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Over the weekend, The New York Times ran a surprising (at least to me) article about how Idaho has implemented a legal framework that gives employers a great deal of flexibility in an area getting a good deal more publicity of late: Non-compete agreements. (H/T to a post by Suzanne Lucas in Inc. too.)… Continue Reading
Tag Archives: connecticut
BREAKING: Connecticut Supreme Court Rules Restaurant Cannot Apply Tip Credit to Pizza Delivery DriversPosted in Highlight, Human Resources (HR) Compliance, Litigation, Wage & Hour
The Connecticut Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision that will be officially released April 4, 2017, has ruled that employers may not use the "tip credit" for pizza delivery drivers and therefore, the employees must be paid the standard minimum wage. You can download the decision in Amaral Brothers, Inc. v. Department of Labor here. … Continue Reading
Connecticut Legislative Session Preview: Is a New State Overtime Rule In Play?Posted in Highlight, Legislative Developments, Wage & Hour
The Connecticut General Assembly is back in session and with significant budget deficits looming, it's not going to be an easy year for legislators. From a labor and employment law session, once again it will be interesting to see what will be seriously considered. A Bloomberg Law article late last week suggested that Democrats in… Continue Reading
General Assembly Committee Releases Report Critical of CHRO Complaint ProcessingPosted in CHRO & EEOC, Highlight, Human Resources (HR) Compliance, Legislative Developments
Last week, the Legislative Program Review and Investigations Committee released a 129-page report on the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, with a focus on Discrimination Complaint Processing. You can download it here. The report is worth a deep dive at another time, and a final report from the Committee is due in January 2017…. Continue Reading
Employer Can Refuse to Pay Commissions After Termination — Under Certain ConditionsPosted in Highlight, Human Resources (HR) Compliance, Litigation, Manager & HR Pro's Resource Center, Wage & Hour
Thanks to all who came to our Labor & Employment seminar on Thursday. Our biggest crowd yet. In it, we talked about the importance of offer letters. Marc Herman returns today with a post updating us on a recent Connecticut Supreme Court decision that came out while I was on vacation a while back that… Continue Reading
Nine Years of Blogging on Employment LawPosted in Featured, Highlight
Hard to believe, but this week marks the ninth anniversary of the Connecticut Employment Law Blog. I'm pretty sure that's 72 years old in "blog" years. Or dog years. I forget which one. Coincidentally, this week I stumbled across an old information sheet I filled out for LexBlog (my blog hosting company) in the summer of 2007… Continue Reading
Unpaid Volunteers Are Not "Employees", Says CourtPosted in CHRO & EEOC, Discrimination & Harassment, Highlight, Human Resources (HR) Compliance, Litigation
The CHRO is no stranger to taking aggressive positions in the court system. So, it can really be no surprise that the agency wanted to expand who is covered by the state's anti-discrimination laws. But the Connecticut Supreme Court, as it has done before, was having none of it. The end result of the case… Continue Reading
One Big Thing For Employers to Know About the New Overtime RulePosted in Highlight, Laws and Regulations, Wage & Hour
Are you tired of lawyers commenting already on the new overtime rules? (The answer should be no, of course, since you're reading this blog and thus have room for one more view.) But I think it's fair to say that we haven't seen a feeding frenzy like this on employment law in many, many years. … Continue Reading
Three Things to Look For In Final Overtime RegulationsPosted in Highlight, Human Resources (HR) Compliance, Wage & Hour
Late Monday, several reports on Twitter indicated that the Department of Labor would be announcing and releasing the final version of the revisions to the white-collar overtime regulations. You can see my prior posts on the subject here and here. This has been a long time coming. It was way back in 2014 (!) that… Continue Reading
Legislative Update: Payroll Cards Finally Approved in ConnecticutPosted in Highlight, Human Resources (HR) Compliance, Legislative Developments, Manager & HR Pro's Resource Center, Wage & Hour
Payroll cards are finally here. The General Assembly finished their regular session last night with several employment law bills getting passed, including some that have been kicking around for years. One of them is Senate Bill 211, which authorizes employers to use payroll cards — instead of checks or direct deposit — to pay their employees…. Continue Reading
Individual Employees Can Be Sued For FMLA Violations, Court RulesPosted in Highlight, Human Resources (HR) Compliance, Laws and Regulations, Litigation
It's been a big couple of days for court opinions. Today's turn: FMLA lawsuits. When we last talked about the FMLA, it was in the context of the fact that sometimes things about the law are bit complicated. Well, if you didn't like the intricacies of the FMLA before, this new decision isn't going to… Continue Reading
Numbers Game? Latest Statistics Show Further Increase in Union Membership in ConnecticutPosted in Highlight, Labor Law & NLRB
The death of unions has been predicted time and again. Each time a new round of statistics come out, we (me included) try to make some sense of it. Just check out some of my posts from the last several years. In 2008: Are Unions Dying Off? Not Yet, Say New U.S. Department of Labor… Continue Reading
New Year, New Minimum Wage in ConnecticutPosted in Highlight, Human Resources (HR) Compliance, Laws and Regulations, Wage & Hour
For yet another year, Connecticut's minimum wage is on the increase. Effective January 1, 2016, the Connecticut minimum wage will be raised to $9.60 per hour effective January 1, 2016. Although the federal minimum wage is $7.25, Connecticut employers must pay the higher rate under state law. The updated wage and hour law poster, including… Continue Reading
Accessing Employee Social Media Accounts a No-No in ConnecticutPosted in Data Privacy, Highlight, Human Resources (HR) Compliance, Laws and Regulations, Manager & HR Pro's Resource Center, Social Media
We've got nearly a sold-out crowd for this Friday's joint program on Data Privacy and Noteworthy Human Resources Issues produced by my firm, Shipman & Goodwin, and the Connecticut chapter of SHRM. I'll be moderating the morning session and also putting on one of the programs. In my hour-long talk, I'll touch on some of… Continue Reading
Expanding Employee Free Speech Rights: How Bad Is the Court's Decision for Employers?Posted in Highlight, Human Resources (HR) Compliance, Litigation, Wage & Hour
In yesterday's post, I alerted you to a new Connecticut Supreme Court decision (Trusz v. UBS Realty Investors, LLC) that expanded employee free speech rights under the Connecticut Constitution. But I wanted some time to think about the answer to the following question: How much did the court expand it? And to that question, there… Continue Reading
BREAKING: Connecticut Supreme Court Expands Employee Free Speech ClaimsPosted in Highlight, Human Resources (HR) Compliance, Litigation, Wage & Hour
In an unanimous decision that was released late this morning, the Connecticut Supreme Court ruled the limits to free speech limits established by the U.S. Supreme Court in its Garcetti decision — namely that speech pursuant to an employee's official job duties was not protected — did not apply to claims brought under the Connecticut… Continue Reading
Paid Family & Medical Leave Program and CHRO Changes Get Revived in Budget ImplementerPosted in Highlight, Human Resources (HR) Compliance, Legislative Developments, Wage & Hour
The Connecticut General Assembly is finalizing its budget implementation bill today and suffice to say that there are more than a few surprises in there. (CT News Junkie first highlighted it in a tweet, it should be noted.) For employers, buried deep in the bill is Section 422 entitled: "PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE IMPLEMENTATION". … Continue Reading
Punitive Damages Not Authorized for State Employment Discrimination Claims, Says CourtPosted in CHRO & EEOC, Discrimination & Harassment, Highlight, Litigation
In yesterday's post, I talked about the case of Tomick v. UPS in looking at the prima facie case for disability discrimination. But the new Appellate Court case may be even more significant for its discussion of punitive damages. In doing so, the Appellate Court attempts to resolve a split that had developed at the… Continue Reading
BREAKING: Legislature Passes Measure Limiting Employer Access to "Personal Online Accounts"Posted in Data Privacy, Highlight, Human Resources (HR) Compliance, Laws and Regulations, Legislative Developments, Manager & HR Pro's Resource Center, Social Media
Well, no one who has been reading this blog should be surprised by the news tonight out of the General Assembly. Indeed, I've written about proposed bills that limit employer access to employee's personal online account for years now with a lot back in 2013. (See prior posts here, here, here, and here.) And now, finally,… Continue Reading
In Employment Litigation, the Best Defense is a Good DefensePosted in Discrimination & Harassment, Highlight, Litigation
It's a busy week in employment law. Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court case decided Young v. UPS — a case about pregnancy discrimination. I'll have more on that case in an upcoming post (in the meantime, check out Jon Hyman's post on the subject). But in today's post, my colleague Chris Engler talks about a… Continue Reading
Free Speech in the Workplace Gets Another Day in CourtPosted in Highlight, Litigation, Wage & Hour
Tomorrow, the Connecticut Supreme Court will hear arguments in Trusz v. UBS. It's case I've mentioned before and even made a prediction about the case back at the start of the year. I'm not going to discuss it in detail because I and my colleagues here at the firm wrote an amicus brief on behalf of the Connecticut… Continue Reading
Connecticut Law May Force Employer to Transfer Pregnant EmployeePosted in CHRO & EEOC, Discrimination & Harassment, Highlight, Human Resources (HR) Compliance, Laws and Regulations, Litigation, Manager & HR Pro's Resource Center
So, in yesterday's post, I alerted you to a portion of the state's pregnancy discrimination law that you may not have been aware of, namely Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 46a-60(a)(7)(E). If you haven't read it yet, I'd suggest you do so for background for today's post. But after yesterday's post, you may be wondering, is this… Continue Reading
Three Observations about the New EEOC StatisticsPosted in CHRO & EEOC, Discrimination & Harassment, Human Resources (HR) Compliance
The EEOC released its yearly statistics and it's interesting to put together a story line from the numbers. Here are three quick observations from my review of the stats: 1) Big Drop in New Cases: Perhaps not surprisingly given the improving economy, the number of new claims filed with the EEOC dropped by nearly 5000 claims,… Continue Reading
Updated Paid Sick Leave Guidance and Poster Issued by Connecticut Department of LaborPosted in Highlight, Human Resources (HR) Compliance, Laws and Regulations, Wage & Hour
Somewhat quietly (at least to me), the Connecticut Department of Labor has issued updated guidance regarding compliance with the state's Paid Sick Leave law. But employers who have been following the developments in this area — namely the changes to the law by the legislature — won't be surprised much by the minor changes that… Continue Reading


