Hydro-gear Limited Partnership

Other

Scott W Keller

Raymond M Hauser

Lonnie E Holder

Alyn G Brown

Nathan W Bonny

Bruce E Reid

Thomas J Langenfeld

Michael Lee Bennett

Jesse L Probst

K Mike McCoy

Donald Rousser

Christopher Kenneth Wyatt

Ivan Eugene Fox

Jake Siudyla

Danny Ray Harrison

Michael W Taylor

Thomas P Gavin

Adam William Wahner

Donald G Cook

Michael E Cook

John D Schreier

Shane A Deters

Ryan S Buescher

Joseph L Brookens

A vehicle control system includes a communication network, a vehicle integration module, and a pair of control assemblies. Each of the pair of control assemblies is configured to be operated by a respective control lever and communicatively connected to the vehicle integration module. Each of the pair of control assemblies comprises an operator control assembly that includes a neutral switch, a return-to-neutral assembly configured to provide a return force to the respective control lever, a return-to-neutral shaft supporting a portion of the return-to-neutral assembly, a magnet attached to the return-to-neutral shaft, a position sensor assembly, and a linkage connecting the operator control assembly to the return-to-neutral assembly. The position sensor assembly includes a circuit board, a magnetic field sensor configured to sense a rotational orientation of the magnet, and a plurality of terminals for communication with the circuit board.

Control assembly for zero turn vehicle

A control system is disclosed for use in a zero turn vehicle, including an electric controller in communication with a pair of independent drive units. A joystick is pivotable between a plurality of pivot positions, each pivot position corresponding to a particular rotational speed and direction of each driven wheel. A plurality of driving modes stored in the controller each map a different set of speeds and directions for each driven wheel onto the plurality of pivot positions. The joystick may also rotate about a vertical axis to provide zero turn capability. In at least one driving mode, when the rotational speed of one driven wheel is zero, the rotational speed of the other driven wheels is zero, and when the rotational speed of one driven wheel is non-zero, the rotational speed of the other driven wheel is non-zero.

Control system for a vehicle

A vehicle control assembly having a control lever for controlling output of a traction drive. An operator control mechanism of the control assembly has an arm pivotable about a first pivot axis between a neutral position and a range of both forward and reverse positions. When in the neutral position, the arm can pivot about a second pivot axis between an operative and stopped position, and a switch is engaged when the arm is in the stopped position. A linkage connects the operator control mechanism to a return to neutral (RTN) module that provides a return force to the arm when it is pivoted away from the neutral position. The RTN module includes a shaft pivotable about a third pivot axis parallel to the first pivot axis and placing a magnet proximate to a magnetic field sensor chip mounted on a circuit board comprising CAN Bus and switch terminals.

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 hydraulic fluid expansion tank is located inside a housing of a drive device. The expansion tank comprises a siphon tube in communication with a sump located within the drive device and also comprises a vent opening in communication with a vent of the drive device that is in communication with atmospheric pressure. The fluid expansion tank is positioned and restrained within the drive device without the use of fasteners.

Fluid expansion tank

A utility vehicle having operator selectable onboard and remote controls also includes a prime mover and a power generating device driven thereby, first and second electric wheel motors, and a drive controller in communication with the wheel motors to control the output thereof and in communication with the onboard controls. A radio control receiver is in communication with the drive controller and with a radio control transmitter having steering and speed controls. The vehicle includes a control mode switch having a first position where the drive controller receives steering and speed control inputs from the onboard controls, and a second position where the drive controller receives steering and speed control inputs from the radio control transmitter.

Utility vehicle with onboard and remote control systems

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

A compact generator and coolant pump assembly may be used on a vehicle having a fluid reservoir and a plurality of electrical components disposed on the vehicle. The generator includes a rotor and stator disposed in a housing and the rotor is driven by a rotatable input member to generate an electrical output for use by one or more components of the vehicle. The assembly also includes a circulating pump connected to a lower portion of a generator housing and driven by the rotatable input member. A clutch assembly driven by the rotatable input member and engaged to and driving a clutch output may be located adjacent to the upper housing of the generator.

Drive assembly and system for utility vehicle

A coolant pump assembly having a combined hydraulic drive pump and a coolant circulating pump is disclosed herein, for use in connection with a utility vehicle, such as a ride-on or stand-on mower. Such a vehicle includes at least one combination pump assembly that utilizes a first fluid circuit to hydraulically drive a wheel of the vehicle and a second fluid circuit to cool one or more vehicle components.

Cooling pump assembly and cooling system for utility vehicle

A utility vehicle having a combined generator and coolant circulating pump assembly and at least one combined hydraulic pump and circulating pump is disclosed herein. An auxiliary pump may be disposed on a second hydraulic pump on the vehicle. A plurality of coolant reservoirs may be provided on the vehicle. The vehicle may also include a receiver for receiving signals from a remote operator transmitter, permitting remote operation of the vehicle, and an operator platform for permitting direct user control.

Growing community of inventors

Charleston, IL, United States of America

Scott W Keller