Abstract: A payload measurement system can be used to measure the payload added to a machine supported on a plurality of walking beams. A plurality of load cell sensors is mounted to the walking beams in locations where, when the walking beam bends, the sensors are placed under load. The load cell sensors include a symmetrical strain bar having first and second mounting ends connected by a connecting span, wherein the end thickness is greater than the span thickness of the connecting span. The connecting span is disposed between and spaced apart from an upper plane and a lower plane with which the surfaces of the mounting ends are aligned.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a hydraulic valve component using additive manufacturing includes laying successive layers to form a flow aperture for a hydraulic valve component, and creating a lattice or mesh structure that at least partially defines the flow aperture of the hydraulic valve component, or a feature that forms an undercut along a direction that is parallel to a flow direction of the flow aperture, or a flow aperture having a size varying along a circumferential direction of the valve component.

Abstract: A quick coupler and methods of coupling and decoupling a quick coupler and work tool are disclosed. The quick coupler includes a frame, cylinder, primary blocking member, secondary blocking member, biasing member, and controller. The method of coupling includes activating an AUTOMATIC LOCKING state, automatically locking a second tool pin within a hook, a first tool pin entering a notch, and activating a LOCKED state. The method of decoupling includes activating the AUTOMATIC LOCKING state, resting the work tool on a surface, activating an UNLOCKED state, and separating the quick coupler and work tool. Advantageously, the quick coupler can automatically lock the second tool pin without actuation of the cylinder.

Abstract: A track link and track shoe bolted connection includes a track link with a clearance hole, a track bolt with a free end extending through the clearance hole, and a track nut with a top surface that is spaced away a minimum distance from the clearance hole. The track link includes a rail surface, a bottom surface, and a midplane between the rail surface and the bottom surface. The top surface of the track nut is at or above the midplane.

Abstract: A work machine, such as a hauler at a mining site, includes a conductor rod housing concentric metal tubes for receiving electrical power from a contactor sliding on a power rail. A head-end interface of the conductor rod proximate the work machine includes multiple tiers to which terminal connectors are affixed. The tiers are at different heights above the base of the head-end interface, providing a distance or spacing between adjacent terminal connectors, thus reducing the need to increase a diameter of head-end interface to accommodate adjacent terminal connectors.

Abstract: A method for monitoring operation of a machine includes receiving machine operation data including a first data channel indicative of a sensed condition at a first location on the machine, wherein the machine operation data is collected during one or more work cycles of the machine, and extracting at least a portion of the machine operation data, including data associated with the first data channel.

Abstract: A sealed and lubricated rotatable track engaging element includes a roller and a roller shaft extending through the roller to support the roller for rotation about a major axis. A first thrust surface is fixed relative to the roller, and a second thrust surface is fixed relative to the roller shaft. A seal cavity extends between the roller and the roller shaft and is formed in part by each of the first thrust surface and the second thrust surface, and a thrust washer stack is within the seal cavity and trapped between the first thrust surface and the second thrust surface. The thrust washer stack includes an inner thrust washer contacting the roller to rotate at a first fractional speed of a speed of rotation of the roller, and an outer thrust washer contacting the inner thrust washer and the collar to rotate at a second fractional speed that is less than the first fractional speed.

Abstract: An insert for use with a fuel injector comprises a shaft including a substantially cylindrical configuration defining a shaft cylindrical axis, a shaft radial direction, and a shaft diameter; and a head including a substantially cylindrical configuration defining a head cylindrical axis, a head radial direction, and a head diameter. The shaft and head may be attached to each other, the shaft cylindrical axis and the head cylindrical axis may be parallel to each other, the head diameter may be greater than the shaft diameter, and the shaft cylindrical axis may be spaced away from the head cylindrical axis.

Abstract: A valve for controlling a hydraulic cylinder on a work machine may include a raising position configured for placing a pump in fluid communication with a cap end of the hydraulic cylinder. The valve may also include closed center position configured for closing off fluid communication to the cap end line and the rod end line. The valve may also include a lowering position configured for placing the pump in fluid communication with the rod end of the hydraulic cylinder. The valve may also include a snubbing position configured for placing the cap end in restricted flow fluid communication with the tank and for placing the rod end in restricted flow fluid communication with the tank.

Abstract: A support assembly for attaching a heat exchanger to a frame of a machine. The support assembly includes a clip configured to at least partially surround a perimeter of a tube member of the heat exchanger. The clip includes a first end portion and a second end portion configured to engage the first end portion to hold the support assembly around the tube member in a closed position. The first end portion includes a laterally-extending projection and a laterally facing surface spaced apart from the projection by a recessed area. The second end portion defines a recess configured to receive a portion of the projection.

Abstract: A collision avoidance system for a work machine includes at least one sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a presence of at least one obstacle in a surrounding area of the work machine. The collision avoidance system also includes a controller communicably coupled with the sensor. The controller is configured to receive the signal indicative of the presence of the obstacle in the surrounding area of the work machine from the sensor. The controller is also configured to determine a position of the obstacle relative to the work machine based on the signal received from the sensor. The controller is further configured to generate a control signal to prevent a movement of the work machine, halt the movement of the work machine, or reduce a velocity of the work machine based on the determination of the position of the obstacle.

Abstract: An idler for an undercarriage system in a track-type machine includes an idler rim having an outer rim surface extending around an idler axis of rotation, and a plurality of one-piece wear pads attached to the idler rim upon a first axial side and a second axial side of a radially projecting central guide flange. Each of the one-piece wear pads includes a sacrificial head supported on the outer rim surface, and having a base in interlocking engagement with the idler rim.

Abstract: An idler for an undercarriage system in a track-type machine includes an idler rim having an outer rim surface extending circumferentially around an idler axis of rotation and forming a centrally located guide flange. The outer rim surface further forms a first ring channel and a second ring channel upon a first axial side and a second axial side of the centrally located guide flange, respectively. A first sacrificial wear ring is seated in the first ring channel and a second sacrificial wear ring is seated in the second ring channel.

Abstract: A collision avoidance system for a work machine includes at least one sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a presence of at least one obstacle in a surrounding area of the work machine, at least one imaging device, a display device, and a controller. The controller receives the signal indicative of the presence of the obstacle and determines a position of the obstacle relative to the work machine based on the signal received from the sensor. The controller generates a first control signal to prevent a movement of the work machine, halt the movement of the work machine, or reduce a velocity of the work machine based on the determination of the position of the obstacle. The controller generates a second control signal for displaying an updated display view that provides a visual indication of the presence of the obstacle in the surrounding area of the work machine.

Abstract: A method for controlling an internal combustion engine cooling system includes pumping coolant in an engine cooling loop with a coolant pump, pumping the coolant in an air cooler loop that includes a liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger with the coolant pump, and receiving a condition signal indicative of at least one condition associated with the internal combustion engine. The method also includes, based on the condition signal, adjusting a position of a flow control valve to modify a flow of coolant to the liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a worksite plan to be executed by at least one machine at a worksite from a computing device of a supervising entity, the controller being located at a non-line-of-sight (NLOS) location with respect to the worksite. The worksite plan may include a boundary of the worksite at which the worksite plan is implemented, at least one task defining the worksite plan, and a selection of at least one machine to perform the task. The method may include receiving a validation signal from a device located at the worksite, the validation indicating that the worksite is ready for implementation of the worksite plan based on at least one parameter of worksite readiness. The method may include selecting a first mode of operation of the machine to perform the task and transmitting first instructions to the machine to perform the task based on the first mode of operation.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for a machine includes an implement pump, a valve, and an implement valve subsystem. The implement pump includes a load sensing control, and the valve controls the flow of hydraulic fluid to the implement pump. The implement valve subsystem includes one or more implement control subsystems to control movement of an implement. The valve is an electrohydraulic proportional relief valve and includes a solenoid configured to adjust the pressure of hydraulic fluid delivered to the implement pump proportionally to a current delivered through the solenoid.

Abstract: A dragline bucket includes a base member defining a first end, a second end, and a third end. The dragline bucket also includes a first side wall, a second side wall, and an end wall extending from the base member proximate to the third end of the base member such that the end wall is connected to each of the first side wall and the second side wall. The end wall includes a first portion connected to the base member such that a first angle is defined between the base member and the first portion. The end wall also includes a second portion extending from the first portion. The second portion is substantially perpendicular to the base member. The end wall further includes a third portion extending from the second portion such that a second angle is defined between the second portion and the first portion.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for real-time characterization of drilled particles during a drilling operation can be comprised of a light illumination source to output short-wave-infrared (SWIR) light toward the drilled particles as the drilled particles exit a drill hole being drilled by a drilling machine; a sensor to sense reflected short-wave-infrared (SWIR) light reflected from the drilled particles exiting the drill hole; and processing circuitry operatively coupled to at least the sensor. The processing circuitry can be configured to determine a spectrum of the reflected short-wave-infrared light sensed by the sensor, and determine particle characterization for a portion of the drilled particles by performing hyperspectral analysis on the determined spectrum and based on predetermined candidate particle characterizations.

Abstract: An exhaust heater system includes an exhaust heater and an air supply tube disposed within the exhaust heater. Relatively hot exhaust gas from an engine is directed into the exhaust heater, whereby heat from the exhaust heats the interior of the air supply tube. The heat partially vaporizes liquid methanol injected into the air supply tube. To control the amount of heating, the exhaust can be directed to the air supply tube as well as an exhaust bypass, whereby exhaust directed to the exhaust bypass does not heat the interior of the air supply tube.