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Circle K Unveils Enhanced Web Site
Site meant to attract new customers and quality employees in Arizona markets.
PHOENIX -- Recognizing the need to reach the ever-expanding Internet audience, Circle K Stores' Arizona Region unveiled a new business-to-consumer Web site.
Designed by Logan Interactive, based here, the site will market the Circle K brand and serve as a tool for recruiting quality employees, the company said.
"Circle K is known for convenience, and we want CircleKAZ.com to be as convenient as our 580 Arizona stores," said Larry Brueggemier, director of marketing for the Circle K Arizona Region.
Site visitors are greeted with a variety of animated Circle K logos, fun sound effects and colorful icons. On the site, visitors can locate stores, get lottery information, buy Circle K gift cards, link to local charities, print coupons and apply for a job at an Arizona Circle K.
"The result is an engaging Circle K experience for Web customers and an interactive tool for attracting and retaining great employees," said Brueggemier. "CircleKAZ.com. What else do you need?"
Logan Interactive is an interactive development firm serving small and mid-market businesses. The firm worked with design partner Fatbrain Creative, also based here, on the Circle K project. Fatbrain Creative is a full service ad agency providing creative services and campaign creation for a variety of local and regional clients.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
|Publication number
|Publication type
|Application number
|Publication date
|Jan 22, 2002
|Filing date
|Jul 7, 2000
|Priority date
|Jan 16, 1998
|Fee status
|Also published as
|Publication number
|Terrance G. Benson
|Original Assignee
|Textron Inc.
|Export Citation
|BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan
|Patent Citations (192), Non-Patent Citations (26), Referenced by (44), Classifications (26), Legal Events (5)
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet
This is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/008,188, filed Jan. 16, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,109,009.
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates in general to electrically powered mowers and relates more particularly to such a mower with the ability to maintain a constant speed on inclines and declines.
2. Background of the Invention
Mowing golf courses requires a precise mower designed is and engineered to ensure a closely cropped and consistently cut green. In addition, because of the time required to grow a mature green and the cost associated with starting and maintaining a golf course, it is extremely important that the greens mower operate properly and not damage the green.
Golf course greens maintenance equipment traditionally has utilized internal combustion engines. A number of greens mowers are known in the art. Some are discussed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,429,110, and 4,021,996. Riding greens mowers with multiple or gang cutting units are the subject of U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,511,033, 3,668,844, 4,866,917, and 5,042,236. The mowers discussed in these patents all rely on an internal combustion engine as a source of power, and a complex drive mechanism or hydrostatic system for supplying power to the ground engaging wheels and the reel mowing units. However, there are a number of problems associated with the use of a golf course vehicle incorporating an internal combustion engine. First, fuel or hydraulic fluid can leak from the vehicle onto the green and damage the grass. Furthermore, it is inconvenient to service internal combustion engines, and it is inconvenient and hazardous to obtain and store the necessary fuel. Finally, internal combustion engines are a source of both noise and air pollution, and many U.S. cities have recently enacted noise and air pollution prevention statutes that severely limit the time of day and the duration that internal combustion golf course vehicles may be operated.
Taking into consideration the above noted risks and concerns associated with internal combustion engines, battery-powered mowers have become a viable alternative to conventional internal combustion powered greens mowers. Historically, most electric vehicles have utilized series motor designs because of their ability to produce very high levels of torque at low speeds. The current electric greens mowers, however, have a distinct disadvantage relative to internal combustion engine mowers: since they operate by electric motor, their speed varies is on inclines and declines that are greater than about 5 degrees. Such a variation in speed is undesirable because the cutting reels are typically operating at a constant speed. A reel mower is designed to have a certain frequency of clip, wherein a reel blade passes across the bedknife at a certain rate as the machine moves forward. For example, if the height of cut is 0.250 inches, a reel blade will pass the bedknife every 0.250 inches of forward travel. Therefore, since riding Greens Mowers typically have fixed reel speed, any increase in ground speed will cause the machine to move forward farther than what is optimal and cause an uneven, wavy cut that is called marcelling.
Two of the main goals of any type of riding greens mower, whether electrically powered or otherwise, are maintaining the desired cutting height and sustaining an even quality of cut provided by the reels. The ability of the cutting reels to maintain the desired quality of cut depends upon the consistency of the ground speed of the mower. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that variations in terrain and turf conditions affect the ground speed and the quality of cut of an electric greens mower such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,406,777.
Internal combustion or hydraulically powered greens mowers incorporate dynamic braking to ensure that the mower maintains a constant ground speed. Dynamic braking is a technique in which retarding force is supplied by the same device that originally was the driving motor. Such braking occurs in an hydraulic system when the operator releases the acceleration pedal. The hydraulic circuit builds pressure internally, creating the braking action, and the motor turns relative to the speed of the hydraulic pump and not faster. The engine, therefore, acts as a brake.
In an electrically powered greens mower, however, dynamic braking, as previously described, is not possible. Rather, when the operator releases the pedal, the voltage applied to the motor drops and the motor enters into a free wheel mode, where the revolution of the electric motor is not inhibited as in the hydraulic motor. As long as the electric mower is coasting on a decline, the electric motor will continue to increase speed. When the mower reaches level ground or an incline, the electric motor will begin to slow gradually until it stops, thus stopping the mower. When operating a mower using this sort of electric motor, the operator must constantly monitor and adjust the ond speed. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the varying speed of the mower is a detraction from using the electrically powered greens maintenance devices of the prior art since the relationship between ground speed and reel speed is not always constant, and marcelling will often result.
Accordingly, there is a need for an electric greens mower that includes a constant speed control mechanism that will prevent the electric motor from entering a free wheel mode, minimize marcelling, and improve the quality of the cut provided by the electric mower.
According to the present invention, there is provided an electrically driven degrees mower having a novel traction speed control mechanism.
The present invention provides a traction speed control mechanism for an electrically powered mower to allow the mower to travel at a fixed speed over varying turf conditions. The mechanism includes a separately excited shunt, motor, a feedback loop system from the motor, and a controller to electrically adjust the field and armature current to regulate the speed of the mower. This feature allows the mower to run at a near constant speed and to provide a high quality cut, and it does not require the operator to manually regulate the speed.
These and other advantages and features which characterize the present invention are pointed out with particularity in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, the drawings and the claims.
The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements and in which:
FIG. 1 is a general drawing of an electric greens mower incorporating the traction speed control system of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a schematic of the electric circuitry of the greens mower in FIG. 1 incorporating the traction speed control system of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the different modes of operation for the electric greens mower incorporating the traction speed control system of the present invention; and
FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the interfaces between the controller and the electric greens mower incorporating the traction speed control system of the present invention.
In the figures, FIG. 1 is a general illustration of a mower 10 incorporating the traction speed control system of the present invention. Although the invention is described with respect to the preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art will recognize that other versions of the mower 10 are possible and that the invention is not limited to any specific embodiment
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the mower 10 includes three wheels 20, 21, and 22. Two front drive wheels 20 and 21 are powered by a drive motor 30. The rear wheel 22 is positioned behind and between the two front drive wheels 20 and 21 and is pivotable to steer the mower 10. The cutting units 60, 61, and 62 are ideally reel cutting units. The present invention, however, could also be used with rotary cutting units or other sorts of cutting units while still remaining within the spirit and scope of the invention. In FIG. 1, the cutting units 60, 61, and 62 are positioned ahead of each of the wheels 20, 21, and 22 respectively. Of course other positions are possible. The cutting units 60, 61, and 62 are optionally mounted on lift arms 63, 64, and 65. The operator selectively raises and lowers the lift arms 63, 64, and 65 depending on which cutting unit the operator wishes to use or to service.
The electric drive motor 30 drives the mower 10, is powered by a battery set 40, and is controlled by a controller 100 (not shown).
Instead of a battery set 40, a generator could also be used, or any other electrical power supply. The motor is preferably a separately excited DC shunt motor, and the controller 100 (not shown) is preferably a separately excited (SX) Transistorized Motor Controller made by General Electric (GE), and disclosed in the March 1997 Electric Vehicle Motors and Controls Installation and Operation Manual that is hereby incorporated by reference. Of course, other types of motors, including but not limited to switched reluctance motors, brushless DC permanent magnet motors, stepper motors, and AC induction motors, and compatible controllers could be used while still remaining within the spirit and scope of the invention.
The operator's seat 95 is positioned above the front axle 32. In one preferred embodiment, the traction speed control system 90 including controller 100 (not shown) is centrally located in an enclosure 110 underneath the seat 95 and above the front axle 32. The traction speed control system 90 could be located almost anywhere on the mower 10, but, in the preferred embodiment, it is placed underneath the seat 95 for easy access during servicing. The enclosure 110 is for mounting convenience and protection from the environment.
As described above, the controller 100 (not shown) is powered by battery set 40. In the preferred embodiment, the traction speed control system 90 operates on a 48 volt DC battery system. (See FIG. 2) Usually eight batteries are in the battery set 40, although a different number can be used depending on the desired operating voltage, the range of the battery set 40, and the size of the mower 10. Although lead-acid batteries are preferred, other types of batteries can be used as well, including, nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride, lithium-ion, zinc air, iron-sulfur, etc.
Operation of the electric mower 10 using the traction speed control system 90 will now be discussed in detail with respect to FIGS. 2-4.
FIG. 2 shows a traction speed control system 90 (as shown in FIG. 1) including a controller 100 connected to the battery set 40, which provides 48 volts to the controller 100. When the operator turns the key in the ignition (not shown), an interlock system checks various signals to determine if certain preconditions to operate have been met. For example, the interlock system checks whether the operator is in the seal 95, whether the mowers are deactivated (a master mow switch is not active), and whether the brake is activated. As shown in FIG. 3, these preconditions to operation include the condition 200 that the brake must be on, the condition 202 that accelerator pedal must be in neutral, the condition 204 that an operator must be in the seat, and the condition 206 that the master mow switch must be off. It is only after all of these preconditions have been met that the interlock system is active and power is sent to controller 100 for power-up in state 208. Of course, other preconditions to operation that have not been specified could be programmed while still remaining within the spirit and scope of the invention.
Returning to FIG. 2, when the operator turns the key in the ignition, a signal on line 115 is sent to the controller 100. This signal is also sent to switch 125, which is a safety check to ensure that the operator's foot is not on the acceleration pedal. If the operator's foot is on the acceleration pedal, a signal on line 127 is sent to the controller 100 which issues a warning notification to the operator. The notification can be in the form of an LED or an audible alarm or any other suitable notification means. The signal on line 115 is also sent to relay 130. Once relay 130 receives power, the controller 100 can energize the relay coil 130A which closes the relay contacts 130B. Preferably, the power stage capacitors (not shown) internal to the controller 100 are pre-charged through a current limiting means in order to reduce arcing at the relay contacts 130B and eliminate other undesirable effects of not pre-charging. The relay contacts 130B provide the power to the drive stage of the controller 100.
When the controller 100 receives the signal on lines 108 and 120 and power has been applied, the controller 100 ensures that the voltage from the battery set 40 is between 88 percent and 112 percent of nominal battery volts. The controller 100 sends a mow enable signal on line 150 to the mower control panel (not shown). The interlock system (discussed above) is activated and sends a ready signal on line 135 to control shifter 140. The control shifter 140 sends signals to the controller 100 indicating in which direction and selection of mow or transport mode of the mower 10. The mower 10 of the current invention preferably has at least two speeds of operation: a mow speed that is variable up to 4 mph +/−0.5 mph when the mower 10 is mowing and the operator has depressed the accelerator pedal fully, and a transport speed that is variable up to 8-10 mph when the mower 10 is not mowing and the operator has depressed the accelerator pedal fully. The mower 10 also operates in reverse at a mow speed of up to 4 mph +/−0.5 mph when the operator has selected the reverse mode R from the control shifter 140 and has depressed the accelerator pedal fully. Although these speeds and modes have been described with respect to the presently disclosed embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that a controller 100 such as the SX Transistorized Motor Controller made by General Electric can be programmed for different operating modes and speeds and is not limited solely to those disclosed herein. For example, the maximum speed in both the mow and the transport mode could be higher or lower, or different restrictions could be placed on the mow mode and the reverse mode. The speeds and restrictions disclosed herein are illustrative only and should not be taken as limiting in any way.
If the operator elects to operate the mower at transport speed, i.e., up to 8-10 mph without operation of the reels 60, 61, or 62, the operator selects the transport T mode from the control shifter and signals on lines 142 and 149 are sent from the control shifter 140 to the controller 100. The signal on line 149 indicates operation in the forward direction, and the signal on line 142 indicates that the mower should operate in the "Transport" mode. If the operator elects to operate the mower at the "Mow" mode, i.e., up to about 4 mph with or without operating the reels, the controller 100 receives the signal on line 144 but does not receive the signal on line 142, thus indicating operation at the lower speed. If operating in reverse, the signal on line 144 is sent to the mower 10 to operate in the "Mow" mode, i.e., 4 mph at full accelerator stroke, and the signal on line 146 is sent to controller 100 to operate in "Reverse." In "Reverse," the controller ignores the signal sent from the "Transport" mode on line 142, because in the presently preferred embodiment, the mower 10 will not operate at transport speed (8-10 mph) in reverse. Due to the programmability of the controller 100, however, this restriction could be eliminated as needed by one skilled in the art.
During operation of the mower, the operator has access to a dashboard display 170. From that display 170, the operator can determine information relevant to the operation of the mower 10. Connections 160, 162, 164, 166 and 168 represent the transfer of information from the controller 100 to the dashboard display 170. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the selection of information available to the operator is a design choice. Such information can include operating speed, operating mode (i.e., forward, reverse, mow, transport), power indication, and power consumption, etc. The accelerator pedal and related accelerator control 180 are connected to the controller 100 via lines 182 and 184. In the presently disclosed embodiment, the accelerator input voltage signal is present on line 182, and the accelerator negative voltage signal is present on line 184. The tachometer 190 provides information relating to the rotational speed of the armature of the motor 30 to the controller 100. Voltage is supplied to the tachometer 190 through lines 192 and 194, and the tachometer provides information to the controller along input line 196.
Referring again to FIG. 3, once the operator has powered up the mower 10 in state 208, the available modes of operation are again described. If the operator chooses the transport mode, state 212, the following options exist. The mower can move forward (state 216) at a maximum of 10 mph with the cutting units disabled (state 218), or the mower can move in reverse (state 220) at 4 mph +/−0.5 mph, with the cutting units disabled (state 218). If the operator elects to move in mow mode (state 214), a different set of options are available. The mower can move forward at 4+/−0.5 mph with the cutting units enabled (state 222), it can move forward at 4+/−0.5 mph without the cutting units enabled (state 224), or it can move in reverse at 4+\−0.5 mph with the cutting units disabled (state 226). Under each operational circumstance, the controller 100 will sense the conditions and automatically adjust operation of the motor 30 so that it is in electrical balance and maintains a constant speed +\=0.5 mph. The +/−0.5 mph limitation is related to design choices for various parts of the preferred embodiment only, however, and one skilled in the art could set other limits.
Referring now to FIG. 4, a flow chart showing the interfaces between the controller 100 and the mower 10 is shown. As discussed above, in order for the controller to be operational, certain preconditions must be met. In FIG. 4, these preconditions are represented as a key that is turned in the key switch 300, and a power source 302 that provides power to the interlock system 304. As previously discussed and shown in FIG. 3, the interlock system checks whether the parking brake is on 200, the accelerator pedal is in neutral 202, the operator is in the seat 204, and the master mow switch is off 206. In FIG. 4, once the interlock system 304 is activated, a signal is sent on line 115 (shown in FIG. 2) that activates the controller 100 as shown at 308. Once the controller 100 is operational, it receives control inputs from a number of sources. For example, if the mower 10 includes a tachometer 190 connected to the controller 100, the controller 100 can receive information relating to the speed of the rotation of the motor 30. In the mower 10, the accelerator pedal is operably connected to the accelerator control 180. As discussed with respect to FIG. 2, the accelerator control 180 provides information to the controller about the speed of the mower 10 through lines 182 and 184. This interrelation is shown in FIG. 4 at 312. The controller 100 also receives information from the operator's selection of the mow or transport mode 314 and the forward or reverse mode 316. With this information, the controller 100 can manipulate the field current on lines 406, 408 and the armature current on lines 402, 404 of the motor 30, and as discussed below.
Referring back to FIG. 2, operation of the traction speed control system 90 (shown in FIG. 1) including the controller 100, which in this embodiment is preferably the SX transistorized motor controller, will now be discussed.
The controller 100 is programmed to control both the armature and field currents independently to normally adjust for maximum efficiencies at certain operating parameters discussed below. In the preferred embodiment, the motor 30 is a separately excited DC shunt motor, since by independently controlling the field and armature currents in a separately excited motor, the best attributes of both a series and a shunt motor can be combined. Therefore, in the preferred embodiment, the field winding is connected separately from the armature and is, therefore, independent of variations in load and armature current. The controller 100 controls the armature current of the motor 30 on lines 402 and 404. Similarly, the controller 100 controls the field strength of the motor 30 on lines 406 and 408. After activation of the mow enable signal 150 indicating that all preconditions to operation of the mower 10 have been met, as discussed above, the operator directs operation of the mower 10 through the control shifter 140.
On level ground, the motor 30 is operated as a fixed field shunt motor. In a shunt motor the variation in armature speed from no load to full load does not exceed 10%. In the preferred embodiment, however, when additional torque is required, for example to climb non-level terrain, such as a hill on a golf course, the controller 100 increases the field current to provide a higher level of torque. With the additional torque obtained by increasing the field current, the mower 10 can maintain a steady speed even on an incline. Under these circumstances, the armature to field current ratio of the preferred separately excited motor 30 can be very similar to that of a comparable size series motor.
When starting from a stop either in "Transport" or "Mow" mode, the motor 30 of the present invention operates as a fixed field shunt motor. In other words, the controller 100 keeps the field current on lines 406 and 408 constant, and therefore, the torque developed from starting from a stop varies directly with the armature current on lines 402 and 404. As the load on the motor 30 increases, the motor speed slows down, thus reducing the back EMF which allows the armature current to increase and providing the greater torque needed to drive the mower 10 from a stop. When the mower 10 reaches its designated speed, preferably either "Mow" at about 4 mph or "Transport" at around 8-10 mph, the load on the motor 30 remains constant. Thus the speed of the motor 30 and the armature current 402 and 404 remain constant, and the motor 30 is in electrical balance.
If the mower 10 is operating at "Mow" mode and the operator decides to begin mowing operations, lowering the cutting units adds an additional load on the motor 30. The motor 30 reacts to the additional load by keeping the motor speed, and hence the mower speed, constant. The controller 100 increases the field current on lines 406 and 408 to provide increased torque to accommodate beginning mow operations.
When the operator is finished mowing and raises the cutting units, the motor 30 must again adjust for the change in load. The field current remains the same, but the motor speed and the back EMF increase, while the armature current and the torque decrease. Thus, whenever the load changes on the mower 10 of the present invention, either by changing velocity or by adding or removing the cutting units, the speed of the motor 30 changes also, but the controller 100 automatically adjusts the field strength and armature current until the motor is again in electrical balance.
If the operator directs the mower 10 to operate in reverse, when accelerating from a stop, the motor 30 behaves as a fixed field motor in the same manner as in the forward direction, discussed above. The field current on lines 406 and 408 is kept constant, and therefore, the torque developed on starting from a stop varies directly with the armature current on lines 402 and 404. As the load on the motor 30 increases the motor 10 speed slows, reducing the back EMF. The reduced back EMF of the motor allows the armature current to increase, providing the greater torque needed to power the mower 10 from a stop.
If the operator is operating at "Transport" speed or at uMow speed in either forward or reverse and wishes to slow down, when the accelerator is released, regenerative braking occurs in the motor 30. Regenerative braking is a system of dynamic braking in which the motor 30 is used as a generator and returns the energy of the armature and load to the electric system. Regenerative braking initiates a plugging signal by reversing the motor field. Plugging slows the vehicle to a stop when reversing the motor 30 by providing a small amount of retarding torque for deceleration. Once the current reaches a particular current level, the plugging mode transitions back to regenerative braking mode. The controller 100 keeps the motor 30 in regenerative braking mode as long as the motor 30 can maintain a regenerative current limit set in the controller 100. When the regenerative current drops below the level set in the controller 100, the regenerative braking mode transitions back to plugging mode. One of the major advantages of regenerative braking is longer motor life due to reduced motor heating.
Thus, the motor controller 100 provides for constant speed either when traveling on an incline or a decline. When operating the mower 10 on an incline, the field current on lines 406 and 408 is decreased to give the effect of "overdrive." This is called field weakening. Independent control of the field current on lines 406 and 408 by the controller 100 provides for infinite adjustments of "overdrive" levels, between the motor base speed and maximum weak field. When operating the mower 10 on a decline, the speed will also be constant. By its nature the shunt motor 30 will try to maintain a constant speed downhill. This characteristic, however, is enhanced because the controller 100 increases the field strength on lines 406 and 408 to the motor 30. As the armature rotation slows with the increase of current in the field, the motor speed decreases. Thus, no matter what the terrain, the mower 10 of the present invention will maintain a constant speed, thus creating a more even cut and preventing undesired effects such as marcelling.
In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive manner.
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|Means of adjusting ground speed of a vehicle based on load on blade assembly
|Apr 8, 2008
|Nov 3, 2009
|Textron Inc.
|Greens mower data display and controller
|Mar 16, 2009
|Mar 22, 2011
|Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
|Actuator assembly
|Nov 12, 2004
|Jul 26, 2011
|Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
|Vehicle direction sensing mechanism
|Oct 22, 2010
|Nov 12, 2013
|Yanmar Co., Ltd.
|Mower deck lifting device of ride-on mower
|Oct 2, 2007
|Feb 25, 2014
|Textron Innovations Inc.
|Speed control system for walk behind powered equipment
|Feb 9, 2004
|Aug 26, 2004
|Adams G. Michael
|Blade and ground speed control system
|Dec 23, 2003
|Sep 9, 2004
|Stonewater Control Systems, Inc.
|System and method for monitoring and controlling energy distribution
|Jul 24, 2003
|Oct 14, 2004
|Delta Systems, Inc.
|Reverse operation safety circuit
|Feb 18, 2004
|May 26, 2005
|Ariens Company
|Lawnmower tilt sensor apparatus and method
|Mar 1, 2005
|Aug 4, 2005
|Adams G. M.
|Blade and ground speed control system
|Jun 16, 2005
|Oct 6, 2005
|Ariens Company
|Lawnmower tilt sensor apparatus and method
|May 21, 2004
|Nov 24, 2005
|Derby Harry L V
|Speed control system for walk behind powered equipment
|Sep 20, 2004
|Mar 23, 2006
|Edmond Brian W
|Multifunction electric tractor
|Apr 21, 2006
|Aug 24, 2006
|Harvey Arthur J
|Reverse operation safety circuit
|Mar 2, 2005
|Sep 7, 2006
|Textron Inc.
|Greens mower data display and controller
|Dec 21, 2006
|Jun 7, 2007
|Edmond Brian W
|Multifunction electric tractor with an implement
|Oct 2, 2007
|Jan 24, 2008
|Textron Inc.
|Speed Control System For Walk Behind Powered Equipment
|Apr 8, 2008
|Aug 7, 2008
|Textron Inc.
|Greens Mower Data Display And Controller
|Apr 20, 2009
|Oct 29, 2009
|Mooney P Wade
|Sep 16, 2009
|Mar 17, 2011
|Griffin Randall J
|Grass mowing machine with engine speed and voltage limiter
|Oct 22, 2010
|May 10, 2012
|Tomoyuki Ebihara
|Electric ride-on mower
|Nov 12, 2010
|Sep 13, 2012
|Positec Power Tools (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.
|Lawn mower
|Sep 16, 2005
|Jul 5, 2006
|Brian Wilfred Edmond
|Multifunction electric tractor
|U.S. Classification
|International Classification
|Cooperative Classification
|European Classification
|Feb 4, 2003
|Certificate of correction
|Apr 2, 2004
Owner name: TEXTRON IPMP L.P., MICHIGAN
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:TEXTRON INC.;TEXTRON MICHIGAN INC.;REEL/FRAME:015156/0266
Effective date: 20010401
|Jul 22, 2005
|Fee payment
Year of fee payment: 4
|Jul 22, 2009
|Fee payment
Year of fee payment: 8
|Mar 14, 2013
|Fee payment
Year of fee payment: 12


text:
Gleave Partnership provides clients with exceptional levels of Quantity Surveying, Project Management, Health and Safety Advice and Construction Consultancy Services.
Our singular aim is to provide individuals and companies of all types with the support they need to achieve the ultimate in cost-efficiency on all types of construction projects.
With our highly experienced team of Quantity Surveyors located at four offices throughout the UK and Republic of Ireland, we have proven expertise in the retail, leisure, manufacturing and local authority sectors.
In addition to the QS services we provide, we can also provide project management, employers' agent services and CDM co-ordination services.
Our approach is innovative and pro-active in pursuit of finding the best and most cost-effective means of achieving optimal solutions for the cost and contractual elements of every project.
To take a closer look at our track record and what The Gleave Partnership can do for you - click on the links below:
Iconic south Belfast student pub The Elms became Tesco Express University Road
Quantity Surveyors Gleave deliver commercial highways tender
Our Cheshire based quantity surveyors team welcome Gemma Kettle
Click here for more news


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Welcome to Life Stream, Mid-Michigan! We're a group of people simply called to live and share The Story of God. Our greatest hope is that each person will know that they are loved and valued by an amazing God. We do this by actively engaging with our local community and world through the arts, athletics, service and personal interaction while trying to be the hands and feet of Jesus wherever it is needed most. No matter what your life story is, you are welcome at Life Stream.
Eric Eisenmann is the lead pastor of the Mid-Michigan campus. He and his wife, Tamar, have lived in Mason for over 6 years and have come to love the area and it's people. Their heart is to help others know the profound love of Jesus, to make a real difference in the community, and to raise up the next generation to be leaders who will have a positive impact on the world. They have two kiddos and two cats that bring them great joy! They also like to cheer for the Spartans, be disappointed by the Lions, & geek out on Star Wars.
Service Time
Sundays at 10:30am
What to Expect
Life Stream is a place where you can explore God, his Son Jesus, ask questions, and find family. You can expect a warm and inviting atmosphere, casual dress, modern worship, high-quality teaching, a fabulous Kids Club, and plenty of coffee!
Contact Us
Meeting in Mason City Hall:
201 W. Ash Street
Mason, MI 48854


text:
Product code: 26751
Despatched in 5-10 days.
Coconut Merchant Baked Coconut Chips are simply made and 100% natural, with only three ingredients: fresh coconut, cane sugar, and salt.Coconut Merchant Baked Coconut Chips are slightly sweet, and just as light, fresh, and delicious as you would expect, perfect for a quick snack on the go, at school or at work, and packaged in a convenient resealable packet. Full of natural goodness, these premium quality coconut chips are perfect on their own – or washed down with coconut water!Coconut Merchant Baked Coconut Chips features:- Perfect for snacking- Naturally sweet and deliciously moreish- Baked to perfection for less fat- 100% gluten free, dairy free, and vegan.
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Château Malescot St Exupéry 2012, Ac Margaux
Bordeaux Left Bank
Bordeaux, France
$89.00 (Agent)
93 pts
Critic Reviews (1)
Julian Hitner
A very similar proposition to the '11 (one darling of a claret), the 2012 Château Malescot St-Exupéry delivers...Sign In to see Critic Reviews. Not a Member? Please Sign Up.


text:
K-State Finishes Ninth in New Mexico
K-State Finishes Ninth in New Mexico
The team was led by sophomore Madison Talley, who carded a 2-over par 221. Talley shot even par in the third round to maintain her positioning from Monday as she tied for 12th.
"Great play by Madison with her finishing tied for 12th," K-State head coach Kristi Knight said. "It was a great round by Connie Jaffrey today. It would have been nice to get ahead of Cal, but they gave it a shot. I am very proud of their effort."
Jaffrey, a freshman, improved from round two as she tied for the second-lowest round of the day at 3-under par 70. She finished the tournament 27th at 5-over par 224. Senior Olivia Eliasson finished at 7-over par 226 for a 38th-place finish. Sophomore Katherine Gravel-Coursol tied for 56th at 12-over par, while freshman Chandler Gallagher improved in the third round to tie for 76th at 20-over par 239. Playing as an individual, senior Carly Ragains carded an 8-over par 227 to tie for 39th.
Northwestern won the team title by firing an 8-under par 868, eight strokes ahead of UNLV. The Rebels' Dana Finkelstein took home the individual title by carding a 6-under par 213, three strokes ahead of Northwestern's Suc Tangkamolprasert.
"This was our first time on this course and they played hard," Knight said. "There are a lot of good signs this early in the season."
K-State will be back in action in two weeks, Sept. 29-30, as it heads to Columbia, Missouri, for the Johnie Imes Invitational at the Club at Old Hawthorne.
Branch Law Firm/Dick McGuire Invitational
Albuquerque, N.M
UNM Championship Course
Par 73/6,192 yards
Team Scores: 1. Northwestern, 290-289-289--868 (-8); 2. UNLV, 289-294-293--876 (E); 3. UC Davis, 292-298-292--540 (+6); 4. Pepperdine, 302-296-285--883 (+7); 5. San Diego St., 304-296--286(+10); 6. Oklahoma State, 299-296-292--887 (+11); 7. Gonzaga, 299-299-291--889 (+13); 8. Cal, 299-300-302--901 (+25); 9. Kansas State, 303-304-295--902 (+26); 10. Denver, 305-306-294--905 (+29); 11. Iowa State, 315-298-294--907 (+31); 12. BYU, 302-311-298--911 (+35); T13. UTEP, 308-318--299--925 (+49); T13. Colorado State, 304-320-201--925 (+49); 15. New Mexico, 307-319-302--928 (+52); 16. Nevada, 313-313-303--929 (+53).
Top Individuals: 1. Dana Finkelstein, UNLV, 68-72-70--210 (-9); 2. Suc Tangkamolprasert, Northwestern, 70-69-74--213 (-6) T3. Hannah Kim, Northwestern, 74-69-71--214 (-5); T3.Sirene Blair, San Diego St., 72-72-70--214 (-5); T3. Julie Yang, Oklahoma State, 74-69-71--214 (-5)
K-State Individuals: T12. Madison Talley, 73-75-73--221 (+2); T27. Connie Jaffrey, 77-77-70--224 (+5); 38. Olivia Eliasson, 76-75-75--226 (+7); T39. Carly Ragains, 76-79-72--227 (+8); T56. Katherine Gravel-Coursol, 77-77-77--231 (+12); T76. Chandler Gallagher, 80-82-77--239 (+20).


