Abstract: A system and method of measuring torque generated by a drive train like that used in a rotating equipment drive. A drive motor is mounted to a rotatable brake assembly which, in turn, is coupled to a gear drive which, in turn, transmits rotational power. The brake assembly is coupled to a fixed cover of the gear drive by a gearbox torque sensor that prevents rotation between the brake assembly and the housing. The sensor can be a load cell or its equivalent. A control module may be configured to adjust operation of the rotating equipment drive in response to the torque signal. All input torque from the drive motor to the gearbox is measured when the brake is disengaged through the load cell. All input torque at the gearbox output shaft, through back-driving, is measured when the brake is engaged through the load cell.

Abstract: A vehicle comprising an internal combustion engine, a preceding vehicle information acquiring device for acquiring preceding vehicle information relating to a preceding vehicle, including a parameter relating to a distance between vehicles which becomes greater the wider the distance between a host vehicle and the preceding vehicle, and an electronic control unit for controlling the internal combustion engine, in which, the electronic control unit is configured so that when the parameter becomes a first predetermined value or more during the idle reduction mode where the internal combustion engine is automatically made to stop, it makes the internal combustion engine automatically restart and so that if the host vehicle continues stopped even after making the internal combustion engine automatically restart, it again makes the internal combustion engine automatically stop when the preceding vehicle has stopped before the parameter becomes a second predetermined value larger than the first predetermined value.

Abstract: A vehicle controlling device includes: a VSA-ECU that performs deceleration control of a host vehicle using an inter-vehicle distance between the host vehicle and another vehicle traveling in front of the host vehicle; and an engine control unit that performs idling stop control of stopping drive of an engine as a driving source of the host vehicle upon satisfying stop conditions including a condition that vehicle speed of the host vehicle enters a predetermined low vehicle speed range and performs restart control of restarting the engine upon satisfying a predetermined restart condition. A power supply mounted on the host vehicle is used in common as a power supply used in executing the deceleration control and a power supply used in executing the restart control. The engine control unit prohibits execution of the idling stop control during execution of the deceleration control.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for expediting heating of intake valves to improve engine startability. An engine laser ignition system is operated prior to, and during, an engine start to heat intake valves, thereby improving fuel vaporization. The ignition system is also operated to initiate cylinder air/fuel combustion.

Abstract: A vehicle system having at least one sensor configured to output a range signal and a range-rate signal. The range signal represents a distance from a host vehicle to the front vehicle and the range-rate signal represents range-rate information of the front vehicle relative to the host vehicle. A processing device is configured to output a control signal based on the range signal and the range-rate signal. The control signal commands an engine of the host vehicle to start.

Abstract: A two-wheeled inverted pendulum vehicle includes: single-winding first and second motors respectively rotating one of two wheels; first and second control systems respectively supplying drive currents to the first and second motors; a sensor detecting a physical quantity that varies with a turn of the vehicle; a dynamic brake unit being able to switch between active and inactive states of dynamic brake being applied to the first motor; and a control unit, when the control unit has determined that the vehicle is turning about the second motor side on the basis of the physical quantity while supply of drive current from the first control system to the first motor is inhibited, activating dynamic brake in the dynamic brake unit. The first control system, when an abnormality has been detected in the first control system, inhibits supply of drive current from the first control system to the first motor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a drive system employing single drive power through the differential wheel group to drive two differential output shafts thereof, in which a normal closed brake is individually installed at each of two differential output ends, to prevent the shortcoming of the ineffective parking function caused by single side sliding when single side being suspended or parking.

Abstract: A mechanical mechanism is used to prevent a rotor of an aircraft from rotating when the rotor is not in use. The mechanical mechanism disengages when the speed of the rotor exceeds a speed threshold and the mechanism reengages when the speed of the rotor is below the speed threshold.

Abstract: A braking system and method provided for a utility vehicle pneumatically coupled to a trailer. The system has an electronic control unit, a valve device that can be electrically connected by the at least one electronic control unit, the valve device building up pressure for the trailer braking system when connected, causing the trailer to brake, and a pressure sensor which detects the pressure for the trailer braking system and transmits a corresponding signal to the electronic control unit. The electronic control unit can influence the pressure generated for the trailer braking system by pulsed connection of the valve device, taking into account the pressure detected by the pressure sensor for the trailer braking system.

