Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
701124000 | Determining balance or center of gravity (e.g., load distribution of vehicle) | 83 |
20080208442 | Method for Increasing the Driving Stability of a Vehicle - A method for increasing the driving stability of a vehicle, particularly of a commercial vehicle, which counteracts a vehicle instability by a control intervention in a control system operating the drive and/or the brakes of the vehicle, in which the control intervention occurs as a function of the ratio between the height of the center of gravity of the vehicle and a spring constant of the vehicle suspension. | 08-28-2008 |
20080312812 | SUSPENSION HEIGHT CONTROL ALLOWING FOR DETERMINATION OF VEHICLE CENTER OF GRAVITY - A process for determining a center of gravity of a vehicle having a sprung portion and an unsprung portion on the basis of selective variation of a lateral and a longitudinal orientation of the sprung portion relative to the unsprung portion. | 12-18-2008 |
20080312813 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PREDICTING VEHICLE ROLLOVER USING POSITION TRACKING - A method of predicting vehicle rollover is provided to assist in preventing vehicle rollover. The method contains the steps of: determining a center of gravity of a vehicle; determining an actual lateral acceleration of the vehicle; determining a maximum lateral acceleration of the vehicle; and determining if the actual lateral acceleration is more than a predefined percentage of the maximum lateral acceleration. When the actual lateral acceleration is more than the predefined percentage of the maximum lateral acceleration, a warning is issued to the driver such that preventative measures can be taken to avoid a rollover. | 12-18-2008 |
20090024310 | Device for Estimating the Position of the Center of Gravity of a Vehicle - A device and a method for estimating the position of the center of gravity of a vehicle are described. A sensing device which determines a weightload variable which indicates a weightload, and an evaluation unit which, on the basis of the acquired weightload variable, determines a center of gravity position variable which represents the position of the center of gravity of the vehicle are provided. The sensing device is arranged in the spatial vicinity of an additional load which can be mounted in the roof region of the vehicle, wherein the evaluation unit determines the center of gravity position variable on the basis of the weightload variable which indicates the additional load. | 01-22-2009 |
20090030597 | CONTROL METHOD OF TRAVELING DOLLY - Control method of a traveling dolly, having wheels | 01-29-2009 |
20090088961 | Machine-to-machine communication system for payload control - A method for enhancing payload control is disclosed. The method includes removing material during a plurality of work cycles with at least one loading machine and associating the loading machine relative to at least one haulage machine. The method also includes determining the relative locations of the loading machine and the haulage machine and, during the plurality of work cycles, loading removed material into the haulage machine with the loading machine. The method also includes determining payload and payload distribution within the haulage machine at least before a last work cycle of the plurality of work cycles and communicating to the loading machine, via a machine-to-machine communication system, the amount and position within the haulage machine of additional payload desired in at least the last work cycle of the plurality of work cycles for desired payload and payload distribution. | 04-02-2009 |
20090099762 | Vehicle Control by Pitch Modulation - A method for fore-aft stabilization of a vehicle for motion in a specified direction over an underlying surface. The vehicle has at least one forward wheel and at least one aft wheel, and the forward wheel is characterized by a force normal to the instantaneous direction of motion of the vehicle. A motor actuator drives each aft wheel, and a controller governs the motor actuator or motor actuators in such a manner as to dynamically stabilize the vehicle, according to a uniform control law, when the forward wheel is in contact with the underlying surface or not. A torque is applied to the aft wheel on the basis of vehicle pitch or the force on the forward wheel normal to the direction of motion. Additionally, a periodic rotational modulation may be applied to the aft wheel, and a stabilizing torque provided based on a detected response, either of vehicle pitch or of normal force on the front wheel. Left and right motor actuators may independently control left and right aft wheels to continue turns as governed by user steering, whether or not forward wheels are in contact with the ground. | 04-16-2009 |
20090119000 | Method and Device for Determining Mass-Related Variables of a Vehicle - A method for determining mass-related variables of a vehicle is described. Spring compression travel values (L | 05-07-2009 |
20090138191 | TECHNIQUE FOR DETECTING SHIFTED CARGO - A technique for determining shifted cargo on a vehicle is described. A method realisation of this technique comprises the steps of acquiring data from a positional sensor and determining a change in a balance of loads upon wheels of the vehicle. Shifted cargo is determined if the change in load balance does not correspond to the positional data. Furthermore, a device and system suited for carrying out the method are provided. | 05-28-2009 |
20090204318 | METHOD FOR CHECKING THE PLAUSIBILITY OF AN ASCERTAINED VEHICLE MASS - In a method for detecting the loading state of a motor vehicle, first wheel loads of all wheels are ascertained in the absence of cornering, second wheel loads of at least the rear wheel which is on the inside of the curve and of the front wheel which is on the inside of the curve are ascertained when cornering, and information relating to the loading state of the motor vehicle is ascertained on the basis of the first and second wheel loads of the wheels which are on the inside of the curve. | 08-13-2009 |
20090319165 | AIRCRAFT LOAD MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR INTERIOR LOADS - An aircraft load management system determines a cargo through a wireless communication system to rapidly position the cargo. RFID emitter tags on each piece of cargo are triangulated relative to an aircraft internal cargo bay. Real time cargo position information is displayed to facilitate direction of drivers, loadmasters and aircrew. Cargo data is also relayed to onboard systems for mission planning, and for communication to a global information network to prioritize cargo delivery and dynamic mission re-planning. Even prior to onloading, cargo data is wirelessly communicated to the load management system to automatically plan the cargo load sequence. The load management system also autonomously loads remote controlled ground vehicles and equipment through communication therewith. | 12-24-2009 |
