US3894773A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Differential braking system for tractor trailer trucks
Assignee: Adaptronics Inc
•
Filing: 1973-09-21
•
Granted: 1975-07-15
•
Expires: 1993-09-21
Abstract
Abstract The use of differential braking of tractor front wheels in such a way as to maintain negligible angular rates between the tractor and trailer while braking, so as to produce balanced braking forces and to prevent jackknifing.
Inventors
- 👤 Dixon Cleveland
- 👤 Roger L Barron
- 👤 Jr Lewey O Gilstrap
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 21:09
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60T; B60T8/00; B60T8/24; B60T8/246; B60T8/17; B60T8/1701; B60T8/1708; B60T8/248; B60T2230/00; B60T2230/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
A method of minimizing the angular rate between a tractor and a trailer, comprising the steps of: 1. measuring a function of the angle between the center lines of the tractor and trailer, 2. obtaining a time derivative of the function of the angle between the center lines of the tractor and trailer, 3. computing one of a differential wheel rotational rate and differential wheel slip command from the result of step (2), 4. measuring one of a function of the wheel rotational rate difference and a function of wheel slip difference between the tractor front wheels, 5. computing the error between commanded and measured values of at least one of said function of wheel rotational rate difference and said function of wheel slip difference, and 6. altering one of the rotational rate and the slip of at least one of said front wheels of the tractor in response to the results of step (5).
Claim 2
Independent Claim
155 words
A method of minimizing the angular rate between a tractor and a trailer, comprising the steps of: 1. measuring a function of the angle between the center lines of the tractor and trailer, 2. obtaining a time derivative of the function of the angle between the center lines of the tractor and trailer, 3. computing one of a differential wheel rotational rate and differential wheel slip command from the result of step (2), 4. measuring one of a function of the wheel rotational rate difference and a function of wheel slip difference between the tractor front wheels, 5. computing the error between commanded and measured values of at least one of said function of wheel rotational rate difference and said function of wheel slip difference, and 6. altering one of the rotational rate and the slip of at least one of said front wheels of the tractor in response to the results of step (5).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the function of step (1) is measured with a potentiometer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
obtaining a time derivative of the function of the angle between the center lines of the tractor and trailer,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
obtaining a time derivative of the function of the angle between the center lines of the tractor and trailer,
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
computing one of a differential wheel rotational rate and differential wheel slip command from the result of step (2),
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
computing one of a differential wheel rotational rate and differential wheel slip command from the result of step (2),
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein the computation of step (3) includes passing the result of step (2) through a high pass filter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein step (6) includes controlling of a tractor braking system having independently variable braking levels for the front wheels.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
measuring one of a function of the wheel rotational rate difference and a function of wheel slip difference between the tractor front wheels,
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
measuring one of a function of the wheel rotational rate difference and a function of wheel slip difference between the tractor front wheels,
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
computing the error between commanded and measured values of at least one of said function of wheel rotational rate difference and said function of wheel slip difference, and
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
computing the error between commanded and measured values of at least one of said function of wheel rotational rate difference and said function of wheel slip difference, and
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein step (6) includes controlling of a tractor braking system having independently variable braking-levels for the front wheels.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
altering one of the rotational rate and the slip of at least one of said front wheels of the tractor in response to the results of step (5).
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
altering one of the rotational rate and the slip of at least one of said front wheels of the tractor in response to the results of step (5).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the computation of step (3) includes passing the result of step (2) through a high pass filter.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 6 wherein step (6) includes controlling of a tractor braking system having independently variable braking levels for the front wheels.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein step (6) includes controlling of a tractor braking system having independently variable braking levels for the front wheels.
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) | 1978-07-14 | 1979-01-13 | 1979-07-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-07-14 | 1983-01-13 | 1983-07-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-07-14 | 1987-01-13 | 1987-07-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |