An inching system for a vehicle having a hydrostatic transmission and an engine that drives the transmission. The transmission has a pilot pressure port with a pressure of hydraulic fluid at the pilot pressure port controlling a level of power from the transmission, a beginning of draining of the hydraulic fluid from the pilot pressure port defining an inching starting point. The system includes a brake pedal and an electrohydraulic valve coupled to the pilot pressure port of the transmission, the valve being configured to drain the hydraulic fluid at the pilot pressure port. A sensor is coupled to the pedal to detect an input from the operator, the sensor producing a signal indicative of the input from the operator. A controller receives the signal and a speed of the engine. The controller controls the electrohydraulic valve dependent upon the signal and the engine speed so that the inching starting point is unchanged regardless of the speed of the engine.

An inching system for a vehicle having a hydrostatic transmission and an engine that drives the transmission. The transmission has a pilot pressure port with a pressure of hydraulic fluid at the pilot pressure port controlling a level of power from the transmission, a beginning of draining of the hydraulic fluid from the pilot pressure port defining an inching starting point. The system includes a brake pedal and an electrohydraulic valve coupled to the pilot pressure port of the transmission, the valve being configured to drain the hydraulic fluid at the pilot pressure port. A sensor is coupled to the pedal to detect an input from the operator, the sensor producing a signal indicative of the input from the operator. A controller receives the signal and a speed of the engine. The controller controls the electrohydraulic valve dependent upon the signal and the engine speed so that the inching starting point is unchanged regardless of the speed of the engine.

A control system for a powertrain system includes an electronic control unit structured to receive ground speed data and load factor data. The electronic control unit determines an engine speed command to an engine and a torque command to a variable-torque transmission based upon an engine speed limit and a torque scale factor that can vary with ground speed and load factor. The commands produce an economy output of the powertrain to reduce fuel consumption.

Systems and methods are provided for controlling a transmission. An engine stop-start event may be allowed or denied based on one or more characteristics of the vehicle including the transmission.

Systems and methods are provided for controlling a transmission. An engine stop-start event may be allowed or denied based on one or more characteristics of the vehicle including the transmission.

An agricultural vehicle and method of controlling the same are provided, the vehicle having a motive power unit providing a driving torque to at least one driven wheel and having at least one tyre or track frictionally coupled with the periphery of the driven wheel. A vehicle operating parameter is controlled in dependence on the driving torque and a slippage characteristic relating the respective driving torque at which the frictional coupling between driven wheel and tyre or track begins to slip for a range of vehicle operating parameter values. The operating parameter is suitably a tyre pressure or track tension, and the control may involve reducing driving torque or increasing pressure/tension to prevent slipping.

An agricultural vehicle and method of controlling the same are provided, the vehicle having a motive power unit providing a driving torque to at least one driven wheel and having at least one tyre or track frictionally coupled with the periphery of the driven wheel. A vehicle operating parameter is controlled in dependence on the driving torque and a slippage characteristic relating the respective driving torque at which the frictional coupling between driven wheel and tyre or track begins to slip for a range of vehicle operating parameter values. The operating parameter is suitably a tyre pressure or track tension, and the control may involve reducing driving torque or increasing pressure/tension to prevent slipping.

A method of drivingly engaging a first motor of a dual motor drive unit with an output shaft driven by a second motor of the dual motor drive unit includes actuating a clutching device for drivingly engaging the first motor with the output shaft. Next, a rotational speed of the first motor is synchronized with a rotational speed of the output shaft. When the rotational speed of the first motor and the rotational speed of the output shaft are synchronized, an output torque of the first motor is reduced. When the clutching device drivingly engages the first motor with the output shaft, the output torque of the first motor is increased. The invention further relates to a dual motor drive unit for carrying out the method.

A method of drivingly engaging a first motor of a dual motor drive unit with an output shaft driven by a second motor of the dual motor drive unit includes actuating a clutching device for drivingly engaging the first motor with the output shaft. Next, a rotational speed of the first motor is synchronized with a rotational speed of the output shaft. When the rotational speed of the first motor and the rotational speed of the output shaft are synchronized, an output torque of the first motor is reduced. When the clutching device drivingly engages the first motor with the output shaft, the output torque of the first motor is increased. The invention further relates to a dual motor drive unit for carrying out the method.

An energy storage and regeneration system that converts irregular, non-constant, and variable input power to regular, constant, and controlled output power using hydraulics whereby the irregular input power is used to pump hydraulic fluid into an accumulator array where it is stored pressurized. Energy is released in a controlled fashion using a hydraulic motor operated by the pressurized hydraulic fluid from the accumulator array, in accordance with the specified power demand. One or more power units may be deployed depending on the amount of energy required at the output. Each power unit includes a hydraulic motor and associated floating accumulator whose internal pressure is controlled to maintain a substantially constant pressure differential across its associated motor. The system can be integrated into various energy system sources including renewable energy such as wind, PV or thermal solar, wave, tidal, etc. as well as various types of vehicles such as cars, trucks, motorcycles, trains, boats, etc.