Abstract: A system on a tractor for controlling trailer service brakes comprises a manually operated trailer brake switch, a first electropneumatic valve in communication with a pressure source and a controller. The controller has an input communicating with the trailer brake switch, an output communicating with the electropneumatic valve and control logic. The control logic receives an input from the trailer brake switch indicating a driver's request to apply the trailer service brakes of the combination vehicle, determines if a predetermined condition exists and transmits a signal to the output to the electropneumatic valve. The electropneumatic valve transmits pressure to a trailer service control line to actuate the trailer service brakes in response to the trailer brake switch and existence of the predetermined condition.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provide for highway vehicle platoon maintenance management. Commercial highway vehicle platoon maintenance management is provided where it is desirable to determine traffic conditions around vehicles of the platoon, to share the determined traffic conditions with the other vehicles of the platoon, and to determine and share adaptive cruise control (ACC) parameters between the platooning vehicles for adjusting platoon inter-vehicle following distances based on the determined traffic conditions.

Abstract: A controller in a first vehicle includes an electrical input port adapted to receive a first electrical signal, based on a presence of a first service brake demand associated with a first brake valve on the first vehicle, and a second electrical signal, based on a presence of a second service brake demand associated with a second brake valve on the first vehicle. The controller is capable of determining if at least one of the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal indicates the respective presence of the first service brake demand and the second service brake demand. An electrical output port is adapted to transmit an electrical deceleration signal based on the presence of the at least one of the first service brake demand and the second service brake demand. A speed reducing mechanism on a second vehicle is applied based on the electrical deceleration signal.

Abstract: Dynamic braking capability of a combination vehicle including a tractor and at least one trailer is provided based on a distribution of the load carried by the combination vehicle. Load distribution is determined directly using load sensors disposed at wheel pairs of the tractor and trailer(s) or indirectly by using a load sensor located at the drive axle of the tractor together with engine torque and vehicle speed signals for determining gross vehicle mass. A database having sub-databases therein each storing stopping distance calculation results for a corresponding combination vehicle type e.g. 5-axle single or 8-axle double, is indexed by using the determined load distributions for providing the dynamic braking capability based on the vehicle type and its load distribution. The database may also be indexed using Axle Load Allocation Factor that is calculated based on a mathematical combination of drive, steering, and gross trailer axle loading.

Abstract: Platoon management control systems and methods rearrange three of more vehicles cooperatively travelling seriatim as a platoon along an associated roadway into a platoon arrangement other than the linear or single file formation. Multi roadway lane platoon management control systems and methods control the three or more vehicles cooperatively travelling as a multi-lane platoon along an associated multi-lane roadway into a platoon arrangement other than the linear or single file formation. Larger platoon sizes are provided thereby enabling more vehicles to participate in the larger multi-lane platoon. A platoon management control uses a combination of the GPS position of the lead vehicle representative of the position of the vehicle relative to the associated geographical area, and braking performance data representative of the braking capabilities of following vehicles to rearrange the vehicles into the non-columnar formation.

Abstract: A device operatively couples a tractor ABS controller with TABS controllers in units towed by the tractor. A PLC interface circuit of the device communicates messages received from a PLC network of the towed units to a CAN network of the tractor via a CAN interface circuit. The device may also rebroadcast messages received from the PLC network back onto the PLC network, and may also wirelessly broadcast messages received from the PLC network back onto a wireless network. The device receives messages from the towed units at a message rate, determines a quantity of towed units from the message rate, and communicates the determined quantity of towed units on the CAN network of the tractor. The device receives messages indicating towed unit identification (ID) information, determines a quantity of towed units from the towed unit ID information, and communicates the determined quantity of towed units on the CAN network.

