Logisticon Inc.

Portec, Inc.

Orion Instruments, LLC

Thomas R Blakeslee

James R Francy

A method for determining the relative phase angle between a known reference and a signal under test includes the steps of providing a reference signal to a multi-tap delay line, where the number of taps is at least equal to the number of phases into which the signal under test is to be resolved, and then clocking a parallel shift register by the signal under test to capture the value of the delay line taps.

Phase detection system

A guidance system is disclosed which includes a combined synchronous detector, amplifier, and low pass filter. The detector circuit provides a binary signal which is true during negative half cycles of an input signal and false during positive half cycles. The positive and negative half cycles are applied through a switch controlled by the binary signal to a differential amplifier. A first integrator is connected to the first input of the differential amplifier and a second integrator is connected between the output and a second input of the differential amplifier. The direct current level of the output of the differential amplifier rises as the amplitude of the input signal increases to keep the input voltages of the differential amplifier equal. The output voltage of the differential amplifier is therefore proportional to the amplitude of a sensor signal.

Guidance system detector circuit

A servo controlled, proportional valve is connected in parallel with a forklift truck control valve to regulate the speed at which the fork is raised or lowered by shunting the forklift pump output to the hydraulic fluid reservoir during the raising of the fork and by restricting the return flow of fluid from the lift jack during lowering of the fork with the setting of the proportional control valve being servo controlled in response to a fork height sensor.

Fork lift hydraulic servo control valve

The effective sensor width of a path following vehicle guidance system is enlarged by having a first gain control amplifier for amplifying the sum of the path sensor signals, a second gain control amplifier for amplifying the difference of the path sensor signals and a third amplifier, in tandem with the second amplifier for amplifying the output of the second amplifier once the second amplifier's output has peaked out. All three amplifiers are gain-controlled by the same negative feedback signal. The outputs of the first and third amplifiers are synchronously detected to provide an error signal for an electromechanical steering servo for the vehicle.

Extended width sensor

An automatic guidance device for a self-powered cargo-moving vehicle is bolted directly over the steering column of the vehicle and is operated by a vehicle-borne sensor which follows a magnetic wire path, the guidance system having an automatic, sensor-directed mode, a manually operated power steering mode, and a manual override mode in which the guidance device is effectively disconnected and steering is undertaken by a direct mechanical linkage with the vehicle steering column.

Bolt-on guidance system for lift truck

A power steering device for a self-powered cargo-moving vehicle has a detented steering wheel which can be shifted by the operator to select either a manually operated, power steering mode, a manual override mode in which the guidance device is effectively disconnected and steering is undertaken by a direct mechanical linkage with the vehicle steering column, and, in one embodiment, an automatic, sensor-directed mode in which the vehicle is automatically guided to follow a magnetic wire path.

Power steering device for lift truck

An automatic guidance device for a self-powered cargo moving vehicle operated by a vehicle-borne sensor which follows a buried, energized wire path and which includes sensor means mounted either between the fixed and steerable axles or in front of the fixed axle of the vehicle for guiding the vehicle when it travels in a direction such that the fixed axle precedes the sensor by effectively generating a position error signal relative to the direction of travel. In one preferred embodiment the sensor includes a pair of sensing coils whose outputs are combined to generate an error signal V=(1+K)R-KF where R and F are the difference of outputs of a pair of rear and forward sensors, respectively, and K is equal to the ratio of the distance of the rear pair of coils to the virtual sense point and the distance between the rear and forward pairs of coils.

Reverse direction guidance system for lift truck

An automatic guidance device for a self-powered cargo-moving vehicle is operated by a vehicle-borne sensor which follows a buried, energized wire path and includes a circuit which first switches on the automatic guidance circuit when the vehicle is heading away from the wire after it has either passed over the wire or has closely approached the wire. At all other times the vehicle is power steered through the guidance circuit under the operator's control.

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Woodside, CA, United States of America

Thomas R Blakeslee