| TEXTRON INC. Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
|---|
| 20120136539 | Electronically Controlled Speed Limiting System For Turf Care Machine - An electronically controlled speed limiting system for a turf maintenance machine includes at least one traction motor rotating a wheel. At least one hydraulic pump in fluid communication with the traction motor provides hydraulic fluid to operate the traction motor. At least one actuator in fluid communication with the hydraulic pump varies an output of the hydraulic pump. A controller in communication with the actuator commands the actuator to control the output of the hydraulic pump and thereby an operating speed of the wheel. A brake is activated by the controller if a wheel speed sensor signals the wheel is slip-spinning, to mitigate turf damage. A steering position sensor signal is used by the controller to modify brake activation during machine turns. An inclinometer signal is used by the controller to automatically reduce machine speed on inclined surfaces. | 05-31-2012 |
| 20120116628 | Drive System For Electrically Operated Vehicle - A drive system is provided for a utility vehicle and includes an alternating-current (AC) motor for providing a drive torque. An AC motor controller receives a battery voltage signal, throttle pedal position signal, brake pedal position signal, key switch signal, forward/neutral/reverse (FNR) signal, and run/tow signal indicative of the utility vehicle being configured to be driven and being configured to be towed. The AC motor controller generates an AC drive signal for the AC motor, wherein the AC drive signal is based on the battery voltage signal, throttle pedal position signal, brake pedal position signal, key switch signal, FNR signal, and run/tow signal. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20110288729 | Automatic Adjustment of a Turf Care Implement - A turf care device having an implement for performing a turf care function. The turf care device has a module for determining its position relative to the turf. The turf care implement is controlled based upon the position of the turf care device. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110172869 | Hill Hold For An Electric Vehicle - A method for braking an electric utility vehicle including a motor and an electromechanical brake. The method includes storing a value indicative of at least one of an amount of current, voltage, and power that is commanded to a motor of the electric utility vehicle to maintain the electric utility vehicle in a stopped state; engaging a parking brake function of an electromechanical brake after the storing; disabling the motor after the engaging; commanding the at least one of the current, voltage, and power to the motor at the stored value when an accelerator pedal is depressed; and disengaging the parking brake function after the commanding. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110106357 | Drive System For Electrically Operated Vehicle - A drive system is provided for a utility vehicle and includes an alternating-current (AC) motor for providing a drive torque. An AC motor controller receives a battery voltage signal, throttle pedal position signal, brake pedal position signal, key switch signal, forward/neutral/reverse (FNR) signal, and run/tow signal indicative of the utility vehicle being configured to be driven and being configured to be towed. The AC motor controller generates an AC drive signal for the AC motor, wherein the AC drive signal is based on the battery voltage signal, throttle pedal position signal, brake pedal position signal, key switch signal, FNR signal, and run/tow signal. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110079370 | Non-Uniform Height And Density Fin Design For Heat Sink - A heat sink includes a heat sink plate and a heat generating electrical component mounted to a first side of the heat sink plate. Fins are connected and oriented perpendicular to a second side of the heat sink plate. The fins include a maximum height fin positioned proximate to the electrical component, and a minimum height fin spatially separated from the maximum height fin and the electrical component. A first group of fins is positioned between the maximum and minimum height fins. Each fin of the first group progressively decreases in height from a height of the maximum height fin to a height of the minimum height fin. A first spacing between the maximum height fin and a proximate one of the fins of the first group is less than a second spacing between any two consecutive ones of the first group of fins. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20100186361 | Electrically Powered Flail Mower - A flail mower assembly includes a deck having a shaft rotatably connected to the deck. A flail drum is connected to the shaft and is co-rotatable with the shaft. A plurality of flail blade assemblies is independently rotatably connected to the flail drum to provide two degrees of freedom-of-rotation of each of the plurality of flail blade assemblies independent of a direction of drum rotation. First and/or second electric motors are connected to the deck and rotatably connected to the shaft. The shaft is rotated by an energized one of the first or second electric motors or both energized simultaneously. A load connected to the first and second electric motors when the first and second electric motors are de-energized reduces a rotational velocity of the flail drum. | 07-29-2010 |
