Patents by Inventor Richard F. Ayotte

Richard F. Ayotte has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 4150841
    Abstract: A dual-vehicle operating system permits the simultaneous operation of two automobiles at one time under substantially identical conditions by a single operator. The system has a lead vehicle, with a driver, a servo operated driverless trailing vehicle, and a zero-force mechanical connecting link. An electronic control "drives" the trailing vehicle through servo controls which operate the throttle pedal, brake pedal and steering system of the trailing vehicle. The zero-force link contains transducers which provide lead vehicle responsive inputs to the electronic control so that the trailing vehicle mimics the lead vehicle. Both a manual and an automatic override of the electronic control are present to convert the zero-force link to a mechanical towing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1979
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Richard F. Ayotte, Trevor O. Jones
  • Patent number: 4119166
    Abstract: A dual-vehicle operating system permits the simultaneous operation of two automobiles at one time under substantially identical conditions by a single operator. The system has a lead vehicle, with a driver, a servo operated driverless trailing vehicle, and a zero-force mechanical connecting link. An electronic control "drives" the trailing vehicle through servo controls which operate the throttle pedal, brake pedal and steering system of the trailing vehicle. The zero-force link contains transducers which provide lead vehicle responsive inputs to the electronic control so that the trailing vehicle mimics the lead vehicle. Both a manual and an automatic override of the electronic control are present to convert the zero-force link to a mechanical towing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1978
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Richard F. Ayotte, Trevor O. Jones