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:
Jul. 21, 2015
Filed:
Sep. 20, 2013
GM Global Technology Operations Llc, Detroit, MI (US);
The U.s.a. As Represented BY the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, DC (US);
Christopher E. Borroni-Bird, Oakland Township, MI (US);
Robert L. Vitale, Macomb Township, MI (US);
Chunhao J. Lee, Troy, MI (US);
Robert O. Ambrose, Houston, TX (US);
William J. Bluethmann, Houston, TX (US);
Lucien Q. Junkin, Houston, TX (US);
Jonathan J. Lutz, League City, TX (US);
Raymond Guo, Seabrook, TX (US);
Anthony Joseph Lapp, Houston, TX (US);
Justin S. Ridley, Houston, TX (US);
Abstract
A modular robotic vehicle includes a chassis, driver input devices, an energy storage system (ESS), a power electronics module (PEM), modular electronic assemblies (eModules) connected to the ESS via the PEM, one or more master controllers, and various embedded controllers. Each eModule includes a drive wheel containing a propulsion-braking module, and a housing containing propulsion and braking control assemblies with respective embedded propulsion and brake controllers, and a mounting bracket covering a steering control assembly with embedded steering controllers. The master controller, which is in communication with each eModule and with the driver input devices, communicates with and independently controls each eModule, by-wire, via the embedded controllers to establish a desired operating mode. Modes may include a two-wheel, four-wheel, diamond, and omni-directional steering modes as well as a park mode. A bumper may enable docking with another vehicle, with shared control over the eModules of the vehicles.