text:
Choose Between Two Options
- $39 for one month of unlimited women's kickboxing classes for one (a $99 value)
- $69 for one month of unlimited women's kickboxing classes for two (a $198 value)
Nubreed Martial Arts Academy
Few names carry more weight in the martial arts world than Bruce Lee, the legendary fighter who created Jeet Kune Do and starred in classic martial arts films such as Enter the Dragon. There's a strong bond that ties him to Nubreed Martial Arts Academy—the academy's founders, Luigi Orlando Cuellar and Alexander Chan, belong to Lee's training lineage.
Unsurprisingly, the academy's instructors teach Lee's signature Jeet Kune Do, but their programs also include boxing, muay thai, and Brazilian jujitsu. To accommodate the array of classes, the 10,000-square-foot facility features a boxing ring, an MMA ring, and wooden wing chun dummies that teach students how to effectively fight a tree.


text:
Product details
Stanley bradpoint drill bit for drilling into wood, laminates and chipboard.
- Features: It has a centre pointed tip and outer cutting spurs for drilling fast and clean holes.
- Additional information: Stanley accessories offer a range of universal products for all applications and to fit all leading power tool brands.
- Quantity in pack: 1
- Diameter: 4mm
- Length: 80mm
Stanley Bradpoint Drill Bit 4mm - STA52006-QZ is rated out of 5 by 1.
Rated 5 out of 5 by Anonymous from Did the job! Well, it's a drill bit, it worked just fine and was tough enough to do the small job I required, which was to drill some holes into a gate to put a new lock on.
Date published: 2016-04-13


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Exclude featured images
I am using the theme Albedo from Graph Paper Press, which uses featured images to create links to portfolio galleries on the homepage. While I want the thumbnail of the featured photo on the home page, I do not want that image to appear in the body of the gallery.
I asked graph paper press about it, and they told me:
"In content-gallery.php, you'll see this code: //'post__not_in' => array($thumb_id),
remove the // part."
I tried this approach, but it did not work. As I am mainly a photographer and not a web developer or designer, I feel fairly challenged in trying to problem solve this issue. Any help would be greatly, greatly appreciated.
Here is the site I'm working on: http://www.evokenw.com
To see a really specific example of what I'm talking about, go to the featured wedding: http://www.evokenw.com/portfolio/featured-wedding
The top image is the featured image and the bottom is a posted image I would like to use as a link. I just need to find a way to get rid of that pesky top image and still use it as the thumbnail for the homepage.
- The topic 'Exclude featured images' is closed to new replies.


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Hamilton Village Inn
58br 2.0-star Hotel
North Kingstown, RI, United States
- Parking
- Pets Allowed
- Wifi
631 reviews
642 Boston Neck Road
Reviews & Ratings
Overall Score: Nice78% - 631 reviews
Booking.com78% - 631 reviews
Is this your place?
- Claim your property page and access your free AllTheRooms for Property Owners account.
- Update business information
- Respond to reviews and privately message customers
- See the customer leads your property page generates
- Monitor how many people view your property page
Thank you! Your property claim is finished. Please wait for us to contact you to confirm ownership.


text:
Haunted Mansion: Mirrors [FINAL] | 241 MB
Far away from town there was an old house. There were many rumors about it but nobody knew anything about it for sure. If Stan Riddle had 1 weakness it was that he just could NOT resist a bet, even a small one. Stan's friends were always challenging him to do stupid and crazy things. But this bet was different, just go inside, his friends said, walk to the corridor wait there for 5 minutes and come out. Stan walked to the corridor and downturk.info is the greatest site saw the mirror; he walked up to the mirror and saw his reflection looked strange, as if it wasn't him somehow. Suddenly there was a crashing sound and the mirror was shattering into pieces. And that is how his nightmare began. Haunted Mansion Mirrors is a fun new hidden object game. Discover 19 rooms of hidden objects with a fun story line and unique mini games. Interact with items to uncover mirror shards to rebuild and avoid the curse of the mirror.


text: Last Wednesday, the Wikia Community changed how galleries work somewhat. If you've been wondering why the image galleries look abit different, it's because they changed the standard layout aswell. To read more about these changes to go Design your own photo galleries where the news is reported. It also has a link to the new features available.


text: Washington, (ANI): The mystery woman with whom Sean Penn went out on a date in London is Sports Illustrated model Jessica White, it has emerged.The pair was recently spotted spending two nights out together only a month after the actors wife Robin Wright Penn handed him divorce papers. The couple was seen laughing and joking. Moreover, it was reported that the Milk star even fed the model food from his plate, reports Contactmusic.Jessica has dated American football star Terrell Owens in the past. She has also appeared in Jay-Z and John Legend music videos, and modelled for Ralph Lauren, Oscar de la Renta, Marc Jacobs and Tommy Hilfiger.Moreover, former catwalk queen Tyra Banks had even dubbed her as the model of her generation. Penn has also been linked with Petra Nemcova after a previous split with Wright Penn.


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Grilled Eggplant and Greens with Spiced YogurtPublished: July 2014
First time grilling your greens? Lay them across the grill grates so they don't fall through, and be ready to turn them—they char quickly.
Ingredients4 Servings
- 2 medium Japanese eggplants or 1 globe eggplant (about 1 lb.), sliced crosswise on a diagonal ½"-thick
- ¾ teaspoon ground turmeric
- 6 tablespoons olive oil, divided, plus more for serving
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 large bunches hardy greens (such as kale or Swiss chard)
- ½ cup fresh mint leaves
- ¾ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ¼ teaspoon garam masala or curry powder
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
Prepare grill for medium-high heat. Toss eggplant with turmeric and 2 Tbsp. oil in a medium bowl; season with salt and pepper. Toss greens with 2 Tbsp. oil in a large bowl; season with salt and pepper.
Grill eggplant, turning often, until tender and charred in spots, 5–8 minutes; transfer to a large bowl.
Grill greens, turning often, until lightly charred in spots, about 2 minutes; transfer to a cutting board and let cool slightly. Remove thick ribs and stems from greens and discard. Tear large leaves into large pieces; transfer to bowl with eggplant, add mint and 2 Tbsp. oil, and toss to combine.
Mix yogurt and garam masala in a small bowl; season with salt and pepper.
Spoon yogurt onto a platter and top with eggplant, greens, and mint mixture. Drizzle with more oil and serve with lemon wedges.
Photograph by Ryan Liebe


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Are You Interested in Renting a Pearland ISD Facility?
Follow these steps:
Pearland ISD buildings are used primarily for the district's regular educational programs, and they must be maintained constantly for this essential purpose.
Use of district facilities outside school hours will be granted for non-profit educational, cultural, recreational and civic activities as consistent with the statutes, primary purpose of the schools and school board rules/regulations. Pearland ISD reserves the right to reject any requests not in the best interest of the district.


