Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method and apparatus for automated following behind a lead vehicle. The lead vehicle navigates a path from a starting point to a destination. The lead vehicle and the following vehicle are connected via V2V communication, allowing one or more following vehicles to detect the path taken by the lead vehicle. A computerized control system on the following vehicle (a Follow-the-Leader, or FTL, system) allows the following vehicle to mimic the behavior of the lead vehicle, with the FTL system controlling steering to guide the following vehicle along the path previously navigated by the lead vehicle. In some embodiments, the lead vehicle and following vehicle may both use Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) position coordinates. In some embodiments, the following vehicle may also have a system of sensors to maintain a gap between the following and lead vehicles.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method and apparatus for automated following behind a lead vehicle. The lead vehicle navigates a path from a starting point to a destination. The lead vehicle and the following vehicle are connected via V2V communication, allowing one or more following vehicles to detect the path taken by the lead vehicle. A computerized control system on the following vehicle (a Follow-the-Leader, or FTL, system) allows the following vehicle to mimic the behavior of the lead vehicle, with the FTL system controlling steering to guide the following vehicle along the path previously navigated by the lead vehicle. In some embodiments, the lead vehicle and following vehicle may both use Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) position coordinates. In some embodiments, the following vehicle may also have a system of sensors to maintain a gap between the following and lead vehicles.

Abstract: Systems and methods for increasing the safety of vehicle platooning systems are described. In one aspect, a determination is made as to how many trailers are connected to a tractor, and whether those trailers and any dollies are equipped with an Anti-Lock Braking System. For example, an average rate of messages that indicate an ABS system is operating correctly may be determined. Also, an amount of messages received within a certain time interval may be determined. Based on whether the average rate is above a threshold amount and whether an amount of messages were received within one or more time intervals a determination may be made as to whether an adverse action occurs such as losing the authority to cause a trailer to brake fully and/or dissolve a platoon.

Abstract: Systems and methods for increasing the safety of vehicle platooning systems are described. In one aspect, a determination is made as to how many trailers are connected to a tractor, and whether those trailers and any dollies are equipped with an Anti-Lock Braking System. For example, multiple processes for determining whether an Anti-Lock Braking System is operating correctly may be employed to prevent false positives and false negatives. Such processes may determine rates of messages received from Anti-Lock Braking System units, types of messages received from Anti-Lock Braking System units, and/or amounts of types of messages received from Anti-Lock Braking System units.

Abstract: Systems and methods for increasing the safety of vehicle platooning systems are described. In one aspect, a determination is made as to how many trailers are connected to a tractor, and whether those trailers and any dollies are equipped with an Anti-Lock Braking System. For example, multiple processes for determining whether an Anti-Lock Braking System is operating correctly may be employed to prevent false positives and false negatives. Such processes may determine rates of messages received from Anti-Lock Braking System units, types of messages received from Anti-Lock Braking System units, and/or amounts of types of messages received from Anti-Lock Braking System units.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method and apparatus for automated following behind a lead vehicle. The lead vehicle navigates a path from a starting point to a destination. The lead vehicle and the following vehicle are connected via V2V communication, allowing one or more following vehicles to detect the path taken by the lead vehicle. A computerized control system on the following vehicle (a Follow-the-Leader, or FTL, system) allows the following vehicle to mimic the behavior of the lead vehicle, with the FTL system controlling steering to guide the following vehicle along the path previously navigated by the lead vehicle. In some embodiments, the lead vehicle and following vehicle may both use Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) position coordinates. In some embodiments, the following vehicle may also have a system of sensors to maintain a gap between the following and lead vehicles.

Abstract: A microvalve includes a base plate having a surface defining an actuator cavity. A venting groove extends from a first cavity portion of the actuator cavity having a dead end region to a second cavity portion of the actuator cavity having a structure that can vent air from the microvalve. A cover plate includes a surface having an actuator cavity provided therein that includes a first cavity portion having a dead end region and a second cavity portion having a structure that can vent air from the microvalve. An intermediate plate includes a displaceable member that is disposed within the actuator cavity for movement between a closed position, wherein the displaceable member prevents fluid communication through the microvalve, and an opened position, wherein the displaceable member does not prevent fluid communication through the microvalve.

Abstract: A microvalve includes a base plate including a surface, a recessed area provided within the surface, a first fluid port provided within the recessed area, and a first sealing structure extending about the first fluid port. The microvalve also includes a cover plate including a surface, a recessed area provided within the surface, a second fluid port provided within the recessed area, and a second sealing structure extending about the second fluid port. An intermediate plate is disposed between the base plate and the cover plate and includes a displaceable member that is movable between a closed position, wherein the displaceable member cooperates with the sealing structures to prevent fluid communication between the fluid ports, and an opened position, wherein the displaceable member does not cooperate with at least a portion of the sealing structures to prevent fluid communication between the fluid ports.

Abstract: A microvalve includes a base plate having a surface defining an actuator cavity. A venting groove extends from a first cavity portion of the actuator cavity having a dead end region to a second cavity portion of the actuator cavity having a structure that can vent air from the microvalve. A cover plate includes a surface having an actuator cavity provided therein that includes a first cavity portion having a dead end region and a second cavity portion having a structure that can vent air from the microvalve. An intermediate plate includes a displaceable member that is disposed within the actuator cavity for movement between a closed position, wherein the displaceable member prevents fluid communication through the microvalve, and an opened position, wherein the displaceable member does not prevent fluid communication through the microvalve.

Abstract: The invention relates to a MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) device in the form of a pressure control valve suitable for controlling the operation of a refrigeration compressor. The pressure control valve is responsive to a reference pressure controlled by a microvalve.

Abstract: A method and system, for use with a vehicle including a pair of front wheels, a pair of rear wheels, and an anti-lock brake system (ABS), for detecting when the vehicle is executing a turning maneuver. The system includes means for performing the method steps of determining a speed difference between one pair of the vehicle wheels, determining the deceleration of each of the one pair of vehicle wheels, comparing the speed difference to a turning detection threshold, comparing the decelerations to a deceleration threshold, and detecting a turning maneuver based on those comparisons.

Abstract: A control method and system for a vehicle anti-lock brake system to provide for recovery from premature activation of the vehicle anti-lock brake system. The control system includes a microprocessor and accompanying components to perform the control method steps of generating an input signal representing a vehicle wheel velocity, processing the input signal to determine a wheel slip duration, comparing the wheel slip duration to a slip duration threshold, generating a premature activation recovery control signal when the wheel slip duration fails to exceed the slip duration threshold, and performing premature activation recovery control of the anti-lock brake system in response to the premature activation recovery control signal.

Abstract: A brake pressure controller, responsive to a wheel speed sensor and coupled to a brake, performs a cyclic control of pressure applied to the brake. A brake pressure cycle includes a pressure apply stage and a pressure dump stage having activation conditions based upon a slip threshold parameter. A predetermined base threshold quantity is modified in dependence upon a measured time duration of the pressure dump stage and/or a slip depth error quantity so that a greater amount of slip is added to the base slip threshold when braking on a deformable surface than when braking on a non-deformable surface.

Abstract: A brake pressure controller, responsive to a wheel speed sensor and coupled to a brake, performs a cyclic control of pressure applied to the brake. A brake pressure cycle includes a pressure apply stage and a pressure dump stage having activation conditions based upon a slip threshold parameter. A predetermined base threshold quantity is modified in dependence upon a measured time duration of the pressure dump stage and/or a slip depth error quantity so that a greater amount of slip is added to the base slip threshold when braking on a deformable surface than when braking on a non-deformable surface.

Abstract: A reduced brake switch dependence (RBSD) control method and system for a vehicle anti-lock brake system (ABS) having a brake switch. The control method includes generating a RBSD control signal when the brake switch is inoperative, and performing RBSD control of the ABS in response to the RBSD control signal. The control system includes wheel speed sensors, ABS control valves, and a programmable microprocessor ABS control unit for performing the control method.