| 20090282798 | Serrated Edge Bed Knife - A bed knife for a mower includes a cutting implement for cutting a material. The bed knife includes a mounting portion that mounts to the mower, and a cutting area at which the cutting implement cooperates with the bed knife to cut the material. The bed knife further includes a serrated portion including a plurality of teeth. | 11-19-2009 |
| 20090259356 | AC Drive System For Electrically Operated Vehicle - A drive system is provided for a utility vehicle and includes an alternating-current (AC) motor for providing a drive torque. An AC motor controller receives a battery voltage signal, throttle pedal position signal, brake pedal position signal, key switch signal, forward/neutral/reverse (FNR) signal, and run/tow signal indicative of the utility vehicle being configured to be driven and being configured to be towed. The AC motor controller generates an AC drive signal for the AC motor, wherein the AC drive signal is based on the battery voltage signal, throttle pedal position signal, brake pedal position signal, key switch signal, FNR signal, and run/tow signal. | 10-15-2009 |
| 20090206576 | UNIVERSAL YOKE ASSEMBLY FOR A TURF MAINTENANCE VEHICLE - A universal attachment assembly is operable to couple turf maintenance implements of varying widths to a turf maintenance vehicle. The attachment assembly can include a yoke member that can be attached to a coupling member in various locations. The different locations can accommodate varying widths of the turf maintenance implements that are coupled to the turf maintenance vehicle with the yoke member. The yoke member can also be positioned in different orientations relative to the coupling member in both the first and second positions. The different orientations can correspond to an operating position and a servicing position for the turf maintenance implement. | 08-20-2009 |
| 20090192691 | Turf Maintenance Vehicle All-Wheel Drive System - A turf maintenance vehicle all-wheel drive traction control system includes a primary wheel propelling the vehicle. A first motor rotates the primary wheel. A traction control system has a first portion communicating with the first motor to monitor either a first motor current demand or a rotational speed of the primary wheel or the first motor and generates a traction control value. A secondary wheel rotated by a second motor steers the vehicle in a vehicle non-slip condition. A traction control system second portion determines a secondary wheel steering angle value. A speed threshold limit stored in the traction control system compared to the traction control value generates a slippage occurrence message indicative of a primary wheel traction loss event. A second motor drive signal created by comparing the steering angle value and the slippage occurrence message energizes the second motor during the traction loss event. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192661 | Braking Regeneration Energy Shunt System - A regeneration energy shunt system utilizes a module to monitor the power bus voltage and can divert excess regeneration energy to a resistor array to dissipate the excess regeneration energy. The module can monitor the state of charge of a rechargeable power source to ascertain when excess regeneration energy condition exists. The resistor array can include a plurality of resistors. The module can ascertain the number of resistors needed dissipate the excess regeneration energy and selectively direct the excess regeneration energy to the required number of resistors. The module can dynamically switch which resistors are used to dissipate the excess regeneration energy and can thereby even out the loading across the resistors. The module can ascertain a state of health of the individual resistors and remove unhealthy resistors from service, report the state of health of the resistors, and initiate changes in operation based thereon. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090188226 | Dynamic Tactical Steering Feedback - A dynamic tactical feedback system for a turf maintenance vehicle includes an input device that detects a steering angle and/or a ground speed of the turf maintenance vehicle. The input device transmits an input signal correlative to the steering angle and/or ground speed of the turf maintenance vehicle. The system also includes an output device that affects a steering resistance, a turning ratio, a speed limit, the ground speed and/or a turning angle limit of the turf maintenance vehicle. The system additionally includes a controller that receives the input signal and outputs a control signal to the output device based on the input signal so as to change the steering resistance, the turning ratio, the speed limit, the ground speed and/or the turning angle limit of the turf maintenance vehicle based on the input signal. A method of controlling the turf maintenance vehicle is also disclosed. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090171599 | Battery Discharge Indicator For Golf Car - A system is disclosed for determining battery state-of-charge (SoC) in an electric vehicle. The system includes an inverter that converts battery power to an alternating current, a current sensor that generates a signal indicative of a magnitude and direction of the alternating current, a first analog-to-digital converter (A2D) that converts the signal to current data, and a central processing unit (CPU) that periodically stores a present value of the current data to an associated memory and determines the SoC based on the stored current data. | 07-02-2009 |
| 20090167096 | Pulse Width Modulation For Precision Energy/Power Dumping - Accordingly, an energy dumping system for an electric component system is provided. The energy dumping system includes a power consuming element that consumes excess energy of the electric component system and dissipates the excess energy as heat. A solid state switch selectively permits energy of the electric component system to flow across the power consuming element. A control module is operable to monitor a voltage of the electric component system and apply a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal to the solid state switch to selectively control energy of the electric component system to flow across the power consuming element. | 07-02-2009 |
| 20090167062 | Folding Canopy With Drainage Feature - A golf car can include a folding canopy system that can be moved from a raised operable position to a lowered shipping position. In a shipping position, the canopy has a lower overall height than in the operable position. In the shipping position, the seating area of the golf car is still accessible to allow the golf car to be driven onto and off of the transportation container with the canopy in the shipping position. Upon removal from the transportation container, the canopy can be moved to its raised position and secured in that position. A roof canopy can have a plurality of channels that direct captured water to a collection basin. The collection basin can communicate with a drainage member that drains the water from the canopy to a lower portion of the golf car and releases the captured rain in a desirable location. | 07-02-2009 |
| 20090160633 | BRAKE LIGHT SYSTEM FOR UTILITY VEHICLE - A brake lighting system for a lightweight utility vehicle is provided. The brake lighting system can comprise a pressure sensitive brake light switch (PSBLS) operably connected to a brake pedal subassembly of the vehicle. The PSBLS is configured such that depression of a brake pedal included in the brake pedal subassembly compresses the pressure sensitive brake light switch. The brake lighting system additionally can comprise a brake light circuit that can comprise at least one brake light and an electronic switching device communicatively connected to the PSBLS. The electronic switching device is responsive to a brake light signal transmitted by the PSBLS when the PSBLS is compressed. Upon receipt of the brake light signal, the electronic switching device enables a current flow through the brake light to illuminate the brake light. | 06-25-2009 |
| 20090152425 | SAND BOTTLE HANDLE AND MOUNTING FEATURE - A sand bottle assembly on a golf car includes a bottle and a mounting bracket. The bottle is defined by a longitudinal hollow body having a bottom portion and a top portion. The hollow body defines a vertical axis. A spout is formed at the top portion and is adapted to dispense sand contained in the hollow body. An extension portion is disposed along a sidewall of the hollow body. The extension portion includes a raised sidewall portion. The mounting bracket is adapted to be connected to the golf car and matingly receive the extension portion of the bottle in an installed position. The mounting bracket defines an engaging portion adapted to engage and retain the raised sidewall of the extension portion in a secure position along the vertical axis in the installed position. | 06-18-2009 |
| 20090119038 | Battery Data Logger And Display - A battery data-logging arrangement for use with an electric vehicle is disclosed. The arrangement includes a first analog-to-digital converter (A | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090114461 | Electric Brake Manual Release Mechanism - A manual release mechanism for an electric braking assembly is provided. In various implementations, the manual release mechanism includes a shaft having an armature retraction cap connected to a distal end of the shaft and a handle connected to a proximal end of the shaft. The shaft includes threads that are mateable with threads provided in a bore of a magnet body of the braking assembly. The shaft threads are formed along at least a portion of the shaft such that a small angular displacement of the handle will cause an axial translation of the shaft within the magnet body. The axial translation will move the retraction cap to exert force on an armature plate of the braking assembly. The force of the retraction cap on the armature plate disengages contact between the armature plate and a friction disk of the braking assembly allowing the friction disk to rotate freely. | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090112383 | Operator Selectable Electric Vehicle Performance switch - An operator selectable performance control system for an electric vehicle, is provided. In various embodiments, the system includes a motor structured and operable to provide motive power and regenerative braking forces to the vehicle and a mechanical brake assembly structured and operable to exert mechanical braking forces to the vehicle. The system additionally includes a controller operable to control the application of motive power and regenerative braking forces of the motor. The system further includes an operator selectable switch structured and operable to changeably select one of a plurality of vehicle performance routines executable by the controller for affecting maximum vehicle speed and an amount of regenerative braking implemented during vehicle operation. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090108667 | Molded Wheel with Integral Hub - A unitary wheel and hub assembly is provided. In accordance with various embodiments the wheel and hub assembly includes a molded wheel having a hub integrally molded therewith. The wheel and hub assembly additionally includes a hub sub-assembly integrally formed with the hub to form a unitary wheel and hub assembly that can be directly rotatably mounted on a wheel shaft of a vehicle. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090108636 | Utility Vehicle Canopy - A utility vehicle canopy including a pair of lateral rain channels formed along a forward portion and an aft portion of a top side of the canopy. The canopy additionally includes a pair of longitudinal rain channels formed along a driver side portion and a passenger side portion of the canopy. The longitudinal rain channels interconnected with the lateral rain channels. The vehicle canopy further includes at least one outlet rain channel formed in the top side of the canopy. The outlet rain channel extends between an outer edge of the canopy and one of the lateral rain channels and/or one of the longitudinal rain channels. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090108632 | Rear Body Panel for a Golf Car - A rear body panel for a golf car includes a seat support portion and a bag well portion disposed rearward from the seat support portion. The rear body panel also includes a pair of wheel wells disposed on opposite sides of the bag well portion. The seat support portion includes a discontinuous recessed flange, a lower end trim edge, and at least one tab for limiting movement of the rear body panel on the golf car. Stiffening ribs are also included adjacent the wheel wells, and hand hold apertures are further included. The bag well portion includes a front wall portion, a pair of outwardly sloped side walls, and a floor portion with an impact absorption feature. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090108618 | Instrument Panel Assembly of a Light-Weight Utility Vehicle - A multi-component instrument panel assembly for a light-weight utility vehicle is provided. The multi-component instrument panel assembly includes an instrument panel component including a first storage unit and a second storage unit. A first insert component is adapted to interconnect with a first side of the instrument panel component. A second insert component is adapted to interconnect with a second side of the instrument panel component. An eyebrow component is adapted to interconnect with the first insert component, the second insert component, and the instrument panel component. A beverage holder is adapted to interconnect with and outwardly extend from the instrument panel component and the eyebrow component. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090107749 | Closed Loop Traction System for Light-Weight Utility Vehicles - A traction control system for a light-weight utility vehicle is provided. The system includes a wheel speed sensor that generates a wheel speed signal in accordance with a rotational speed of a non-driven wheel of the utility vehicle. An accelerator position sensor generates an accelerator signal in accordance with a position of an accelerator pedal of the utility vehicle. A controller receives the wheel speed signal and the accelerator signal, determines an intended speed based on the accelerator signal, and determines a substantially actual wheel speed based on the wheel speed signal. Based on a comparison of the substantially actual wheel speed and the intended speed, the controller controls rotation of at least one driven wheel by adjusting at least one of a commanded speed and a commanded torque when the substantially actual wheel speed is outside of a desired range of the intended speed. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090107741 | Limited Slip Differential For Electric Vehicle - An electric vehicle, such as a golf car or utility vehicle, is provided with an electric motor that provides dynamic braking for the vehicle. The vehicle drivetrain is provided with a limited slip differential in order to prevent the wheels from turning freely when traction is lost. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090107740 | Hill Hold For An Electric Vehicle - A method for braking an electric utility vehicle including a motor and an electromechanical brake. The method includes storing a value indicative of at least one of an amount of current, voltage, and power that is commanded to a motor of the electric utility vehicle to maintain the electric utility vehicle in a stopped state; engaging a parking brake function of an electromechanical brake after the storing; disabling the motor after the engaging; commanding the at least one of the current, voltage, and power to the motor at the stored value when an accelerator pedal is depressed; and disengaging the parking brake function after the commanding. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090107565 | Fuel Tank - A fuel tank is provided including an integrally formed body. The body includes a generally hollow portion defined by an outer wall and a fill neck extending around an aperture in the outer wall. The body further includes a mounting tab generally extending from the body and a snap-fit retainer configured to engage an accessory mounted to the fuel tank. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090107391 | Combined State Of Charge Meter And Fuel Gauge - A vehicle meter can include first and second inputs and a gauge. The first input can be configured to receive a fuel level value from a fuel system. The second input can be configured to receive a power level value from a battery system. The gauge can be configured to display one of the fuel level or the power level. The gauge can display the fuel level when the first input is in communication with the fuel system and the power level value when the second input is in communication with the battery system. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090107264 | Automated Battery Plate Inspection - A quality inspection system and method for identifying faulty battery plates is provided, wherein the plates comprise lead grids that have undergone a pasting process. In various embodiments, the quality inspection system includes a first scanner positioned to sequentially scan a first surface of each of a plurality of the battery plates, after the lead grids have undergone the pasting process. The first scanner scans the first surface of each plate for anomalies and communicates scanned first surface data to a processing center. The processing center analyzes the first surface data and determines an integrity status of the first surface, i.e., whether anomalies exist in the first surface. If anomalies exist in the first surface of any plate the respective plate can be discarded. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090025356 | REPLACEABLE REEL BLADE SYSTEM - A reel mower assembly having a frame and a reel rotatably mounted to the frame. The reel is a casting having spatially separated end members and a plurality of cross members homogenously connected to the end members. One or more support rings can also be positioned between the end members and homogenously connected to the cross members. A drive is operable to rotate the reel about a reel axis. | 01-29-2009 |
| 20080265604 | CONVERTIBLE CARGO BED - A convertible cargo bed assembly for a utility vehicle is provided. The assembly includes a single piece molded main body having a pair of integrally formed hip restraints that each include a passenger hand hold integrally formed within the respective hip restraint. The assembly additionally includes a molded pivoting panel that has a cargo deck side and a seat side. The cargo deck side functions as a portion of a cargo deck when the pivoting panel is in a deployed position. The seat side has at least one full-sized seat cushion coupled thereto. That is the full-sized seat cushion is approximately the same size as the forward facing driver's and passenger's seats. Therefore, when the pivoting panel is transitioned from the deployed position to a stowed position, wherein the convertible cargo bed provides a full-sized rear facing seat. | 10-30-2008 |
| 20080251307 | Speed Limiting for a Light-Weight Utility Vehicle - A method of limiting speed of a light-weight utility vehicle is provided. The method includes receiving a terrain roughness signal generated from a motion sensor. The signal indicates a roughness of a terrain over which the utility vehicle is traversing. The method additionally includes determining a peak-to-peak amplitude of the terrain roughness signal and limiting the speed of the utility vehicle if the peak-to-peak amplitude is greater than a maximum threshold. | 10-16-2008 |
| 20080238130 | Windshield With Incorporated Message Holder - A window assembly cooperating with a window frame on a golf car includes a first window pane coupled to the window frame. The first window pane defines a lower portion arranged adjacent to a body of the golf car. A message holder is disposed on the lower portion of the first window pane. The message holder according to one embodiment is integrally formed with the first window pane and is adapted to removably accept a message therein. The message holder according to another embodiment is fixedly coupled to the first window pane. | 10-02-2008 |
| 20080211438 | Fully Charged Battery Protection - A method for protecting against overcharging a battery of a light-weight utility vehicle during regenerative braking includes controlling a regenerative braking process such that a predetermined activation amount of braking torque is produced by a motor of the vehicle when braking torque within a full braking range is initially requested. The predetermined activation amount of braking torque is less than the full braking range. The method additionally includes reading a voltage across a battery of the vehicle induced by a current generated by the motor as the activation amount of braking torque is produced. The method further includes increasing the amount of braking torque produced by the motor, if the voltage across the battery is less than a specified battery voltage threshold. | 09-04-2008 |