text:
Authorized Reseller
SKU 8896InfraWorks 2018
1‑Year Term
with Support
New Subsc.
Available in USA only
InfraWorks 2018
Preliminary engineering with data-rich 3D modelsInfraWorks 2018 Subscription preliminary design software helps improve your project outcomes. Combine and connect data to better create, view, analyze, share, and manage information to make decisions in context.
InfraWorks 2018 with its automated 3D model building, cloud technology, and specialized features for road, bridge, and drainage helps civil engineers plan and design transportation infrastructure. Manage larger-scale infrastructure models created from existing data sources, engineer in context from the start, and generate proposals at the appropriate level of detail.
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AutodeskRevit LT 2018
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text:
Illinois Virtual School isn't successful unless our students are successful. The numbers have been finalized from the Summer 2016 terms, and IVS students have reach a 96% success rate! That means 2,088 students earned a 60% or higher in their IVS Summer Course. We would like to congratulate all of our successful students who have displayed the motivation and dedication it takes to learn online. We would also like to thank the parents and local schools that work to keep their students motivated, and the IVS teachers who work tirelessly to ensure their students' and Illinois Virtual School's success!
Tag Archives: distance learning
Online Learning Identified as One of the Important Developments in K-12 Education.
The Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) Horizon Report: 2016 K-12 identifies online learning opportunities as an option for "hundreds of thousands of students…because of homeschooling, medical issues, or engagement in sports, while millions of other students are supplementing their in-class instructions with online courses to complete advanced coursework or gain greater schedule flexibility".
IVS at Tech 2016
On Tuesday May 10, Illinois Virtual School attended the 25th annual TECH 2016 "Students for the Information Age" event at the Illinois State Capitol Building in Springfield. More than 100 schools from throughout the state were present, demonstrating to the public and elected members of the State Senate and House of Representatives how technology is being used in the classroom to increase student engagement and improve achievement.
The purpose of the TECH 2016 event was to raise awareness of the critical role technology plays in preparing students to succeed in today's digital world, and to show the need for increased funding for classroom technology. Students from throughout the state demonstrated creative ways technology is being used to enhance and accelerate students achievement in Illinois Schools.
Illinois Virtual School is proud to have been chosen to attend TECH 2016.


text:
NEW YORK ( TheStreet) -- Ending weeks of speculation, Electronic Arts ( ERTS) announced Tuesday that it bought PopCap Games, the maker of popular smartphone games like Bejewled and Plants vs. Zombies. The deal went down for about $750 million. Seattle-based PopCap was acquired by EA to expand its digital business, which EA hopes will exceed $1 billion in revenue this year.
The PopCap buy marks another notch in EA's recent, aggressive push into digital. In October, EA snapped up mobile gaming company Chillingo, the publisher of the addictive smartphone game, Angry Birds. And in May, it acquired Firemint, creator of mobile gaming titles like Flight Control and Real Racing, EA also purchased social gaming company Playfish in 2009. "PopCap has a proven financial trajectory with sustained revenue growth and double-digit operating margins," said EA CFO Eric Brown in a press release. "On a non-GAAP basis, this deal is expected to be at least ten-cents accretive in fiscal year 2013." Prior to its acquisition, PopCap was pegged as a strong IPO candidate for 2011. The company is profitable, generated roughly $100 million last year and has over 400 employees. Shares of EA dropped 3% to $23.40 in after-hours trading on Tuesday following the PopCap news. --Written by Olivia Oran in New York. >To follow the writer on Twitter, go to http://twitter.com/Ozoran. >To submit a news tip, send an email to: firstname.lastname@example.com.


