US4755905A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Vehicle velocity sensing apparatus and method
Assignee: Caterpillar Industrial Inc
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Filing: 1986-11-26
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Granted: 1988-07-05
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Expires: 2006-11-26
Abstract
Abstract Automatic guided vehicles require an accurate method and apparatus for determining vehicle velocity. The subject apparatus is associated with a vehicle having at least one surface engaging idler wheel. A resolver produces a rotation angle rate signal having a value responsive to the angular rotation rate of the idler wheel. A resolver-to-digital converter receives the rotation rate angle signal and produces a rotation rate pulse signal. A clock substantially continuously produces clock pulse signals having a predetermined frequency. A counter receives the rotation rate pulse signal and the clock pulse signal and controllably produces a time signal corresponding to the number of clock pulses received over the duration of a predetermined portion of the rotation rate pulse signal. A logic device controllably receives the time signal and produces a vehicle velocity signal.
Inventors
- 👤 Frederick J. Telecky, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:55
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01P; G01P3/00; G01P3/42; G01P3/44; G01P3/48; G01P3/481; G01P3/489
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
A velocity determining apparatus for a vehicle, said vehicle having at least one surface engaging wheel, comprising: resolver means for producing a rotation angle rate signal having a value responsive to the angular rotation rate of said wheel, said resolver means having a shaft rotatably connected to said wheel; converter means for receiving said rotation angle rate signal and producing a rotation rate pulse signal having a pulse duration responsive to said rotation angle rate signal; clock means for substantially continuously producing a clock pulse signal having a predetermined frequency; counter means for receiving said rotation rate pulse signal and said clock pulse signal and controllably producing a numeric time signal corresponding to the number of clock pulses received from said clock means over the duration of a predetermined portion of said rotation rate pulse signal and a status signal in response to termination of said predetermined portion of said rotation rate pulse signal; and logic means for controllably receiving said numeric time signal and producing a velocity signal in response to receiving said status signal, said velocity signal having a value responsive to said time signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
187 words
A velocity determining apparatus for a vehicle, said vehicle having at least one surface engaging wheel, comprising: resolver means for producing a rotation angle rate signal having a value responsive to the angular rotation rate of said wheel, said resolver means having a shaft rotatably connected to said wheel; converter means for receiving said rotation angle rate signal and producing a rotation rate pulse signal having a pulse duration responsive to said rotation angle rate signal; clock means for substantially continuously producing a clock pulse signal having a predetermined frequency; counter means for receiving said rotation rate pulse signal and said clock pulse signal and controllably producing a numeric time signal corresponding to the number of clock pulses received from said clock means over the duration of a predetermined portion of said rotation rate pulse signal and a status signal in response to termination of said predetermined portion of said rotation rate pulse signal; and logic means for controllably receiving said numeric time signal and producing a velocity signal in response to receiving said status signal, said velocity signal having a value responsive to said time signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
A velocity determining apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said logic means includes a memory element having a look up table, said look up table including a plurality of rotational velocity signal values, each corresponding to a respective one of said numeric time signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
68 words
A velocity determining apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said logic means produces said velocity signal responsive to the formula V=(Rθ)÷T where `R equals the radius of said wheel, θ equals the magnitude of angular rotation of said wheel sufficient to produce a single rotation rate pulse signal, T equals the value of said numeric time signal, and V equals the rotational velocity of said wheel.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-07-05 | 1992-01-04 | 1992-07-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-07-05 | 1996-01-04 | 1996-07-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-07-05 | 2000-01-04 | 2000-07-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |