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Automated vehicle guidance system and method for automatically guiding a vehicle

  • US 5,875,408 A
  • Filed: 07/17/1995
  • Issued: 02/23/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/17/1995
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. Automated vehicle guidance system for guiding a movable vehicle having a vehicle axis along a predetermined desired path over a surface that is provided with first and second desired path references positioned on opposite sides of the desired path, comprising:

  • a first laser pulse transmitter positioned on the vehicle on one side of the vehicle axis for transmitting laser pulses towards an opposite side of the vehicle and towards the first desired path reference;

    a second laser pulse transmitter positioned on the vehicle on the opposite side of the vehicle axis for transmitting laser pulses towards the one side of the vehicle and towards the second desired path reference;

    a first laser pulse receiver positioned on the vehicle and operatively associated with the first laser pulse transmitter for receiving laser pulses transmitted by the first laser pulse transmitter and reflected from the first desired path reference;

    a second laser pulse receiver positioned on the vehicle and operatively associated with the second laser pulse transmitter for receiving laser pulses transmitted by the second laser pulse transmitter and reflected from the second desired path reference;

    a steering actuator mounted on the vehicle for steering the vehicle;

    a control device connected to the steering actuator and to the first and second laser pulse receivers for controlling the steering actuator based on reflected laser pulses received by the first and second laser pulse receivers to guide the vehicle along the predetermined desired path.

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