Follower vehicle control system and method for forward and reverse convoy movement

1. A vehicle control system for causing a follower vehicle to follow a leader, comprising:

a tether system operatively associated with a leader and a follower vehicle, the tether system comprising:

a tether, the tether having a first end adapted to be attached to the leader and a second end adapted to be attached to the follower vehicle;

a length sensor operatively associated with the tether, the length sensor sensing a length of the tether extending between the follower vehicle and the leader; and

an angle sensor operatively associated with the tether, the angle sensor sensing an angle between the tether and the follower vehicle;

a path tracking system operatively associated with the tether system, the path tracking system determining a path traveled by the leader;

a path control system operatively associated with the path tracking system, the path control system causing the follower vehicle to travel to a traveled point on the path traveled by the leader; and

a direction control system operatively associated with the follower vehicle and the tether system, the direction control system selecting between a forward travel direction and a reverse travel direction for the follower vehicle based on a change in length of the tether.

2. A vehicle control system for causing a follower vehicle to follow a leader, comprising:

a tether system mounted to the follower vehicle, the tether system comprising:

a tether having an end adapted to be attached to the leader;

a length sensor operatively associated with the tether, the length sensor sensing a length of the tether extending between the follower vehicle and the leader; and

an angle sensor operatively associated with the tether, the angle sensor sensing an angle between the tether and the follower vehicle;

a path tracking system operatively associated with the tether system, the path tracking system determining a path traveled by the leader;

a path control system operatively associated with the path tracking system and the follower vehicle, the path control system determining a determined path for the follower vehicle from an actual position of the follower vehicle and a selected travel point on the path traveled by the leader, the path control system causing the follower vehicle to follow the determined path for the follower vehicle; and

a spacing control system operatively associated with the path tracking system and the follower vehicle, the spacing control system causing the follower vehicle to maintain a predetermined spacing between the follower vehicle and the leader.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the path control system provides a desired curvature to the follower vehicle, the desired curvature causing the follower vehicle to follow the path traveled by the leader.

4. The system of claim 2 , wherein the spacing control system causes the follower vehicle to maintain a predetermined spacing between the follower vehicle and the leader, the predetermined spacing being measured along the path traveled by the leader.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the spacing control system provides desired velocity to the follower vehicle, the desired velocity causing the follower vehicle to maintain the predetermined spacing.

6. The system of claim 2 , further comprising a direction control system operatively associated with the follower vehicle and the tether system, the direction control system selecting between a forward travel direction and a reverse travel direction for the follower vehicle based on a change in length of the tether.

7. The system of claim 2 , further comprising a damper operatively associated with the angle sensor.

8. The system of claim 2 , wherein the tether system further comprises:

a spool mounted for rotation with respect to the tether system, the spool holding a length of the tether;

a motor operatively connected to the spool, the motor rotating the spool to pay-out and reel-in the tether; and

a tether guide operatively associated with the motor, the spool, and the tether.

9. The system of claim 2 , wherein the path control system causing the follower vehicle to follow the determined path for the follower vehicle occurs automatically.

10. A vehicle control system for causing a follower vehicle to follow a leader, comprising:

a tether mounted to the follower vehicle, the tether having an end adapted to be attached to the leader;

a length sensing means operatively associated with the tether for sensing a length of the tether extending between the follower vehicle and the leader;

an angle sensing means operatively associated with the tether for sensing an angle between the tether and the follower vehicle;

a path tracking system operatively associated with the length sensing means and the angle sensing means, the path tracking system determining a path traveled by the leader;

a path control system operatively associated with the path tracking system and the follower vehicle, the path control system determining a determined path for the follower vehicle from an actual position of the follower vehicle and a selected travel point on the path traveled by the leader, the path control system causing the follower vehicle to follow the determined path for the follower vehicle; and

a spacing control system operatively associated with the path tracking system and the follower vehicle, the spacing control system causing the follower vehicle to maintain a predetermined spacing between the follower vehicle and the leader.

11. The system of claim 10 , further comprising a tension control means operatively associated with the tether for controlling a tension in the tether.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the tension control means varies the tension in the tether as a function of a velocity of the leader.

13. A method for causing a follower vehicle to follow a leader, comprising:

connecting the follower vehicle to the leader with a tether;

measuring a length of the tether connecting the follower vehicle to the leader;

measuring an angle between the tether and the follower vehicle;

determining a position of the leader based on the measured length and the measured angle;

determining a path traveled by the leader based on a plurality of determined leader positions;

determining a determined path for the follower vehicle from an actual position of the follower vehicle and a selected travel point on the path traveled by the leader;

steering the follower vehicle so that the follower vehicle substantially follows the determined path for the follower vehicle; and

controlling a velocity of the follower vehicle so that the follower vehicle maintains a predetermined distance from the leader.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein controlling a velocity of the follower vehicle comprises controlling a velocity of the follower vehicle so that the follower vehicle maintains a predetermined distance from the leader, the predetermined distance being measured along the path traveled by the leader.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the predetermined distance is a function of the velocity of the leader.

16. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:

operating the follower vehicle in a reverse travel direction; and

steering the follower vehicle in the reverse travel direction based on the measured angle between the tether and the follower vehicle.

17. The method of claim 14 , further comprising selecting to operate the follower vehicle in either a forward travel direction or a reverse travel direction for the follower vehicle based on a change in length of the tether.

18. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:

operating the follower vehicle in a reverse travel direction; and

steering the follower vehicle in the reverse travel direction to follow in reverse at least a portion of the path traveled by the leader.