Hydro-gear Limited Partnership

Other

Hydro-gear Limited Parntership

Raymond M Hauser

Lonnie E Holder

Scott W Keller

Michael Lee Bennett

Thomas J Langenfeld

John D Schreier

Matthew C Roney

Daryl Smothers

Ronald J Sporrer

Christopher Kenneth Wyatt

Shane A Deters

Nathan W Bonny

William H Ward

Frederic W Pollman

Donald Rousser

Alyn G Brown

Ivan Eugene Fox

Herb M Poplawski

Douglas W Bell

Bruce E Reid

Bryce E Steenburg

J David Pratt

Eric S Phanco

Robert E Trimble

Ryan S Buescher

Thomas A Roth

Michael Todd

Thomas Kopel

B Keith Harshman

Thomas P Gavin

Michael Houser

Josh Butler

Alan W Johnson

Alan David Goetzelmann

Scott E Windhorst

Craig Wigness

Rene Keusch

Andy Vogel

Juan Pedro Roberto A Ooink

John Schreler

Juan Pedro Roberto A Oolnk

A vehicle drive and control system for a vehicle having a prime mover and an operator control device such as a steering wheel is disclosed. A transaxle includes a power generating device in a transaxle housing and driven by the prime mover, an electric motor in the transaxle housing and powered by the power generating device, and at least one axle extending out of the transaxle housing and engaged to and driving one of a pair of driven wheels. A battery is powered by the power generating device, and connected to a controller. The controller is operatively connected to the operator control device and to the electric motor such that the controller controls electric motor output based on input received via the operator control device.

Electric transaxle with integral power generating device

A vehicle having a prime mover and a central gear box mounted to a frame. First and second transaxles are driven by the central gear box. Each transaxle includes an output axle having a completely splined external portion and a threaded end for engagement with a driven wheel, and the completely splined portion of each output axle is disposed in one of the driven wheels of the vehicle. A cross brace may be mounted to the two transaxle housings for rigidity.

Modular drive system

A vehicle drive and control system includes an input shaft driven by a prime mover and extending into a housing to drive a generator. An electric motor powered by the generator drives an output axle, which may be a single axle extending out one side of the housing, or a through shaft extending through the electric motor and out both sides of the housing. The input shaft may be parallel to the axle. A power controller is configured to back-drive the generator when certain predetermined conditions are met. A motor controller may control an output of the motor based on input received via an operator control device, and the motor controller is configured to operate the motor as a generator under certain operating conditions. The transaxle includes a common housing in which the power generator, the motor, and controllers for the generator and electric motor are disposed.

A power and cooling assembly is disclosed for use with a vehicle having a deck for a rotatable tool such as a mowing blade. An electric motor is mounted on the deck and used to drive the blades by an output shaft. A circulating pump is connected to a housing of the electric motor and is also driven by the electric motor. The circulating pump is hydraulically connected to at least one sump on the vehicle and at least one electrical component of the vehicle to provide cooling thereto. Additional cooling pumps may be provided on the vehicle and may provide cooling to additional electrical components.

Power and cooling system for utility vehicle

A generator and clutch assembly is disclosed for use in a vehicle and includes a rotatable input, an electric generator in a generator housing, a clutch rotor by driven by the rotatable input, and an electric clutch and brake assembly which may be integrated with the generator housing. A field coil may be mounted to an external surface of the generator housing. The generator and clutch may be offset and connected by means of a transfer system having a transfer housing, wherein a field coil is mounted to an external surface of the transfer housing.

Combination electric generator with electric clutch

A zero turn radius vehicle with a single steered wheel may include a pair of power transfer mechanisms driving a pair of wheels, an operator control mechanism for controlling the steering, speed and direction of the vehicle and a controller in communication with the control mechanism. A steerable wheel is located adjacent the front of the vehicle frame, on a first side of the vehicle frame and an electric actuator is connected to the controller for steering the front steerable wheel. A second, non-steerable front caster wheel is located on a second side of the vehicle frame. A damper is connected to the non-steered wheel to dampen rotation of the non-steered wheel about a non-steered wheel pivot axis The controller controls the pair of power transfer mechanisms and the electric actuator based on operator input.

