Patents by Inventor Martin E. Sotola
Martin E. Sotola 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).
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Publication number: 20240152139Abstract: A system and method for operation of an autonomous vehicle (AV) yard truck is provided. A processor facilitates autonomous movement of the AV yard truck, and connection to and disconnection from trailers. A plurality of sensors are interconnected with the processor that sense terrain/objects and assist in automatically connecting/disconnecting trailers. A server, interconnected, wirelessly with the processor, that tracks movement of the truck around and determines locations for trailer connection and disconnection. A door station unlatches/opens rear doors of the trailer when adjacent thereto, securing them in an opened position via clamps, etc. The system computes a height of the trailer, and/or if landing gear of the trailer is on the ground and interoperates with the fifth wheel to change height, and whether docking is safe, allowing a user to take manual control, and optimum charge time(s). Reversing sensors/safety, automated chocking, and intermodal container organization are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2023Publication date: May 9, 2024Inventors: Andrew F. Smith, Lawrence S. Klein, Stephen A. Langenderfer, Martin E. Sotola, Vikas Bahl, Mark H. Rosenblum, Peter James, Dale Dee Rowley, Matthew S. Johannes, Gary Michael Seminara, Jeremy M. Nett
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Publication number: 20240131886Abstract: A system and method for operation of an autonomous vehicle (AV) yard truck is provided. A processor facilitates autonomous movement of the AV yard truck, and connection to and disconnection from trailers. A plurality of sensors are interconnected with the processor that sense terrain/objects and assist in automatically connecting/disconnecting trailers. A server, interconnected, wirelessly with the processor, that tracks movement of the truck around and determines locations for trailer connection and disconnection. A door station unlatches/opens rear doors of the trailer when adjacent thereto, securing them in an opened position via clamps, etc. The system computes a height of the trailer, and/or if landing gear of the trailer is on the ground and interoperates with the fifth wheel to change height, and whether docking is safe, allowing a user to take manual control, and optimum charge time(s). Reversing sensors/safety, automated chocking, and intermodal container organization are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2023Publication date: April 25, 2024Inventors: Andrew F. Smith, Lawrence S. Klein, Stephen A. Langenderfer, Martin E. Sotola, Vikas Bahl, Mark H. Rosenblum, Peter James, Dale Dee Rowley, Matthew S. Johannes, Gary Michael Seminara, Jeremy M. Nett, Christopher T. Bate, Michael Patrick Cutter
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Publication number: 20240043075Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for reliably interconnecting a native gladhand on a trailer with an AV truck, in which the gladhand can vary in placement and type on the trailer front. A visually guided robot manipulator arm accesses the trailer front. The arm includes an end effector assembly that is arranged to visually navigate to the gladhand and engage the gladhand by latching onto a gladhand using a connection tool that includes a hinged gladhand/wedge capture assembly and a pressurized clamping connection plate that selectively engages the trailer gladhand seal. The capture assembly is arranged to accommodate different gladhand geometries in latching thereonto. The connection tool includes a hinge that is spring-loaded in both a locked and unlocked bistable state, and sensors monitor the state. The system can include passive or active compliance elements that accommodate moderate misalignment between the engaged gladhand and the robotic arm/connection tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Inventors: Matthew S. Johannes, Martin E. Sotola, Joseph S. DeRose, Jarvis A. Schultz, Austin Lovan
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Publication number: 20230418289Abstract: A system and method for operation of an autonomous vehicle (AV) yard truck is provided. A processor facilitates autonomous movement of the AV yard truck, and connection to and disconnection from trailers. A plurality of sensors are interconnected with the processor that sense terrain/objects and assist in automatically connecting/disconnecting trailers. A server, interconnected, wirelessly with the processor, that tracks movement of the truck around and determines locations for trailer connection and disconnection. A door station unlatches/opens rear doors of the trailer when adjacent thereto, securing them in an opened position via clamps, etc. The system computes a height of the trailer, and/or if landing gear of the trailer is on the ground and interoperates with the fifth wheel to change height, and whether docking is safe, allowing a user to take manual control, and optimum charge time(s). Reversing sensors/safety, automated chocking, and intermodal container organization are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2023Publication date: December 28, 2023Inventors: Andrew F. Smith, Lawrence S. Klein, Stephen A. Langenderfer, Martin E. Sotola, Vikas Bahl, Mark H. Rosenblum, Peter James, Dale Dee Rowley, Matthew S. Johannes, Gary Michael Seminara, Jeremy M. Nett
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Patent number: 11782436Abstract: A system and method for operation of an autonomous vehicle (AV) yard truck is provided. A processor facilitates autonomous movement of the AV yard truck, and connection to and disconnection from trailers. A plurality of sensors are interconnected with the processor that sense terrain/objects and assist in automatically connecting/disconnecting trailers. A server, interconnected, wirelessly with the processor, that tracks movement of the truck around and determines locations for trailer connection and disconnection. A door station unlatches/opens rear doors of the trailer when adjacent thereto, securing them in an opened position via clamps, etc. The system computes a height of the trailer, and/or if landing gear of the trailer is on the ground and interoperates with the fifth wheel to change height, and whether docking is safe, allowing a user to take manual control, and optimum charge time(s). Reversing sensors/safety, automated chocking, and intermodal container organization are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2022Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: Outrider Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Andrew F. Smith, Lawrence S. Klein, Stephen A. Langenderfer, Martin E. Sotola, Vikas Bahl, Mark H. Rosenblum, Peter James, Dale Dee Rowley, Matthew S. Johannes, Gary Michael Seminara, Jeremy M. Nett
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Patent number: 11755013Abstract: A system and method for operation of an autonomous vehicle (AV) yard truck is provided. A processor facilitates autonomous movement of the AV yard truck, and connection to and disconnection from trailers. A plurality of sensors are interconnected with the processor that sense terrain/objects and assist in automatically connecting/disconnecting trailers. A server, interconnected, wirelessly with the processor, that tracks movement of the truck around and determines locations for trailer connection and disconnection. A door station unlatches/opens rear doors of the trailer when adjacent thereto, securing them in an opened position via clamps, etc. The system computes a height of the trailer, and/or if landing gear of the trailer is on the ground and interoperates with the fifth wheel to change height, and whether docking is safe, allowing a user to take manual control, and optimum charge time(s). Reversing sensors/safety, automated chocking, and intermodal container organization are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2021Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Outrider Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Andrew F. Smith, Lawrence S. Klein, Stephen A. Langenderfer, Martin E. Sotola, Vikas Bahl, Mark H. Rosenblum, Peter James, Dale Rowley, Matthew S. Johannes, Gary Seminara, Jeremy M. Nett
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Patent number: 11707955Abstract: A system and method for operation of an autonomous vehicle (AV) yard truck is provided. A processor facilitates autonomous movement of the AV yard truck, and connection to and disconnection from trailers. A plurality of sensors are interconnected with the processor that sense terrain/objects and assist in automatically connecting/disconnecting trailers. A server, interconnected, wirelessly with the processor, that tracks movement of the truck around and determines locations for trailer connection and disconnection. A door station unlatches/opens rear doors of the trailer when adjacent thereto, securing them in an opened position via clamps, etc. The system computes a height of the trailer, and/or if landing gear of the trailer is on the ground and interoperates with the fifth wheel to change height, and whether docking is safe, allowing a user to take manual control, and optimum charge time(s). Reversing sensors/safety, automated chocking, and intermodal container organization are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2020Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: Outrider Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Andrew F. Smith, Lawrence S. Klein, Stephen A. Langenderfer, Martin E. Sotola, Vikas Bahl, Mark H. Rosenblum, Peter James, Dale Rowley, Matthew S. Johannes, Gary Seminara, Jeremy M. Nett, Christopher T. Bate, Michael Patrick Cutter
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Publication number: 20230066866Abstract: A system and method for operation of an autonomous vehicle (AV) yard truck is provided. A processor facilitates autonomous movement of the AV yard truck, and connection to and disconnection from trailers. A plurality of sensors are interconnected with the processor that sense terrain/objects and assist in automatically connecting/disconnecting trailers. A server, interconnected, wirelessly with the processor, that tracks movement of the truck around and determines locations for trailer connection and disconnection. A door station unlatches/opens rear doors of the trailer when adjacent thereto, securing them in an opened position via clamps, etc. The system computes a height of the trailer, and/or if landing gear of the trailer is on the ground and interoperates with the fifth wheel to change height, and whether docking is safe, allowing a user to take manual control, and optimum charge time(s). Reversing sensors/safety, automated chocking, and intermodal container organization are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2022Publication date: March 2, 2023Inventors: Andrew F. Smith, Lawrence S. Klein, Stephen A. Langenderfer, Martin E. Sotola, Vikas Bahl, Mark H. Rosenblum, Peter James, Dale Dee Rowley, Matthew S. Johannes, Gary Michael Seminara, Jeremy M. Nett
