Abstract: A refuse collection vehicle includes a fork assembly that is operable to engage one or more fork pockets of a refuse container, a lift arm that is operable to lift a refuse container, and at least one sensor that is configured to collect data indicating a position of the one or more fork pockets of the refuse container. A position of at least one of the fork assembly or the lift arm is adjusted in response to the data collected by the at least one sensor.

Abstract: A refuse vehicle has a tailgate. The tailgate has a framework to secure CNG tanks. A cover overlays the frame work to provide an aesthetic appearance to the vehicle.

Abstract: Techniques are described for correlating entity identification information with refuse containers being serviced by a refuse collection vehicle (RCV). Location data can be collected by location sensor(s) on the RCV at a time when a triggering condition is present, such as a time when a lift arm is operating to empty a refuse container into the hopper of the RCV. The location data can be provided as input to an algorithm that estimates a container location through a vector offset to account for the distance and direction of the RCV lift arm relative to the location sensor in the RCV. The container location can be correlated with parcel data to determine the parcel that the container was on or near to when it was serviced, and the customer or other entity associated with the parcel can be correlated to the particular container based on the analysis.

Abstract: A method and device for positively identifying that a dump event of a refuse container has occurred into a refuse hopper of a refuse vehicle are provided. When used with route software, alerts may be generated if a specific refuse container is missed or if an unexpected dump event occurs during the route.

Abstract: An intermediate container for a refuse vehicle where the container is positioned in front of the refuse vehicle is provided. A plurality of legs extends from the container toward the refuse vehicle. An attachment mechanism is on each leg to secure the legs to a front loading arm assembly of the refuse vehicle.

Abstract: A theft-deterrent assembly for a container vehicle includes a physical barrier that is movable between a closed position that prevents the opening of a discharge port for the product carried in the container, and an open position that allows the opening of the discharge port. A sensor is provided that determines if the physical barrier is in the open position or in the closed position. The sensor is operatively attached to a theft-deterrent controller that is adapted to record the movement of the physical barrier between the open and closed positions upon the occurrence of such movement.

Abstract: Techniques are described for determining an amount of fuel that is consumed by the body components of a vehicle, based at least partly on sensor data describing the operations of the body components and/or the location of the vehicle. A vehicle is equipped with a body that has any suitable number of body components that perform operations not directly associated with the translational movement of the vehicle from one location to another. Fuel is consumed to provide power (e.g., through power take off) to operate the body components. The vehicle includes sensor device(s) configured to sense the operations of the body components and generate sensor data that describes the operations of the body components. The sensor data is analyzed to determine an amount of fuel that is consumed to power the operations of the body components.

Abstract: A multi-use garbage truck has an ability to not only to front load containers of garbage into a hopper in a refuse collection body, but also an ability to swap out the forks, if not arm connection assemblies, or even entire frame arms, to be replaced with one of a plurality of attachments which connect to at least one, if not both frame arms with attachments for various uses such as snow plow, leaf blower, street sweeper, bucket, grapple, etc. Furthermore, an ability to independently operate the left frame arm relative to the right frame arm can now be provided so that the left frame arm can utilize and perform one function and the right frame arm provide another or at least be independently operable from one another.

Abstract: A refuse collection vehicle includes a grabber that is operable to engage a refuse container, a lift arm that is operable to lift a refuse container, at least one sensor that is arranged to collect data indicating an angular position of the grabber, at least one sensor that is arranged to collect data indicating a relative positioning of the lift arm, a first controller for adjusting the angular position of the grabber, and a second controller adjusting the relative positioning of the lift arm. The adjustment of the angular position of the grabber is coordinated with the adjustment of the relative positioning of the lift arm.

Abstract: A cradle and guide system for a refuse vehicle has at least one track member mounted on a bumper of a refuse vehicle. The at least one track member is able to deflect horizontally to compensate for misalignment. At least one guide member is mounted to a front loading fork of the refuse vehicle. The at least one guide member contacts the at least one track member to limit horizontal movement of the front loading fork with respect to the refuse vehicle during misalignment. The at least one track member returns to its original position to align the front loading forks.

