Method and apparatus for controlling straight line travel of a tracked machine
First Claim
1. A method for automatically controlling straight line travel of a tracked machine having a left track and a right track, including the steps of:
- initiating a straight line travel mode of the tracked machine;
determining an initial heading angle of a heading sensor located on the tracked machine;
sensing a deviation in heading angle from the initial heading angle as the tracked machine travels;
determining a heading angle error in response to the deviation in heading angle; and
adjusting the speed of at least one of the left and right tracks to compensate for the heading angle error.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for controlling straight line travel of a tracked machine having a left track and a right track. The method and apparatus includes initiating a straight line travel mode of the tracked machine, determining an initial heading angle of a heading sensor located on the tracked machine, sensing a deviation in heading angle from the initial heading angle as the tracked machine travels, determining a heading angle error in response to the deviation in heading angle, and adjusting the speed of at least one of the left and right tracks to compensate for the heading angle error.
61 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method for automatically controlling straight line travel of a tracked machine having a left track and a right track, including the steps of:
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initiating a straight line travel mode of the tracked machine;
determining an initial heading angle of a heading sensor located on the tracked machine;
sensing a deviation in heading angle from the initial heading angle as the tracked machine travels;
determining a heading angle error in response to the deviation in heading angle; and
adjusting the speed of at least one of the left and right tracks to compensate for the heading angle error. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. An apparatus for automatically controlling straight line travel of a tracked machine having a left track and a right track, comprising:
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means for initiating a straight line travel mode of the tracked machine;
means for determining an initial heading angle of a heading sensor located on the tracked machine;
means for sensing a deviation in heading angle from the initial heading angle as the tracked machine travels;
means for determining a heading angle error in response to the deviation in heading angle; and
means for adjusting the speed of at least one of the left and right tracks to compensate for the heading angle error. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An apparatus for automatically controlling straight line travel of a tracked machine having a left track and a right track, comprising:
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a steering control mechanism located on the tracked machine for initiating a straight line travel mode in response to being set to a neutral position;
a heading sensor located on the tracked machine for determining an initial heading angle of the tracked machine in response to initiation of the straight line travel mode, and for determining a deviation in heading angle from the initial heading angle as the tracked machine travels; and
a controller located on the tracked machine for determining a heading angle error in response to the deviation in heading angle, and for adjusting the speed of at least one of the left and right tracks to compensate for the heading angle error. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. A method for automatically controlling straight line travel of a tracked machine having a left track and a right track, including the steps of:
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initiating a straight line travel mode of the tracked machine in response to setting a steering control mechanism to a neutral position;
determining an initial heading angle of a compass located on the tracked machine;
sensing a deviation in heading angle from the initial heading angle as the tracked machine travels;
determining a heading angle error in response to the deviation in heading angle;
adjusting the speed of at least one of the left and right tracks to compensate for the heading angle error; and
ending the straight line travel mode of the tracked machine in response to the steering control mechanism being moved out of the neutral position.
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14. An apparatus for automatically controlling straight line travel of a tracked machine having a left track and a right track, comprising:
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a steering control mechanism located on the tracked machine for initiating a straight line travel mode in response to being set to a neutral position, and for ending the straight line travel mode of the tracked machine in response to the steering control mechanism being moved out of the neutral position;
a compass located on the tracked machine for determining an initial heading angle of the tracked machine in response to initiation of the straight line travel mode, and for determining a deviation in heading angle from the initial heading angle as the tracked machine travels; and
a controller located on the tracked machine for determining a heading angle error in response to the deviation in heading angle, and for adjusting the speed of at least one of the left and right tracks to compensate for the heading angle error.
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Specification