A pig is provided for passing through a pipeline having a pipeline wall. The pig comprises at least one functional unit for cleaning the pipeline and/or for receiving pipeline information. The pig also comprises at least one magnet unit which is provided for magnetizing the pipeline wall, and which has a plurality of magnets. The magnet unit has a plurality of segments each with at least one magnet. The magnetizing devices of mutually adjacent segments are angled at least by approximately 90° to one another.

A speed control system to control retardation energy of a vehicle and a method of controlling retardation energy of a vehicle are provided. The system includes an energy storage device configured to absorb and store the retardation energy of the vehicle. The energy storage device includes a power absorption limit determined at least partially by a temperature and a state of charge of the energy storage device. The system further includes a non-energy-storing retarder configured to absorb the retardation energy of the vehicle and a controller configured to route the retardation energy to the energy storage device up to the power absorption limit and route a remaining portion of the retardation energy to the non-energy-storing retarder.

A vehicle control system determines an upper non-zero limit on deceleration of a vehicle to prevent rollback of the vehicle down a grade being traveled up on by the vehicle. The upper non-zero limit on deceleration is determined by the controller based on a payload carried by the vehicle, a speed of the vehicle, and a grade of a route being traveled upon by the vehicle. The controller is configured to monitor the deceleration of the vehicle, and to automatically prevent the deceleration of the vehicle from exceeding the upper non-zero limit by controlling one or more of a brake or a motor of the vehicle. The controller also is configured to one or more of actuate the brake or supply current to the motor of the vehicle to prevent rollback of the vehicle while the vehicle is moving up the grade at a non-zero speed.

A vehicle control system determines an upper non-zero limit on deceleration of a vehicle to prevent rollback of the vehicle down a grade being traveled up on by the vehicle. The upper non-zero limit on deceleration is determined by the controller based on a payload carried by the vehicle, a speed of the vehicle, and a grade of a route being traveled upon by the vehicle. The controller is configured to monitor the deceleration of the vehicle, and to automatically prevent the deceleration of the vehicle from exceeding the upper non-zero limit by controlling one or more of a brake or a motor of the vehicle. The controller also is configured to one or more of actuate the brake or supply current to the motor of the vehicle to prevent rollback of the vehicle while the vehicle is moving up the grade at a non-zero speed.

An eddy current deceleration device includes a rotor and a stator. The rotor includes a hub, a rotor body, and a spoke. The spoke has neutral axes. The first neutral axis is a neutral axis when the spoke is bent in a circumferential direction of the rotor body. The first neutral axis is positioned forward in a rotating direction of the rotor with respect to a center line of the spoke in the circumferential direction. The second neutral axis is a neutral axis when the spoke is bent in an axial direction of the rotor body. The second neutral axis is positioned on a rotor body side with respect to a center line of the spoke in the axial direction.

The invention involves a low speed control system and method for automatically regulating the speed of work vehicles or equipment and, more particularly, vehicles that apply, remove or modify roadways or road markings. The system includes a controller, a speed display, at least one rotary encoder or the like, and one or more Eddy current or mechanical brakes for inhibiting motion of the vehicle at the operator's control. The brakes may be pneumatic, spring operated, Eddy current, or hydraulic that are controlled in response to feedback from the at least one rotary encoder for compliance with the preset speed on the speed display. In another embodiment, a throttle control is also provided.

The invention involves a low speed control system and method for automatically regulating the speed of work vehicles or equipment and, more particularly, vehicles that apply, remove or modify roadways or road markings. The system includes a controller, a speed display, at least one rotary encoder or the like, and one or more Eddy current or mechanical brakes for inhibiting motion of the vehicle at the operator's control. The brakes may be pneumatic, spring operated, Eddy current, or hydraulic that are controlled in response to feedback from the at least one rotary encoder for compliance with the preset speed on the speed display. In another embodiment, a throttle control is also provided.

Systems and methods for energy storage and management may be useful for a variety of applications, including launch devices. A system can include a direct current (DC) bus configured to operate within a predetermined range of voltages. The system can also include an array comprising a plurality of ultra-capacitors connected to the DC bus and configured to supply the DC bus with energy. The system can further include an input configured to receive energy from a power grid, wherein the power grid is configured to supply fewer than 250 amps of power. The system can additionally include an output configured to supply more than 250 amps of power. The system can also include a controller configured to control charging and discharging of the array of ultracapacitors and configured to control the DC bus to remain within the predetermined range of voltages.

Systems and methods for energy storage and management may be useful for a variety of applications, including launch devices. A system can include a direct current (DC) bus configured to operate within a predetermined range of voltages. The system can also include an array comprising a plurality of ultra-capacitors connected to the DC bus and configured to supply the DC bus with energy. The system can further include an input configured to receive energy from a power grid, wherein the power grid is configured to supply fewer than 250 amps of power. The system can additionally include an output configured to supply more than 250 amps of power. The system can also include a controller configured to control charging and discharging of the array of ultracapacitors and configured to control the DC bus to remain within the predetermined range of voltages.

An inspection device is provided for inspecting metallic objects extending in planar fashion, in particular sheets or walls. The inspection device is embodied as pipeline-impassable in particular by virtue of dispensing with at least one propulsion element that at least substantially fills an inner pipeline cross section. At least one functional unit is included for recording object information. At least one magnet unit is provided for magnetizing the object, the magnet unit including a plurality of magnets. The magnet unit has a plurality of segments each having at least one magnet, and the magnetization directions of segments adjoining one another are angled at least approximately by 90°, preferably by exactly 90°, relative to one another.