Abstract: A method for controlling brakes of an automatic transmission including a first brake arranged in parallel with an overrunning brake between a planet pinion carrier and a housing, includes using the overrunning brake to provide brake torque equal to or less than a reference brake torque under positive torque conditions, increasing a torque capacity of the first brake when brake torque is greater than the reference brake torque, and fully engaging the first brake.

Abstract: A power transmitting apparatus for a vehicle mounted with a torque converter and an idle-stop mechanism can be configured to improve fuel economy without cancelling a fuel-cut-off during vehicle speed reduction and to reduce the manufacturing cost by eliminating an electrically-driven oil pump. A power transmitting apparatus can comprise a torque converter, a clutch mechanism, an oil pump, a continuously variable transmission, a clutch control device, an engine control device, and a flow control device. The flow control device can be configured to limit or prevent the supply of oil to the torque converter by the oil pump and to prioritize the supply of oil to the clutch mechanism and the continuously variable transmission when the vehicle speed is reduced below a predetermined value with fuel being cut off by the engine control device during vehicle speed reduction.

Abstract: In a method for assisting a driver during a hill start, the vehicle is held automatically at a standstill using a brake, and when a starting command is detected, the brake is released automatically if the engine torque or an equivalent variable exceeds a specified release threshold value. The vehicle is able to be prevented from rolling back, when the brake is released, by monitoring the engine torque or the equivalent variable for a change which is not due to the actuation of the accelerator, and by modifying the condition for releasing the brake when a change in the engine torque or in the equivalent variable has been detected.

Abstract: A twist-grip controller includes a cylindrical housing adapted to be nonrotatably received within a tubular end of a handlebar, and an elongate support member having a cylindrical internal cavity and a longitudinal guide surface, the support member being supported within the housing for relative rotation about a longitudinal axis. The controller is adaptable to actuate a first cam portion axially constrained within the support member cavity, the first cam portion thereby actuating a vehicle control via fluid power through a first range of motion. Rotating the tubular sleeve through a second range actuates a second follower mounted to a second cam portion axially toward the distal end of the handlebar, thereby generating an output throttle signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a safety brake (1) having a coupling piece (4) which can move between the brake rotor (3) and the brake stator (2) and is held stably in each case in predefined end positions, wherein the coupling piece is held in an end position which is denoted as a release position (7) by a ferromagnetic permanent magnet (9), counter to the force of a preloading spring (5).

Abstract: A control apparatus of a transmission for a vehicle, which includes an electric generator provided between an engine and the transmission and regenerating electricity when torque is transmitted from a drive shaft of the vehicle via the transmission in a braking condition, includes a releasing speed measuring unit, an up-shifting operation allowing unit and an up-shifting operation restraining unit. The releasing speed measuring unit measures a releasing speed of an accelerator pedal. The up-shifting operation allowing unit is applied to allow an up-shifting operation under the accelerator pedal being released when a releasing speed of the accelerator pedal is lower than a first threshold value. The up-shifting operation restraining unit is applied to restrain the up-shifting operation under the accelerator pedal being released when the releasing speed of the accelerator pedal is equal to or lower than the first threshold value.

Abstract: In a method of shutting down an internal combustion engine, the shutdown of the internal combustion engine is executed upon initiation of the shut-down procedure starting from a defined operating condition which is selected in such a way that a desired rest position of the crankshaft is achieved from which the engine can be rapidly restarted.

Abstract: The invention relates to a selective freewheeling mechanism for developing an electromechanical vehicle brake (service brake) into a parking brake. The freewheeling mechanism according to the invention has an outer ring and a locking element cage which are configured as an electric motor with a rotor and a stator. The rotor and stator can be swiveled in relation to each other when a coil is supplied with current. Due to a symmetric design, the freewheeling mechanism is advantageously insensitive to acceleration forces.

