Patent classifications
B28C5/4227
MULTI-FUNCTION JOYSTICK FOR CONCRETE MIXER VEHICLE
A controller for a concrete mixer vehicle includes a base, an elongated shaft extending from the base, and a control portion positioned at free end of the elongated shaft. The control portion has a grip portion and a button interface providing at least one of a plurality of controls. The plurality of controls facilitate selectively operating (i) a hopper actuator to reposition a charge hopper between a first position and a second position, (ii) a first chute actuator to pivot a chute about a lateral axis to raise and lower a distal end of the chute, (iii) a second chute actuator to pivot the chute about a vertical axis to move the distal end left and right, (iv) a drum driver to control at least one of a speed or a rotational direction of a mixing drum, and (v) a transmission of the concrete mixer vehicle in one of a plurality of modes.
MIXER DRUM DRIVE WITH VARIABLE DISPLACEMENT MOTOR
A drum drive system includes a controller configured to control a prime mover, a variable displacement pump, and a variable displacement motor of the vehicle to provide a target drum speed for a drum of the vehicle. To provide the target drum speed, the controller having programmed instructions to (i) initially operate the variable displacement motor at a maximum motor displacement and operate the variable displacement pump at a pump displacement that provides the target drum speed without needing to actively manipulate a prime mover speed of the prime mover, (ii) increase the pump displacement and decrease a motor displacement without needing to actively manipulate the prime mover speed while still providing the target drum speed, and (iii) increase the prime mover speed if necessary to maintain the target drum speed in response to the pump displacement reaching a maximum pump displacement and the motor displacement reaching a minimum motor displacement.
Electric vehicle with accessory module
A vehicle includes a chassis, tractive elements coupled to the chassis, an electric motor coupled to the chassis and coupled to the tractive elements such that the electric motor drives the tractive elements to propel the vehicle, an accessory module coupled to the chassis and coupled to an output of the electric motor. The accessory module is configured to receive mechanical energy provided by the electric motor and provide at least one of electrical energy or fluid energy.
Mixer drum drive with variable displacement motor
A drum drive system includes a controller configured to control a prime mover, a variable displacement pump, and a variable displacement motor of the vehicle to provide a target drum speed for a drum of the vehicle. To provide the target drum speed, the controller having programmed instructions to (i) initially operate the variable displacement motor at a maximum motor displacement and operate the variable displacement pump at a pump displacement that provides the target drum speed without needing to actively manipulate a prime mover speed of the prime mover, (ii) increase the pump displacement and decrease a motor displacement without needing to actively manipulate the prime mover speed while still providing the target drum speed, and (iii) increase the prime mover speed if necessary to maintain the target drum speed in response to the pump displacement reaching a maximum pump displacement and the motor displacement reaching a minimum motor displacement.
ELECTRIC VEHICLE WITH ACCESSORY MODULE
A vehicle includes a chassis including a frame rail extending longitudinally, a tractive element coupled to the chassis, an electric motor coupled to the chassis, a shaft coupling the electric motor to the tractive element such that the electric motor is configured to drive the tractive element to propel the vehicle, the shaft extending longitudinally, and a water pump configured to provide a flow of water in response to receiving mechanical energy provided by the electric motor.
ELECTRIC CONCRETE VEHICLE SYSTEMS AND METHODS
An electrified vehicle includes a chassis, a front axle, a rear axle, a vehicle component including at least one of a pump, a compressor, or an alternator, an energy storage device including a plurality of batteries, and an electromagnetic device coupled to both (a) at least one of the front axle or the rear axle and (b) the vehicle component. The electromagnetic device is powered by the energy storage device and configured to selectively provide a mechanical output to (i) the at least one of the front axle or the rear axle and (ii) the vehicle component.
MIXER DRUM DRIVE WITH VARIABLE DISPLACEMENT MOTOR
A drum drive system includes a control system configured to control a prime mover, a variable displacement pump mechanically coupled to the prime mover, and a variable displacement motor fluidly coupled to the variable displacement pump. The control system has programmed instructions to operate the prime mover, the variable displacement motor, and the variable displacement pump to drive a drum of the vehicle; acquire pressure data indicative of a pressure of a fluid flowing between the variable displacement pump and the variable displacement motor; and in response to the pressure of the fluid being below a threshold pressure and while maintaining a drum speed of the drum: increase a pump displacement of the variable displacement pump, reduce a speed of the prime mover, and reduce a motor displacement of the variable displacement motor.