20100017106 | Vehicle - Enabled is to lighten the load on a rider and to make the rider senses a turning state at the turning time of a transverse two-wheeled vehicle. A transverse acceleration (a) at a turn controlling time is detected to make a next inclination control in accordance with the magnitude of the acceleration. (a) In the case of an acceleration (a)≦a predetermined threshold (a | 01-21-2010 |
20100017107 | TRAVELING VEHICLE - A traveling vehicle ( | 01-21-2010 |
20100023248 | TWO-WHEELED VEHICLE CONTROL APPARATUS AND TWO-WHEELED VEHICLE CONTROL METHOD - The present invention aims to provide a parallel two-wheeled vehicle in which a rider can ride in safety without executing a predetermined procedure in boarding. A parallel two-wheeled vehicle control apparatus according to the present invention includes a drive unit that drives two wheels arranged on the same axis line in parallel, a rider detection unit that detects a state of a rider on a riding part that is connected to the wheels, a vehicle detection unit that detects a posture of a vehicle body, and a control unit that generates a control command to the drive unit and performs initial control to optimize transition of control from boarding to normal operation based on the detection result by the vehicle detection unit upon detection by the rider detection unit that the rider rides on the riding part while satisfying a certain riding condition. | 01-28-2010 |
20100036597 | Method and device for estimating the height of the center of gravity of a vehicle - In a method for estimating the height of the center of gravity of a vehicle, a lateral acceleration is determined. Predefined first and second driving situation are detected at a first time as a function of a determined roll rate or of a determined roll angle and at a second time as a function of the roll rate or of the roll angle. In a time period delimited by the first and second times, a differential angle by which a vehicle body tilts during the time period is determined. Also determined are an angular speed: formula and an angular acceleration: formula of the vehicle tilting movement in the time period. A height of the center of gravity of the vehicle is estimated on the basis of an equation of motion as a function of the lateral acceleration, of the differential angle, of the angular speed: formula and of the angular acceleration: formula. | 02-11-2010 |
20100063718 | Aircraft center of gravity automatic calculating system - This invention describes the system and the means for continuous monitoring of center of gravity and total weight of an airplane at rest on the ground. Information from strain gauge transducers located on structural members for the nose wheel and main landing gear is communicated to a computer where calculations are made and data is transmitted to gauges in the airplane cockpit. Range limits for the airplane center of gravity with respect to the center of lift, and also the total airplane weight overload limit are clearly indicated on the respective gauges. This invention makes possible the proper loading of an airplane, which makes for efficient trimming to save fuel. This invention also guarantees proper weight distribution in the airplane consistent with the center of lift and center of gravity limits. This is a huge safety factor for airplane passengers, flight crew, and the public. | 03-11-2010 |
20100063719 | VEHICLE - The disclosed vehicle has posture control of an inverted pendulum which provides good riding comfort. | 03-11-2010 |
20100076673 | LOAD-SENSING SYSTEMS FOR LIGHT-DUTY TRUCKS - Systems are provided to avoid overloading a truck's bed and/or overloading a truck's towing capacity. Systems are also provided to detect and alert drivers of unbalanced loads. | 03-25-2010 |
20100114468 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROL OF A VEHICLE - An apparatus and method for transporting a payload over a surface is provided. A vehicle supports a payload with a support partially enclosed by an enclosure. Two laterally disposed ground-contacting elements are coupled to at least one of the enclosure or support. A motorized drive is coupled to the ground-contacting elements. A controller coupled to the drive governs the operation of the drive at least in response to the position of the center of gravity of the vehicle to dynamically control balancing of the vehicle. | 05-06-2010 |
20100121560 | LOW COST AIRCRAFT CENTER OF GRAVITY MONITORING SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Systems and methods for determining center of gravity for an aircraft. An example system includes one or more load measurement devices that generate one of nose gear or main gear weight information and a processing device that determines center of gravity of the aircraft based on previously received gross weight information and the generated nose or main gear weight information. The number of gear sets with load measurement devices is one less that the total number of gear sets having distinct longitudinal positions along a fuselage of the aircraft. The processing device further determines center of gravity based on temperature and/or pitch attitude information. The system includes a user interface that allows a user to enter the gross weight information that might be included in a flight manifest or a load and trim sheet and/or a communication component that receives the gross weight information from a ground-based system. | 05-13-2010 |
20100131182 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MEASURING WEIGHT AND WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION OF A PAYLOAD - Described herein is a method for measuring a weight and location of a payload in a carrying means coupled to a vehicle. The method including sensing the weight of the payload with at least one sensor, sensing the location of the payload with the at least one sensor, generating a location of the payload with respect to one or more axles rotatably supporting the carrying means, determining whether the weight of the payload is below a maximum weight threshold, determining whether the location of the payload is below a maximum distribution threshold with respect to the one or more axles, and presenting results to a user. | 05-27-2010 |
20100161206 | TRAVELING VEHICLE - A traveling vehicle | 06-24-2010 |
20100168993 | VEHICLE - The disclosed vehicle includes:
| 07-01-2010 |
20100174476 | INVERTED WHEEL TYPE MOVING BODY AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME - An inverted wheel type moving body according to the present invention includes a right chassis | 07-08-2010 |
20100179749 | INVERTED TYPE MOVING BODY AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING SAME - To provide an inverted type moving body capable of continuing the inversion control with stability even when abnormality occurs in the inversion control while the moving body is moving, and a method of controlling the inverted type moving body. In an inverted type moving body including a rotational body having a circular cross section, a driving portion that rotationally drives the rotational body, a main body that supports the rotational body, and a control portion that maintains the inverted state of the main body by controlling the driving portion such that the rotational driving of the rotational body touching a floor surface is controlled, the control portion multiplies a signal obtained based on the inclined state of the main body by a predefined gain to calculate the driving amount of the rotational body for maintaining the inverted state, and reduces the gain when the inverted state of the main body is determined to be abnormal. | 07-15-2010 |
20100198491 | AUTONOMIC VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEM - A vehicle safety system is disclosed that monitors vehicle surroundings, operational conditions, etc., in order to identify potential safety concerns or hazardous operational conditions. In doing so, the vehicle safety system collects data from one or more sources, such as sources that generate data from the vehicle itself (e.g., internal sensors), sources that generate data from the surroundings of the vehicle (e.g., external sensors), and sources that receive data from local or remote locations with respect to the host vehicle (e.g., a satellite, telematics, cellular, short or long range RF, etc., data acquisition unit). In response to data collected by components of the system, the system may use a hierarchical system to address the potential hazardous conditions or safety concerns. | 08-05-2010 |
20100198492 | Center-of-Gravity Detection System, Lateral Rollover Limit Velocity Estimation System, and Cargo Weight Estimation System - A center-of-gravity detection system includes a vehicle capable of carrying cargo and adapted to be towed by a towing vehicle, a shake detector configured to detect shakes in the directions of the self-weight and width of the towed vehicle during travel of the towed vehicle, and an arithmetic unit. The arithmetic unit is configured to derive, based upon physical quantities that correlate with the shakes, the location of the center of gravity, in three-dimensional space, of the towed vehicle. | 08-05-2010 |
20100198493 | CAR, WALKING APPARATUS, AND METHOD OF DETERMING SHAPE OF WHEEL - A car having a rotatable wheel, the car being able to run by rotating the wheel, the car having a leg used by the car for walking, and an attitude stabilization section for stabilizing an attitude of the car. | 08-05-2010 |
20100222993 | System and method for improved rotary-wing aircraft performance with interior/external loads - An interactive aircraft load management system automates calculation and provides simulation capability to changes in an aircraft C.G. limit for display on a three-dimensional aircraft symbology. The aircraft load management system also communicates with a fly by wire (FBW) flight control system wherein the aircraft's control system is programmed to automatically compensate for C.G. excursions and to alter control laws. The aircraft load management system also selectively reels-in and reels out sling lines as the aircraft pitches and rolls to maintain a load vector from a slung load along the aircraft centerline. Load vector travel is accomplished by coupling a winch control system into the flight control system. | 09-02-2010 |
20100222994 | Enhanced Control of a Transporter - A transporter that includes a platform for supporting a load and at least one primary ground-contacting element. The transporter includes an actuator for applying torque to the at least one primary ground-contacting element for propelling the transporter with respect to a surface. The transporter also includes a controller for controlling the actuator, the controller includes an input for receiving specification by a user of a desired direction of travel based on a position of a member with respect to a fiducial axis, a differentiator for calculating a rate of change of the position of the member with respect to the fiducial axis, and a processor for generating a yaw command signal based at least on the position of the member and the rate of change of the position of the member which is weighted based on the level of experience of the user. | 09-02-2010 |
20100268446 | TRAVELING DEVICE AND ITS CONTROL METHOD - A traveling device | 10-21-2010 |
20100280745 | VEHICLE - When a vehicle is stationary on a slope, the vehicle is allowed to remain stably stationary without consuming much energy by controlling the attitude of a vehicle body by moving an active weight portion with no torque applied to a drive wheel by actuating a braking device to stop rotation of the drive wheel. To this end, a vehicle includes: a drive wheel rotatably attached to a vehicle body; an active weight portion attached so as to be movable relative to the vehicle body; and a vehicle control device that controls an attitude of the vehicle body by controlling at least one of a drive torque applied to the drive wheel and a position of the active weight portion. The vehicle control device controls the attitude of the vehicle body by controlling only the position of the active weight portion when the vehicle is stationary on a slope. | 11-04-2010 |
20100305840 | VEHICLE - When a vehicle climbs up/down a step, driving torque suitable for the step climbing operation is applied to a driving wheel, and the center of gravity of a vehicle body is moved in an upward direction of the step. Thus, a stable traveling state and stable posture of the vehicle body can be maintained both when climbing up a step and when climbing down a step, whereby an occupant can operate the vehicle safely and comfortably even on a place having steps. In view of this, the vehicle includes: a vehicle body; a driving wheel rotatably attached to the vehicle body; and a vehicle control apparatus for controlling driving torque that is applied to the driving wheel and controlling posture of the vehicle body. When climbing up/down a step on a road, the vehicle control apparatus controls a position of center of gravity of the vehicle body in accordance with the step. | 12-02-2010 |
20100305841 | TRAVELING APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR, AND CONTROL PROGRAM - Provided is a traveling apparatus which performs desired traveling under an inverted pendulum control. The traveling apparatus includes: a ground contact member that operates to come into a ground-contact state or a non-ground-contact state with respect to a road surface; a drive portion that drives the ground contact member; a control portion that controls the drive portion; an abnormality degree calculation portion that calculates a degree of abnormality of a traveling state; and an upper bound calculation portion that changes an upper bound of a distance between the ground contact member and the road surface according to the degree of abnormality of the traveling state calculated by the abnormality degree calculation portion. The control portion controls driving of the drive portion so that the distance between the ground contact member and the road surface is smaller than or equal to the upper bound calculated by the upper bound calculation portion. | 12-02-2010 |
