US 12,228,925 B2
Systems and methods for automated operation and handling of autonomous trucks and trailers hauled thereby
Andrew F. Smith, Bend, OR (US); Lawrence S. Klein, Bend, OR (US); Stephen A. Langenderfer, Bend, OR (US); Martin E. Sotola, Boulder, CO (US); Vikas Bahl, Highlands Ranch, CO (US); Mark H. Rosenblum, Denver, CO (US); Peter James, Denver, CO (US); Dale Dee Rowley, Highlands Ranch, CO (US); Matthew S. Johannes, Arvada, CO (US); Gary Michael Seminara, Golden, CO (US); and Jeremy M. Nett, Littleton, CO (US)
Assigned to Outrider Technologies, Inc., Brighton, CO (US)
Filed by Outrider Technologies, Inc., Brighton, CO (US)
Filed on Oct. 9, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/378,119.
Application 18/378,119 is a continuation of application No. 17/897,327, filed on Aug. 29, 2022, granted, now 11,782,436.
Application 17/897,327 is a continuation of application No. 16/282,258, filed on Feb. 21, 2019, granted, now 11,429,099, issued on Aug. 30, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/715,757, filed on Aug. 7, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/681,044, filed on Jun. 5, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/633,185, filed on Feb. 21, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2024/0152139 A1, May 9, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G05D 1/00 (2024.01); B25J 9/16 (2006.01); B60D 1/01 (2006.01); B60D 1/26 (2006.01); B60D 1/62 (2006.01); B60D 1/64 (2006.01); B60L 53/36 (2019.01); B60L 58/12 (2019.01); B60R 1/00 (2022.01); B60R 25/04 (2013.01); B60R 25/102 (2013.01); B60R 25/23 (2013.01); B60R 25/25 (2013.01); B62D 13/06 (2006.01); B62D 15/02 (2006.01); B62D 33/02 (2006.01); B62D 53/08 (2006.01); B62D 53/12 (2006.01); B65G 69/00 (2006.01); E05B 81/54 (2014.01); E05C 17/02 (2006.01); G05D 1/247 (2024.01); G05D 1/249 (2024.01); G05D 1/661 (2024.01); G05D 1/81 (2024.01); B62D 63/08 (2006.01)
CPC G05D 1/0061 (2013.01) [B25J 9/1679 (2013.01); B60D 1/015 (2013.01); B60D 1/26 (2013.01); B60D 1/62 (2013.01); B60D 1/64 (2013.01); B60L 53/36 (2019.02); B60L 58/12 (2019.02); B60R 1/003 (2013.01); B60R 25/04 (2013.01); B60R 25/102 (2013.01); B60R 25/23 (2013.01); B60R 25/25 (2013.01); B62D 13/06 (2013.01); B62D 15/0285 (2013.01); B62D 33/0222 (2013.01); B62D 53/0821 (2013.01); B62D 53/12 (2013.01); B65G 69/005 (2013.01); E05B 81/54 (2013.01); E05C 17/02 (2013.01); G05D 1/0088 (2013.01); G05D 1/0225 (2013.01); G05D 1/0231 (2013.01); G05D 1/0276 (2013.01); G05D 1/247 (2024.01); G05D 1/249 (2024.01); G05D 1/661 (2024.01); G05D 1/81 (2024.01); B60L 2200/36 (2013.01); B62D 63/08 (2013.01); E05Y 2900/516 (2013.01); E05Y 2900/531 (2013.01)] 22 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for operating an autonomous vehicle (AV) yard truck in a yard environment comprising the steps of:
facilitating, with a processor, autonomous movement of the AV yard truck, substantially free of human user control inputs to onboard controls of the truck, and connection to and disconnection from trailers in the yard;
sensing, with a plurality of sensors that provide information to the processor, terrain and objects in the yard and assisting in automatically connecting to and disconnecting from the trailers;
tracking, with a remote server, interconnected with the processor, movement of the AV yard truck around the yard and determines locations for connecting to and disconnecting from the trailers; and
lowering, in response to the processor, a fifth wheel of the AV yard truck when hitching to or unhitching from one of the trailers and raising the fifth wheel when hitched to one of the trailers.