Patent · US Expired

Collision avoidance system for track-guided vehicles

US6290188A · kind A · utility

15Cited by
25References
30Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 18, 2000
Grant dateSep 18, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 18, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB61L23/34
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A system to allow track-guided vehicles to avoid collisions with one another in straight track and curved track situations utilizing vehicle mounted devices and without the need for additional active traffic control devices. The system includes track-guided vehicles equipped with a plurality of selective sensors on the front and identifying reflective elements on the rear. Reflective strips mounted on the inner face of curved track allow the selective sensors to detect targets around curves. Retroreflective sensors coupled with corner cube reflective material are a preferred set of sensor and target implementations. The placement of the sensors and reflective elements is specified such that a calibrated system limits the range of the system and is easily maintained.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.