The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 04, 1996
Filed:
Sep. 24, 1993
Michael T Breen, Garden City, MI (US);
Eaton Corporation, Cleveland, OH (US);
Abstract
A method and system for estimating the segment length of a multi-segment vehicle such as a semi tractor trailer vehicle is disclosed. The estimate is generated when the vehicle executes a turning maneuver. The method comprises determining the turning radius of the vehicle, sensing the articulation angle between two vehicle segments, such as a tractor and a trailer, generating a length estimate, and controlling the vehicle based on the estimate. The method and system are particularly useful for vehicles with steerable trailer axles in which controlling the vehicle includes automatically steering the trailer so that the trailer wheels follow a path substantially the same as the tractor wheels thus eliminating off-tracking. Controlling the vehicle may include detecting a jackknife condition and operating the braking system.