METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR INCREASING A VEHICLE SIDE SLOPE OPERATING CAPABILITIES

• US 20100204886A1
• Filed: 02/12/2009
• Published: 08/12/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: Fitzgibbons, Patrick J.
• Application Number:
  US12/370,210
• Publication Number:
  US 20100204886A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/38
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/0165 to an external condition, e.g. rough road surface, side wind
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/018 characterised by the use of a specific signal treatment or control method
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 21/106 transversally
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/02 Trucks; Load vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/07 Off-road vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/82 Ground surface
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2500/201 Air spring system type
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/20 Manual control or setting means
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/0194 transversal with regard to vehicle

Abstract

A method and system for orienting the attitude of a vehicle. The method includes determining a path of travel of the vehicle, determining a slope of the terrain over the path of travel, and adjusting a height of at least one adjustable support of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A method for adjusting the orientation of a vehicle having sections relative to a terrain, the method comprising:

determining the path of travel of the vehicle over the terrain;

determining the slope of the terrain over the path of travel with respect to a horizontal plane; and

adjusting the height of at least one adjustable support of the vehicle based upon the path of travel and the slope of the terrain sufficiently to provide a more horizontal orientation of the section of the vehicle during traverse of the path of travel by the vehicle.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the adjustable support is a dynamically adjustable support.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the adjustable support is an adjustable independent wheel suspension.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said determining the path of travel over the terrain comprises:

determining the path of travel over the terrain manually.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said determining the path of travel over the terrain manually comprises:

determining the path of travel by an occupant of the vehicle.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said determining the slope of the terrain over the path of travel comprises:

determining the slope of the terrain over the path of travel manually.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said adjusting the height of the at least one adjustable support comprises:

adjusting the height of the at least one adjustable support manually on the basis of the path of travel over the terrain and the slope of the terrain over the path of travel.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said adjusting the height of the at least one adjustable support comprises:

adjusting the height of the at least one adjustable support by an occupant of the vehicle.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein adjusting the height of the at least one adjustable support comprises:

adjusting the height of the at least one adjustable support by an occupant of the vehicle through manual interaction with a controller.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein adjusting the height of the at least one adjustable support comprises:

adjusting the height of the at least one adjustable support by the occupant of the vehicle through wireless communication between the controller and the at least one adjustable support.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said determining a path of travel of the vehicle over the terrain comprises:

observing the terrain by an occupant of the vehicle.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein said determining the slope of the terrain over the path of travel comprises:

observing the slope of the terrain over the path of travel by an occupant of the vehicle.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein said adjusting a height of at least one adjustable support of the vehicle comprises:

increasing a height of at least one down slope adjustable support of the vehicle.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein said adjusting a height of at least one adjustable support of the vehicle comprises:

decreasing a height of at least one up slope adjustable support of the vehicle.

15. A system for adjusting the orientation of a vehicle having at least four adjustable wheel supports and sections relative to a terrain, comprising:

four adjustable wheel supports; and

means for adjusting the height of said adjustable wheel supports of the vehicle between the sections based upon the path of travel and the slope of the terrain sufficiently to provide a more horizontal orientation of the section of the vehicle during traverse of the path of travel by the vehicle.

16. A system as in claim 15 wherein the adjustable supports on the downhill side of the vehicle are constructed and arranged to be extended when the adjustable supports the uphill side are retracted.

17. A system as in claim 15 wherein the height adjustment is adjusted automatically.

18. A system as in claim 17 wherein the adjusting means include a vision system.