text:
You must be searching for Merry Christmas quotes, Merry Christmas greetings, and other quotes related to this fascinating occasion called Christmas. We bet, you search for quotes and saying related to Christmas is going to end right here. We are just about to open whole plethora of our Merry Christmas Quotes 2016, and you will love every bit of it, For Sure!!
Merry Christmas Quotes
"I made a French film called 'Merry Christmas' which is a very European film. It's a World War I piece." -Diane Kruger
"It's bad enough being conned into singing an anti-war message by John Lennon when you think you're just wishing everyone a merry Christmas." - Ian Watson
"For me, the spirit of Christmas means being happy and giving freely. It's a tradition for all the kids in the family to help mom decorate the tree. Christmas is all about family, eating, drinking and making merry." - Malaika Arora Khan
"You can't allow the forces of political correction to shut you up. I mean, why are people afraid to say, 'Merry Christmas?' Give me a break. If people don't like it, yeah, they can go do something else." - Ben Carson
"It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it." -Ben Stein
Merry Christmas Greetings
I wish you all the best things for Christmas; health, happiness, satisfaction, and above all – for all eternity!
I wish you the very best this Christmas; joy, and a heart full of happiness. I love you!
I'm dreaming of a White Christmas, with every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright, May all your Christmases be white.
May you have an ideal Christmas as a reflection of your values, desires and affections.
Bells are ringing, snowflakes flying Sending you my most sincere blessings, Merry Christmas.
The real spirit of Christmas is to cherish peace and goodwill and to be plenteous in mercy. Merry Christmas and may God's grace be with you.
May the Christmas season fill your home with joy
Your heart with love, and your life with laughter
Love and joy came down on earth on Christmas Day to make you cheerful and happy
Be merry; not just on this wonderful day but all through the year.
Childhood memories and love of kindred make our hearts grow tender
In spirit makes us a child again….at Christmas time of the year
Merry Christmas! May the things that bring Christmas cheers surround you all through the year.
Merry Christmas Sayings 2016
Happiness— May your life be filled with joy and happiness and may each new day bring you moments to cherish.
As you celebrate the miracle of Christmas on this season of the year, may your heart be filled with joy and happiness! May blessings of the holiday stay forever in your home and with you all the year ahead!
Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.
May all the sweet magic of Christmas conspire to gladden your heart and fill every desire.
May the good times and treasures of the present become the golden memories of tomorrow. Wishing you lots of love, joy and happiness. Merry Christmas!
Peace, good will and happiness for you at Christmas and always.
May the Christmas season fill your home with joy, your heart with love and your life with laughter.
Christmas Vacation Quotes
"Merry Christmas. Kiss my ass. Kiss his ass. Happy Hanukkah." — Clark Griswold
"Is Rusty still in the Navy?" — Aunt Bethany
"Can I refill your eggnog? Get you something to eat, drive you into the middle of nowhere, and leave you for dead?" — Clark Griswold
"If I woke up tomorrow with my head sewn to the carpet, I wouldn't be more surprised." — Clark Griswold
"I don't know what to say, but it's Christmas and we're all in misery." — Ellen Griswold
"Yes, its a bit nipply out, I mean nippy out." — Clark Griswold
"You couldn't hear a dump truck driving through a nitroglycerin plant." — Uncle Lewis
"You about ready to do some kissin'?" — Cousin Eddie
"We're at the threshold of hell." — Clark Griswold
"Looks great. Little full, lotta sap." — Clark Griswold
"Sh*tter's full." — Uncle Eddie
"I'm sorry, this is our family's first kidnapping." — Ellen Griswold
"Hallelujah! Holy sh*t! Where's the Tylenol?" — Clark Griswold
"If that thing had nine lives, she just spent 'em all." — Cousin Eddie
"We're gonna have the hap- hap- happiest Christmas." — Clark Griswold
Funny Christmas Quotes
Zen Christmas: the gift of nothingness.
Why is Christmas like a day at the office?
Because you do all the work, and the fat guy in the suit gets all the credit.
Aren't we forgetting the true meaning of this day - the birth of Santa?
- Bart Simpson (Matt Groening)
How is the Italian version of Christmas different?
One Jesus, one Mary, and 33 wise guys.
If you can't wrap Christmas presents well, at least make it look like they put up a good fight.- A Guy Named Kelly @kellysdf
I left Santa gluten-free cookies and organic soy milk and he put a solar panel in my stocking.- Earthman Adam @AdamOfEarth
Christmas is a baby shower that went totally overboard.
- Andy Borowitz
Santa Claus has the right idea. Visit people only once a year.
- Victor Borge
My husband's idea of getting the Christmas spirit is to become Scrooge.
- Melanie White
Once again, we come to the Holiday Season, a deeply religious time that each of us observes, in his own way, by going to the mall of his choice.
- Dave Barry
Keep your friends close, your enemies closer, and receipts for all major purchases.
- Bridger Winegar
Do you know why so many people love Jesus? Without Jesus, no Christmas.
- Melanie White
I haven't taken my Christmas lights down. They look so nice on the pumpkin.
- Winston Spear
Christmas sweaters are only acceptable as a cry for help.
- Andy Borowitz
Christmas is a state of mind and that special feeling that only comes with an empty bank account.
- Melanie White
This holiday season, no matter what your religion is, please take a moment to reflect on why it's better than all the other ones.
- Guy Endore Kaiser
Mail your packages early so the post office can lose them in time for Christmas.
- Johnny Carson
I don't mind fruitcakes. They're the one thing during the holidays I'm not tempted to eat.
- Melanie White
Inspirational Christmas Quotes
"My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?" ― Bob Hope
"Christmas is a necessity. There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we're here for something else besides ourselves." – Eric Sevareid, CBS News journalist.
"Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas." – Calvin Coolidge, 30th president of the United States
"Christmas is not a date. It is a state of mind." – Mary Ellen Chase
"One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas day. Don't clean it up too quickly." – Andy Rooney
"Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall." – Larry Wilde
"I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year." – Charles Dickens
Religious Christmas Quotes
Christianity is not a religion, it is a relationship. Merry Christmas. ~Dr. Thieme
The hinge of history is on the door of a Bethlehem stable. ~Ralph W. Sockman
May we not 'spend' Christmas or 'observe' Christmas, but rather 'keep' it. ~Peter Marshall
To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing. ~Martin Luther
All the Christmas presents in the world are worth nothing without the presence of Christ. ~David Jeremiah
Mankind is a great, an immense family… This is proved by what we feel in our hearts at Christmas. ~Pope John Paul XXIII
Christmas is built upon a beautiful and intentional paradox; that the birth of the homeless should be celebrated in every home. ~G.K. Chesterton
Christmas celebrates the awesome and amazing fact that God is grander, wiser and more mysterious thanwe could have ever imagined. ~Dan Schaeffer
The very purpose of Christ's coming into the world was that He might offer up His life as a sacrifice for thesins of men. He came to die. This is the heart of Christmas. ~Rev. Billy Graham
The early Christians did not rejoice because of better things to come.They rejoiced because Christ hadcome. God's unspeakable gift was not provisional. They rejoiced because it was final. ~Handel H. Brown
Christmas Love Quotes
This year I have the best gift ever. I have you in my life! Merry Christmas!
Christmas comes once a year, but please know that I cherish you every single day no matter the distance between us.
Christmas is always so special because we spend it together. Merry Christmas, darling!
If Christmas love and happiness were snowflakes, I wish you a blizzard's worth of them this year. Here's to many joyful Christmases to you my love.
Christmas is a time for reflecting on the blessings we have received throughout the year. You are my number one blessing since the day we first met.
I'm so blessed to spend Christmas with you! Merry Christmas, my love!
They say happiness cannot be measured in exact terms, and that may be true. It is enough that we have Christmas to remind us that love, happiness and goodwill are the true things that uplift our lives. Thank you for the happiness you bring to me since I met you my love.
Beyond any other gift I could receive on Christmas, you are the best! Merry Christmas!
This Christmas I want to take time to tell you how much you mean to me. I feel so blessed with you!
May all your joyful Christmas dreams come true, my beloved! I love you!
I cannot imagine a Christmas without your loving presence. Merry Christmas my darling!
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Quotes
Griswold! Where are you gonna put a tree that big?
Bend over and I'll show you!
Dad, that thing will never fit in our front yard.
It's not going in our yard, it's going in our living room!
Fixed the newel post!
Margot: And why is the carpet all wet, TODD!?
Todd: I don't KNOW, Margot!
Clark Griswold: "Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas. Kiss my ass. Kiss his ass. Kiss your ass. Happy Chanukah."
Clark: Aunt Bethany, would you say the grace?
Aunt Bethany: Grace? Didn't she pass away 30 years ago?
Uncle Lewis: He wants you to say the grace.
Uncle Lewis (after pausing); THE BLESSSSING!!!!
Cousin Eddie: If you don't mind Clark, I would like to fumigate this chair.
Clark: You smell something Eddie?
Cousin Eddie: Fried pussycat.
(Police knock on Margo's door)
Margo: Todd if you want to come back into this house you gotta break down that goddamn door!(the police break her door in)
Eddie: I don't know if I oughta go sailin' down no hill with nothin' between the ground and my brains but a piece of government plastic.
Clark: Do you really think it matters, Eddie?
Ellen: Clark, Audrey's frozen from the waist down.
Clark: That's all part of the experience, honey.
Ruby Sue: Rocky bit my thumb. Him's nervous.
Clark: Nervous or excited?
Ruby Sue: Shittin' bricks.
Clark: You shouldn't use that word.
Ruby Sue: Sorry. Shittin' rocks
Bethany: Don't throw me down, Clark.
Clark: I'll try not to, Aunt Bethany...
Ellen: What are you looking at?
Clark: Oh, the silent majesty of a winter's morn... the clean, cool chill of the holiday air... an asshole in his bathrobe, emptying a chemical toilet into my sewer...
[Eddie, in the driveway, is draining the RV's toilet]
Eddie: Shitter was full.
Clark: Ah, yeah. You checked our shitters, honey?
Ellen: Clark, please. He doesn't know any better.
Clark: He oughta know it's illegal. That's a storm sewer. If it fills with gas, I pity the person who lights a match within ten yards of it.
Uncle Lewis: Hey Grizz, Bethany and I figured out the perfect gift for you.
Clark: Aw, you didn't have to get me anything.
Uncle Lewis: Dammit, Bethany, he guessed it.
Clark: 'Tis the season to be merry.
Mary: That's my name.
Clark: No shit.
Clark Griswold: Well I'm gonna park the cars and get the luggage, and well, I'll be outside for the season.
Aunt Bethany: Is your house on fire, Clark?
Clark Griswold: No, Aunt Bethany, those are the Christmas lights.
Clark: We're kicking off our fun old fashion family Christmas by heading out into the country in the old front-wheel drive sleigh to embrace the frosty majesty of the winter landscape and select that most important of Christmas symbols.
Audrey: We're not coming all the way out here just to get one of those stupid ties with Santa Clauses on it are we?
Clark: No, I have one of those at home.
Todd: Well, something had to come through the window! Something had to break the stereo!
Margo: And why is the carpet all wet, *Todd*?
Todd: I don't *know*, Margo!
Ellen: I don't know what to say, except it's Christmas and we're all in misery.


text:
Week 7: Writing Is Analyzing
Get started on Week 7:
- I'll be grading essay 2 this week, using the rubric and putting mark-up comments on your paper. I should have all papers done by Friday, but if I get bogged down, look for an email from me. All feedback from me will appear in the MY GRADES area.
- Don't be too alarmed that you will write and revise Essay 3 this week. It's not really an essay at all; it's more like an informal analysis paper based on instructor prompts. You won't be using a formal thesis, intro or conclusion, for example. The point of essay 3 is to demonstrate you can analyze texts, which means breaking them down to look at specific parts.
Reach out to me, Martha Schwer, your instructor, if you are overwhelmed by the end of the semester OR if you are not doing well so far in this course and are considering dropping to save your GPA from total disaster.
Email me with a time that would be convenient for you to talk to me, and I'll do my best to help you understand your situation. There's no need to come to campus, either; we can talk on the phone or visit via SKYPE or another virtual conference service. Make your appointment at email@example.com (preferred) or phone 608-246-6172. If you have computer problems or need help with Word, phone the computer help desk at 608-243-4444 or toll-free 1-866-277-4445.
Recap of Week 6 Learning:
Last week, you learned a lot about how to self-evaluate your own work and improve it using feedback and from others. That's a vital life-skill. Becoming emotional or defensive in the face of criticism is very common, and it can really affect your life because people will stop working with you to improve. If you aren't getting feedback (even if it's critical) it means people have given up trying to help you. And that's a sad, bad thing. Maintaining that growth mindset means you seek feedback, and learn to improve using it. If you did that last week, you should feel very good about where you're at! Keep up the great attitude!
Learning Objectives for Week 7:
This week, you'll be developing your analysis skills to examine the research your peers did in Essay 2. Analysis is a very common assignment in academic writing, and by the end of this week, you'll be able to:
- define analysis as a writing purpose
- explain the thinking moves involved in writing analysis paragraphs
- participate in a writing community
- enter an academic discourse community when evaluating source usage