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:
Apr. 19, 2011
Filed:
Oct. 22, 2008
Charles Lee Flynn, Davisburg, MI (US);
Christopher E. Curtis, Shelby Township, MI (US);
Charles Lee Flynn, Davisburg, MI (US);
Christopher E. Curtis, Shelby Township, MI (US);
Dura Global Technologies, LLC, Rochester Hills, MI (US);
Abstract
A vehicle leveling assembly includes a plurality of jack assemblies corresponding to four quadrants of a vehicle, and a plurality of sensors for determining jack position and rate of movement. A method of detecting contacting between the shafts of the jack assemblies and the ground includes measuring pulse width of current emitted by the hall effect sensor to monitor the speed of the shafts and recognizing contact with the ground when the shaft slows down. A method of detecting contacting between the shafts of the jack assemblies and the ground includes measuring the electric motor current signal and correlating a pulse from the current signal to the electric motor revolutions per minute and travel of the shafts. A method of calibrating the leveling assembly includes measuring a change in inclination as the jack assemblies are extended a known distance to determine the distance between the jack assemblies. A method of leveling includes extending the shafts an additional compacting distance to ensure accurate calculations of shaft extension, prior to attempting to level the vehicle.