US3817344A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for controlling vehicular speed and interspacing
Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
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Filing: 1972-09-25
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Granted: 1974-06-18
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Expires: 1992-09-25
Abstract
Abstract A fail-safe system, having both digital and analog embodiments, which controls the spacing and speed of vehicles traveling along a prescribed track, path or roadway. In accordance with the system, the position of a particular vehicle is detected by ground mounted elements which sense the passage of a vehicle. This information is retained in a memory until it is erased by the passing of a subsequent vehicle. In addition, information as to the position of the vehicle is transmitted back along the track over a suitable circuit network to following vehicles to regulate the speed and spacing of all vehicles running on the same track. The system also provides for high speed and low speed zones, and for junction zones between the high and low speed zones.
Inventors
- 👤 T Asano
- 👤 H Takamiya
- 👤 Y Morimoto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 22:04
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D1/00; B62D1/24; B62D1/28; B60; B60K; B60K31/00; B60K31/0058; B61; B61L; B61L3/00; B61L3/02; B61L3/08; B61L3/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
An apparatus for controlling a trailing vehicle comprising: a plurality of vehicle sensing means placed at specific intervals along a predetermined path for generating a first signal as a leading vehicle passes each of said sensing means, a plurality of memory means coupled to said sensing means for storing said first signal, transmitting means included in each of said memory means for transmitting a second signal, in response to said leading vehicle passing said memory means, to said memory means previously passed by said leading vehicle, signal transferring means for transferring information stored in said memory means to said trailing vehicle, speed control means in said trailing vehicle for regulating the speed thereof in response to a receipt of said transferred information; and, erasing means coupled to each of said memory means for erasing information relating to the passage of said leading vehicle stored in said memory means as said trailing vehicle passes each of said memory means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
158 words
An apparatus for controlling a trailing vehicle comprising: a plurality of vehicle sensing means placed at specific intervals along a predetermined path for generating a first signal as a leading vehicle passes each of said sensing means, a plurality of memory means coupled to said sensing means for storing said first signal, transmitting means included in each of said memory means for transmitting a second signal, in response to said leading vehicle passing said memory means, to said memory means previously passed by said leading vehicle, signal transferring means for transferring information stored in said memory means to said trailing vehicle, speed control means in said trailing vehicle for regulating the speed thereof in response to a receipt of said transferred information; and, erasing means coupled to each of said memory means for erasing information relating to the passage of said leading vehicle stored in said memory means as said trailing vehicle passes each of said memory means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus for controlling a vehicle as in claim 1, in: a plurality of individually insulated conductive segments placed along said predetermined path, and said vehicle sensing means is located along said path in selected positions with respect to said conductive segments.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus for controlling a vehicle as in claim 1, wherein: said plurality of memory means includes a plurality of bistable devices; and, wherein said transmitting circuit, means includes a resistor, a zener diode and a diode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus for controlling a vehicle as in claim 1, wherein: said plurality of memory means includes a plurality of bistable devices; and said transmitting circuit means includes a coupling amplifier and a plurality of resistors connected to said coupling amplifier.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus for controlling a vehicle as in claim 1 wherein: said vehicle sensing means include magnetic proximity detectors.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
An apparatus for controlling a vehicle as in claim 1 wherein: said transmitting means includes means for transmitting to various ones of said memory means signals of magnitudes which increase in proportion to the distance between said various memory means and said vehicle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus for controlling a vehicle as in claim 6, wherein: said transmitting means includes a counter, and a digital-to-analog converter coupled to said counter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apparatus for controlling a vehicle as in claim 1, wherein: said plurality of vehicle sensing means includes a first group of vehicle sensing means separated by a selected distance and a second group of vehicle sensing means separated by distance which is greater than said selected distance.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
An apparatus for controlling a vehicle as in claim 8, further comprising: junction means located between said first and second groups of vehicle sensing means for controlling said vehicle as it passes from said first to said second group of vehicle sensing means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus for controlling a vehicle as in claim 9, wherein: said junction means includes a plurality of auxiliary vehicle sensing means located between said first and second groups of vehicle sensing means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3078944A
Cited
US3668624A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-17 | 1977-12-17 | 1978-06-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-17 | 1981-12-17 | 1982-06-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-17 | 1985-12-17 | 1986-06-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |