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A control system for a utility vehicle, particularly a compact utility tractor, that is speed-controlled by a hydrostatic transmission, prevents engine stalling by automatically reducing the stroke of a pump of the hydrostatic transmission, and thus reducing the vehicle speed, when the unloaded engi

A control system for a utility vehicle, particularly a compact utility tractor, that is speed-controlled by a hydrostatic transmission, prevents engine stalling by automatically reducing the stroke of a pump of the hydrostatic transmission, and thus reducing the vehicle speed, when the unloaded engine speed drops below a predetermined threshold. The apparatus includes a servo controlled hydrostatic transmission, an engine speed sensor, a throttle position sensor and a controller. The unloaded engine speed is determined by either an engine throttle lever position or by an engine speed capture algorithm that continuously monitors engine speed and records engine speed occurring when the transmission control pedals are positioned in neutral.

대표청구항 ▼

A control system for a utility vehicle, particularly a compact utility tractor, that is speed-controlled by a hydrostatic transmission, prevents engine stalling by automatically reducing the stroke of a pump of the hydrostatic transmission, and thus reducing the vehicle speed, when the unloaded engi

A control system for a utility vehicle, particularly a compact utility tractor, that is speed-controlled by a hydrostatic transmission, prevents engine stalling by automatically reducing the stroke of a pump of the hydrostatic transmission, and thus reducing the vehicle speed, when the unloaded engine speed drops below a predetermined threshold. The apparatus includes a servo controlled hydrostatic transmission, an engine speed sensor, a throttle position sensor and a controller. The unloaded engine speed is determined by either an engine throttle lever position or by an engine speed capture algorithm that continuously monitors engine speed and records engine speed occurring when the transmission control pedals are positioned in neutral. d temperature is below a minimum set point. 16. The method of claim 15 further comprising operating the fuel cell at a calibrated load point. 17. The method of claim 15 further comprising deactivating the fuel cell when a maximum set point is reached. 18. The method of claim 17 wherein the minimum set point exceeds the freezing point of water. 19. The method of claim 17 wherein the maximum set point is a maximum operating temperature of the fuel cell. 20. The method of claim 17 wherein the maximum set point exceeds the minimum set point by less than 50 degrees Centigrade. 21. The method of claim 17 wherein the component comprises a catalytic converter. 22. The method of claim 17 wherein the component comprises a reformer selected from the group consisting of a gasoline reformer and a methanol reformer. 23. The method of claim 17 wherein the component comprises a catalytic converter and a reformer. 24. A method for reducing vehicular emissions comprising: activating the fuel cell for a period of time sufficient to maintain the fuel cell at a set temperature or within a set range of temperatures, thereby generating electricity; and providing a portion of the electricity to a pre-heater, which pre-heater provides an output to a catalytic converter, thereby pre-heating the catalytic converter, and which preheater is configured to receive a portion of the electricity prior to initiating an electrical arc that starts a vehicle. 25. The method of claim 24 further comprising: measuring a temperature; and activating a fuel cell when the measured temperature is below a minimum set point. 26. The method of claim 25, further comprising: starting an internal combustion engine; generating an exhaust containing pollutants; and converting about 50% of the pollutants to non-pollutants in less than about 30 seconds from the starting of the engine. 27. The method of claim 24 further comprising: operating the fuel cell at a calibrated load point. 28. The method of claim 27, further comprising: starting an internal combustion engine; generating an exhaust containing pollutants; and converting about 50% of the pollutants to non-pollutants in less than about 30 seconds from the starting of the engine. 29. The method of claim 28 further comprising: measuring a temperature; and activating a fuel cell when the measured temperature is below a minimum set point.