Abstract: An apparatus for driving and braking a cutting blade of a lawn mower is disclosed. The apparatus includes a shaft for rotating the blade, and a pulley driven by the engine. The shaft extends through a housing. The apparatus includes means for biasing the pulley toward the housing, and means for translating the pulley away from the housing. The apparatus has a stopped position in which the pulley and housing are in friction contact, and has a cutting position in which the pulley and housing are not in friction contact. When power is delivered from the engine to drive the pulley, the apparatus moves from the stopped position to the cutting position such that the pulley and the housing are not in friction contact and the blade rotates. When power ceases being delivered to the pulley, the apparatus moves from the cutting position to the stopped position such that the pulley and the housing are placed in friction contact and the blade stops.

Abstract: In a vehicle having idle stop functions and low vehicle speed-following drive functions, when a vehicle automatic stop flag F2 is identified as 1 at step S220, determines whether all engine stop conditions except depression of brake pedal are satisfied in step S240. When it is determined all the engine stop conditions except depression of the brake pedal are satisfied, ignition and fuel injection in each cylinder of engine are stopped to automatically stop the engine in step S260. In this arrangement, the driver's depression of brake is excluded from the engine stop conditions. Therefore, even when the motor vehicle automatically stops without the driver's depression of brake, the engine is automatically stopped.

Abstract: An electromagnetically released spring-loaded brake for cooperation with a motor or similar, with the manual release of the brake being effected in a tangential direction by means of a manual release lever 9, and with actuation of the manual release lever 9 causing armature disc 3 to be urged towards coil carrier 1 via three or more transmission levers 10 mounting rolls 16 and camming surfaces 14 on armature disc 3. As a result, the width of the air gap between armature disc 3 and coil carrier 1 is reduced so that rotor 6 with its hub 4 will be free to rotate between friction linings 7 on armature disc 3 and flange plate 8. The object was to create a lockable manual release feature the actuation of which requires a low manual force on manual release lever 9, is very flat and compact in structure, has a relatively small diameter and is actuated in a tangentional direction (FIG. 1).

Abstract: According to a control device for a hydraulic winch, a regulator controls a motor capacity of a hydraulic motor having variable capacity functioning as a driving source of the hydraulic winch in response to a load pressure, a negative brake stops and retains the hydraulic motor at an automatic shutoff for prevention of overloading, and a controller sends signals to the regulator via a regulator-controlling valve at the automatic shutoff to set the motor capacity at a large value. Thus, the delay to recover the motor capacity at the time of returning from the automatic shutoff that is activated during winding-up of a load does not occur, and a control response is increased.

Abstract: A pedal box for a motor vehicle, comprising clutch (1), brake (2), and accelerator (3) pedals that are mounted to respectively rotate about a corresponding pivots (X1, X2, X3) between a rest position and a position of maximum actuation after passing through a multitude of intermediate positions. A link (4) located between the accelerator pedal (3) and the brake pedal (2) places the brake pedal (2) in an intermediate position or a rest position depending on whether or not the accelerator pedal (3) is in a rest position.

Abstract: To avoid damaging the electrical braking system of a motor vehicle due to driving with an applied parking brake, the parking brake is automatically released, if the speed of the motor vehicle exceeds a prescribed minimum value, and the drive unit of the motor vehicle is driven in a specific operating state, and at least one operating element (e.g. gas pedal, gear shift lever, clutch pedal, safety belt, etc.) of the motor vehicle has been actuated by the driver of the motor vehicle. Sensor signals of sensors that sense the state of the above parameters are subjected to a plausibility check.

Abstract: The invention relates to a parking brake system for transmissions of motor vehicle, especially for an automatic transmission and an automated selector transmission, having one parking brake for blocking or releasing the transmission according to actuation signals of a control device, especially by a pawl engaging and disengaging in a parking brake gear connected with the output of the transmission, an electric operative connection between the control device in the interior of the motor vehicle and the parking brake, a spring accumulator (9) for actuating the parking brake and a pressure-controlled release device of the parking brake. It is proposed to load the release device (10) when releasing the parking brake with a negative pressure independent of the transmission and which is preferably taken from the suction system (15) of the internal combustion engine of the motor vehicle or from a negative pressure brake force booster of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A method shuts down and switches on cylinders in a motor vehicle internal-combustion engine. Injection valves are controlled by an engine timing system as a function of vehicle operating conditions. The shutting-down of cylinders is carried out sequentially according to a defined program. Vehicle brakes can be acted upon in a power-operated manner. In order to prevent a switching jolt when shut-down cylinders are switched on again, when the cylinders are switched on again, the running up of the engine takes place in steps according to another defined program and a braking intervention is carried out.

