US3752251A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Road grade sensor
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1971-08-17
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Granted: 1973-08-14
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Expires: 1991-08-17
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle wheel brake system in which vehicle and wheel speed signals are generated and utilized to generate a wheel brake pressure command signal, with the road grade sensor generating a signal reflecting the grade of the road on which the vehicle is moving. The road grade signal is used to further refine the command signal by taking into account the road grade. The system also senses brake torque and refines the command signal by considering the effect of changes in brake torque. The command signal controls mechanism, which, in turn, controls the wheel brake apply pressures.
Inventors
- 👤 E Gaeke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 23:56
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60T; B60T8/00; B60T8/24; B60T8/245; B60T8/32; B60T8/34; B60T8/52; B60T8/54; B60T8/58
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
For use in a vehicle, a road grade sensor comprising: first and second gears in mesh with each other and an output gear in mesh with said first gear, said gears being mounted to rotate about parallel axes extending transversely of the vehicle; and first and second weights respectively secured to said first and second gears to move therewith, said weights extending in a vertical plane perpendicular to said axes with like vertical components of extension and opposite outward components of extension; said weights impressing equal and oppositely acting inertial forces on said first and second gears in response to vehicle acceleration and deceleration to maintain said gears in an unchanged equilibrium position, and impressing concurrently acting gravitationally caused forces on said first and second gears to rotate said gears to a new position of equilibrium in response to a change in grade of the road on which the vehicle is moving and reflecting road grade through movement of said output gear.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
For use in a vehicle, a road grade sensor comprising: first and second gears in mesh with each other and an output gear in mesh with said first gear, said gears being mounted to rotate about parallel axes extending transversely of the vehicle; and first and second weights respectively secured to said first and second gears to move therewith, said weights extending in a vertical plane perpendicular to said axes with like vertical components of extension and opposite outward components of extension; said weights impressing equal and oppositely acting inertial forces on said first and second gears in response to vehicle acceleration and deceleration to maintain said gears in an unchanged equilibrium position, and impressing concurrently acting gravitationally caused forces on said first and second gears to rotate said gears to a new position of equilibrium in response to a change in grade of the road on which the vehicle is moving and reflecting road grade through movement of said output gear.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
213 words
For use in a vehicle wheel brake control system to modify braking action in accordance with the changes in grade of the road on which the vehicle is moving, a road grade sensor comprising: first and second gears in mesh with each other and an output gear in mesh with said first gear, said gears being mounted to rotate about parallel axes extending transversely of the vehicle; first and second weights respectively secured to said first and second gears to move therewith, said weights extending in a vertical plane perpendicular to said axes with like vertical components of extension and opposite outward components of extension; and an output signal generating means actuated by movement of said output gear to generate a road grade signal for use in the vehicle wheel brake control system; said weights impressing equal and oppositely acting inertial forces on said first and second gears in response to vehicle acceleration and deceleration to maintain said gears in an unchanged equilibrium position, and impressing concurrently acting gravitationally caused forces on said first and second gears to rotate said gears to a new position of equilibrium in response to a change in grade of the road on which the vehicle is moving and reflecting road grade through movement of said output gear.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
213 words
For use in a vehicle wheel brake control system to modify braking action in accordance with the changes in grade of the road on which the vehicle is moving, a road grade sensor comprising: first and second gears in mesh with each other and an output gear in mesh with said first gear, said gears being mounted to rotate about parallel axes extending transversely of the vehicle; first and second weights respectively secured to said first and second gears to move therewith, said weights extending in a vertical plane perpendicular to said axes with like vertical components of extension and opposite outward components of extension; and an output signal generating means actuated by movement of said output gear to generate a road grade signal for use in the vehicle wheel brake control system; said weights impressing equal and oppositely acting inertial forces on said first and second gears in response to vehicle acceleration and deceleration to maintain said gears in an unchanged equilibrium position, and impressing concurrently acting gravitationally caused forces on said first and second gears to rotate said gears to a new position of equilibrium in response to a change in grade of the road on which the vehicle is moving and reflecting road grade through movement of said output gear.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-08-13 | 1977-02-12 | 1977-08-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-13 | 1981-02-12 | 1981-08-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-13 | 1985-02-12 | 1985-08-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |