Abstract: A walk power mower has a traction drive system that includes a front transmission powering a pair of front wheels and a rear transmission powering a pair of rear wheels. A first one of the transmissions provides forward motion of the mower when it is active and a second one of the transmissions provides rearward motion of the mower when it is active. A slidable handle grip on the handle having a cross bar long enough to be gripped by both hands of the user activates the first one of the transmission when it is slid downwardly on a handle out of a neutral position thereof. The slidable handle grip activates the second one of the transmissions when it is slid upwardly on the handle out of the neutral position.

Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle and a trailer. The vehicle has a front and a rear end, and the trailer is coupled to the rear end. The method includes sensing a plurality of vehicle characteristics, sensing a distance between the vehicle and the trailer with at least one sensor positioned on the rear end of the vehicle, determining an oscillatory action of the trailer based on the sensed distance, and applying a braking force on at least one wheel of the vehicle in response to the oscillatory action.

Abstract: An all in one towing solution provides its own drive train. The drive train of the trailer is matched to an ECU and engine of a lead vehicle which communicate to ensure that the drive axle of both the lead vehicle and the trailer rotate at the same speed. The trailer is connected to a lead vehicle by an attachment system, which utilizes trailer tongues and a latching mechanism such as ball hitches. The main body of the trailer is built from a hollow base and a plurality of bulkheads, which form storage compartments for the present invention. The main body additional provides tow points for towing a larger or heavier cargo that may require specialized connections, such as a fifth wheel coupling. The present invention allows common family sedans and other commuter vehicles to tow loads that would otherwise require vehicles with sufficient power and suspension.

Abstract: A method of controlling a yawing movement of an aircraft running along the ground, the aircraft comprising at least one first landing gear with a steerable bottom part bearing wheels. The method comprises the steps of (1) on the basis of a yaw rate setpoint {dot over (?)}c, determining a wheel-steering prepositioning angle ?p; and (2) using closed-loop control which as its input has the yaw rate setpoint and which generates a command to steer the bottom part in order to steer it through a steering angle ?c equal to the sum of this prepositioning angle ?p and of an angle ?z which is determined taking account of an error between the yaw rate setpoint {dot over (?)}c and the measured yaw rate {dot over (?)}m when the steerable bottom part is steered by the steering angle ?c.

Abstract: Systems for towing a trailer by a towing vehicle and a method for controlling such a system are disclosed. The systems and method are configured to maintain a constant towing load on the towing vehicle as well as optimizing other performance criteria such as fuel efficiency. The system comprises a closed loop controller, a towing arm assembly, a load measuring device, an electric hub motor, brakes, a motor controller and a brake controller disposed on the trailer. In another embodiment, two separate systems are installed, one on each side of the trailer. A load force feeds into a PID controller programmed with preset proportional, differential and integral parameters. The PID controller generates a command signal to either modulate the brakes or motor up or down depending on the sign of the command signal. A process output updates the system which continuously adjusts based on driving conditions.

Abstract: A movement stabilizing control ECU 25 includes a differential unit 25a, a cycle calculation unit 25b, a time constant/gain setting portion 25c, a first-order lag processing unit 25d, a pendulum movement detection unit 25e, a control amount calculation portion 25f and a control amount output unit 25g. The time constant/gain setting portion 25c sets a time constant ? and a gain K used at the time of subjecting a yaw acceleration ?? which is a time-differential value of a yaw rate ? to the first-order lag processing at the first-order lag processing unit 25d, with reference to a function or data of a look-up table, for example, depending on the cycle or the frequency of the yaw acceleration ?? due to the pendulum movement.

Abstract: A hybrid dinghy pusher for pushing motorhomes is provided. A hybrid vehicle can be connected to a motorhome by a tow bar for towing the hybrid vehicle. When being towed behind a motorhome, the hybrid vehicle can be switched into hybrid dinghy pusher mode. In this mode, during acceleration of the motorhome, the electrical batteries and motors of the hybrid vehicle can provide a propulsive force through the tow bar to the motorhome, which assists the motorhome in accelerating and improves fuel efficiency. Additionally, the dinghy motors can act as generators when appropriate, creating energy which can be stored in batteries for later use during acceleration. The resistance created by the hybrid vehicle can also provide an additional braking force to the motorhome via the tow bar.

Abstract: A steering angle warning system comprising a rotation-measuring unit located on an aircraft, and an alarm unit. The rotation-measuring unit is arranged to output a first signal dependent on the steering angle between a nose landing gear of the aircraft and the longitudinal axis of the aircraft fuselage. The alarm unit is arranged to generate an alarm, in dependence on the first signal, when the steering angle is greater than a predetermined value, for example, 60 degrees. The rotation-measuring unit may also be arranged to perform a function in relation to an aircraft steering system, for example to indicate the steering angle to the pilot during ground manoeuvres.

Abstract: A trailer electronic braking system is provided for a road train having a tractor and a plurality of trailers. The braking system includes a braking ECU on each trailer and a communication interface being provided so that the braking ECU on a first trailer and the braking ECU on a second trailer are able to communicate with one another. In use, the respective braking ECU on the first and second trailer receive an input from a respective sensor on the first and second trailer adapted to detect lateral acceleration and/or wheel speed. In the event that one of the sensors detects lateral acceleration and/or a wheel speed indicative of a loss of stability, the sensor generates a signal for actuating stability control, which signal is passed via the communication interface to the braking ECU on the other trailer, so that the other trailer can actuate stability control.

Abstract: A system for providing enhanced stability, control, and management of a tow-vehicle with a connected trailer assembly combination by using an electronic stability enhancing system and two processors is disclosed. The first processor on the tow-vehicle and second processor on the trailer include memory with computer instructions for communicating with sensors located on the tow-vehicle and the trailer for detecting force, motion, and combinations thereof, as well as engagement with the trailer. Computer instructions instruct the processors to identify specifications and characteristics representing the tow-vehicle and the trailer and to calculate force values and motion values that affect the tow-vehicle and trailer assembly combination for comparison with known threshold values.

Abstract: A powered load-moving tractor unit for moving a wheeled load comprises a tractor body with two powered ground-engaging tractor wheels steerable by a tiller and a draw bar for connecting the tractor body to the load through a releasable load hitch. To steer the load, the tractor body can be moved pivotally about a vertical axis relative to the draw bar. That vertical axis is defined by the two halves of a turntable mounted on the tractor body directly over the axis of rotation of the steerable ground-engaging wheels. The draw bar is rigidly connected over the top half of the turntable and extends down the front of the tractor body to the load hitch. The load hitch comprises telescopically inter-engageable elements on the draw bar and the load, and a latch mechanism that is remotely releasable from the end of the draw bar remote from the load hitch.

Abstract: A multi-combination vehicle having at least two engines, each engine having a transmission coupled thereto, each transmission including an electronic control unit, each engine including an electrical power source adapted to provide power to a respective one of the electronic control units. The multi-combination vehicle further including an electronic gear selector in communication with each transmission, the gear selector having a power input and a gear selector output, and a gear selector module that is provided power from the electronic control units, the gear selector module including a manual switching device that is adapted to selectively provide the electronic control unit power.

Abstract: A system is provided for the control of two transmissions in a multi-combination vehicle having at least two engines, each engine operatively coupled to one transmission. Each transmission has its own electrical power source and an electronic control unit. The system includes an electronic gear selector having a power input and a variable output representative of a desired operation of each of the transmissions. The system further includes a gear selector control module that is provided power from each of the electronic control units and selectively provides power to the power input of the electronic gear selector from a selected one of the electronic control units. The variable output of the electronic gear selector is in communication with at least the selected one of the electronic control units.

Abstract: The present invention is for a multi-combination vehicle or road-train consisting of a powered prime mover, at least one powered trailer and which may include a number of non-powered trailers. The power trailer includes a cooling device separated from the engine to provide improved cooling and enabling the road-train to be used in confined areas such as in underground mines. Typically the cooling device located at the front or rear of the power trailer. The engines of the prime mover and power trailer(s) are controlled either by a synchronisation-system and a dual-pot accelerator pedal by controlling their relative torques or by manual controls in the truck cab.

Abstract: The invention relates to a towing vehicle for aircraft, comprising at least one operator's cabin which comprises control, elements for steering, accelerating and braking the towing vehicle, in addition to a coupling member for creating a detachable connection between the aircraft and the towing vehicle. The towing vehicle can be braked by hydraulic or pneumatic brakes 46, 46′ acting on at least two wheels of the vehicle, whereby the braking control element is configured as a brake pedal 10, 10′ which actuates the brakes 46, 46′ either directly or via a control circuit.