Abstract: A hand-lever device for a trimmer has a rotatably-operated main lever for operating a cable which is coupled to a driven member. A pulling stroke amplifying mechanism for amplifying the stroke of the cable pulled by the main lever is provided between the main lever and the cable. The pulling stroke amplifying mechanism is provided with a wire attaching portion to which a wire for pulling and releasing a cutter braking device is attached.

Abstract: A power machine comprises an output manipulation system for controlling an output of a power source given to a working member and a brake manipulation system for stopping the movement of the working member. A pair of output manipulation restriction portions is disposed between the output manipulation system and the brake manipulation system. The output manipulation restriction portions abut to each other so as to restrict output manipulation to the working member by an output manipulation member when the working member is in the braked state. Furthermore, a pair of brake manipulation restriction portions is disposed between the output manipulation system and the brake manipulation system. The pair of brake manipulation restriction portions abut to each other so as to restrict brake manipulation of the working member by a brake manipulation member during the power source gives the output to the working member.

Abstract: A braking apparatus for a hydraulic motor has a housing and a cylinder block. The apparatus includes fixed side frictional plates mounted to the housing and movable side frictional plates mounted to the cylinder block. In addition, a piston for pressing the fixed side frictional plates against the movable side frictional plates is also provided. A spring for thrusting the piston to move in a first direction thus tending to establish a first state in which the two sets of frictional plates are pressed together is also included. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a piston driving pressure receiving chamber disposed between the housing and the piston for thrusting the piston to move in a second direction under a pressure that is introduced into the piston driving pressure receiving chamber to establish a second state in which the two sets of frictional plates are separated from each other.

Abstract: A hand-controlled accelerator for automobiles including an inner tubular member formed with a spiral projection on an outer surface thereof and an enlarged base at a lower end thereof, an accelerating cable having an upper end fastened in the base, a brake cable having an upper end fastened in the base, an intermediate tubular member in which is fitted the inner tubular member, a handle having a tubular neck at a lower portion thereof, an outer tubular member in which is fitted the intermediate tubular, and an annular ring-like member having two opposite threaded holes in each of which is arranged a steel ball, a spring having an end bearing against the steel ball, and a screw bearing against another end of the spring, whereby the hand-controlled accelerator for automobiles can prevent the driver from mistakenly depressing the accelerator pedal when desired to apply brake.

Abstract: A rotator includes an axle and an associated rotor component having lamellar vanes. A case component surrounds the rotor component. Chambers arranged symmetrically in relation to the axle are disposed between the lamellar vanes. These chambers are pressurized by oil fed through feed and outlet openings connected to the chambers. Bearing members are arranged in an axial direction on both sides of the rotor component. A conical bearing carries the axial rotor load and is formed by a conical arrangement of juxtaposed surfaces defined by the case and axle. The case includes channels leading from the chambers to the conical surfaces for communicating pressurized oil thereamong. The conical arrangement includes spaced gaskets. Oil pressure applied between the conical surfaces raises the axle off the case. In the absence of oil pressure, the conical surfaces lock as a result of friction between the case and axle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for preparing a hydraulic work machine for towing in response to a dead engine condition. The apparatus includes a source of hydraulic fluid, a standby pump system hydraulically connected to the source, a plurality of pilot controls adapted for electrical activation by the standby pump system, and a hydraulic brake system. The apparatus also includes a supply valve connected to the pilot controls, and at least one lift cylinder connected to the supply valve and adapted to lift an implement on the work machine. The hydraulic brake system and the lift cylinder are enabled for hydraulic control in response to activation of the standby pump system.