Patent ID: 11965795
Assignee: RANGE ENERGY INC.
Field: Transport (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC G  B | IPC B  G

Claim 0:
1. A method for dynamic tow of a trailer comprising:
during a first time period:
detecting a first longitudinal force applied to a kingpin, arranged on a proximal end of a trailer, by a hitch of a tow vehicle;
detecting a first lateral force applied to the kingpin by the hitch;
detecting a first speed and a first direction of motion of the trailer;
calculating a first tractor-trailer angle, between longitudinal axes of the trailer and the tow vehicle, based on the first longitudinal force and the first lateral force;
calculating a first total force, applied to the kingpin by the hitch, based on the first longitudinal force and the first lateral force;
calculating a first target preload force opposite the first direction of motion and proportional to the first tractor-trailer angle; and
triggering a motor, arranged in a drive system located proximal a distal end of the trailer, to reduce torque output in the first direction of motion to decrease a first difference between the first total force and the first target preload force:
in response to the first speed of the trailer exceeding a first threshold speed; and
in response to the first total force falling below the first target preload force; and

during a second time period:
detecting a second longitudinal force applied to the kingpin by the hitch;
detecting a second lateral force applied to the kingpin by the hitch;
detecting a second speed and a second direction of the trailer;
calculating a second total force applied to the kingpin by the hitch based on the second longitudinal force and the second lateral force;
calculating a second target preload force opposite the second direction of motion and proportional to the second tractor-trailer angle; and
triggering the motor, arranged in the drive system, to increase torque output in the second direction of motion to decrease a second difference between the second total force and the second target preload force:
in response to the second speed exceeding the first threshold speed; and
in response to the second total force exceeding the second target preload force.