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Patent number: 11429099Abstract: A system and method for operation of an autonomous vehicle (AV) yard truck is provided. A processor facilitates autonomous movement of the AV yard truck, and connection to and disconnection from trailers. A plurality of sensors are interconnected with the processor that sense terrain/objects and assist in automatically connecting/disconnecting trailers. A server, interconnected, wirelessly with the processor, that tracks movement of the truck around and determines locations for trailer connection and disconnection. A door station unlatches/opens rear doors of the trailer when adjacent thereto, securing them in an opened position via clamps, etc. The system computes a height of the trailer, and/or if landing gear of the trailer is on the ground and interoperates with the fifth wheel to change height, and whether docking is safe, allowing a user to take manual control, and optimum charge time(s). Reversing sensors/safety, automated chocking, and intermodal container organization are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2019Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: Outrider Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Andrew F. Smith, Lawrence S. Klein, Stephen A. Langenderfer, Martin E. Sotola, Vikas Bahl, Mark H. Rosenblum, Peter James, Dale Rowley, Matthew S. Johannes, Gary Seminara, Jeremy M. Nett
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Publication number: 20220155782Abstract: A system and method for operation of an autonomous vehicle (AV) yard truck is provided. A processor facilitates autonomous movement of the AV yard truck, and connection to and disconnection from trailers. A plurality of sensors are interconnected with the processor that sense terrain/objects and assist in automatically connecting/disconnecting trailers. A server, interconnected, wirelessly with the processor, that tracks movement of the truck around and determines locations for trailer connection and disconnection. A door station unlatches/opens rear doors of the trailer when adjacent thereto, securing them in an opened position via clamps, etc. The system computes a height of the trailer, and/or if landing gear of the trailer is on the ground and interoperates with the fifth wheel to change height, and whether docking is safe, allowing a user to take manual control, and optimum charge time(s). Reversing sensors/safety, automated chocking, and intermodal container organization are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2021Publication date: May 19, 2022Inventors: Andrew F. Smith, Lawrence S. Klein, Stephen A. Langenderfer, Martin E. Sotola, Vikas Bahl, Mark H. Rosenblum, Peter James, Dale Rowley, Matthew S. Johannes, Gary Seminara, Jeremy M. Nett
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Patent number: 11099560Abstract: A system and method for operation of an autonomous vehicle (AV) yard truck is provided. A processor facilitates autonomous movement of the AV yard truck, and connection to and disconnection from trailers. A plurality of sensors are interconnected with the processor that sense terrain/objects and assist in automatically connecting/disconnecting trailers. A server, interconnected, wirelessly with the processor, that tracks movement of the truck around and determines locations for trailer connection and disconnection. A door station unlatches/opens rear doors of the trailer when adjacent thereto, securing them in an opened position via clamps, etc. The system computes a height of the trailer, and/or if landing gear of the trailer is on the ground and interoperates with the fifth wheel to change height, and whether docking is safe, allowing a user to take manual control, and optimum charge time(s). Reversing sensors/safety, automated chocking, and intermodal container organization are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2019Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Assignee: Outrider Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Andrew F. Smith, Gary Seminara, Jeremy M. Nett, Lawrence S. Klein, Stephen A. Langenderfer, Martin E. Sotola, Vikas Bahl, Mark H. Rosenblum, Peter James, Dale Rowley, Matthew S. Johannes
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Publication number: 20210053407Abstract: A system and method for operation of an autonomous vehicle (AV) yard truck is provided. A processor facilitates autonomous movement of the AV yard truck, and connection to and disconnection from trailers. A plurality of sensors are interconnected with the processor that sense terrain/objects and assist in automatically connecting/disconnecting trailers. A server, interconnected, wirelessly with the processor, that tracks movement of the truck around and determines locations for trailer connection and disconnection. A door station unlatches/opens rear doors of the trailer when adjacent thereto, securing them in an opened position via clamps, etc. The system computes a height of the trailer, and/or if landing gear of the trailer is on the ground and interoperates with the fifth wheel to change height, and whether docking is safe, allowing a user to take manual control, and optimum charge time(s). Reversing sensors/safety, automated chocking, and intermodal container organization are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2020Publication date: February 25, 2021Inventors: Andrew F. Smith, Lawrence S. Klein, Stephen A. Langenderfer, Martin E. Sotola, Vikas Bahl, Mark H. Rosenblum, Peter James, Dale Rowley, Matthew S. Johannes, Gary Seminara, Jeremy M. Nett, Christopher T. Bate, Michael Patrick Cutter
