公开(公告)号：US12287190B2

公开(公告)日：2025-04-29

申请号：US17230567

申请日：2021-04-14

Applicant: Hunter Engineering Company

Inventor： Timothy A. Strege ,  Nicholas J. Colarelli, III

IPC: G01B11/275 ,  G06K7/10 ,  G06K7/14

Abstract: A vehicle service system including a set of cameras and a processing system configured to access a database of vehicle-specific information, which includes data identifying vehicle-specific targets and/or service fixtures. The processing system is configured with a user interface to convey instructions to an operator, including the identification of vehicle-specific targets and/or service fixtures required to carry out a selected vehicle service. The processing system subsequently evaluates images acquired from the set of cameras to identify features present within the images, including placed vehicle-specific targets, from which identification of, and verification of correctly selected, vehicle-specific targets is made.

公开(公告)号：US12013232B2

公开(公告)日：2024-06-18

申请号：US17094422

申请日：2020-11-10

Applicant: Hunter Engineering Company

Inventor： Timothy A. Strege ,  Daniel R. Dorrance ,  Nicholas J. Colarelli, III

IPC: G01B11/26 ,  G01B11/275 ,  G06T7/00

CPC classification number: G01B11/2755 ,  G06T7/0004 ,  G01B2210/20 ,  G06T2207/30252

Abstract: A heavy-duty vehicle measurement system utilizing displacement sensor modules disposed in housings on opposite sides of a vehicle inspection lane to acquire a set of displacement measurements associated with a moving heavy-duty vehicle. Displacement data along one or more measurement axes is acquired independently by each of the displacement sensor module to measure corresponding distances between the sensor module and points on a surface of the passing heavy-duty. A processing system is configured to receive and evaluate the set of displacement measurements, together with known parameters of the measurement system, to identify heavy-duty vehicle features, such as configuration, body panels, wheel assemblies, and tire surfaces, and to calculate heavy-duty vehicle parameters such as velocity, wheel rim or tire dimensions, axle relative orientations (scrub angles) and wheel assembly spatial orientations.

公开(公告)号：US11385134B1

公开(公告)日：2022-07-12

申请号：US17165227

申请日：2021-02-02

Applicant: Hunter Engineering Company

Inventor： Michael T. Stieff ,  Timothy A. Strege

IPC: G01M17/00 ,  G01M17/007 ,  H04N9/31 ,  G01S13/931 ,  G07C5/08 ,  G01S7/40 ,  G01S17/931 ,  G01S7/497 ,  G01S13/86

Abstract: A vehicle service system and method to determine spatial parameters of a vehicle, employing a display system under processor control, to display or project visible indicia onto surfaces in proximity to a vehicle undergoing a safety system service or inspection identifying one or more locations, relative to the determined vehicle centerline or thrust line, at which a calibration fixture, optical target, or simulated test drive imagery is visible for observation by a sensor onboard the vehicle.

公开(公告)号：US10997451B2

公开(公告)日：2021-05-04

申请号：US16996620

申请日：2020-08-18

Applicant: Hunter Engineering Company

Inventor： Philip G. Grunzinger, Jr. ,  Timothy A. Strege ,  Kevin V. Schoemehl

IPC: G06K9/00 ,  G06K9/32 ,  G06K9/20 ,  G01B11/275 ,  H04N5/247

Abstract: A vehicle service system incorporating a set of imaging sensors disposed in an inspection lane through which a vehicle is driven. A processor is configured with software instructions to capture a set of images from the set of imaging sensors and to evaluate the captured images according to a set of rules to identify images in which a license plate is visible on an observed surface of the vehicle. The processor is further configured with software instruction to extract license plate information from the identified images, assign a figure of merit to the extracted information, and generate an output in response to the assigned figures of merit.

公开(公告)号：US20210003481A1

公开(公告)日：2021-01-07

申请号：US16916007

申请日：2020-06-29

Applicant: Hunter Engineering Company

Inventor： Timothy A. Strege

IPC: G01M17/02 ,  B60C11/24 ,  B60C25/00 ,  B60C13/00 ,  G07C5/08 ,  G07C5/00 ,  G06K7/14

Abstract: A drive-through vehicle inspection system acquiring information from engraved markings on the tire sidewalls of a moving vehicle. Optical imaging sensors disposed on opposite sides of the vehicle acquire images of the sidewall surfaces for each passing wheel assembly. The acquired images are evaluated by a processing system configured to identify, within the acquired images, visible markings engraved into the tire sidewall surfaces which include at first portion having a first optical reflectivity, and a second portion having a second optical reflectivity which is different from the first optical reflectivity. Each identified marking is decoded to retrieve data stored therein, representative of the tire, wheel assembly, and/or associated vehicle onto which the wheel assembly is installed. The retrieved data is incorporated into an inspection report and/or utilized by the vehicle inspection system to access vehicle-specific information contained within an indexed database.

公开(公告)号：US10475201B1

公开(公告)日：2019-11-12

申请号：US15423265

申请日：2017-02-02

Applicant: Hunter Engineering Company

Inventor： Aaron C. Hall ,  Mark S. Shylanski ,  Timothy A. Strege

IPC: G01B11/24 ,  G06T7/62 ,  G01B11/10 ,  H04N5/225 ,  G06T7/13 ,  G06T7/00

Abstract: A vehicle inspection or measurement method and system configured to utilize non-contact optical sensors to acquire images and measurement data associated with at least one vehicle wheel assembly as a vehicle moves through a field of view, and to evaluate the acquired image and/or measurement data to determine at least one dimension associated with an observed feature of the vehicle wheel assembly.

公开(公告)号：US09644952B2

公开(公告)日：2017-05-09

申请号：US13830867

申请日：2013-03-14

Applicant: Hunter Engineering Company

Inventor： Mark S. Shylanski ,  Daniel R. Dorrance ,  Bruce E. Bernard ,  Thomas J. Golab ,  Michael T. Stieff ,  James W. McClenahan ,  J. Kaleb Silver ,  Timothy A. Strege ,  Nicholas J. Colarelli, III

IPC: G01B11/27 ,  G06T7/00 ,  G01B11/275

CPC classification number: G01B11/27 ,  G01B11/275 ,  G01B11/2755 ,  G01B2210/12 ,  G01B2210/143 ,  G01B2210/303 ,  G06T7/0004 ,  G06T7/0006 ,  G06T7/30 ,  G06T7/32 ,  G06T7/33 ,  G06T7/73 ,  G06T7/85 ,  G06T7/97 ,  G06T2207/10012 ,  G06T2207/30164

Abstract: A process for calibrating and evaluating a machine-vision vehicle wheel alignment system having front and rear imaging components associated with each of the left and right sides of a vehicle support structure. Each pair of imaging components defines a front and rear field of view, with a common overlapping region associated with each respective side of the vehicle support structure. Optical targets disposed within each of the overlapping field of view regions are observed by the imaging components to establish performance ratings for the system as a whole, for groups of components within the system, and for individual components within the system.

公开(公告)号：US09494421B2

公开(公告)日：2016-11-15

申请号：US14332991

申请日：2014-07-16

Applicant: Hunter Engineering Company

Inventor： James W. McClenahan ,  Michael T. Stieff ,  Timothy A. Strege ,  Nicholas J. Colarelli, III

IPC: G01B5/25 ,  G01B11/275

CPC classification number: G01B11/275 ,  G01B5/25 ,  G01B2210/24

Abstract: A procedure for measuring and adjusting an alignment of each axle of a trailer or semi-trailer while the trailer or semi-trailer is coupled to a tow vehicle by a hitch, tow bar, kingpin, or fifth wheel hitch. Measurements of the alignment of each axle of the trailer or semi-trailer are acquired from wheel-mounted sensor means utilizing either directly or indirectly a reference line of the trailer and an established reference point on the tow vehicle. A thrust angle of a first trailer or semi-trailer axle is referenced directly to the established reference line, while scrub angles associated with additional trailer or semi-trailer axles are referenced either directly or indirectly to the first trailer or semi-trailer axle, and indirectly to the established reference point. Any necessary adjustments are made to the first trailer or semi-trailer axle to bring the axle thrust angle to within a specification tolerance, and then to the scrub angle of each additional axle.

Abstract translation: 拖车或半拖车通过搭接，牵引杆，中转销或第五轮联结联结到牵引车辆时，用于测量和调整拖车或半拖车的每个轴的对准的程序。 拖车或半拖车的每个轴的对准测量是从轮式安装的传感器装置获得的，其利用直接或间接的拖车的参考线和拖车上的已建立的参考点。 第一拖车或半挂车轴的推力角直接参考已建立的参考线，而与额外拖车或半挂车车轴相关的磨擦角度直接或间接参考第一拖车或半挂车车轴，以及 间接地建立了参考点。 对第一拖车或半挂车轴进行任何必要的调整，以将轴推力角度设置在规定范围内，然后再到每个附加轴的摩擦角度。

公开(公告)号：US20140253909A1

公开(公告)日：2014-09-11

申请号：US14200564

申请日：2014-03-07

Applicant: Hunter Engineering Company

Inventor： James W. McClenahan ,  Michael T. Stieff ,  John M. Boncek ,  Timothy A. Strege ,  Nicholas J. Colarelli, III

IPC: G01B11/275

CPC classification number: G01B11/2755 ,  G01B2210/12 ,  G01B2210/143 ,  G01B2210/20 ,  G01B2210/24 ,  G01B2210/28 ,  G01B2210/30

Abstract: A vehicle wheel service system including a plurality of sensors positioned in proximity to a heavy-duty multi-axle vehicle, to measure angles associated with three or more axles of the vehicle without repositioning the mounting of the sensors after initiating a measurement procedure. Additional sensors, associated with a vehicle reference, such as the vehicle frame axis, are disposed to provide vehicle reference measurement data which is communicated to a processing system. The processing system is configured with software instructions to evaluate the measurement data and to determine various vehicle wheel alignment angle measurements and/or necessary vehicle adjustments for each axle relative to the vehicle reference or to a fixed axle having a determined relationship to the vehicle reference.

Abstract translation: 一种包括定位在重载多车辆车辆附近的多个传感器的车辆车轮服务系统，用于在开始测量过程之后测量与车辆的三个或更多轴相关联的角度，而不重新定位传感器的安装。 设置与诸如车辆框架轴线的车辆参考相关联的附加传感器，以提供通信给处理系统的车辆参考测量数据。 处理系统配置有软件指令，用于评估测量数据，并且确定相对于车辆参考的每个车轴的各种车轮对准角度测量和/或必要的车辆调整，或确定与车辆参考具有确定关系的固定车轴。

公开(公告)号：US20140166403A1

公开(公告)日：2014-06-19

申请号：US13788467

申请日：2013-03-07

Applicant: HUNTER ENGINEERING COMPANY

Inventor： Michael A. Olsen ,  William James Nelgner ,  Timothy A. Strege ,  Nicholas J. Colarelli, III

IPC: B66F7/28

CPC classification number: B66F7/28

Abstract: A deflection resistant combination slip plate and turn plate assembly for support the steered wheels of a vehicle on a precision planar surface resistant to deflection and distortion. The slip plate and the turn plate are supported on an underlying surface by bearing assemblies, and establish a upper planar surface with the turn plate disposed in a cutout region of the slip plate. Each plate is configured for limited translational movement relative to the base plate surface on which it is supported, while the turn plate is further configured for rotational movement about a central axis. Translational movement of the plates is synchronized. Spacing between the slip plate and turn plate is minimized, and supporting means are provided to maintain the slip plate and turn plate in vertical alignment under load.

Abstract translation: 一种抗偏转组合滑板和转板组件，用于在精确的平面上支撑车辆的转向轮，抵抗偏转和变形。 滑板和转板通过轴承组件支撑在下表面上，并且建立上平面，转板设置在滑板的切口区域中。 每个板被构造成相对于其所支撑的基板表面进行有限的平移运动，而转板还被构造成围绕中心轴线旋转运动。 板的平移运动是同步的。 滑板和转板之间的间距最小化，并提供支撑装置，以保持滑板和转板在负载下垂直对齐。