Automatic steering system and method
USRE41358E1 · kind E1 · reissue
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 6, 2008 |
| Grant date | May 25, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 6, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC —)General
Abstract
An automatic steering system and method are provided for a vehicle including an hydraulic primary steering system. The automatic steering system includes a guidance module with a GPS receiver and a microprocessor adapted to process and store GPS data defining travel paths, which can be associated with a cultivated field in an agricultural vehicle application. An automatic steering module is connected to the guidance module and to a steering valve control block, which provides pressurized hydraulic fluid in parallel with the vehicle's primary hydrostatic steering system. The automatic steering system utilizes a constant factor, such as steering rate, for predictability and simplicity in the operation of the automatic steering system. A feedback loop from the vehicle hydrostatic steering system uses the vehicle's actual turning rate for comparison with a desired turning rate. The system is adapted for original equipment installation and retrofitting on vehicles, such as farm tractors, with various primary hydrostatic steering system configurations. An automatic steering method includes the steps of: initializing the system; adjusting the steering with an hydraulic valve to provide a …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.