Edward Pierce Legler
Engineers in Denton, TX
License number
Utah 173106-2202
Issued Date
Aug 1, 1990
Expiration Date
Mar 31, 2017
Category
Engineer/Land Surveyor
Type
Professional Engineer
Address
Address
Denton, TX
Professional information
Electronicallly Controlled Ackerman Steering
US Patent:
6283483, Sep 4, 2001
Filed:
Jul 29, 1999
Appl. No.:
9/363468
Inventors:
Stephen D. Johnson - Denton TX
Edward P. Legler - Denton TX
Edward P. Legler - Denton TX
Assignee:
Paccar INC - Bellevue WA
International Classification:
B62D 1700
US Classification:
280 86758
Abstract:
A system is provided for use on a vehicle (10) which allows the relative angle of turn between a first steerable wheel (20) and a second steerable wheel (22) to be established by use of a tie rod assembly (32) which is variable in length. The tie rod assembly (32) includes a hydraulic cylinder assembly to vary the length by introducing or removing pressurized hydraulic fluid. A spring (120) is provided to establish a predetermined length to the tie rod assembly should the hydraulic system fail. The length of the tie rod assembly is controlled by an electronic control (166) which is provided with data from angle sensors (160,162) at each of these steerable wheels. The electronic control can be provided with an electronic table of relative angles for the wheel members and can adjust the length of the tie rod appropriately. The device allows for establishing the desired relationship between the wheel members at any turn angle. Further, the system can provide continuously accurate Ackerman steering angles between the wheels for all conditions of vehicle operation, including vehicle wheel base, vehicle track, axle weight and vehicle speed.