20100324808 | MOTORISED VEHICLE WITH CONTROLLED INCLINATION - The motor vehicle of the invention is provided with at least three wheels and includes a driving cab capable of accommodating a single person in the width direction. The motor vehicle comprises a bend-balancing means that acts by the inclination of at least the portion of the chassis that bears the driving cab. According to the invention, the vehicle is also provided with speed, acceleration and/or inclination sensors, and the balancing means are automatically controlled when the information supplied by the sensors is lower than a main predetermined threshold. The invention also provides that the automatic control of the balancing means is deactivated when the information provided by the sensors is higher than said main threshold. | 12-23-2010 |
20110060518 | TRAVELING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR - A traveling apparatus performs an inverted pendulum control to maintain an inverted state of a vehicle body and travels with a passenger thereon. The traveling apparatus includes a drive portion that drives the vehicle body; a riding detection portion that detects a start of riding on the vehicle body by the passenger; a command generation portion that generates a torque command value to perform the inverted pendulum control and a position control to move the vehicle body to a position that facilitates the riding, when the start of riding is detected by the riding detection portion; and a control portion that controls the drive portion based on the torque command value generated by the command generation portion. | 03-10-2011 |
20110071751 | SYSTEMS AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING PROPELLANT MASS AND CENTER OF GRAVITY FOR A SPACE-BASED ASSET - A system for determining a propellant content and a center of gravity in a three-axis stabilized spacecraft includes a ranging device that is coupled to an interior of a propellant tank of the spacecraft. The ranging device is configured to receive a ranging echo to facilitate determining a location of a membrane within the propellant tank. | 03-24-2011 |
20110071752 | INVERTED PENDULUM TYPE MOVING BODY - An inverted pendulum type moving body moving over a floor surface in a self standing manner, the inverted pendulum type moving body comprising: an information acquisition unit obtaining a state information indicating a current state of an another moving body; and a movement control unit controlling a movement of a self moving body, based on the state information, so that a state of the self moving body with respect to the current state of the another moving body satisfies a predetermined condition established so that the self moving body and the another moving body moves in alignment. | 03-24-2011 |
20110087424 | Onboard Aircraft Weight and Balance System - An onboard system and method for determining the instantaneous weight and balance of an aircraft simply, reliably, accurately, and requiring a minimum amount of calibration includes a memory for storing previously determined breakout friction data of the aircraft's landing gear shock struts, sensors for sensing the pressures in the struts, the vertical loads exerted by the landing gear on the aircraft, and the attitude of the aircraft relative to the horizontal during loading or unloading thereof, and a computer for computing the vertical load in each of the landing gears from the stored calibration breakout friction data and the shock strut pressures, landing gear vertical loads and aircraft attitude sensed during the loading or unloading. The computer then computes the gross weight of the aircraft and the location of its center of gravity (CG) using the computed vertical loads in the landing gears. | 04-14-2011 |
20110118968 | OMNIDIRECTIONAL VEHICLE - According to a vehicle | 05-19-2011 |
20110191013 | Monowheel Type Vehicle - An engine-propelled monowheel vehicle comprises two wheels, close together, that circumscribe the remainder of the vehicle. When the vehicle is moving forward, the closely spaced wheels act as a single wheel, and the vehicle turns by leaning the wheels. A single propulsion system provides a drive torque that is shared by the two wheels. A separate steering torque, provided by a steering motor, is added to one wheel while being subtracted from the other wheel, enabling the wheels to rotate in opposite directions for turning the vehicle at zero forward velocity. The vehicle employs attitude sensors, for sensing roll, pitch, and yaw, and an automatic balancing system. A flywheel in the vehicle spins at a high rate around a spin axis, wherein the spin axis is rotatable with respect to the vehicle's frame. The axis angle and flywheel spin speed are continually adjustable to generate torques for automatic balancing. | 08-04-2011 |
20110224895 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DETERMINING A CENTER OF GRAVITY OF A MOTOR VEHICLE - A method and an apparatus for determining a center of gravity of a motor vehicle are described. In said method and apparatus, for at least one wheel of the motor vehicle, two different drive force values representing a drive force are determined. In addition, longitudinal acceleration values associated with the determined drive force values, and wheel slip values associated with the determined drive force values, are determined. As a function of the drive force values, the associated longitudinal acceleration values and the associated wheel slip values that are determined, coordinates of the center of gravity of the vehicle are determined. | 09-15-2011 |
20110231085 | ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEM FOR GYROSCOPIC STABILIZED VEHICLE - Embodiments of the invention describe receiving vehicle information data from a plurality of sensors. Said vehicle information data may indicate at least orientation of a frame of a vehicle, orientation of a front wheel of the vehicle with respect to the frame, orientation and rotational speed of a flywheel included in a gyroscope coupled to the frame, and speed of frame. | 09-22-2011 |
20110257876 | VEHICLE CONDITION ESTIMATING DEVICE - There is provided a vehicle condition estimating device which enables the estimations of the longitudinal position of a vehicle centroid, loads exerted on front and rear wheel axles and cornering powers even during the running of a vehicle without detecting directly the loads exerted on front and rear wheel axles. The inventive device is characterized by estimating a centroid position in the longitudinal direction of a vehicle based on a vehicle weight value, a stability factor value, a relation between a front wheel axle load and a front wheel cornering power and a relation between a rear wheel axle load and a rear wheel cornering power. | 10-20-2011 |
20120046856 | VEHICLE - When measurements by sensors are impossible, the angular position of the vehicle is estimated from the conditions including rotation of the drive wheel and the driving torque so that the vehicle may travel in an inverted-pendulum position even in case of a failure of measurements of the vehicular position of angle. To achieve the object, the vehicle has a drive wheel rotatably mounted beneath a vehicular body, and a control unit that controls the vehicular position of angle through control of drive torque imparted to the drive wheel. The control unit has a means to estimate the vehicular angular position with respect to a vertical position from the conditions of rotation of the drive wheel and the driving torque. | 02-23-2012 |
20120072099 | ELECTROMECHANICAL STABILIZATION OF IN-LINE WHEELED VEHICLES - A system and method to enhance stability of in-line wheeled vehicles throughout an entire range of vehicle motions that utilizes a stability control that is user controlled to adjust the amount of stability control that is in place at any given time. A electromechanical gyroscopic stabilization device assists in maintaining an appropriate attack angle of the in-line wheeled vehicle while approaching and during non-linear maneuvers. | 03-22-2012 |
20120116660 | WEIGHING SYSTEM AND METHODS OF OPERATING SUCH WEIGHING SYSTEM - A weighing system for detecting total weight, including optional external loads, and monitoring of center of gravity of a helicopter ( | 05-10-2012 |
20120136563 | VEHICLE CONTROL DEVICE - In a vehicle control device capable of sufficiently exhibiting the effect of vehicle control, a selection section selects a value greater than an intermediate value of a vehicle weight in a range restricted by a range restriction unit as the value of the vehicle weight and selects a value greater than an intermediate value of the height of the center of gravity in the range as the value of the height of the center of gravity. For stability, the greater the height of the center of gravity of the vehicle is, the stricter the conditions that are imposed. For fuel consumption, the greater the vehicle weight is, the stricter the conditions that are imposed. The selection section selects the values which become conditions stricter than at least an intermediate value in the range restricted by the range restriction section and the range restriction section restricts the range. | 05-31-2012 |
20120143485 | AIRCRAFT TAKEOFF WEIGHT CALCULATING METHOD AND SYSTEM - A method of calculating the takeoff weight of an aircraft, characterized by including the steps of: recording a first and second value of a first quantity associated with the weight of the aircraft at least a first and second instant, in which the aircraft is in horizontal flight at constant height; and calculating the takeoff weight of the aircraft on the basis of the first and second value. | 06-07-2012 |
20120158279 | Equipment Performance Monitoring System and Method - Methods and systems are disclosed for evaluating performances of a piece of equipment and equipment operator. One disclosed method includes sensing a plurality of operating parameters of the equipment. The method then includes resolving a plurality of segments the equipment is sequentially performing from the sensed operating parameters to provide a sequence of resolved segments. The method then includes resolving what application the equipment is performing based upon the sequence of resolved segments to provide at least one resolved application. The method then includes applying at least one metric to the resolved application to provide at least one applied application metric. Then, the method includes evaluating the performance of the equipment and operator using the applied application metric. Various systems for installation on existing work equipments or new work equipments such as loaders and excavators are also disclosed. | 06-21-2012 |
20120173133 | METHOD FOR ESTIMATING THE HEIGHT OF THE GRAVITY CENTER OF A VEHICLE - A method is provided for estimating the height of the gravity center of a vehicle having at least a front axle and a rear axle each carrying at least two wheels. The method includes determining a first braking period and a second braking period occurring along road portions having substantially the same slope, but where the first and second braking periods result in different vehicle decelerations, and during both braking periods, estimating at least the following variables: vehicle acceleration; the wheel slippage rate for the front and rear axles; the braking forces or braking torque at each of the front and rear axles, or a ratio thereof; and the slope of the corresponding road portion. The method also includes estimating, using only the foregoing estimations made during both periods, the vehicle center of gravity height. | 07-05-2012 |
20120209502 | WEIGHT-BASED STABILITY DETECTION SYSTEM - A stability detection system is provided for detecting the stability of an articulated vehicle. The stability detection system may include a weigh system configured to measure the weight distribution of the vehicle. A controller may provide a warning when the detected weight distribution exceeds a threshold. | 08-16-2012 |
20120209503 | METHOD FOR INITIALIZING THE MASS OF A MOTOR VEHICLE - A method of initializing the mass of a motor vehicle after a restart, for controlling a starting process of the motor vehicle a from a standstill. During operation of the motor vehicle, its mass is computed and the determined mass values are stored and, from the stored mass values, a vehicle-specific maximum mass value and/or a vehicle-specific minimum mass value is determined. The vehicle-specific maximum mass value and/or the vehicle-specific minimum mass value, determined in this manner, is subsequently used for initializing the mass of the motor vehicle after restarting the vehicle. | 08-16-2012 |
20120221235 | METHOD OF OPTIMIZING THE LOADING OF LOADS IN A VEHICLE - A method of determining the locations of loads in a vehicle in such a manner as to ensure mission safety in terms of loads being retained in the aircraft. On the basis of vehicle parameters, the anchor points available in this type of vehicle for retaining the loads are identified. As a function of the available loading volume(s), a possible loading configuration is calculated using at least some of the available anchor points, at least some of the retaining means, and the characteristics of the loads. The forces that might be exerted on the selected anchor points are verified as being less than maximum limits. The calculated loading configuration is confirmed, otherwise a new loading configuration is calculated. | 08-30-2012 |
20120239284 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROL OF A VEHICLE - An apparatus and method for transporting a payload over a surface is provided. A vehicle supports a payload with a support partially enclosed by an enclosure. Two laterally disposed ground-contacting elements are coupled to at least one of the enclosure or support. A motorized drive is coupled to the ground-contacting elements. A controller coupled to the drive governs the operation of the drive at least in response to the position of the center of gravity of the vehicle to dynamically control balancing of the vehicle. | 09-20-2012 |
20120253651 | Stowage and Center of Gravity Verification and Assessment Tool - A stowage and center of gravity verification and assessment tool which assists users in locating items within an environment, determining the center of gravity of the environment, and calculating item location changes that facilitate altering the center of gravity. Each item to be tracked within the environment is equipped with one or more remotely pollable identifiers, such as, without limitation, barcodes, or RFID or ultrasonic tags, and the system stores the mass of each item. As items are moved in the environment, the system tracks the impact of such movement on the environment's center of gravity and recommends item location changes. The system can also assist users in locating items within the environment, provide access to detailed information about individual items, and assist with task scheduling. | 10-04-2012 |
20120253652 | Method and System for Detecting Forces on Aircraft - A system for sensing a force applied to an aircraft includes a first sensor, a second sensor, and a processor operative to define a first velocity vector as a function of a first velocity due to a rotation motion of the aircraft, define a second velocity vector as a function of a second velocity due to the rotation motion of the aircraft, define an instant axis of rotation of the aircraft as a function of the first velocity vector and the second velocity vector, determine whether a force has been exerted on a first portion of the aircraft, and output an indication that a force has been exerted on the first portion of the aircraft responsive to determining that the force has been exerted on the first portion of the aircraft. | 10-04-2012 |
20120259536 | CONTINUOUS COMPUTATION OF CENTER OF GRAVITY OF A VEHICLE - Systems and methods for computing the center of gravity of a vehicle. One method includes determining a first, second, and third acceleration of the vehicle along an x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis; determining a first, second, and third angular rate of the vehicle along the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis; determining a total force acting on the vehicle; and determining an estimated mass of the vehicle. The method also includes computing a center of gravity of the vehicle based on the first acceleration, the second acceleration, the third acceleration, the first angular rate, the second angular rate, the third angular rate, the total force acting on the vehicle, and the estimated mass. | 10-11-2012 |
20130041577 | TILT SENSOR AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE TILT OF A VEHICLE - A tilt sensor and method comprises a first accelerometer for measuring a first acceleration level associated with a first axis of the vehicle. A second accelerometer measures a second acceleration level associated with a second axis of the vehicle that is generally perpendicular to the first axis. A data processor is capable of determining an arcsine-derived tilt based on an arcsine equation and the determined first acceleration level. The data processor is capable of determining an arc-cosine-derived tilt based on an arccosine equation and the determined second acceleration level. The data processor comprises a selector for selecting the arcsine-derived tilt as the final tilt of the vehicle if the determined arcsine-derived tilt is lesser than the determined arccosine derived tilt such that the final tilt compensates for vertical acceleration associated with changes in the terrain in the direction of travel of the vehicle. | 02-14-2013 |
20130054126 | Two-Wheeled Vehicle - Two-wheeled vehicle ( | 02-28-2013 |
20130110389 | Automatic Leveling Control | 05-02-2013 |
20130197792 | Determination of the center of gravity - A device for determining the actual center of gravity of a vehicle, having a control command input interface, a movement modeling unit, a sensor interface, and a computation unit. The control command input interface determines control command inputs for controlling the movement of the vehicle. The movement modeling unit calculates reference acceleration data at a model reference point of the vehicle on the basis of movements of the vehicle, which are derived from a vehicle movement model, with respect to the control command inputs. The sensor interface determines sensor acceleration data which are measured at a sensor reference point of the vehicle and relate to the vehicle's actual movements resulting from the command inputs. The computation unit determines the actual center of gravity of the vehicle on the basis of an assumed center of gravity and the difference between the reference acceleration data and the sensor acceleration data. | 08-01-2013 |
20130238231 | Two-Wheel, Self-Balancing Vehicle With Independently Movable Foot Placement Sections - A two-wheel, self-balancing personal vehicle having independently movable foot placement sections. The foot placement sections have an associated wheel, sensor and motor and are independently self-balancing which gives the user independent control over the movement of each platform section by the magnitude and direction of tilt a user induces in a given platform section. Various embodiments are disclosed including those with a continuous housing, discrete platform sections and/or tapering platform sections. | 09-12-2013 |
20130253814 | System and Method for Gauging Safe Towing Parameters - A system for determining the tongue weight and total weight of a towed vehicle and other parameters includes a drawbar transducer in one embodiment, a receiver hitch transducer in another embodiment, and a trailer tongue transducer in a further embodiment. Strain gauges are strategically located on the transducer and information regarding the towed vehicle are sent to a display. In one embodiment, a portable display unit, smartphone or the like has a receiver for receiving transmitted data from the transducer reflective of the towed vehicle measured and calculated parameter so that a user can view the tongue weight in practically real time as well as other parameters relating to loading and towing. In this manner, the user can adjust the contents of the towed vehicle to achieve proper tongue weight without the necessity of going back and forth between the trailer and the transducer. A method is also disclosed for determining a safe towing condition based on the trailer tongue weight, trailer pulling force, acceleration during towing, calculated trailer weight, and other factors. | 09-26-2013 |
