SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING DOLLIES
First Claim
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1. A load transport system comprising:
- at least one dolly, the at least one dolly comprising a top cap encoder and a front axle encoder communicatively coupled to a dolly control unit, wherein the top cap encoder and front axle encoder communicate measured data to the dolly control unit;
at least one power unit, the power unit comprising a power unit computer communicatively coupled with the at least one dolly control unit via a network, wherein the at least one dolly control unit communicates measured data to the power unit computer; and
a control device, the control device configured to communicate with the power unit computer via a network and allow a user to view and manipulate system data, and provide instructions to the power unit computer;
wherein the power unit computer is configured to calculate adjustments to the at least one dolly based on dolly control unit data and user input data to effect user instructions; and
wherein the power unit is configured to actuate the at least one dolly.
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Abstract
According to at least one exemplary embodiment, a system and method for synchronizing and controlling at least one dolly may be provided. The system may include at least one dolly, a power unit, and a control device, all communicatively coupled via at least one network. Dolly coordinates and steer points for a load may be recorded. Adjustments to the dolly may be made based on desired changes to the orientation of the steer points.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A load transport system comprising:
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at least one dolly, the at least one dolly comprising a top cap encoder and a front axle encoder communicatively coupled to a dolly control unit, wherein the top cap encoder and front axle encoder communicate measured data to the dolly control unit; at least one power unit, the power unit comprising a power unit computer communicatively coupled with the at least one dolly control unit via a network, wherein the at least one dolly control unit communicates measured data to the power unit computer; and a control device, the control device configured to communicate with the power unit computer via a network and allow a user to view and manipulate system data, and provide instructions to the power unit computer; wherein the power unit computer is configured to calculate adjustments to the at least one dolly based on dolly control unit data and user input data to effect user instructions; and wherein the power unit is configured to actuate the at least one dolly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for transporting a load comprising:
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providing at least one dolly, the dolly comprising a top cap encoder and front axle encoder communicatively coupled to a dolly control unit, wherein the top cap encoder and front axle encoder communicate measured data to the dolly control unit, at least one power unit, the power unit comprising a power unit computer communicatively coupled with the at least one dolly control unit via a network, wherein the at least one dolly control unit communicates measured data to the power unit computer, and a control device, the control device configured to communicate with the power unit computer via a network and allow a user to view and manipulate system data, and provide instructions to the power unit computer; entering baseline data comprising dolly coordinates and steer point coordinates; entering a desired steer point orientation; allowing the power unit computer to calculate necessary adjustments to the at least one dolly based on dolly control unit data and user input data; allowing the power unit computer to instruct the power unit to actuate the at least one dolly to achieve the adjustments; instructing the at least one dolly to drive as desired through one of the control device or a separate drive control device; and adjusting the desired steer point orientation and drive instructions as desired. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A computer program product, implemented on a processor and comprising program code for use in a load transporting system, the code causing the components of a load transport system to execute steps comprising:
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receiving top cap encoder data from at least one dolly; receiving front axle encoder data from at least one dolly; receiving, from a user, baseline coordinate data for at least one dolly and a front and rear steer point; receiving a desired front and rear steer point orientation; calculating dolly adjustments from the received data and desired inputs; and instructing a power unit to actuate the adjustments.
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15. An apparatus for transporting a load comprising:
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a dolly having an adjustable front axle and an adjustable top cap for supporting a load; a power unit configured to actuate the components of the dolly, the power unit having a power unit computer for processing data and instructing the power unit to actuate dolly components; and a control device in communication with the power unit for entering and manipulating data to instruct the actuation of the dolly. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A load transport system comprising:
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at least one dolly, the at least one dolly comprising at least one encoder communicatively coupled to a dolly control unit, wherein the at least one encoder communicates measured data to the dolly control unit; at least one power unit, the power unit comprising a power unit computer communicatively coupled with the at least one dolly control unit via a network, wherein the at least one dolly control unit communicates measured data to the power unit computer; and
a control device, the control device configured to communicate with the power unit computer via a network and allow a user to view and manipulate system data, and provide instructions to the power unit computer;wherein the power unit computer is configured to calculate adjustments to the at least one dolly based on dolly control unit data and user input data to effect user instructions; and wherein the power unit is configured to actuate the at least one dolly.
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Specification