Bi-directional autonomous truck
AssigneeModular Mining Systems, Inc.
InventorsMark R. Baker, Randall J. Omdahl
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A bi-directional autonomous truck. The truck includes a drive-train including one or more drive wheels, the drive-train having drive characteristics that are substantially the same whether the drive wheels rotate clockwise or counterclockwise. The drive characteristics may consist of the ability to reach a maximum rotational speed of the drive wheels, but may include other characteristics, such as the ability to steer corresponding pairs of drive wheels that are situated at opposite ends of the truck. Preferably, the truck includes a dump bed that is adapted for dumping in either of two opposite directions.
Claims13
An autonomous truck having a longitudinal axis defining front and rear ends thereof, comprising a drive-train having first and second front wheels, corresponding first and second rear wheels spaced apart from respective said front wheels along said axis, and a first power source, said drive-train further including one of (a) a mechanical transmission for transmitting rotational motion of said power source to said first front wheel, said mechanical transmission including a plurality of forward gears and a plurality of reverse gears, and (b) an electrical control system for distributing electrical current to said power source, said power source being mechanically coupled to said first front wheel, said electrical control system being adapted so that the maximum rotational speed of said power source is substantially the same for both clockwise and counterclockwise rotation thereof.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.