque distribution adjustment mechanism provided in the torque transmission mechanism and configured to adjust torque distribution with respect to the auxiliary drive wheels. The control device is provided with an abnormal noise reduction unit which controls the torque distribution adjustment mechanism to adjust torque distribution with respect to the auxiliary drive wheels in such a manner as to suppress abnormal noise generation when the engine is operated in an abnormal noise generation range in which the torque transmission mechanism is in an abnormal noise generation state. The abnormal noise reduction unit adjusts the torque distribution with respect to the auxiliary drive wheels in accordance with a magnitude of torque fluctuation of the engine.

Abstract: A method for determining an incline in a road that is some distance ahead of a motor vehicle relative to the section of road that is currently being driven on by the motor vehicle, wherein images of the road that is ahead of the motor vehicle are recorded by a camera, road path lines are identified ahead of the motor vehicle in the recorded images and the relative incline is calculated with reference to the differences in the courses of the road path lines at different distances.

Abstract: A method for ascertaining a state of drowsiness of a driver of a motor vehicle, movements of at least one eyelid of one eye of the driver being detected, and the state of drowsiness of the driver being determined as a function of the detected movements. It is provided that an instantaneous normal degree of eye opening is determined, that closing movements of the eyelid are monitored based on the normal degree of eye opening, and that the state of drowsiness is determined as a function of the detected closing movements.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of profiling a driver comprises: identifying events in data representing motion of a vehicle; for the events, associating an event with a profile index relating at least to a link on which the vehicle was travelling when the respective event occurred; sorting the events into groups, each group corresponding to a different profile index; determining a driver profile from the events; and characterizing the driving behavior of the driver on the basis of the driver profile.

Abstract: A method includes collecting first data from a first sensor associated with a vehicle and determining, based on the first data, that an event involving the vehicle may occur. The method includes identifying a second sensor located within a proximity of the vehicle and causing the second sensor to collect second data. The method also includes associating the first data and the second data with a first event associated with the vehicle.

Abstract: Based on a steering control input, a measured value of the steering control attribute and a measured value of the traction control attribute received by a steering application, determining: a first setpoint value of the steering control attribute; a target steering angle of the steered wheel of the vehicle. Based on receiving, by a traction application executing on the vehicle control module of the vehicle: a traction speed control input to control the traction wheel of the vehicle, and the target steering angle, from the steering application, determining, by the traction application: a second setpoint value of the traction control attribute.

Abstract: A vehicle power transmission system includes: a transmission; a shift actuator; a clutch; a clutch actuator for mutually switching between the transmission and the shutting off of a driving force at the clutch; and a control device being configured to, when having detected that the vehicle is in the travelling state and that the clutch actuator is abnormal by use of the travelling state detection sensor and the CA abnormality detection sensor, control the operation of the shift actuator and cause the selected gear stage in the transmission to be shifted into neutral before the vehicle comes to a stop while shifting the selected gear stage in the transmission into a gear stage having a lower gear ratio.

Abstract: A driving assisting method is provided. The driving assisting method includes steps of: (a) a driving assisting device performing processes of (i) determining a gazing direction of a driver of a vehicle and (ii) identifying location of a specific object and determining distance between the specific object and the vehicle; and (b) the driving assisting device (i) maintaining or increasing threshold level of a triggering condition for providing alarm or (ii) providing the alarm, if the location of the specific object is detected as being outside a virtual viewing frustum corresponding to the gazing direction of the driver and if the distance between the specific object and the vehicle is determined as being less than at least one predetermined distance.

Abstract: First travel rail pair provided along a first path has a first discontinuous section. And second travel rail pair provided along a second path has a second discontinuous section. First guide members allow movement of guided members along a travel direction and restrict vertical movement of one or more of the guided member when the article transport vehicle travels through a crossing portion along the first path. Second guide members allow movement of the guided members along the travel direction and restrict vertical movement of one or more of the guided members when the article transport vehicle travels through a crossing portion along the second path.

Abstract: A railroad hopper car discharge outflow is controlled by closure members, at least one of which is movable. The closure members (or doors) are hingeless, being mounted on four bar linkages, such that the distal edge of the doors sweeps predominantly horizontally while the proximal edge of the door moves predominantly upwardly. The doors move through noncircular arcs, such that the size of the vertically projected door opening is abnormally large compared to the clearance heights of the door during opening and closing. The doors are driven by a transverse drive linkage that is driven by a transversely mounted actuator. The actuator may be mounted in an accommodation in the lee of slope sheets between adjacent hoppers in a mid-span portion of the car. Drive from the actuator is carried to a pair of symmetrically mounted doors through drive train linkages.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a zip line or trolley system kit for propelling a person or an object using gravity along an extended cable line suspended between two trees or towers. The zip line or trolley system may include an easily installable support harness assembly, a braking system and a removable seat fixture to provide for the zip line system to be completely portable to be carried, installed and taken down in remote locations.

Abstract: A zipwire trolley having a plurality of zipwire engaging rollers, a swivelable brake block assembly adjacent to one of the rollers, the brake block having a zipwire-engaging cam by which the roller can be at least partially lifted off the zipwire when the trolley is moving in a rearward direction, the cam having a pair of tapered sidewalls tending to pinch respectively opposite sides of the upper part of the zipwire as the brake block progressively rotates when the trolley is moving in a rearward direction, thereby preventing or inhibiting further rearward movement of the trolley.