| 20080211217 | Adjustable Steering System - An adjustable steering system for a golf car includes a steering column assembly and a shaft having a cylindrically shaped body and a non-circular engagement end axially extending from the body. A first U-joint includes a first yoke connected to the shaft and a second yoke connected to the steering column assembly. A second U-joint includes a first yoke member having a pair of deflectable members and an oppositely positioned pair of forks. The deflectable members receive and frictionally engage the engagement end of the shaft. A second yoke member includes a pair of forks to engage the pair of forks of the first yoke member. The engagement end of the shaft is releasably engaged by the deflectable members permitting an engagement length of the engagement end positioned between the deflectable members to be axially varied. | 09-04-2008 |
| 20080210501 | Assistive Front Electric Brakes For Gas Or Electric Vehicles - A front electric brake assembly for assisting vehicle braking is provided. The front electric brake assembly includes a spindle that includes at least one mounting flange. A shaft extends substantially perpendicular from the spindle. An electric brake mounts to the at least one mounting flange of the spindle. A hub assembly rotates about the shaft and interconnects with the electric brake. | 09-04-2008 |
| 20080209882 | Articulating Swing-Out Arm - A lawn mower, in particular a reel lawn mower, can include an articulating swing-out arm for supporting a reel assembly. The swing-out arm can include main and secondary members. The main member and the mower can be coupled to a first joint assembly which can define a first axis therethrough and can be operable to provide for rotation of the main member relative to the mower about the first axis. The main and secondary members can be coupled to a second joint assembly which can define a second axis therethrough and can be operable to provide for rotation of the secondary member relative to the main member about the second axis. The secondary member can also be coupled to the reel assembly. The swing-out arm can be operable to locate the reel assembly in a mowing position underneath the mower and a servicing position outside of the mower. | 09-04-2008 |
| 20080209880 | Steering Operated By Linear Electric Device - A riding mower assembly may include a mower frame, first and second wheels, and a steering assembly. The steering assembly may include a steering frame member fixed to the mower frame, a first steering arm rotatably coupled to a first end of the steering frame member and having the first wheel coupled thereto, a second steering arm rotatably coupled to a second end of the steering frame member and having the second wheel coupled thereto, an actuation mechanism, and a cross-member. The actuation mechanism may include a first end coupled to the steering frame member and a second end coupled to the first steering arm. The actuation mechanism may include a motor having an actuation arm extending therefrom that rotates the first steering arm. The cross-member may have a first end coupled to the first steering arm and a second end coupled to the second steering arm. | 09-04-2008 |
| 20080196373 | Controlling Groomer Assembly Depth Penetration - A turf cutting unit includes a reel assembly mounted to a frame and having a plurality of reel blades rotatable about a reel axis extending substantially parallel to the ground. A drivingly rotatable groomer includes a plurality of spaced apart and substantially vertically oriented cutting plates. An adjustment mechanism is operable to move the reel assembly relative to the turf to set a turf cutting height. The adjustment mechanism is operable to adjust the position of the cutting plates to set a depth of cut that the groomer cutting plates engage the turf. The adjustment mechanism limits a maximum depth of cut of the groomer cutting plates based on the cutting height of the reel assembly. A method of operating a turf cutting unit is also discussed. | 08-21-2008 |
| 20080196372 | Cutting Unit with Moveable Groomer - A turf cutting unit includes a reel assembly having a plurality of blades rotatable relative to the ground. A groomer includes a plurality of spaced apart and vertically oriented cutting plates fixed to a driven shaft. The groomer is moveable between a first position where the cutting plates engage the turf and a second position where the cutting plates are spaced apart from the turf. A method of operating a turf cutting unit is also described. | 08-21-2008 |
| 20080196371 | Electrically Driven, Reel-Mower Accessories - Real-mower accessories according to the present teachings are electrically driven. The electrically powered accessories use electric motors that can be operated independently of the transport wheels of the mower. Electrically powered accessories can use the on-board power source of the mower to which it is attached along with the control assembly thereon. The electrically powered accessories enable rotational rates and direction of rotation of the components of the electrically powered accessories to be easily adjusted and changed independently of other components of the mower. The electrically powered accessories can provide a more efficiently powered accessory. The electrically powered accessories can allow a user to independently verify the speed and direction of the electrically powered accessory relative to the other electrically powered accessories or other electrically driven components of the mower. | 08-21-2008 |
