2167results about "Tractor-trailer combinations" patented technology

Inspection robots with a payload engagement device are described. An example inspection robot may have a housing, a drive module, having at least one wheel and a motor, where the drive module is operatively coupled to the housing. The example inspection robot may also have a payload coupled to the drive module, where the payload includes a sensor mounted to the payload, and a payload engagement device operationally coupled to the drive module and the payload, where the payload engagement device applies a selected downward force on the payload.

One variation of a system includes a modular kit. The modular kit includes: a driven axle configured to install on a bogie chassis supporting a trailer chassis of a trailer; a motor coupled to the driven axle; a battery assembly; a set of electrical cables; and a cable carrier. The battery assembly includes a set of retention features configured to transiently engage a set of engagement features on the trailer chassis to couple the battery assembly to the trailer chassis and is configured to: supply electrical energy to the motor to drive the driven axle; and receive electrical energy from the motor to regeneratively brake the driven axle. The set of electrical cables are configured to electrically couple the motor and the battery assembly. The cable carrier is configured to: locate between the bogie chassis and the battery assembly; and support the set of electrical cables over a range of longitudinal positions.

A connection system for use on a fifth-wheel coupling includes first and second connection units each including a carrier unit and a plug-in unit each having a coupling axis and mounted on the respective carrier unit so as to be able to pivot about a respective pivot axis, a, the first and second plug-in units respectively including a coupling region of an electrical line element and / or a fluid-conveying line, the second connection unit mounted on a semi-trailer to be pivotable about a pivot axis such that the second connection unit can be moved into a coupling position, wherein the second pivot axis extends parallel to the first pivot axis when the second connection unit is in the coupling position, and wherein the first coupling axis is essentially collinear with the second coupling axis if the first and second plug-in units are in the coupling position.

A trailer carriage includes two longitudinal beams and at least two cross beams between the two longitudinal beams. The longitudinal beam includes a side wall, an upper connecting wall and a lower connecting wall. The cross beam includes an upper connecting plate, a lower connecting plate below the upper connecting plate, and an end plate between the upper connecting plate and the lower connecting plate. The upper connecting plate abuts against a bottom of the upper connecting wall, the lower connecting plate abuts against a top of the lower connecting wall, the end plate abuts against an inner side of the side wall. The upper connecting plate is connected with the upper connecting wall via a first huck bolt, the lower connecting plate is connected with the lower connecting wall via a second huck bolt, the end plate is connected with the side wall via a third huck bolt.

An electrified vehicle include a chassis, a front axle coupled to the chassis, a rear axle coupled to the chassis, an electric motor supported by the chassis, and a trailer coupled to a rear end of the chassis and configured to be towed by the electrified vehicle. The electric motor is configured to drive at least one of the front axle, the rear axle, or a component of the electrified vehicle. The trailer includes a trailer frame, a trailer axle coupled to the trailer frame, and an energy storage device supported by the trailer frame. The energy storage device includes a plurality of batteries. The energy storage device configured to power the electric motor.

A quasi-cylindrical cargo container is formed of a plurality of rigid, curved panels together forming first and second semi-cylindrical shells, and a plurality of rigid, flat extension panels bridging the first and second semi-cylindrical shells. A method of manufacturing the container includes forming the first and second semi-cylindrical shell from the curved panels, forming the quasi-cylindrical shell from the first and second semi-cylindrical shells and the flat extension panels, forming collars conformably encompassing the quasi-cylindrical shell, constricting the collars to compress joints formed at abutting edges of pairs of adjacent panels, rolling the shell and collars sequentially to bring the joints to a lower position, welding inside seams of the joints when at the lower position, removing the collars, rolling the shell sequentially to bring the joints to an upper position, and welding outside seams of the joints when at the upper position.

Methods and inspection robots with on body configuration are described. An example inspection robot may have a center body with a plurality of connected drive modules, each drive module having a sensing circuit to measure a drive module operating characteristic, and a visual indicator circuit to output a first visual indicator corresponding to the drive module operating characteristic. The visual indicator circuits of each of the plurality of drive modules are positioned to be simultaneously visible at a point of view.

Methods and systems are provided for a vehicle towing a trailer. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving, by a processor, image data from one or more image sensors of the vehicle; determining, by the processor, a change in vehicle height based on the image data; determining, by the processor, at least one of a vehicle load and a trailer tongue load based on the change in vehicle height; and generating, by the processor, at least one of notification data and control data to control the vehicle based on the at least one of the vehicle load and the trailer tongue load.

A trailer configured to transport a load includes a bed including an upper surface configured to support the load, a first rotation pin configured to move along a slot in the bed, a second rotation pin coupled to the bed, and a winch assembly positioned in the slot and coupled to the first rotation pin by a first rope. The winch assembly is configured to pull the first rotation pin toward the second rotation pin.

A high density horsepower (HP) mobile pump system may include an elongated unibody frame having a frame cavity, a front end, a rear end, an elongated roof panel, a front panel, a rear panel, an elongated floor assembly having an upper side and a lower side, an elongated first side panel, and an elongated second side panel. An under carriage structural lattice arrangement may be coupled to the lower side of the floor assembly from the midpoint and extending towards the front end. The under carriage structural lattice arrangement may include a first elongated lattice and a second elongated lattice. At least one wheel and tire assembly may be coupled to the elongated unibody frame. A reciprocating engine may be coupled to the upper side of the elongated floor assembly. A transmission assembly may be coupled to the reciprocating engine, and a pump may be coupled to the transmission assembly.

A method for ascertaining a coupling state of a trailer coupling between a towing vehicle and a trailer, wherein a pivotal connection between a towing-vehicle coupling element on the towing vehicle and a trailer coupling element on the trailer is established in a locked state of the trailer coupling, the method including ascertaining coupling information, wherein, depending on a position of a locking mechanism of the trailer coupling and / or a jolt of the towing vehicle and / or trailer, the coupling information indicates whether the trailer coupling might be in the locked state. The method further includes ascertaining positioning information, wherein, depending on sensor signals of a wave-based sensor device, the positioning information indicates whether the trailer coupling might be in the locked state. The method further includes ascertaining a coupling outcome, depending on the coupling information and also depending on the positioning information.

“THREE-DIMENSIONAL MONITORING SYSTEM FOR KINGPIN ON FIFTH WHEEL” describes an invention patent, for a monitoring system of Kingpin / Fifth Wheel articulation presented on trucks, with a great applicability for autonomous steering systems and vehicle dynamics control. This system allows the precise monitoring of translational, rotational movements and the relative accelerations of the king pin (5) in relation to the fifth wheel (3) on the X, Y and Z axes, totaling measurements in six degrees of freedom. The present patent presents two ways to make this monitoring of the three-dimensional position of the kingpin (5): The first through a set of sensors (6) accelerometers and gyroscope integrated to an electromagnet (4) that when electrified, is coupled to the king pin (5) by magnetic attraction. The second mode through a reference device (20) that is magnetic, identifiable, independent and easy to apply to the kingpin (4).

A fifth-wheel coupling arrangement includes, a plurality of wear sensors, a fifth-wheel coupling plate, a lock claw mounted on the fifth-wheel coupling plate configured to be movable in a first closing direction, a locking mechanism, with a stop, configured to be mounted on the fifth-wheel coupling plate configured to be movable in a second closing direction, wherein the fifth-wheel coupling plate has an insertion opening for a king pin, wherein the lock claw positively prevents the king pin from moving out of the insertion opening in a closed state of the fifth-wheel coupling arrangement and allows the king pin to move out of the insertion opening in an open state of the fifth-wheel coupling arrangement, wherein the wear sensor is configured to monitor a wear parameter of the fifth-wheel coupling arrangement, and wherein the wear sensor has a data output.

One variation of a system includes a bogie including: a chassis; a first set of latches configured to transiently engage a first subset of engagement features, in a first array of engagement features on a left rail and in a second array of engagement features on a right rail of the trailer, to retain the bogie below a floor of the trailer; a driven axle suspended from the chassis; and a motor coupled to the driven axle and configured to output torque to the driven axle and regeneratively brake the driven axle. The system further includes a battery assembly: including a second set of latches configured to transiently engage a second subset of engagement features, in the first array of engagement features and in the second array of engagement features, to retain the battery assembly adjacent the bogie; and configured to receive electrical energy from the motor.

Inspection robots and methods for inspection of curved surfaces with sensors at selected horizontal distances are described. An example of such an inspection robot includes a housing; a drive module with a wheel and a motor operatively linked to the housing, a plurality of sensor sleds, and a payload. The payload, which is coupled to the housing, may include a first and a second rail component, each with at least one connector, where the rail components are connectable at a first selected position of a plurality of discrete engagement positions. Each of the rail components may be structured to support at least one of the plurality of sleds where each of the plurality of sleds is coupled to the payload at a respective selected horizontal position such that the plurality of sleds are at selected horizontal distances from each other.

Systems, methods, and apparatus for temperature control and active cooling of an inspection robot are disclosed. An example apparatus may include a temperature determination circuit to interpret an inspection temperature value, a temperature management circuit to determine a temperature management command in response to the inspection temperature value, and a temperature response circuit to provide the temperature management command to a temperature management device associated with an inspection robot.

The invention relates to a driverless transport vehicle for moving a semi-trailer. The driverless transport vehicle comprises a coupling device for automatically coupling the driverless transport vehicle to a kingpin of the semi-trailer. The invention also relates to a method for moving a semi-trailer using a driverless transport vehicle.

A system for controlling a vehicle combination comprising a tractor unit and at least one trailing unit is disclosed. The system has a target generator to determine a virtual control input for the vehicle combination based on a reference input for the vehicle combination. A power manager determines a power allocation input for the vehicle combination based on the reference input and a power capability of one or more units of the vehicle combination. A combination control allocator determines a control input for the vehicle combination based on the power allocation input and the virtual control input.

A system for localizing an assembly line tool with respect to at least one axle of a vehicle located on an assembly line is provided. The assembly line has at least two dollies and at least one assembly line tool. The system obtains a sequence of dolly IDs according to an order of sequence of which the at least two dollies are moving along the assembly line, and associate each dolly ID in the obtained sequence of dolly IDs with a specific axle in a predetermined axle layout associated with the vehicle based on the order of sequence. The system obtains at least a first dolly ID of a first dolly, and determine a location of the assembly line tool with respect to a specific axle in the predetermined axle layout associated with the vehicle based on the obtained first dolly ID and the specific axle associated thereto.

A method and system controller includes determining a power requirement for a vehicle system to complete a planned trip over a route. The method includes determining whether an amount of available power from the vehicle system is sufficient to propel the vehicle system to complete the planned trip by comparing the available power with the power requirement that is determined. The method includes changing one or more operational aspects of the planned trip based on the comparison between the amount of available power and the power requirement that is determined to generate a newly planned modified trip.

The invention discloses a semitrailer frame and a loading and unloading method thereof, and relates to the technical field of semitrailers, the semitrailer frame comprises a longitudinal beam frame, a plurality of cross beams are fixedly welded in the longitudinal beam frame and on the front side and the rear side of the longitudinal beam frame, a traction pin mechanism is arranged at the bottom of the longitudinal beam frame, and a plurality of first connecting holes are formed in the tops of the longitudinal beam frame and the cross beams; the panel mechanism comprises a connecting panel and a bearing panel, a plurality of first mounting grooves are formed in the connecting panel, first bolts are arranged in the first mounting grooves in a penetrating and threaded mode, the first bolts are in threaded connection with the first connecting holes, and the bottom of the connecting panel is attached to the top of the longitudinal beam frame and the top of the cross beam. Inertial impact force generated by the full-load carriage during emergency braking can be effectively buffered, so that a connecting and fixing mechanism between the carriage and the bearing panel and a frame are effectively prevented from being damaged by large inertial impact force, goods can be effectively prevented from being damaged by the large inertial impact force, and the transportation loss of the goods is reduced.

A cable routing device for connecting a line strand to a carrier element which can be moved with respect to the vehicle, wherein the cable routing device has a carrier element, fastened pivotably to the vehicle, and a cable store, in which at least part of the line strand is accommodated. Based on the problem of providing a cable routing device of compact design which is suitable for ensuring low sag of a line strand with a large diameter, the problem is solved by virtue of the fact that a spring element is arranged between the carrier element and the cable store, by which spring element, the line strand is supported loosely.

A zero point estimation device is configured to perform a first acquisition process, a second acquisition process, and a zero point estimation process. The first acquisition process is a process of acquiring a plurality of first detection values of a first sensor sampled at different timings from each other while a vehicle is traveling with a change in a direction of travel. The second acquisition process is a process of acquiring a plurality of second detection values of a second sensor sampled in synchronization with the sampling timings of the first detection values to be acquired by the first acquisition process. The zero point estimation process is a process of estimating a zero point of the second sensor by using, as inputs, the plurality of first detection values acquired by the first acquisition process and the plurality of second detection values acquired by the second acquisition process.

A locking mechanism of a trailer carriage includes a transmission shaft, two bolts, an airbag, and a swing arm. The transmission shaft is pivoted to the carriage and extends in a length direction of the carriage; the two bolts are movably connected to two sides of the carriage in a penetrating manner, the bolt is movable in a width direction of the carriage between a first position where the bolt is accommodated in the carriage and a second position where the bolt protrudes from a side edge of the carriage; and one end of the swing arm is connected to the transmission shaft and a connecting seat is formed at the other end of the swing arm, and one end of the airbag is connected to the carriage and the other end of the airbag is connected to the connecting seat.

A fifth-wheel load measurement system for sensing unbalanced loads between a prime mover and a trailer comprising: a body; a king pin adapted for coupling to a fifth wheel; and at least two sensors configured for measuring relative motion of the body in response to a force applied through the king pin.

Some embodiments include an autonomous yard truck that includes a speed control mechanism; a steering system; a geolocation sensor; a plurality of sensors; a fifth wheel coupling; a robotic arm disposed on the deck; an air hose with a first hose connector; a transceiver; and a controller. The controller may identify a first trailer hose connector location on a specific trailer; determine the location of a first hose connector on an autonomous yard truck; engage the first hose connector with a robotic arm; move the first hose connector from the first hose connector location to the first trailer hose connector location on the specific trailer with the robotic arm; connect the first hose connector with the first trailer hose connector; disengage the first hose connector from the robotic arm; and / or test the connection between the connection between the first hose connector and the first trailer hose connector.

The invention discloses an anti-folding brake control method for a new energy tractor and a trailer, and belongs to the technical field of new energy vehicle braking. The method specifically comprises the steps that when braking is light braking, a tractor only starts electric braking, and a trailer starts slight air braking; when the braking is heavier braking, except for starting electric braking, all pneumatic brakes of the tractor provide corresponding braking air pressure according to calibration parameters, and the trailer provides corresponding pneumatic braking air pressure according to loads; when the braking is emergency braking, different braking air pressures are provided for each pneumatic brake of the tractor and the trailer according to pre-calibrated parameters, and then automatic adjustment is carried out according to wheel speed signals of all vehicles and signals fed back by a vehicle body stabilizing system. The braking force redistribution method is simple and is not limited by whether the trailer is provided with a power battery or not, the braking stability of the vehicle can be guaranteed, the kinetic energy of the vehicle can be recycled to the maximum extent, and the economical efficiency of the vehicle is improved.

In some embodiments, techniques are provided for autonomously backing a vehicle (such as a Class 8 truck) to a trailer. In some embodiments, environment sensors such as image sensors and range sensors mounted to the vehicle detect a trailer and determine distances between the trailer and the vehicle as well as relative angles of the trailer and the vehicle. In some embodiments, the vehicle determines a path to the trailer based on this information, and autonomously controls braking, torque, and / or steering of the vehicle to autonomously back the vehicle along the determined path.

The invention discloses a self-locking type hydraulic supporting mechanism, and belongs to the technical field of transport trailer structures, the self-locking type hydraulic supporting mechanism specifically comprises a trailer, a hydraulic cylinder and an anti-overturning structure, and the trailer is provided with an air cylinder and a vehicle-mounted storage battery; the hydraulic cylinder is connected with a vehicle-mounted storage battery, the hydraulic cylinder replaces a front side supporting leg of the trailer, a cylinder body a of the hydraulic cylinder is installed on the front side of the trailer, and a piston rod a of the hydraulic cylinder points to the ground. The anti-overturning structure is arranged between the cylinder body a and the piston rod a and used for preventing the piston rod a from retracting inwards, the self-locking type hydraulic supporting mechanism can be remotely controlled to automatically ascend and descend (or can be operated in a cab) under the condition of power failure and fuel cut, a traction disc can be separated from a trailer, and disengaging and connecting of the tractor and the trailer can be completed in about one minute. And the labor intensity and the unhooking time are greatly reduced.

The invention discloses a transfer device and a transfer method for transferring a polar field coil of a nuclear fusion device, and relates to the technical field of transfer of parts of the nuclear fusion device. The transfer device comprises a moving mechanism, a supporting mechanism, a supporting piece and a limiting piece, the supporting mechanism is fixedly arranged on the moving mechanism, and a supporting arm is formed on the supporting mechanism; the supporting pieces are in one-to-one correspondence with the supporting arms, each supporting piece is movably arranged in the extending direction of the corresponding supporting arm, and a clamping cavity used for containing at least part of the polar field coil is defined in each supporting piece; the limiting pieces correspond to the supporting arms one to one, each limiting piece is arranged on the corresponding supporting arm, the limiting pieces and the supporting pieces are connected through adjusting pieces, and the adjusting pieces are used for adjusting the distance between the supporting pieces and the limiting pieces. According to the transfer device, the transfer requirements of the polar field coil with large size, heavy weight and strict requirements can be met, it is guaranteed that the polar field coil is accurate in pose and reasonable in stress in the transfer process, and the requirements of the dynamic load coefficient and the unbalance load coefficient are met.