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FOLLOWER VEHICLE CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FORWARD AND REVERSE CONVOY MOVEMENT

  • US 20100049374A1
  • Filed: 09/26/2008
  • Published: 02/25/2010
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2008
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A vehicle control system for causing a follower vehicle to follow a leader, comprising:

  • a tether system mounted to the follower vehicle, said tether system comprising;

    a tether having an end adopted to be attached to the leader;

    a length sensor operatively associated with said tether, said length sensor sensing a length of said tether extending between the follower vehicle and the leader; and

    an angle sensor operatively associated with said tether, said angle sensor sensing an angle between said tether and the follower vehicle;

    a path tracking system operatively associated with said tether system, said path tracking system determining a path traveled by the leader;

    a path control system operatively associated with said path tracking system and the follower vehicle, said path control system causing the follower vehicle to follow the path traveled by the leader; and

    a spacing control system operatively associated with said path tracking system and the follower vehicle, said spacing control system causing the follower vehicle to maintain a predetermined spacing between the follower vehicle and the leader.

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