Hitch system for steering vehicle for train
First Claim
1. A hitch apparatus for connecting a self-propelled trailing vehicle to a self-propelled leading vehicle, and for measuring the position of the trailing vehicle relative to the leading vehicle, the hitch apparatus comprising:
- a first hitch assembly for connecting a rear end of the leading vehicle to a front end of the trailing vehicle, the first hitch assembly including a swivel base mounted on a substantially vertical pivot shaft and a housing, in which the shaft is pivotally mounted, adapted for mounting at the rear end of the leading vehicle;
a first angle sensor connected to and supported by the housing, the first angle sensor being operatively connected to the pivot shaft and capable of measuring a horizontal angle between a centerline of the swivel base extending through the pivot shaft and a longitudinal centerline of the leading vehicle, the first angle sensor capable of transmitting an electrical signal indicative of a measured horizontal angle to a control system;
a second hitch assembly for mounting on the front end of the trailing vehicle, the second hitch assembly including a connecting device mounted on the front end of the trailing vehicle and connectable to the swivel base during use of the apparatus; and
a distance sensor for measuring a variable distance between a preselected point at the front end of said trailing vehicle and the swivel base and transmitting an electrical signal indicative thereof to the control system.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
A hitch apparatus for connecting a self-propelled trailing vehicle to a self-propelled leading vehicle and for measuring their relative positions is described. The hitch apparatus includes: a first hitch assembly for connecting a rear end of the leading vehicle to a front end of the trailing vehicle; a first angle sensor operatively connected to a pivot shaft and capable of measuring a horizontal angle between a centerline of a swivel base extending through a pivot shaft and a longitudinal centerline of the leading vehicle; a second hitch assembly for mounting on the front end of the trailing vehicle, the second hitch assembly including a connecting device mounted on the front end of the trailing vehicle and connectable to the swivel base of the leading vehicle; and a distance sensor for measuring a variable distance between a preselected point at the front end of said trailing vehicle and the swivel base.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A hitch apparatus for connecting a self-propelled trailing vehicle to a self-propelled leading vehicle, and for measuring the position of the trailing vehicle relative to the leading vehicle, the hitch apparatus comprising:
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a first hitch assembly for connecting a rear end of the leading vehicle to a front end of the trailing vehicle, the first hitch assembly including a swivel base mounted on a substantially vertical pivot shaft and a housing, in which the shaft is pivotally mounted, adapted for mounting at the rear end of the leading vehicle; a first angle sensor connected to and supported by the housing, the first angle sensor being operatively connected to the pivot shaft and capable of measuring a horizontal angle between a centerline of the swivel base extending through the pivot shaft and a longitudinal centerline of the leading vehicle, the first angle sensor capable of transmitting an electrical signal indicative of a measured horizontal angle to a control system; a second hitch assembly for mounting on the front end of the trailing vehicle, the second hitch assembly including a connecting device mounted on the front end of the trailing vehicle and connectable to the swivel base during use of the apparatus; and a distance sensor for measuring a variable distance between a preselected point at the front end of said trailing vehicle and the swivel base and transmitting an electrical signal indicative thereof to the control system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A hitch apparatus for connecting a steerable, self-propelled trailing vehicle to a self propelled leading vehicle and for measuring the position of the trailing vehicle relative to the leading vehicle in order to provide details of said position to a control system for positioning the vehicles, said hitch apparatus comprising:
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a first hitch assembly for connecting a rear end of the leading vehicle to a front end of said trailing vehicle, said first hitch assembly including a swivel base mounted on a substantially vertical pivot shaft and a housing, in which said shaft is pivotally mounted, adapted for mounting at said rear end of the leading vehicle; a first angle sensor connected to and supported by said housing, said angle sensor being operatively connected to said pivot shaft and capable of measuring a horizontal angle between a centerline of said swivel base extending through said pivot shaft and a longitudinal centerline of the leading vehicle; a second hitch assembly for mounting on the front end of said trailing vehicle, said second hitch assembly including a horizontally extending swivel bracket having a pivot mechanism for mounting the swivel bracket for pivotal movement about a substantially horizontal axis extending transversely of a longitudinal axis of said trailing vehicle and a connecting device mounted on said swivel bracket and connectable to said swivel base during use of the apparatus, said connecting device being pivotal about a substantially vertical axis; a second angle sensor adapted for mounting on said trailing vehicle, operatively connected to said pivot mechanism and capable of measuring a vertical angular position of said swivel bracket relative to the trailing vehicle and transmitting an electrical signal indicative thereof to the control system; means for measuring a horizontal angular position of said connecting device relative to said trailing vehicle and transmitting an electrical signal indicative of a horizontal intercar angle between longitudinal central axes of the two vehicles to the control system; and means for measuring a variable distance between a preselected point at the front end of said trailing vehicle and said swivel base and transmitting an electrical signal indicative thereof to the control system.
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Specification