US3889478A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle guidance
Assignee: CAV Ltd
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Filing: 1973-12-28
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Granted: 1975-06-17
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Expires: 1993-12-28
Abstract
Abstract A guidance system for a wire laying vehicle having a plough for creating a furrow in which is buried a guidance conductor includes a sensing head disposed on a boom at the rear of the vehicle. The head senses the current flowing in the conductor which has been alid and controls the steered wheels of the vehicle to maintain the vehicle on the desired course.
Inventors
- 👤 Leonard Marshall
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 14:29
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D1/00; B62D1/24; B62D1/28; A; A01; A01B; A01B69/00; A01B69/007; A01B69/008; G; G05; G05D; G05D1/00; G05D1/02; G05D1/021; G05D1/0259; G05D1/0265
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of laying a guidance conductor of the kind intended to be used in a vehicle guidance system comprises first laying a short length of conductor to a high degree of accuracy, passing an electric current through the conductor, laying the remaining length of conductor using a wire laying vehicle and guiding the path followed by the wire laying vehicle using a guidance system including a sensing head on the vehicle and disposed to provide guidance signals generated by the current flowing in said short length of conductor and in the conductor subsequently laid by the wire laying vehicle.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of laying a guidance conductor of the kind intended to be used in a vehicle guidance system comprises first laying a short length of conductor to a high degree of accuracy, passing an electric current through the conductor, laying the remaining length of conductor using a wire laying vehicle and guiding the path followed by the wire laying vehicle using a guidance system including a sensing head on the vehicle and disposed to provide guidance signals generated by the current flowing in said short length of conductor and in the conductor subsequently laid by the wire laying vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 1 including the additional step of altering the parameters of the guidance system so that the wire laying vehicle can be caused to follow a curve.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as claimed in claim 2 in which the alteration of the parameter is achieved by moving the sensing head relative to the vehicle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as claimed in claim 2 in which the alteration of the parameter is achieved by altering a reference voltage within the guidance system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
88 words
Apparatus for laying a guidance conductor of the kind intended to be used in a vehicle guidancce system and comprising a wire laying vehicle including a steering mechanism, a sensing head mounted behind the wire laying vehicle, the sensing head forming part of a guidance system to control the path followed by the vehicle, the sensing head picking up signals from a guidance conductor which is being layed in the ground of the vehicle, the initial portion of said conductor being laid to a high degree of accuracy.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
88 words
Apparatus for laying a guidance conductor of the kind intended to be used in a vehicle guidancce system and comprising a wire laying vehicle including a steering mechanism, a sensing head mounted behind the wire laying vehicle, the sensing head forming part of a guidance system to control the path followed by the vehicle, the sensing head picking up signals from a guidance conductor which is being layed in the ground of the vehicle, the initial portion of said conductor being laid to a high degree of accuracy.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 in which the vehicle includes means for passing an electric current through the conductor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 6 in which the sensing head is movable laterally whereby the vehicle can be caused to follow a curved path.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 6 in which the guidance system includes means for altering a reference voltage within the system whereby the vehicle can be caused to follow a curved path.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
53 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 8 including a mole plough mounted at the rear of the vehicle on a linkage which permits pivotal movement of the plough about an axis normal to the ground, the sensing head being mounted upon a boom secured to the plough and extending rearwardly of the vehicle.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
217 words
An apparatus for laying a guidance conductor of the kind intended to be used in a vehicle guidance system comprising a wire laying vehicle including a steering mechanism, a mole plough, linkage means mounting the plough at the rear of the vehicle, said linkage means allowing pivotal movement of the plough about an axis normal to the ground, a boom secured to the plough and extending rearwardly of the vehicle, a sensing head mounted on said boom, a guidance system for controlling the path followed by the vehicle, said sensing head forming part of said guidance system, means on the vehicle for laying a guidance conductor in a furrow created by the plough as the vehicle is driven forwardly, means for passing an electric current through the conductor said means comprising an AC generator mounted on the vehicle and having one terminal connected to the plough blade and its other terminal connected to the end of the guidance conductor on the vehicle, the other end of the guidance conductor in use, being earthed so as to complete the electrical circuit for the generator, said sensing head picking up signals from the guidance conductor which is being laid in the ground by the vehicle, the initial portion of said conductor being laid to a high degree of accuracy.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
217 words
An apparatus for laying a guidance conductor of the kind intended to be used in a vehicle guidance system comprising a wire laying vehicle including a steering mechanism, a mole plough, linkage means mounting the plough at the rear of the vehicle, said linkage means allowing pivotal movement of the plough about an axis normal to the ground, a boom secured to the plough and extending rearwardly of the vehicle, a sensing head mounted on said boom, a guidance system for controlling the path followed by the vehicle, said sensing head forming part of said guidance system, means on the vehicle for laying a guidance conductor in a furrow created by the plough as the vehicle is driven forwardly, means for passing an electric current through the conductor said means comprising an AC generator mounted on the vehicle and having one terminal connected to the plough blade and its other terminal connected to the end of the guidance conductor on the vehicle, the other end of the guidance conductor in use, being earthed so as to complete the electrical circuit for the generator, said sensing head picking up signals from the guidance conductor which is being laid in the ground by the vehicle, the initial portion of said conductor being laid to a high degree of accuracy.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 10 in which the guidance conductor is carried on a drum and a slip ring and co-operating brush is provided to effect connection of said other terminal of the generator to the guidance conductor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
92 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 8 in which the guidance system includes a comparator, a reference generator for providing a DC reference signal which is applied to one input terminal of the comparator the other input terminal of the comparator being supplied with a DC signal derived from the sensing head and which varies at least in amplitude depending upon the lateral position of the sensing head relative to the guidance conductor, the output signal from the comparator being utilized to control the position of the steered wheels of the vehicle.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
69 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 12 in which the signal from the first comparator is applied through an amplifier to one input terminal of a further comparator the other input terminal of wHich is supplied with a signal derived from a position transducer which senses the actual position of the steered wheels of the vehicle, the output of said second comparator controlling the position of the steered wheels.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 10 in which the sensing head is movable laterally on the boom whereby the vehicle can be caused to follow a curved path.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 10 in which the guidance system includes means for adjusting a reference voltage within the system whereby the vehicle can be caused to follow a curved path.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-06-16 | 1978-12-16 | 1979-06-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-16 | 1982-12-16 | 1983-06-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-16 | 1986-12-16 | 1987-06-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |