Patent · US Active

System, method and article for use with coupled vehicles

US8167358B2 · kind B2 · utility

9Cited by
21References
9Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateSep 21, 2009
Grant dateMay 1, 2012
Priority date—
Expiry dateMar 3, 2030

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB62D35/001
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An automatic gap closing system automatically moves a gap closing cover between an un-deployed and a deployed configuration to selectively cover a gap between two coupled vehicles (e.g., tractor-trailer combination) in response to an actual or expected speed of at least one of the vehicles, thereby increasing fuel efficiency at relatively high or fast speeds without hindering maneuverability of the coupled vehicles at relatively low or slow speeds. Indications of speed and/or location may come from speed sensors, on-board computers (i.e., black box), GPS receivers, or wireless receivers.

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