Abstract: A brake controller in a vehicle determines braking profiles that may be exercised while operating the vehicle in autonomous or semi-autonomous conditions to decelerate the vehicle based on received commands or that may be exercised automatically in the event of a failure in a communication network of the vehicle or in other systems or components of the vehicle. The braking profiles decelerate the vehicle according to a deceleration profile. The execution of the deceleration profile may be initiated by a single command message received by the brake controller or it may be determined by the brake controller based on vehicle information. A safe state deceleration profile may be preselected by the controlling devices before the occurrence of a failure or an emergency situation, and then executed by the brake controller upon the occurrence of a failure or emergency.

Abstract: Platoon management control systems and methods rearrange three of more vehicles cooperatively travelling seriatim as a platoon along an associated roadway into a platoon arrangement other than the linear or single file formation. Multi roadway lane platoon management control systems and methods control the three or more vehicles cooperatively travelling as a multi-lane platoon along an associated multi-lane roadway into a platoon arrangement other than the linear or single file formation. Larger platoon sizes are provided thereby enabling more vehicles to participate in the larger multi-lane platoon. A platoon management control uses a combination of the GPS position of the lead vehicle representative of the position of the vehicle relative to the associated geographical area, and braking performance data representative of the braking capabilities of following vehicles to rearrange the vehicles into the non-columnar formation.

Abstract: A system for controlling wheel brakes in a first vehicle platooning with a second vehicle includes a transceiver in the first vehicle that receives a brake command from the second vehicle to apply a wheel brake in the first vehicle. A controller in the first vehicle generates, responsive to the brake command, a first set of control signals that control delivery of fluid pressure to the wheel brake and implement a braking event. The controller may further detect a wheel slip condition indicative of slip in a wheel of the first vehicle during the braking event and generate, when the condition occurs, a second set of control signals to control delivery of fluid pressure to the wheel brake. The control signals are generated in accordance with braking profiles that differ from braking profiles used by the controller during braking events occurring in the absence of the brake command.

Abstract: A parking brake apparatus is provided for a vehicle having components of a parking brake system and a number of devices providing a plurality of output signals indicative of a plurality of vehicle factors. The parking brake apparatus comprises an electronic controller arranged to (i) monitor the output signals indicative of a plurality of vehicle factors, and (ii) provide one or more control signals to be applied to components of the parking brake system to apply parking brakes based upon a predefined sequence of the plurality of vehicle factors having been met.

Abstract: A controller in a first vehicle includes an electrical input port adapted to receive a first electrical signal, based on a presence of a first service brake demand associated with a first brake valve on the first vehicle, and a second electrical signal, based on a presence of a second service brake demand associated with a second brake valve on the first vehicle. The controller is capable of determining if at least one of the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal indicates the respective presence of the first service brake demand and the second service brake demand. An electrical output port is adapted to transmit an electrical deceleration signal based on the presence of the at least one of the first service brake demand and the second service brake demand. A speed reducing mechanism on a second vehicle is applied based on the electrical deceleration signal.

Abstract: A device operatively couples a tractor ABS controller with TABS controllers in units towed by the tractor. A PLC interface circuit of the device communicates messages received from a PLC network of the towed units to a CAN network of the tractor via a CAN interface circuit. The device may also rebroadcast messages received from the PLC network back onto the PLC network, and may also wirelessly broadcast messages received from the PLC network back onto a wireless network. The device receives messages from the towed units at a message rate, determines a quantity of towed units from the message rate, and communicates the determined quantity of towed units on the CAN network of the tractor. The device receives messages indicating towed unit identification (ID) information, determines a quantity of towed units from the towed unit ID information, and communicates the determined quantity of towed units on the CAN network.

Abstract: A brake controller in a vehicle determines braking profiles that may be exercised while operating the vehicle in autonomous or semi-autonomous conditions to decelerate the vehicle based on received commands or that may be exercised automatically in the event of a failure in a communication network of the vehicle or in other systems or components of the vehicle. The braking profiles decelerate the vehicle according to a deceleration profile. The execution of the deceleration profile may be initiated by a single command message received by the brake controller or it may be determined by the brake controller based on vehicle information. A safe state deceleration profile may be preselected by the controlling devices before the occurrence of a failure or an emergency situation, and then executed by the brake controller upon the occurrence of a failure or emergency.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provide for highway vehicle platoon maintenance management. Commercial highway vehicle platoon maintenance management is provided where it is desirable to determine traffic conditions around vehicles of the platoon, to share the determined traffic conditions with the other vehicles of the platoon, and to determine and share adaptive cruise control (ACC) parameters between the platooning vehicles for adjusting platoon inter-vehicle following distances based on the determined traffic conditions.

Abstract: Dynamic braking capability of a combination vehicle including a tractor and at least one trailer is provided based on a distribution of the load carried by the combination vehicle. Load distribution is determined directly using load sensors disposed at wheel pairs of the tractor and trailer(s) or indirectly by using a load sensor located at the drive axle of the tractor together with engine torque and vehicle speed signals for determining gross vehicle mass. A database having sub-databases therein each storing stopping distance calculation results for a corresponding combination vehicle type e.g. 5-axle single or 8-axle double, is indexed by using the determined load distributions for providing the dynamic braking capability based on the vehicle type and its load distribution. The database may also be indexed using Axle Load Allocation Factor that is calculated based on a mathematical combination of drive, steering, and gross trailer axle loading.

Abstract: A system for controlling wheel brakes in a first vehicle platooning with a second vehicle includes a transceiver in the first vehicle that receives a brake command from the second vehicle to apply a wheel brake in the first vehicle. A controller in the first vehicle generates, responsive to the brake command, a first set of control signals that control delivery of fluid pressure to the wheel brake and implement a braking event. The controller may further detect a wheel slip condition indicative of slip in a wheel of the first vehicle during the braking event and generate, when the condition occurs, a second set of control signals to control delivery of fluid pressure to the wheel brake. The control signals are generated in accordance with braking profiles that differ from braking profiles used by the controller during braking events occurring in the absence of the brake command.

Abstract: A system on a tractor for controlling trailer service brakes comprises a manually operated trailer brake switch, a first electropneumatic valve in communication with a pressure source and a controller. The controller has an input communicating with the trailer brake switch, an output communicating with the electropneumatic valve and control logic. The control logic receives an input from the trailer brake switch indicating a driver's request to apply the trailer service brakes of the combination vehicle, determines if a predetermined condition exists and transmits a signal to the output to the electropneumatic valve. The electropneumatic valve transmits pressure to a trailer service control line to actuate the trailer service brakes in response to the trailer brake switch and existence of the predetermined condition.

Abstract: A braking controller and method in a towing vehicle towing one or more towed vehicles as a combination vehicle provides brake control of the one or more towed vehicles based on a level of braking force applied to the towing vehicle. A non-enhanced braking mode applies a first level of braking force to the towed vehicles in a predetermined reduced proportion relative to the level of braking force applied to the towing vehicle, and an enhanced braking mode applies a second level of braking force to the towed vehicles greater than the first level of braking force. The enhanced braking mode strategy is used unless trailer capability information reported by one or more the trailers fails to match against expected trailer capability information.

Abstract: A system on a tractor for controlling trailer service brakes comprises a manually operated trailer brake switch, a first electropneumatic valve in communication with a pressure source and a controller. The controller has an input communicating with the trailer brake switch, an output communicating with the electropneumatic valve and control logic. The control logic receives an input from the trailer brake switch indicating a driver's request to apply the trailer service brakes of the combination vehicle, determines if a predetermined condition exists and transmits a signal to the output to the electropneumatic valve. The electropneumatic valve transmits pressure to a trailer service control line to actuate the trailer service brakes in response to the trailer brake switch and existence of the predetermined condition.

Abstract: A parking brake apparatus is provided for a vehicle having components of a parking brake system and a number of devices providing a plurality of output signals indicative of a plurality of vehicle factors. The parking brake apparatus comprises an electronic controller arranged to (i) monitor the output signals indicative of a plurality of vehicle factors, and (ii) provide one or more control signals to be applied to components of the parking brake system to apply parking brakes based upon a predefined sequence of the plurality of vehicle factors having been met.