With Alarm, Indicator, Signal, Or Inspection Means Patents (Class 37/413)
  • Patent number: 11585053
    Abstract: A mobile milling machine includes a cutting rotor disposed along a rotor drum delineating a drum rotation axis and accommodated in a rotor chamber delineated by chamber enclosure. To rotatably support the rotor drum with respect to the chamber enclosure, the rotor drum can include a bearing end and the chamber enclosure can include a bearing bore that are adapted to form a drum bearing assembly. The drum bearing assembly may include a bearing hub and a bushing configured to make a sliding frictional contact along complementary taper surfaces. The floating bushing may be floatingly retained in a chamber door of the chamber enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan S. Hutar, Craig T. Hedstrom, Nicholas B. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11459728
    Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and method for controlling a remote-controlled excavator for preventing overload. The apparatus for controlling a remote-controlled excavator according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: inertial sensors provided in the excavator; a communication unit for receiving a remote control signal from a remote control apparatus; and a control unit for driving the excavator in response to the remote control signal, wherein the control unit stops driving the excavator when a difference between an expected posture of the excavator estimated on the basis of the remote control signal and an actual posture of the excavator measured by using the inertial sensors exceeds an allowable value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Inventors: Chang Soo Han, Sang Ho Kim, Yong Seok Lee, Dong Ik Sun, Sang Keun Lee
  • Patent number: 11270423
    Abstract: An object-collection system is disclosed. The system including a vehicle connected to a bucket, a camera connected to the vehicle, and an object picking assembly configured to pick up objects off of ground. The system further includes a processor that obtains object information for identified objects, guides the object-collection system over a target geographical area toward the identified objects based on the object information, captures images of the ground relative to the object picker as the object-collection system is guided towards the identified objects, identifies a target object in the images, tracks movement of the target object across the images as the object-collection system is guided towards the identified objects, and employs the tracked movement of the target object to instruct the object picker to pick up the target object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: TerraClear Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Ronald Frei, Dwight Galen McMaster, Michael Racine, Jacobus du Preez, William David Dimmit, Isabelle Butterfield, Clifford Holmgren, Dafydd Daniel Rhys-Jones, Thayne Kollmorgen, Vivek Ullal Nayak
  • Patent number: 11178819
    Abstract: A distributed electrohydraulic system includes an electrical power source, electrohydraulic modules, and a control system. Each of the electrohydraulic modules includes one or more hydraulic components and one or more electrically-operated components which affect an operation of the one or more hydraulic components. The one or more hydraulic components of each of the electrohydraulic modules is hydraulically isolated from the one or more hydraulic components of another one of the electrohydraulic modules The one or more electrically-operated components of each of the electrohydraulic modules is electrically coupled to the electrical power source to receive electrical power. The control system includes one or more processors and memory devices electrically coupled to the electrical power source and the one or more electrically-operated components of the electrohydraulic modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Paul D. Marvin
  • Patent number: 10745889
    Abstract: A hydraulic excavator has a boom, an arm, a bucket, and a boom cylinder which drives the boom. A load value within the bucket is computed based on a load of the boom cylinder, and the load value obtained by computing is corrected based on an acceleration of extension/retraction of the boom cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Minetaka Nishimura, Yuki Shimano, Takuya Sonoda
  • Patent number: 10733752
    Abstract: A volume of contents in a container of a work vehicle can be estimated in various examples. One example involves a system with a 3D sensor on a work vehicle, where the 3D sensor captures images of the contents in a container of the work vehicle. The system also includes a sensor for detecting an angle of the container. A processor device that is in communication with the 3D sensor and the sensor determines a volume of the contents in the container using the images and the angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignees: Deere & Company, Carnegie Mellon University
    Inventors: John Hageman, Tarik Loukili, Michael Kean, Herman Herman, Halit Bener Suay
  • Patent number: 10689830
    Abstract: A mobile work machine includes a frame and a ground engaging element movably supported by the frame and driven by an engine to drive movement of the mobile work machine. The mobile work machine also includes a container movably supported by the frame and an actuator configured to controllably drive movement of the container relative to the frame. The work machine also includes a control system configured to generate an actuator control signal, indicative of a commanded movement of the actuator, and provide the actuator control signal to the actuator to control the actuator to perform the commanded movement and an image sensor coupled to the mobile work machine, the image sensor being configured to capture an image of the container. The work machine also includes an angle determination system, communicatively coupled to the control system, configured to determine an angle of the container relative to the image sensor, based on the image of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: John M. Hageman, Tarik Loukili, Suraj Amatya
  • Patent number: 10604912
    Abstract: A current terrain acquisition device acquires current terrain information indicating a current terrain to be worked. A controller is configured to generate an inclined virtual surface extending from a current position of the work vehicle. The controller is configured to decide an estimated held soil volume of a work implement of the work vehicle when the work implement is moved along the virtual surface in the current terrain. The controller is configured to decide whether the estimated held soil volume has reached a predetermined held soil volume threshold. The controller is configured to set the virtual surface extending from the current position of the work vehicle when the estimated held soil volume has reached the held soil volume threshold as a first virtual design surface, and generate a command signal to the work implement to move the work implement along the virtual design surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Hashimoto, Kenjiro Shimada, Kota Beppu
  • Patent number: 10286964
    Abstract: A lock mechanism for a tiltable operator cab of a machine is provided. The lock mechanism includes a first bracket which receives a first engagement member of the operator cab. The operator cab is pivotably coupled to an end of the machine. A second bracket receives a second engagement member of the operator cab. The second bracket is located at an offset spaced apart from the first bracket. The lock mechanism includes a sliding member having a first locking pin and a second locking pin. The sliding member slides between a first position and a second position. When the sliding member is in the first position, the first locking pin locks the first bracket with the first engagement member, and the second locking pin locks the second bracket with the second engagement member such that the sliding member locks a tilt motion of the operator cab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Deepu Krishnan Venugopal, Ashish Rajiv Honwadkar
  • Patent number: 10118553
    Abstract: Excavation is performed using an excavation device so that positions of a bucket and of an excavated material are measured with high accuracy. Safe excavation work is realized by having the excavation device include a stereo camera, and by recognizing a bucket from an image photographed by the camera, measuring a position of the bucket, recognizing an excavated material to be separated from the ground from the image photographed by the camera, measuring a position of the excavated material, and measuring a positional relationship between the bucket and the excavated material in the same screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeru Matsuo, Noriyasu Hasejima, Kenichirou Kurata
  • Patent number: 10008095
    Abstract: A system for monitoring presence of a ground-engaging tool relative to a machine, on a worksite, is disclosed. The system includes a sensor operatively coupled to the ground-engaging tool, a signal receiver, and a controller. The sensor is configured to transmit an identifying wireless signal. The controller is configured to receive a received signal from the signal receiver; the received signal based on the identifying wireless signal and having a signal power. The controller is configured to determine a signal attenuation power of the received signal, based on the signal power relative to the transmission power, determine a relative location of the ground-engaging tool and one or more fault conditions based on the signal attenuation power, and determine if the ground-engaging tool is connected to the machine based on the relative location of the ground-engaging tool and the existence of one or more fault conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Solimar Reyes-Rodriguez, Maria Cristina Herrera De Kontz, Aloke Jude Mascarenhas
  • Patent number: 10006189
    Abstract: A control system controls a construction machine that includes a work machine including a bucket having a plurality of tilting mechanisms. The control system includes: a tilt angle sensor that is provided in the bucket so as to detect tilt angle data including a rotation angle of the bucket about the tilt shaft, the tilt angle sensor being capable of detecting an inclination angle with respect to a horizontal plane; a data acquisition unit to which the tilt angle data is output from the tilt angle sensor; a data fixing unit that fixes the tilt angle data output to the data acquisition unit based on a fixing command to generate fixed data; and a work machine control unit that controls the work machine based on the fixed data until the fixing command is disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Jin Kitajima
  • Patent number: 9841312
    Abstract: A method for estimating a quantity of a payload within a bed of a wagon coupled to a machine is provided. The method includes raising the bed of the wagon to a predetermined height. The method includes receiving a pressure signal indicative of a pressure in a hoist cylinder coupled to the bed of the wagon. The method also includes receiving a load signal indicative of a load at a hitch of the wagon. The method further includes estimating the quantity of the payload in the bed of the wagon based, at least in part, on a predetermined relationship between the pressure signal and the load signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Vail, Thomas N. Brooks, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9773175
    Abstract: A system for tracking a position of a cable attached between a power source and a machine in a worksite is disclosed. The cable is further coupled to a guiding device located in the worksite between the power source and the machine. The system includes a perception module disposed on the machine to detect a location of the guiding device. The system further includes a controller disposed to be in communication with the perception module. The controller determines the location of the guiding device with respect to a location of the machine and determines a distance between the guiding device and the machine. The controller further compares the distance with a first threshold distance and a second threshold distance and generates a warning if the distance is greater than the first threshold distance or smaller than the second threshold distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Paul R. Friend, Paul E. Rybski
  • Patent number: 8924094
    Abstract: A payload control system includes a tool position sensor, a boom lift sensor, and a boom swing sensor. A controller is configured to determine a segment of a work cycle based upon the tool position, the boom lift, and the boom swing signal, and determine a payload moved by the tool during the segment of the work cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Faivre, Yongliang Zhu, Drew A. Fehr
  • Publication number: 20140237868
    Abstract: A load estimator is disclosed for use with a scraper. The load estimator may have a first sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of a performance parameter of the scraper, a second sensor configured to generate a second signal indicative of a hydraulic pressure associated with a bowl of the scraper, and a controller in communication with the first and second sensors. The controller may be configured to classify a current segment of an ongoing work cycle based on the first signal. The controller may also be configured to selectively estimate a load of material contained with the bowl of the scraper based on the second signal only when the current segment is classified as a segment where the load can be reliably estimated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Michael R. Whitchurch, Jeffrey E. Buettner, Jason S. Knowles, Robert K. Cannon
  • Publication number: 20130283648
    Abstract: A guard for a sensor apparatus in a tilting arrangement. The guard includes a first tubular portion supported on the tilting arrangement, a longitudinal portion extending from the first tubular portion, and a second tubular portion extending from the longitudinal portion. The first tubular portion provides a first cavity adapted to partially enclose a first mounting stud of the sensor apparatus. Similarly, the second tubular portion provides a second cavity adapted to partially enclose a second mounting stud of the sensor apparatus. And, the longitudinal portion provides a recess adapted to partially enclose a lever member of the sensor apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: John P. Marek
  • Patent number: 8437925
    Abstract: A leveling control system and method for heavy equipment, in which a lower frame having a traveling unit and an upper frame are combined together by a tilting unit, includes a sensor unit, provided in the equipment, for measuring twist angles of the lower frame and the upper frame against a reference horizontal surface and a traveling speed of the equipment, and detecting working state information of working devices; a control unit for receiving the twist angles, the traveling speed, and the working state information, calculating a correction angle for the leveling control of the upper frame, and generating a control signal for instructing an operation of an actuator in accordance with the correction angle; and a driving unit for performing the leveling through the actuator in accordance with the control signal received therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment Holding Sweden AB
    Inventors: Jin Seop Kim, Chang Soo Lee, In Woo Kim
  • Patent number: 8423247
    Abstract: A speed change control system for industrial vehicle, includes: a speed ratio detecting unit that detects a speed ratio of speeds of an input shaft and of an output shaft of a torque converter; speed changer for operating based on the torque converter speed ratio that shifts up or down a speed stage of a transmission in response to the detected speed ratio; a braking detection unit that detects an operation of a braking device for traveling; and a downshift limit unit that permits a downshift to a 1st speed by the speed changer when a non-operation of the braking device is detected by the braking detection unit and limits a lowest speed stage upon downshift by the speed changer to a 2nd speed when an operation of the braking device is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Hyodo, Tetsuji Tanaka, Eiichi Sakai
  • Patent number: 8386134
    Abstract: A method for enhancing payload control is disclosed. The method includes removing material during a plurality of work cycles with at least one loading machine and associating the loading machine relative to at least one haulage machine. The method also includes determining the relative locations of the loading machine and the haulage machine and, during the plurality of work cycles, loading removed material into the haulage machine with the loading machine. The method also includes determining payload and payload distribution within the haulage machine at least before a last work cycle of the plurality of work cycles and communicating to the loading machine, via a machine-to-machine communication system, the amount and position within the haulage machine of additional payload desired in at least the last work cycle of the plurality of work cycles for desired payload and payload distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen J. Morey, Timothy A. Vik, Richard D. Johnston, Jonathan W. Rothwell
  • Publication number: 20120144704
    Abstract: A cycle counter for a wheeled tractor scraper is disclosed. The cycle counter may have an ejector configured to push material from a bowl of the wheeled tractor scraper, a sensor configured to generate a pressure signal indicative of a position of the ejector, and a controller in communication with the sensor. The controller may be configured to determine movement of the ejector toward a full dump position based on the pressure signal, and to record completion of a cycle for the wheeled tractor scraper after the ejector has reached the full dump position only if a value of the pressure signal exceeded a threshold value during movement of the ejector toward the full dump position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Ramona D. CONE, Keith R. Kosowski, Eric N. Polston, Ryan A. Kingdon, Donna K. Laube, Ashok Krishnan, Steven R. Krause, Brian A. Byers
  • Patent number: 8195367
    Abstract: A leveling control system and method for heavy equipment, in which a lower frame having a traveling unit and an upper frame are combined together by a tilting unit. The system includes a sensor unit, provided in the equipment, for measuring twist angles of the lower frame and the upper frame against a reference horizontal surface and a traveling speed of the equipment, and detecting working state information of working devices; a control unit for receiving the twist angles, the traveling speed, and the working state information, calculating a correction angle for the leveling control of the upper frame, and generating a control signal for instructing an operation of an actuator in accordance with the correction angle; and a driving unit for performing the leveling through the actuator in accordance with the control signal received therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment Holding Sweden AB
    Inventors: Jin Seop Kim, Chang Soo Lee, In Woo Kim
  • Patent number: 7975410
    Abstract: A control system for use with an excavation machine is disclosed. The control system may have a boom member, a linear actuator connected to pivot the boom member in a first direction, a rotary actuator connected to swing the boom member in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction, and an operator input device configured to generate a command signal indicative of a desired movement of the boom member. The control system may also have a tilt sensor configured to detect an inclination of the excavation machine, and a controller in communication with the rotary actuator, the operator input device, and the tilt sensor. The controller may be configured to receive a swing end stop for the boom member, to control the rotary actuator to move the boom member based on the command signal, and to modify the command signal to inhibit movement of the boom member past the swing end stop based on the detected inclination of the excavation machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Leo Faivre, Roger Dale Koch, Brahmaramba Tallapragada
  • Patent number: 7912612
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a payload calculation system for use with a work implement. The payload calculation system may have a state sensor configured to measure a state of the work implement. The payload calculation system may further have a processing device configured to calculate a mass of a payload moved by the work implement. The processing device may be configured to use the measured state to compensate the calculation of the mass for centrifugal, inertial, and frictional forces of the work implement caused by the work implement rotating about a vertical pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Vijayakumar Janardhan, Jeffrey Kent Berry, Brian Mintah, Everett Gene Brandt, Robert J. Price, Kevin Dwight King, Shoji Tozawa
  • Patent number: 7793442
    Abstract: An avoidance system for a mobile earthmoving machine is disclosed. The avoidance system includes a sensor system configured to periodically detect a position of a cable tethered from the machine within a worksite and generate a position data set in response thereto. A controller is associated with the sensor system and configured to determine a cable avoidance region based on the position data set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Roger Dale Koch, Bryan James Everett
  • Publication number: 20090265962
    Abstract: An avoidance system for a mobile earthmoving machine is disclosed. The avoidance system includes a sensor system configured to periodically detect a position of a cable tethered from the machine within a worksite and generate a position data set in response thereto. A controller is associated with the sensor system and configured to determine a cable avoidance region based on the position data set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventors: Roger Dale Koch, Bryan James Everett
  • Publication number: 20090139119