20130338911 | Vehicle Load and Tracking Device - The vehicle load and tracking device features at least a pair of airbags selectively installed on a rear suspension of an existing vehicle to be monitored, a sensor included with each airbag, the sensor configured to detect a load change information of the airbag, a transceiver, the transceiver in receipt of the load change information from the sensors, the transceiver further having a mounting provision, an audio output, a memory, the transceiver receiving the load change information, noting a time of load change information, and audibly outputting the load change information, a GPS unit in communication with the transceiver, a display within the GPS unit, whereby the GPS display receives and displays the load change information, a plurality of times of load change information, and a location and progress of the existing vehicle. | 12-19-2013 |
20140100768 | METHODS FOR ROBOTIC SELF-RIGHTING - Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods of autonomously self-righting a maneuverable robot. In one embodiment, an autonomous method for self-righting a maneuverable robot to affect recovery from an overturned state to its nominal upright configuration may include: defining a convex hull and center of mass of each link of the robot; determining the convex hull and overall robot center of mass for each joint configuration of the robot; analyzing each convex hull face to determine its stability or instability; grouping continuously stable orientations of the robot and joint configurations together defining nodes and transitions there between; assigning a cost to transitions between nodes; computing an overall cost for each potential set of transition costs resulting in achievement of the goal; and determining a sequence of one or more actions to self-right the robot such that the sequence of actions minimizes the overall cost of self-righting the robot. | 04-10-2014 |
20140114558 | VEHICLE WEIGHT AND CENTER OF GRAVITY ESTIMATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A load estimation system and method for estimating vehicle load includes a tire rotation counter for generating a rotation count from rotation of a tire; apparatus for measuring distance travelled by the vehicle; an effective radius calculator for calculating effective radius of the tire from the distance travelled and the rotation count; and a load estimation calculator for calculating the load carried by the vehicle tire from the effective radius of the tire. A center of gravity height estimation may be made from an estimated total load carried by the tires supporting the vehicle pursuant to an estimation of effective radius for each tire and a calculated load carried by each tire from respective effective radii. | 04-24-2014 |
20140114559 | Inverted Pendulum Type Moving Body Having Velocity Planning Device - The present invention provides an inverted pendulum-type moving body having a pair of wheels suspended from the moving body, using a floor as a traveling plane, and is provided on the same plane vertical to its travelling direction, a driving mechanism for rotating these wheels, posture measurement means for measuring an inclination angular velocity of its upper body that a straight line connecting a center-of-gravity position of a body of the moving body and an axle of the one pair of wheels makes with a vertical direction, and a mechanism control part for maintaining an inverted state of the moving body by controlling the driving mechanism, by having a velocity planning device for performing a movement plan so that the upper body angular velocity and the upper body angle may be in a relationship of quadratic function when a velocity change is needed. | 04-24-2014 |
20140163855 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROL OF A VEHICLE - An apparatus and method for transporting a payload over a surface is provided. A vehicle supports a payload with a support partially enclosed by an enclosure. Two laterally disposed ground-contacting elements are coupled to at least one of the enclosure or support. A motorized drive is coupled to the ground-contacting elements. A controller coupled to the drive governs the operation of the drive at least in response to the position of the center of gravity of the vehicle to dynamically control balancing of the vehicle. | 06-12-2014 |
20140172286 | MOTORISED VEHICLE WITH CONTROLLED INCLINATION - The motor vehicle of the invention is provided with at least three wheels and includes a driving cab capable of accommodating a single person in the width direction. The motor vehicle comprises a bend-balancing means that acts by the inclination of at least the portion of the chassis that bears the driving cab. According to the invention, the vehicle is also provided with speed, acceleration and/or inclination sensors, and the balancing means are automatically controlled when the information supplied by the sensors is lower than a main predetermined threshold. The invention also provides that the automatic control of the balancing means is deactivated when the information provided by the sensors is higher than said main threshold. | 06-19-2014 |
20140222325 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO ASSESS AND REPORT THE HEALTH OF LANDING GEAR RELATED COMPONENTS - The different advantageous embodiments provide an apparatus comprising a number of landing gear components for a vehicle, a number of systems, and a number of processor units. The number of systems is configured to generate data about the number of landing gear components and the vehicle. The number of processor units is configured to monitor the data and manage health of the number of landing gear components. | 08-07-2014 |
20140278040 | VEHICLE DYNAMIC LOAD ESTIMATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A dynamic load estimation system and method is provided, the system including a tire supporting a vehicle; a vehicle-mounted acceleration sensor for determining a vehicle lateral acceleration and a vehicle longitudinal acceleration; a roll angle calculating model for determining a vehicle roll angle; a roll rate calculating model for determining a vehicle roll rate; a static normal load calculation model for calculating a measured static normal load; and a dynamic tire load estimation model for calculating an estimated dynamic load on the tire from the measured static normal load, the vehicle roll angle, the vehicle roll rate, the vehicle lateral acceleration and the vehicle longitudinal acceleration. | 09-18-2014 |
