Patents by Inventor Brett Thayn

Brett Thayn 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).

  • Follower vehicle control system and method for forward and reverse convoy movement
    Patent number: 8275491
    Abstract: A vehicle control system for causing a follower vehicle to follow a leader may have a tether system mounted to the follower vehicle. The tether system may include a tether having an end adapted to be attached to the leader, a length sensor, and an angle sensor. A path tracking system operatively associated with the tether system determines a path traveled by the leader. A path control system operatively associated with the path tracking system and the follower vehicle causes the follower vehicle to follow the path traveled by the leader. A spacing control system operatively associated with the path tracking system and the follower vehicle causes the follower vehicle to maintain a predetermined spacing between the follower vehicle and the leader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Ferrin, Brett Thayn, Michael Hornberger
  • FOLLOWER VEHICLE CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FORWARD AND REVERSE CONVOY MOVEMENT
    Publication number: 20120123641
    Abstract: A vehicle control system for causing a follower vehicle to follow a leader may have a tether system mounted to the follower vehicle. The tether system may include a tether having an end adapted to be attached to the leader, a length sensor, and an angle sensor. A path tracking system operatively associated with the tether system determines a path traveled by the leader. A path control system operatively associated with the path tracking system and the follower vehicle causes the follower vehicle to follow the path traveled by the leader. A spacing control system operatively associated with the path tracking system and the follower vehicle causes the follower vehicle to maintain a predetermined spacing between the follower vehicle and the leader.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Ferrin, Brett Thayn, Michael Hornberger
  • Follower vehicle control system and method for forward and reverse convoy movement
    Patent number: 8116921
    Abstract: A vehicle control system for causing a follower vehicle to follow a leader may have a tether system mounted to the follower vehicle. The tether system may include a tether having an end adapted to be attached to the leader, a length sensor, and an angle sensor. A path tracking system operatively associated with the tether system determines a path traveled by the leader. A path control system operatively associated with the path tracking system and the follower vehicle causes the follower vehicle to follow the path traveled by the leader. A spacing control system operatively associated with the path tracking system and the follower vehicle causes the follower vehicle to maintain a predetermined spacing between the follower vehicle and the leader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Ferrin, Brett Thayn, Michael Hornberger
  • FOLLOWER VEHICLE CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FORWARD AND REVERSE CONVOY MOVEMENT
    Publication number: 20100049374
    Abstract: A vehicle control system for causing a follower vehicle to follow a leader may have a tether system mounted to the follower vehicle. The tether system may include a tether having an end adopted to be attached to the leader, a length sensor, and an angle sensor. A path tracking system operatively associated with the tether system determines a path traveled by the leader. A path control system operatively associated with the path tracking system and the follower vehicle causes the follower vehicle to follow the path traveled by the leader. A spacing control system operatively associated with the path tracking system and the follower vehicle causes the follower vehicle to maintain a predetermined spacing between the follower vehicle and the leader.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Ferrin, Brett Thayn, Michael Hornberger
  • Multipurpose all-terrain vehicle
    Publication number: 20020023788
    Abstract: A locomotion system for use in an all terrain vehicle. The system is configured to enable emulation of one or more of three modes of propulsion, including wheeled propulsion, walking propulsion and track propulsion. The system includes multiple selectively rotatable bogies having terrain-engaging elements that are capable of independent rotation with respect to the vehicle and the bogies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Applicant: Utah State University
    Inventors: Mel Torrie, Mitch Torrie, Brett Thayn