Counter-torque rollover prevention architecture
First Claim
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1. A rollover prevention system, comprising:
- a rotational member mounted in association with a vehicle, the rotational member having an axis of rotation in parallel with a heading of the vehicle, the rotational member mounted to enable rotation about the axis in a plane perpendicular to the heading of the vehicle, the rotational member having a mass such that when torque is applied to the rotational member, a counter torque is generated that mitigates a tipping motion of the vehicle;
a drive system mechanically coupled to the rotational member to apply the torque to the rotational member according to a predetermined time duration; and
a control system configured to control the drive system to apply the torque to the rotational member from an idle state of no rotation in response to a threshold triggered by an amount of the tipping motion.
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Abstract
A rollover prevention architecture for a vehicle comprising a reactive force member mounted on the vehicle, the reactive force member controlled to generate a counter torque relative to the direction of sensed tipping or rollover to mitigate the tipping or rollover of the vehicle while the vehicle is moving.
49 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A rollover prevention system, comprising:
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a rotational member mounted in association with a vehicle, the rotational member having an axis of rotation in parallel with a heading of the vehicle, the rotational member mounted to enable rotation about the axis in a plane perpendicular to the heading of the vehicle, the rotational member having a mass such that when torque is applied to the rotational member, a counter torque is generated that mitigates a tipping motion of the vehicle; a drive system mechanically coupled to the rotational member to apply the torque to the rotational member according to a predetermined time duration; and a control system configured to control the drive system to apply the torque to the rotational member from an idle state of no rotation in response to a threshold triggered by an amount of the tipping motion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A rollover prevention system, comprising:
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a flywheel mounted on a transport vehicle, the flywheel having an axis of rotation in parallel with a heading of the transport vehicle, the flywheel rotates in a plane that approximates a direction of a tipping motion of the transport vehicle, the flywheel having a mass commensurate with a loaded weight of the transport vehicle such that when torque is applied to the flywheel, the tipping motion is mitigated; a drive system mechanically coupled to the flywheel to apply the torque to the flywheel according to a predetermined time duration; a sensor system deployed on the transport vehicle and configured to generate data that characterizes at least the tipping motion; and a control system configured to interface to the sensor system and control the drive system, the drive system controlled to apply the torque to the flywheel from an idle state of no rotation in response to an excessive amount of the tipping motion. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A rollover prevention method, comprising:
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mounting a reactive force member to a vehicle, the reactive force member having an axis of rotation in parallel with a heading of the vehicle and a plane of rotation in which the reactive force member rotates, the plane of rotation approximately parallel to a plane defined by lateral motion of the vehicle, the reactive force member having a mass commensurate with weight of the vehicle to cause a change in the lateral motion when the reactive force member is torqued; sensing lateral motion of the vehicle while the vehicle is traveling, the sensed lateral motion deemed excessive relative to a lateral motion threshold, which excessive lateral motion can cause loss of control of the vehicle; applying torque to the reactive force member from an idle state of no rotation for a predetermined time duration in response to the excessive lateral motion; checking for a reduction in the excessive lateral motion based on the applied torque; and recursively applying the torque and checking for the reduction in the excessive lateral motion until the excessive lateral motion is no longer excessive relative to the lateral motion threshold. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification