SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATED OPERATION AND HANDLING OF AUTONOMOUS TRUCKS AND TRAILERS HAULED THEREBY

• Main Authors: Rowley, Dale, Nett, Jeremy M, Smith, Andrew F, Klein, Lawrence S, Langenderfer, Stephen A, Johannes, Matthew S, Bahl, Vikas, James, Peter, Sotola, Martin E, Rosenblum, Mark A, Seminara, Gary
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 03.10.2019
• Subjects: CHAMBERS PROVIDED WITH MANIPULATION DEVICES; CONTROLLING; HAND TOOLS; MANIPULATORS; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PHYSICS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; REGULATING; SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES; TRANSPORTING; VEHICLE CONNECTIONS; VEHICLES IN GENERAL

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.