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Publication number: 20200264607Abstract: A system and method for operation of an autonomous vehicle (AV) yard truck is provided. A processor facilitates autonomous movement of the AV yard truck, and connection to and disconnection from trailers. A plurality of sensors are interconnected with the processor that sense terrain/objects and assist in automatically connecting/disconnecting trailers. A server, interconnected, wirelessly with the processor, that tracks movement of the truck around and determines locations for trailer connection and disconnection. A door station unlatches/opens rear doors of the trailer when adjacent thereto, securing them in an opened position via clamps, etc. The system computes a height of the trailer, and/or if landing gear of the trailer is on the ground and interoperates with the fifth wheel to change height, and whether docking is safe, allowing a user to take manual control, and optimum charge time(s). Reversing sensors/safety, automated chocking, and intermodal container organization are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2020Publication date: August 20, 2020Inventors: Andrew F. Smith, Lawrence S. Klein, Stephen A. Langenderfer, Martin E. Sotola, Vikas Bahl, Mark H. Rosenblum, Peter James, Dale Rowley, Matthew S. Johannes, Gary Seminara, Jeremy M. Nett
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Publication number: 20190322319Abstract: A system and method for operation of an autonomous vehicle (AV) yard truck is provided. A processor facilitates autonomous movement of the AV yard truck, and connection to and disconnection from trailers. A plurality of sensors are interconnected with the processor that sense terrain/objects and assist in automatically connecting/disconnecting trailers. A server, interconnected, wirelessly with the processor, that tracks movement of the truck around and determines locations for trailer connection and disconnection. A door station unlatches/opens rear doors of the trailer when adjacent thereto, securing them in an opened position via clamps, etc. The system computes a height of the trailer, and/or if landing gear of the trailer is on the ground and interoperates with the fifth wheel to change height, and whether docking is safe, allowing a user to take manual control, and optimum charge time(s). Reversing sensors/safety, automated chocking, and intermodal container organization are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2019Publication date: October 24, 2019Inventors: Andrew F. Smith, Lawrence S. Klein, Stephen A. Langenderfer, Martin E. Sotola, Vikas Bahl, Mark A. Rosenblum, Peter James, Dale Rowley, Matthew S. Johannes, Gary Seminara, Jeremy M. Nett
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Publication number: 20190299732Abstract: A system and method for operation of an autonomous vehicle (AV) yard truck is provided. A processor facilitates autonomous movement of the AV yard truck, and connection to and disconnection from trailers. A plurality of sensors are interconnected with the processor that sense terrain/objects and assist in automatically connecting/disconnecting trailers. A server, interconnected, wirelessly with the processor, that tracks movement of the truck around and determines locations for trailer connection and disconnection. A door station unlatches/opens rear doors of the trailer when adjacent thereto, securing them in an opened position via clamps, etc. The system computes a height of the trailer, and/or if landing gear of the trailer is on the ground and interoperates with the fifth wheel to change height, and whether docking is safe, allowing a user to take manual control, and optimum charge time(s). Reversing sensors/safety, automated chocking, and intermodal container organization are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2019Publication date: October 3, 2019Inventors: Andrew F. Smith, Lawrence S. Klein, Stephen A. Langenderfer, Martin E. Sotola, Vikas Bahl, Mark A. Rosenblum, Peter James, Dale Rowley, Matthew S. Johannes, Gary Seminara, Jeremy M. Nett
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Publication number: 20190302764Abstract: A system and method for operation of an autonomous vehicle (AV) yard truck is provided. A processor facilitates autonomous movement of the AV yard truck, and connection to and disconnection from trailers. A plurality of sensors are interconnected with the processor that sense terrain/objects and assist in automatically connecting/disconnecting trailers. A server, interconnected, wirelessly with the processor, that tracks movement of the truck around and determines locations for trailer connection and disconnection. A door station unlatches/opens rear doors of the trailer when adjacent thereto, securing them in an opened position via clamps, etc. The system computes a height of the trailer, and/or if landing gear of the trailer is on the ground and interoperates with the fifth wheel to change height, and whether docking is safe, allowing a user to take manual control, and optimum charge time(s). Reversing sensors/safety, automated chocking, and intermodal container organization are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2019Publication date: October 3, 2019Inventors: Andrew F. Smith, Lawrence S. Klein, Stephen A. Langenderfer, Martin E. Sotola, Vikas Bahl, Mark H. Rosenblum, Peter James, Dale Rowley, Matthew S. Johannes, Gary Seminara, Jeremy M. Nett