Abstract: An automatic control system for a refuse vehicle includes a mode select switch disposed within the vehicle that generates a mode select signal based on input from an operator of the vehicle, a control mechanism disposed within the vehicle that operates in response to the mode select signal, and a plurality of sensors adapted to sense a plurality of characteristics of the vehicle and adapted to communicate the plurality of sensed characteristics. The system further includes a control module that receives control instructions from the control mechanism and selectively controls at least one component of a plurality of components of the vehicle based on the mode select signal, at least one of the plurality of sensed characteristics, and the control instructions.

Abstract: There is disclosed a waste collecting device having a container for receiving waste therein. The container has an end wall and an ejector panel. The container encloses a waste receiving volume. The ejector panel has an opening therethrough for allowing access to the waste receiving volume for receiving the waste. The waste collecting device further has a compactor outside the waste receiving volume being operable for pushing the waste in the container through the opening. The ejector panel is movable within the waste receiving volume and relative to a floor of the container for pushing the waste out of the waste receiving volume. A method of operating a waste collecting device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A CNG leak detection system has a plurality of CNG tanks. A plurality of control valve mechanisms, equal in number to the plurality of CNG tanks, is coupled with each CNG tank. A sensor is coupled with each control valve mechanism. The sensor monitors the CNG in the tank. A processor is electrically coupled with the sensor. A display is coupled with the processor to display the sensed condition of at least one desired tank of the plurality of tanks.

Abstract: Techniques are described for vehicle activity information collection and analysis. A vehicle activity information unit in a vehicle generates vehicle activity information including video data that is captured by interior and/or exterior camera(s) on the vehicle. The vehicle activity information can also include sensor data generated by an accelerometer, a compass, a temperature sensor, a Global Positioning System module, and/or other sensor(s). The vehicle activity information can also include audio data generated by at least one microphone. In some implementations, at least a portion of the vehicle activity information is collected during a period of time that includes an event (e.g., an accident). The information is stored in data storage with an association between the information and the event, and is processed to generate performance data associated with a driver of the vehicle. The performance data can be presented through a user interface to the driver or other(s).

Abstract: A refuse collection vehicle includes a grabber that is operable to engage a refuse container, a lift arm that is operable to lift a refuse container, at least one sensor that is arranged to collect data indicating an angular position of the grabber, at least one sensor that is arranged to collect data indicating a relative positioning of the lift arm, a first controller for adjusting the angular position of the grabber, and a second controller adjusting the relative positioning of the lift arm. The adjustment of the angular position of the grabber is coordinated with the adjustment of the relative positioning of the lift arm.

Abstract: A refuse collection vehicle has a container collection arm with a telescoping boom coupled with a refuse stowage unit of the vehicle. A grasping mechanism is coupled with an end of the boom. A rotary actuator couples the grasping mechanism with the boom to enable a waste container to be moved between a pick up position and a dump position.

Abstract: Operating a refuse collection vehicle to collect refuse from a refuse container includes positioning a refuse collection vehicle with respect to a refuse container to be emptied, and manually engaging a switch to initiate a dump cycle to be performed by the refuse collection vehicle on the refuse container. The dump cycle includes engaging the refuse container with a portion of the vehicle, lifting the engaged refuse container to a dump position, and moving the refuse container to release contents of the refuse container into a hopper of the refuse collection vehicle. The dump cycle continues to completion as long as the switch remains manually engaged.

Abstract: A grabber assembly has a beam assembly with a bracket. A grabber gear assembly is coupled with the bracket. The grabber gear assembly has a pair of gear mechanisms coupled with the bracket. Each gear mechanism has a shaft and a pair of thrust bearings, one at each end of the shaft. A grabber arm mounting pad is coupled with each shaft. A gear section is coupled with each shaft. The gear sections of each shaft mesh with one another to drive the grabber arm mounting pads. An actuating driver is coupled with one of the shafts to drive the grabber gear assembly and move the arms between an open and grasping position.

Abstract: A telescopic side arm for a refuse vehicle has an inner and outer boom. A mounting assembly secures the outer boom with a refuse vehicle. A plurality of bearing pads is positioned between the inner and outer booms to provide smooth movement between the inner and outer booms. A plurality of shims is associated with the bearing pads to assure a tight fit between the inner and outer booms.