Zero turn radius vehicle with single steered wheel

An electronic drive control system for a vehicle having a right and left drive wheels and a pair of actuators engaged to respective control arms of the associated variable drive units. A pair of speed sensors are in electrical communication with the respective variable drive units and a controller. The controller receives signals from the speed sensors and determines at least one operational output of each variable drive unit based on the received signals, calculates adjustments to at least one of the actuators and adjusts at least one of the actuators to move the respective control arm of the drive unit to effectuate the desired operational output of the variable drive units.

Electronic drive control system for a zero turn radius vehicle

A power distribution assembly integrated into the lower engine housing of an internal combustion engine, the assembly having a drive train with a T-box output configuration and power take off driven by the crankshaft of the engine. The drive train may power the input shafts of a pair of independent, variable drive transmissions. In one embodiment, a single actuator engages a manual clutch/brake mechanism that controls the output shaft of the power take off. In other embodiments, an electric clutch generates magnetic actuation to control of the power take off mechanism. In further embodiments, a hydraulic clutch/brake assembly allows control of the power take off, and an additional hydraulic clutch assembly may be used to control the outputs of the T-box.

Integral power distribution assembly for engine

Vehicle having combination electric generator with electric clutch

A zero turn radius vehicle with a single steered wheel is described. The vehicle may include a pair of power transfer mechanisms driving a pair of wheels, an operator control mechanism for controlling the steering, speed and direction of the vehicle and a controller in communication with the operator control mechanism. A steerable wheel is located adjacent the front of the vehicle frame, on a first side of the vehicle frame and an electric actuator is connected to the controller for steering the front steerable wheel. A second, non-steerable front caster wheel is located on a second side of the vehicle frame. The controller controls the pair of power transfer mechanisms and the electric actuator based on operator input to the operator control mechanism.

A zero turn vehicle is described. The vehicle comprises a frame, a prime mover, a transaxle, first and second gear boxes, first and second driven wheels, an operator foot platform, and an expansion tank. The transaxle is aft of the prime mover and has opposing first and second output shafts. The first and second gearboxes are respectively driven by and pivotable about the first and second output shafts. The first and second gear boxes respectively have first and second output axles aft of the first and second output shafts. The first and second driven wheels are respectively engaged with the first and second output axles. The operator foot platform is between the first and second gear boxes and aft of the transaxle. The expansion tank is between the transaxle and the operator foot platform and between the first and second gear boxes.

Transaxle for zero-turn vehicle

A drive assembly having a housing forming an internal sump for a transmission, and an accumulator chamber formed in the housing and in fluid communication with the sump. A piston chamber in the housing is in fluid communication with the accumulator chamber. The transmission includes a pump, a pump running surface and an internal porting system in a center section, and a pump swash plate. A piston divides the piston chamber into first and second portions. The piston is biased by a spring force to pressurize hydraulic fluid in the piston chamber and thereby pressurize the hydraulic fluid in the internal sump when pressure in the piston chamber decreases below a set level. A second transmission may also be located in the housing.

Transmission and engine configuration

A vehicle drive and control system includes an input shaft driven by a prime mover and extending into a housing to drive a generator. An electric motor powered by the generator drives an output axle, which may be a single axle extending out one side of the housing, or a through shaft extending through the electric motor and out both sides of the housing. The input shaft may be parallel to the axle. A generator controller is configured to back-drive the generator when certain predetermined conditions are met. A motor controller may control an output of the motor based on input received via an operator control device, and the motor controller is configured to operate the motor as a generator under certain operating conditions. The transaxle includes a common housing in which the power generator, the motor, and controllers for the generator and electric motor are disposed.

Growing community of inventors

Sullivan, IL, United States of America

Raymond M Hauser