Automated gate control and methods

• US 20070188010A1
• Filed: 01/19/2007
• Published: 08/16/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MIP Holdings, LLC
• Original Assignee: MIP Holdings, LLC
• Inventors: Miller, Douglas, Miller, Joshua
• Granted Patent: US 7,980,636 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 298/29
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 1/56 the load-transporting element having bottom discharging openings

Abstract

An automated gate control system for a vehicle with a load carrying portion capable of carrying a load of material selectively distributable through a gate comprises a driver-accessible control module and a gate actuating mechanism. The driver-accessible control mechanism is positionable within reach of a driver of the vehicle. The gate actuating mechanism is controllably linked to and responsive to control signals from the driver-accessible control module to open and to close the gate to distribute material through the gate as desired. As a result, the driver need not exit the vehicle to move the gate before, after or during a material distribution operation.

Claims

1. An automated gate control system for a vehicle with a load carrying portion and a gate selectively operable to define an opening in the load carry portion through which material is distributed, the control system comprising:

a driver-accessible control module positionable within reach of a driver of the vehicle and comprising controls actuatable by the driver to control a position of the gate; and

a gate actuating mechanism controllably linked to the driver-accessible control module and comprising a mechanical actuator coupled to the gate to move the gate as desired, wherein the gate actuating mechanism receives control signals from the driver-accessible control module, processes the signals and controls the mechanical actuator to open and to close the gate to distribute material through the gate as desired.

2. The gate control system of claim 1, wherein the gate actuating mechanism is operable while the vehicle is in motion.

3. The gate control system of claim 1, wherein the gate actuating mechanism comprises a wireless link to the control module.

4. The gate control system of claim 1, wherein the gate actuating mechanism comprises a wired link to the control module.

5. The gate control system of claim 1, further comprising a supervisory control module positioned remote from the vehicle, and wherein the gate actuating mechanism is wirelessly linked to the master control module to receive signals from the supervisory control module.

6. The gate control system of claim 1, wherein the driver-accessible control module is mounted to a dashboard of the vehicle.

7. The gate control system of claim 1, wherein the driver-accessible control module comprises a display, a power connection to a source of electrical power for the control module and a control circuit comprising at least a transmitter that communicates to the gate actuating mechanism.

8. The gate control system of claim 7, wherein the control module comprises a memory capable of storing information.

9. The gate control system of claim 8, wherein the control module comprises a receiver capable of receiving signals.

10. The gate control system of claim 7, wherein the driver accessible control module includes a frequency selector.

11. The gate control system of claim 1, wherein the control module is responsive to voice commands from the driver.

12. The gate control system of claim 7, wherein the control module comprises a DC power connection connectible to a battery of the vehicle and a DC power distribution bus.

13. The gate control system of claim 7, wherein the display is capable of displaying information indicating a position of the gate relative to open and closed positions.

14. The gate control system of claim 1, wherein the driver can select from a plurality of predetermined gate opening sizes using the control module.

15. The gate control system of claim 1, wherein the gate actuating mechanism includes an actuator connectible to the gate and capable of moving the gate between open and closed positions and holding the gate in intermediate positions between the open and closed positions.

16. The gate control system of claim 1, further comprising a position sensor mountable to the load carrying portion adjacent the gate and capable of sensing a position of the gate.

17. The gate control system of claim 15, wherein the actuator is a linear actuator.

18. The gate control system of claim 17, wherein the linear actuator is a hydraulic actuator or a pneumatic actuator.

19. The gate control of claim 15, wherein the actuator comprises a position sensor capable of generating a signal indicative of a position of the actuator.

20. The gate control system of claim 1, wherein the gate actuating mechanism includes a linear actuator operable to move the gate between open and closed positions and to hold the gate in any desired intermediate position between the open and the closed positions, a remote gate control unit positioned to receive control signals from the control module and comprising a control circuit capable of generating actuator control signals, wherein the linear actuator extends and retracts according to control signals received from the control circuit, thereby causing the gate to open and to close.

21. The gate control system of claim 20, wherein the linear actuator is a hydraulic actuator or a pneumatic actuator, and wherein the actuator control signals generated by the control circuit control movement of the linear actuator.

22. The gate control system of claim 19, wherein the gate actuating mechanism controls the positioning of the actuator using feedback from the position sensor of the actuator.

23. The gate control system of claim 21, wherein the remote gate control unit comprises a power connection capable of receiving power from a battery of the vehicle.

24. The gate control system of claim 1, wherein the gate actuating mechanism comprises a pneumatic actuator connected to receive pneumatic power from a pneumatic system of the vehicle.

25. The gate control system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is a motor vehicle.

26. The gate control system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is a tractor connected to a separate trailer, and wherein the driver occupies a driver'"'"'s seat in the tractor when the vehicle is being driven and the trailer comprises the load carrying portion.

27. A retrofit kit for improving a conventional trailer with a material delivering gate to provide for automatic control of the gate by the driver while the trailer is in motion, comprising:

a driver control module positioned in a driver'"'"'s area within reach of a driver, the driver control module comprising a wireless transmitter for transmitting wireless control signals and controls actuatable by the driver;

a power connection connectible to a vehicle battery to provide power to the driver control module;

a pneumatic actuator positionable to operate the material delivering gate, the pneumatic actuator being connectible to a pneumatic system of the conventional trailer, the pneumatic actuator comprising a position sensor operable to send signals indicative of a position of the pneumatic actuator;

a gate control mechanism comprising a control unit capable of receiving wireless control signals from the wireless transmitter, a remote gate control circuit for sending control signals to a valve that controls the flow of pressurized air to the pneumatic actuator to cause the actuator to move, thereby opening and closing the gate as desired.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein the pneumatic actuator can be controlled to extend, to retract or to hold its current position.

28. A method of retrofitting a conventional load carrying vehicle capable of carrying material and selectively distributing the material through a gated opening, the method comprising:

providing a driver-accessible control module and positioning the driver-accessible control module within reach of the driver, the driver-accessible control module receiving commands input by the driver to control the gate and a wireless transmitter to transmit establishing a wireless communication link;

providing a remote gate control module and positioning the remote gate control module adjacent the gate, the remote gate control module having a receiver that receives control signals corresponding to the commands input by the driver from the driver-accessible control module;

providing a valve assembly and connecting the valve assembly to a source of pneumatic power and to the remote gate control module, wherein the valve is responsive to control signals received from the remote gate control module corresponding to the commands input by the driver; and

providing a pneumatic actuator for moving the gate and connecting the actuator to the gate and to the valve system, wherein the pneumatic actuator extends and retracts according to control signals received from the remote gate control module to move the gate corresponding to the commands input by the driver.

30. An automated gate control system for a tractor trailer combination vehicle, comprising:

a trailer having a container portion and a longitudinally extending opening defined in a lower surface;

a gate comprising at least first and second opposing gate members, the first and second opposing gate members being pivotably mounted on opposite sides of the opening in the trailer;

a mechanical actuator having one end connected to the first opposing gate member and an opposite end connected to the second opposing gate member;

a valve assembly in fluid communication with the mechanical actuator;

a position sensor coupled to the gate members;

a remote gate control module having electrical connections to the valve assembly and to the position sensor; and

a driver accessible control module positioned within reach of the driver and in wireless communication with the remote gate control sensor.

31. The automated gate control system of claim 30, wherein the mechanical actuator is a pneumatic actuator.

32. The automated gate control system of claim 30, wherein the mechanical actuator is a pneumatic actuator and valve assembly is connected to a source of pneumatic power for the trailer.