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a payload calculation system for use with a work implement. The payload calculation system may have a state sensor configured to measure a state of the work implement. The payload calculation system may further have a processing device configured to calculate a mass of a payload moved by the work implement. The processing device may be configured to use the measured state to compensate the calculation of the mass for centrifugal, inertial, and frictional forces of the work implement caused by the work implement rotating about a vertical pivot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventors: Vijayakumar Janardhan, Jeffrey Kent Berry, Brian Mintah, Everett Gene Brandt, Robert J. Price, Kevin Dwight King, Shoji Tozawa
  • Publication number: 20090143896
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a payload calculation system for use with a work implement having at least two linkage members. The payload calculation system may have at least one state sensor configured to measure a state of the at least two linkage members. The payload calculation system may also have a processing device in communication with the at least one state sensor. The processing device may account for changes in a center of gravity of each of the at least two linkage members. The processing device may also be configured to use the at least one state sensor to determine a mass of a payload moved by the work implement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventors: Vijayakumar Janardhan, Jeffrey Kent Berry, Brian Mintah, Everett Gene Brandt, Robert J. Price, Kevin Dwight King
  • Publication number: 20090125196
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring the stability of a construction machine are provided. A gyroscope is configured to detect an angle of inclination of the construction machine relative to a vertical axis and generate an inclination signal representative thereof. A processor in operable communication with the gyroscope is configured to receive the inclination angle and generate a warning signal when the angle of inclination exceeds a predetermined threshold. An alarm device in operable communication with the processor is configured to generate an alarm to indicate to a user of the construction machine when the angle of inclination has exceeded the predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Felix E. Velazquez, Michael D. Dwyer, John W. Thornberry
  • Publication number: 20090038186
    Abstract: An extendable frame work vehicle offering enhanced versatility, safety and effectiveness. The vehicle includes an adjustable frame with front and rear portions that extend or retract with respect to each other. The front portion is supported by a first pair of wheels and said rear portion is supported by a second pair of wheels. Each wheel is independently driven and steered. The vehicle also includes an engine mounted on the rear portion of the frame. Incorporated into the vehicle is an electro-hydraulic assembly which enables extension and retraction of the adjustable frame. The assembly includes a sensor-responsive microprocessor controller, at least one hydraulic pump, at least one hydraulic drive motor, and at least one valve network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: Extendquip, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Osswald, Walter A. Osswald, Marcus F. Dack, Kenneth Buelt, Thomas E. Price, JR., Alan Severns, Jeffrey A. Wierschke, Joe A. Racz, David R. Bauer, Justin D. Gasal
  • Publication number: 20080313935
    Abstract: A backhoe loader with a controller that uses angular signals from at least one sensor to calculate a loader tool angle with respect to the vehicle frame or with respect to the earth and to maintain the loader tool angle via controller generated commands to a tool actuator as a function of the angular signals and commands to a boom actuator. The controller enables proportional control of the tool angle via a command input device such as an electronic joystick. If the electronic joystick is moved to an appropriate detent position, the controller executes a return to carry function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventor: Boris Trifunovic
  • Patent number: 6990390
    Abstract: Method and apparatus to detect a change in a work tool with an engaging portion. A control system senses a change in the relationship between the engaging portion of the work tool and at least one of the work tool and another engaging portion of the work tool. If the change is greater than a predetermined value, the control system produces an error signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald O. Groth, Carl A. Kemner, N. Keith Lay
  • Patent number: 6980896
    Abstract: An earth-moving vehicle includes a carriage, which can move on a terrain in mutually opposite directions of movement along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle, and a station for driving and maneuvering, which is able to rotate with respect to the carriage about a vertical axis, houses a plurality of controls, and is oriented in a direction in which an operator is facing during maneuvering of the controls. The vehicle is further provided with a signaling device and with a control assembly, which activates the signaling device to warn, outside the station, when a direction of movement is actuated that is opposite to the direction of orientation of the station. The control assembly operates automatically according to the relative angular position of the station with respect to the carriage about the vertical axis and according to the command issued for the direction of movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventor: Alessandro Stamerra
  • Publication number: 20040068896
    Abstract: A laser-regulating means for a construction machine (2) for adjusting the height of a height-adjustable machining tool (8) includes three laser measuring heads which are directed to three measuring points (50, 52, 54) being spaced from each other on a reference surface (60), and an evaluating means, which, from the output signals of the laser measuring heads and from the known geometric arrangement of the laser measuring heads as regards the machining tool (8), determines the height of the machining tool (8) relative to a reference surface (60) and, from this height and from a target height determines a control signal for a height-adjustment of the machining tool (8). The construction machine is a road finisher (2) with a height-adjustable plank (8) or a cold planer with a height-adjustable milling drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventor: Willibald Sehr
  • Publication number: 20040064979
    Abstract: A sensor system is disclosed for a buried waste containment site having a bottom wall barrier and/or sidewall barriers, for containing hazardous waste. The sensor system includes one or more sensor devices disposed in one or more of the barriers for detecting a physical parameter either of the barrier itself or of the physical condition of the surrounding soils and buried waste, and for producing a signal representing the physical parameter detected. Also included is a signal processor for receiving signals produced by the sensor device and for developing information identifying the physical parameter detected, either for sounding an alarm, displaying a graphic representation of a physical parameter detected on a viewing screen and/or a hard copy printout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventors: Ann Marie Smith, Bradley M. Gardner, Kevin M. Kostelnik, Judy K. Partin, Gregory D. Lancaster, Mary Catherine Pfeifer
  • Patent number: 6437726
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a location of an underground object during a digging operation. The method and apparatus includes delivering a signal toward the underground object, receiving a reflected signal from the underground object, determining an initial location of the underground object, creating a region of uncertainty around the underground object as a function of a level of confidence of the determined initial location, performing at least one process to improve the level of confidence, and adjusting the region of uncertainty as a function of the improved level of confidence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Price
  • Patent number: 6085583
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for monitoring a work implement of a digging machine positioned at an excavation site during an excavating work cycle, the work implement including a bucket for capturing material, the method comprising the steps of using a representation of the shape of the excavation site and estimating the volume of material captured by the bucket based on the actual trajectory of the bucket and the shape of the excavation site to determine when the bucket has reached a desired capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Carnegie Mellon University
    Inventors: Howard Cannon, Sanjiv Singh
  • Patent number: 5743031
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing a signal indicative of loss or imminent loss of digging hardware normally arranged in operable association with an earth working implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: H&L Company
    Inventors: Brian L. Launder, William A. Flagg
  • Patent number: 5627467
    Abstract: A device for sensing the displacement of working members in industrial equipment is disclosed. The above sensing device includes cheap analog inductive sensors capable of maintaining the sensing characteristics irrespective of moisture and leaking water, thereby precisely sensing the displacements of the working members. The sensor housing of the device easily fixes the analog inductive sensor by simply fitting the sensor into a mount hole formed in the housing, thereby easily changing the troubled sensor with a new one and easily focusing the sensor when initially mounting the sensor to the housing. As a pair of analog inductive sensors are mounted to both side surfaces of the working member, the sensing device of this invention also prevents the operational errors to the sensors caused by the operational vibrations of the working members while sensing the displacements of the working members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Samsung Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seong H. Lee, Sang T. Chung, Dong S. Lee
  • Patent number: 5307698
    Abstract: The pressure atop a fluid filled flexible column, with the top end in a fixed position, is electronically measured and the result is utilized to indicate the vertical distance between points of interest. Associated electronics plus a suitable display, indicates the vertical distance between the points. As the lower end of the flexible fluid column is moved, the display continuously indicates the vertical distance relative to a reference point. The points of interest (one being a reference point) are measured by placing the opposite end of the flexible column on those points. As applied to a backhoe or excavator, the fluid filled flexible column is adhered to the boom and stick (major moving members of the equipment) and thereby furnishes the equipment operator the vertical position of the bucket (cutting edge of the equipment) compared to an established reference. The system continuously displays the relative vertical position of the bucket without the operator having to actuate any switch or valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Inventor: Thomas E. Endres