Parker-hannifin Corporation

Randall Denman Thompson

Steven R Huard

Jason Scot Richardson

Todd Allen Link

Ralf Gomm

Michael Tholan Crosby

Roger Paul Gray

Björn Eriksson

Vivek Bhaskar

Kyle J Merrill

Cleatis Elisha Cutshall

Ryan Press

Anthony Lapp

An example sensor assembly includes: a rotary displacement amplifier configured to be coupled to a lap bar of a mower and configured to amplify movement of the lap bar; and a rotary sensor comprising a sensor shaft coupled to, and rotatable by, the rotary displacement amplifier, wherein the rotary displacement amplifier is configured to transmit an amplified movement of the lap bar to the sensor shaft, and wherein the rotary sensor is configured to provide a signal indicative of a rotary position of the sensor shaft to a drive motor controller of the mower to drive an electric motor based on the signal.

Sensor assembly for a steering control lever of a mower

An example assembly comprises: a brake shaft comprising gear teeth formed on a circumferential portion of the brake shaft, wherein the brake shaft is substantially constrained from moving in a longitudinal direction along a longitudinal axis of the brake shaft; and a brake gear that is rotatably coupled to a drive shaft of a motor, wherein the brake shaft is rotatable about the longitudinal axis between (i) a first position at which the gear teeth of the brake shaft are disengaged from the brake gear, thereby allowing the brake gear and the drive shaft to rotate, and (ii) a second position at which the gear teeth of the brake shaft engage the brake gear, thereby precluding the brake gear and the drive shaft from rotating due to the brake shaft being constrained from moving in the longitudinal direction.

Parking brake

A drive system for a zero turning radius (ZTR) vehicle includes a steering control and a sensor configured to receive a position of the steering control. A damper is coupled to the steering control and is configured to apply a selectable amount of resistive force to the steering control. A controller is in communication with the sensor and is configured to operate a motor of the ZTR vehicle responsive to the position of the steering control, and to operate the damper to apply a resistive force to the steering control responsive to actuation of the steering control.

Zero turning radius vehicle and drive system for zero turning radius vehicle

A motor for a vehicle includes a motor housing, a motor shaft, a hub, and a wheel speed sensor assembly. The motor shaft is disposed at least partially within the motor housing. The hub is configured to be coupled to the motor shaft and to be coupled to a wheel of the vehicle. The wheel speed sensor assembly includes a first end that is coupled to the motor housing and a second end that is rotatably coupled to the hub. The wheel speed sensor assembly is configured to generate a wheel speed signal that facilitates determination of a speed and direction of rotation of the wheel.

High-resolution wheel speed sensor for a vehicle

An example vehicle comprises: (i) a source of direct current power, (ii) at least one electronically-commutated electric motor configured to drive a wheel of the vehicle, and (iii) a voltage bus connecting the source of direct current power with the electronically-commutated electric motor.

Electric drive system for a mower

A vehicle includes at least one wheel hub, a wheel hub speed sensor, and a controller. The wheel hub is configured to be coupled to a drive wheel. The wheel hub speed sensor is proximate to the wheel hub and is configured to generate a wheel hub speed signal that facilitates determination of a rate and direction of rotation of the wheel hub. The controller is configured to communicate power to a motor assembly coupled to the wheel hub to rotate the wheel hub at a particular rate and in a particular direction. The particular rate and the particular direction are associated with a particular position of a plurality of positions of a steering control.

Closed-loop control of vehicle speed

An example vehicle comprises: (i) at least one electric generator that can be electronically-commutated or passively rectified, (ii) at least one electronically-commutated electric motor configured to drive a wheel of the vehicle, (iii) a voltage bus connecting the electric generator with the electronically-commutated electric motor, and (iv) means of controlling voltage level of the voltage bus.

An example brake assembly comprises: a brake disk; an outer brake caliper disposed on a first side of the brake disk; an inner brake caliper disposed on a second side of the brake disk such that the brake disk is interposed between the outer brake caliper and the inner brake caliper; a mounting plate disposed adjacent to the inner brake caliper, wherein the mounting plate is coupled to the inner brake caliper and the outer brake caliper, and wherein the mounting plate comprises a slot; and a brake actuation lever pivotably coupled to the mounting plate and disposed through the slot of the mounting plate to interface with the inner brake caliper, wherein rotation of the brake actuation lever causes the inner brake caliper to move toward the outer brake caliper, thereby squeezing the brake disk between the inner brake caliper and the outer brake caliper.

Lever actuated disk parking brake for a vehicle

A hydraulic system includes one or more hydraulic subsystems that have a source of additional flow for supplying an auxiliary system. The hydraulic system may include one or more actuator systems, a boost system, and a further hydraulic system, such as a steering system. The source of additional flow for supplying the auxiliary system may include: sizing the boost system for providing both full boost function and auxiliary function, sizing the steering system for providing both full steering function and auxiliary function, utilizing available flow from an unused actuator function, and/or utilizing a selector manifold for actively selecting the source of auxiliary flow based on the flow and pressure demands of the respective hydraulic systems. Such a hydraulic system enables flow to be available to an auxiliary function regardless of the flow requirements for the actuator functions and/or other vehicle functions, while also minimizing interactions and flow disruptions to the various hydraulic subsystems.

Auxiliary system for vehicle implements

A return-to-neutral mechanism for a hydrostatic transmission configured to return a control member of a pump to neutral after the control member has been moved toward a forward or reverse position. The return-to-neutral mechanism includes a stop member mountable to a housing, a control arm for moving the control member, and a spring for engaging the control arm and stop member to bias and return the control arm to neutral after being released from forward or reverse positions. The stop member may have an opening for receiving a fastener for mounting to the housing, and the opening may be configured to permit adjustment of the stop member along at least two transverse directions to preload the spring at the neutral position. The control arm may have abutments for moving legs of the spring, and the abutments may have recessed and protruding portions for receiving and containing the spring legs.

Return to neutral mechanism for hydrostatic transmission

An example pump includes: (i) a swash block having (a) a first trunnion arm on a first side of the swash block, and (b) a second trunnion arm on a second side of the swash block; and (ii) a housing including (a) a through-hole disposed on a respective first side of the housing, (b) a blind hole disposed on a respective second side of the housing opposite the respective first side thereof, and (c) an internal chamber. The swash block is supported within the internal chamber of the housing by the first trunnion arm being positioned in the through-hole of the housing and the second trunnion arm being positioned in the blind hole of the housing.

Growing community of inventors

Lancaster, SC, United States of America

Randall Denman Thompson