20140278041 | METHOD TO DETERMINE VEHICLE WEIGHT - A system is provided for determining the current weight of a vehicle and any implement or trailer being towed or carried thereby. The system has an electronic control unit and means to determine the current value of vehicle operating parameters indicative of the current wheel output torque and acceleration of the vehicle. These current parameter values are forwarded to the electronic control unit so that the unit can calculate the current vehicle weight from a predetermined relationship involving wheel output torque, vehicle acceleration and other known current operating parameters of the vehicle. The other known current operating parameters of the vehicle are wheel rolling radius, angle of inclination of the vehicle, gravitational acceleration and rolling resistance of the wheels. When the vehicle includes a hydrostatic mechanical CVT which has a hydraulic drive circuit in which a hydraulic pump supplies pressurised fluid to a hydraulic motor, the level of pressure in the drive circuit provides an indication of the current wheel output torque. | 09-18-2014 |
20140330507 | METHOD OF ESTIMATING MOUNTING ANGLE ERROR OF GYROSCOPES BY USING A TURNING DEVICE, AND CORRESPONDING TURNING DEVICE - Bias values of pitch axis and roll axis angular velocity sensors in a stationary state where a reference yaw axis of a two-wheeled inverted pendulum vehicle body is stationary in parallel with a vertical direction are acquired. Bias values of the pitch axis and roll axis angular velocity sensors in a turning state where a two-wheeled inverted pendulum vehicle is turned at a predetermined turning angular velocity in a state where the reference yaw axis of the two-wheeled inverted pendulum vehicle body remains parallel to the vertical direction are acquired. Mounting angle errors of the pitch axis and roll axis angular velocity sensors with respect to the two-wheeled inverted pendulum vehicle body are estimated on the basis of the bias values of the sensors in the stationary state, the bias values of the sensors in the turning state and the predetermined turning angular velocity. | 11-06-2014 |
20150039216 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE AXLE LOAD OF A VEHICLE - Disclosed is a method for determining the axle load of a vehicle ( | 02-05-2015 |
20150100227 | METHOD FOR EXPANDING AIRCRAFT CENTER OF GRAVITY LIMITATIONS - A method which creates a justification basis to expand an aircraft's Center of Gravity limitations, which are established by the aircraft designer; relating to aircraft landing gear strength assumptions. Strut load sensors such as pressure sensors are mounted in relation to each of the landing gear struts to monitor, measure and record aircraft landing gear strut compression loads. A history of measured landing gear load values is compiled and related to any assumed landing gear loads, which define the life-cycle limit of the landing gear, allowing relief from existing aircraft Center of Gravity limitation caused by landing gear strength assumptions to further expanded CG limitations beyond current limits, based on measured landing gear loads. | 04-09-2015 |
20150127246 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETECTING STATE OF A TWO-WHEEL BALANCE VEHICLE - A method and a system for detecting the state of a two-wheel balance vehicle are provided. The method comprises the following steps: S | 05-07-2015 |
20150323376 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SETTING FRONT AXLE LOAD RESTORATION - A system for setting front axle load restoration for a load distributing trailer hitch that is used to hitch a trailer to a motor vehicle may include at least one sensor associated with a wheel of the motor vehicle. The system may further include at least one controller configured to receive signals from the at least one sensor to estimate one or more corner weights of the motor vehicle based on the signals. The at least one controller may be configured to calculate a load restoration that is required at a front axle of the motor vehicle to achieve a recommended load restoration based on the one or more estimated corner weights. | 11-12-2015 |
20160041558 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROL OF A VEHICLE - An apparatus and method for transporting a payload over a surface is provided. A vehicle supports a payload with a support partially enclosed by an enclosure. Two laterally disposed ground-contacting elements are coupled to at least one of the enclosure or support. A motorized drive is coupled to the ground-contacting elements. A controller coupled to the drive governs the operation of the drive at least in response to the position of the center of gravity of the vehicle to dynamically control balancing of the vehicle. | 02-11-2016 |
20160121903 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DETERMINING THE MASS OF A MOTOR VEHICLE, AND A MOTOR VEHICLE WITH A DEVICE OF THIS TYPE - A method for determining the mass m of a motor vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, is based on the principles of power mechanics. In order to determine the vehicle mass in a simple way as accurately as possible while driving, a speed v of the motor vehicle is determined and a drive power P | 05-05-2016 |
20160144975 | Method for Automated Calculation of the Center of Gravity and the Weight of Aircraft on the Ground - The method is to be applied by the aircraft manufacturing companies for the purpose of passenger and cargo aircraft design. The result of applying the method by aircraft manufacturers will be to increase the precision of the passenger and cargo weight calculation. | 05-26-2016 |
20160161526 | LATERAL FORCE ESTIMATION SYSTEM, METHOD OF ESTIMATING LATERAL FORCE AND VEHICLE - A ground surface position lateral acceleration calculator calculates ground surface position lateral acceleration based on lateral acceleration detected by an acceleration sensor, a yaw rate and a roll rate detected by a gyro sensor, yaw angular acceleration and roll angular acceleration calculated by an angular acceleration calculator, a roll angle calculated by a roll angle calculator, and specification information stored in a storage. A vehicle lateral force calculator calculates a vehicle lateral force based on the roll angular acceleration calculated by the angular acceleration calculator, the roll angle calculated by the roll angle calculator, the ground surface position lateral acceleration calculated by the ground surface position lateral acceleration calculator and the specification information stored in the storage. | 06-09-2016 |
20160195447 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING AIRCRAFT CENTER OF GRAVITY INDEPENDENT OF MEASURING AIRCRAFT TOTAL WEIGHT | 07-07-2016 |