Traction control method for a tracked vehicle
First Claim
1. A traction control method for a tracked vehicle comprising:
- calculating a minimum turn radius of the tracked vehicle;
calculating a required track speed differential configured to turn the tracked vehicle at the minimum turn radius;
determining if a commanded turn radius is less than the minimum turn radius; and
limiting the track speed differential of the tracked vehicle to the required track speed differential if the commanded turn radius is less than the minimum turn radius such that the tracked vehicle does not slip.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a traction control method for a tracked vehicle such as a military tank. The method includes calculating a track proportionality factor and a vehicle proportionality factor based on predefined attributes of the tracked vehicle. A minimum turn radius of the tracked vehicle is calculated based on the velocity of the tracked vehicle, the maximum coefficient of friction between the tracks of the tracked vehicle and the ground (0.7), and gravitational acceleration (9.80665 m/s2). A sprocket rotational speed is calculated based on the pitch diameter of the tracked vehicle sprockets and the velocity of the tracked vehicle. Based on the preceding calculations, the method of the present invention calculates a required track speed differential configured to turn the tracked vehicle at the minimum turn radius. If a commanded turn radius is less than the minimum turn radius, the track speed differential of the tracked vehicle is limited to the required track speed differential to prevent the tracked vehicle from slipping.
31 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A traction control method for a tracked vehicle comprising:
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calculating a minimum turn radius of the tracked vehicle;
calculating a required track speed differential configured to turn the tracked vehicle at the minimum turn radius;
determining if a commanded turn radius is less than the minimum turn radius; and
limiting the track speed differential of the tracked vehicle to the required track speed differential if the commanded turn radius is less than the minimum turn radius such that the tracked vehicle does not slip. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A traction control method for a tracked vehicle comprising:
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determining a track proportionality factor;
determining a vehicle proportionality factor using said track proportionality factor;
calculating a minimum turn radius of the tracked vehicle;
calculating a required track speed differential using said vehicle proportionality factor and said minimum turn radius, said required track speed differential being configured to turn the tracked vehicle at the minimum turn radius;
determining if a commanded turn radius is less than the minimum turn radius; and
limiting the track speed differential of the tracked vehicle to the required track speed differential if the commanded turn radius is less than the minimum turn radius such that the tracked vehicle does not slip. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A traction control method for a tracked vehicle comprising:
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determining a track proportionality factor;
determining a vehicle proportionality factor using the track proportionality factor;
calculating a minimum turn radius of the tracked vehicle;
determining a sprocket rotational speed;
calculating a required track speed differential using the vehicle proportionality factor, the minimum turn radius, and the sprocket rotational speed, said required track speed differential being configured to turn the tracked vehicle at the minimum turn radius;
determining if a commanded turn radius is less than the minimum turn radius;
executing the commanded turn radius if the commanded turn radius is greater than or equal to the minimum turn radius; and
limiting the track speed differential of the tracked vehicle to the required track speed differential if the commanded turn radius is less than the minimum turn radius such that the tracked vehicle does not slip. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification