Abstract: A method and system of controlling a work machine having an object detection system. The method comprises capturing an image with a camera and then recognizing an object in the image with the object detection. In next steps, the method includes defining the recognized object as a target object and operating the work machine wherein the object detection system is configured to execute a function of the work machine when the object is recognized. Finally, the method includes overriding the execution of the function of the object detection system when the object is defined as the target object.

Abstract: Methods and systems for adjusting operating parameters of a machine in anticipation of a transition from a current operational state to a predicted subsequent operational state. An electronic controller receives a data stream indicative of actuator settings, sensor outputs, and/or operator control settings and applies a pattern detection AI that is configured to determine a current operational state of the machine based on patterns detected in the data stream. The controller then applies a reinforcement learning AI that is configured to produce as an output one or more target operating parameters based at least in part on a predicted subsequent operational state of the machine. The one or more target operating parameters are applied to the machine and at least one performance metric of the machine is monitored. The reinforcement learning Ai is retrained based at least in part on the monitored performance metric(s).

Abstract: A monitoring system for a work vehicle having a lift system to which an implement is attachable via a connection assembly includes a weight detection subsystem operable with the lift system and configured to transfer signals representative of a weight supported by the lift system. The monitoring system also includes a position detection subsystem operable with the connection assembly and configured to transfer signals representative of a state of the connection assembly. A controller is in operable communication with the weight detection subsystem and the position detection subsystem and is configured to receive signals from the weight detection subsystem and from the position detection subsystem, determine a condition of the connection assembly based on the signals received, and output a signal based at least in part on the determined condition.

Abstract: A work machine includes a mechanical arm. A work implement is coupled to the mechanical arm to receive a load. A hydraulic actuator moves the arm between a lower position and an upper position, wherein a distance between the lower position and the upper position is a travel distance of the mechanical arm. A sensor unit is configured to sense the load in the work implement. A valve is in fluid communication with the hydraulic actuator for supplying a fluid output to the hydraulic actuator. A controller is in communication with the valve and the sensor unit. The controller is configured to transmit a control signal to the valve to adjust the fluid output to the hydraulic actuator. The controller is also configured to adjust the upper position to reduce the travel distance in response to the load being at or above a threshold value.

Abstract: In embodiments, a work vehicle magnetorheological fluid (MRF) joystick system includes a joystick device, an MRF joystick resistance mechanism, and a controller architecture. The joystick device includes, in turn, a base housing, a joystick, and a joystick position sensor. The MRF joystick resistance mechanism is controllable to selectively resist movement of the joystick relative to the base housing. The controller architecture is configured to: (i) when detecting operator rotation of the joystick in an operator input direction, determine whether continued joystick rotation in the operator input direction will misposition the work vehicle in a manner increasing at least one of work vehicle instability and a likelihood of work vehicle collision; and (ii) when determining that continued joystick rotation will misposition the work vehicle, command the MRF joystick resistance mechanism to generate an MRF resistance force deterring continued joystick rotation in the operator input direction.

Abstract: A control system for a material handling vehicle has a boom arm connected to a vehicle frame for rotation about the vehicle frame. An actuator is connected to the vehicle frame and the boom arm to cause the boom arm to rotate about the vehicle frame, and an attachment is connected to the boom arm for rotation with respect to the boom arm. The control system includes a controller that is configured to calculate a pre-determined acceleration limit of the attachment, and a sensor that senses acceleration of the attachment and communicate the sensed acceleration to the controller. The controller is configured to compare the pre-determined acceleration limit of the attachment to the sensed acceleration of the attachment and is configured to adjust a control valve to limit flow to the actuator in response to the sensed acceleration of the attachment being above the pre-determined acceleration upper limit.

Abstract: In embodiments, a work vehicle magnetorheological fluid (MRF) joystick system includes a joystick device, an MRF joystick resistance mechanism, and a controller architecture. The joystick device includes, in turn, a base housing, a joystick, and a joystick position sensor. The MRF joystick resistance mechanism is controllable to selectively resist movement of the joystick relative to the base housing. The controller architecture is configured to: (i) when detecting operator rotation of the joystick in an operator input direction, determine whether continued joystick rotation in the operator input direction will misposition the work vehicle in a manner increasing at least one of work vehicle instability and a likelihood of work vehicle collision; and (ii) when determining that continued joystick rotation will misposition the work vehicle, command the MRF joystick resistance mechanism to generate an MRF resistance force deterring continued joystick rotation in the operator input direction.

Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment, a work vehicle may include a chassis, a linkage, a work tool, first and second actuators connected to linkage, one or more sensors, and a controller. The work tool is movably connected to the chassis by the linkage and pivotally connected to the linkage about a base axis. The work tool includes a tip positioned at a forward end of the work tool, with a tip axis parallel to the base axis and passing through the tip. The one or more sensors are configured to provide one or more signals indicative of at least one of a position, velocity, and acceleration of the work tool. The controller is configured to actuate, based on the one or more signals, the first actuator and the second actuator to level the work tool by rotating the work tool about the tip axis.

Abstract: A work vehicle including a boom, a work implement, and a linkage sensor system having automated features to move the boom and the work implement. The work vehicle includes a frame, a boom actuator for the boom, a boom sensor to identify a boom position with respect to the frame, an implement actuator, and an implement sensor to identify a work implement position with respect to the boom. A controller receives boom position signals from the boom sensor and work implement signals from the implement sensor. The controller transmits a boom adjustment signal based on the boom position modified by boom sensor calibration values and transmits an implement adjustment signal based on the implement position modified by implement sensor calibration values. The implement sensor calibration values are determined during a calibration process when moving the boom from a lowest position to a highest position.

Abstract: A work machine includes a mechanical arm and a work implement coupled to the mechanical arm. The work implement is configured to receive a load. A hydraulic actuator is coupled to the mechanical arm to move the arm between a first position and a second position. A sensor unit is configured to detect the load in the work implement. A valve is in fluid communication with the hydraulic actuator for supplying a fluid output to the hydraulic actuator. A controller is in communication with the value and the sensor unit. The controller is configured to transmit a control signal to the valve to adjust the fluid output to the hydraulic actuator, and wherein the controller is configured to derate the fluid output in response to a signal from the sensor unit that a load is at or above a threshold value.

Abstract: A work machine includes systems and methods for stability control and for calibrating the stability control. During operation the load on a work implement is detected and it is determined if the load is at or above a threshold value. A derated fluid output is determined if the load is at or above the threshold value. A control signal is output to the valve based on the derated fluid output. During calibration the pressure in a hydraulic cylinder is detected at one or more locations as a mechanical arm moves between a lower position and an upper position. One or more baseline values are established for the mechanical arm between the lower position and the upper position.

Abstract: An actuator is connected to a frame and a boom arm to pivot the boom arm with respect to the frame. A spool valve directs fluid from a pump into a selected side of the actuator. A first anti-cavitation valve is fluidly positioned between the first end of the actuator and the reservoir to permit fluid flow from the reservoir to the first end of the actuator while the first anti-cavitation valve is open and inhibit fluid flow from the first end of the actuator to the reservoir. A second anti-cavitation valve is fluidly positioned between the second end of the actuator and the reservoir to permit fluid flow from the reservoir to the second end of the actuator while the second anti-cavitation valve is open and inhibit fluid flow from the second end of the actuator to the reservoir.

Abstract: A monitoring system for a work vehicle having a lift system to which an implement is attachable via a connection assembly includes a weight detection subsystem operable with the lift system and configured to transfer signals representative of a weight supported by the lift system. The monitoring system also includes a position detection subsystem operable with the connection assembly and configured to transfer signals representative of a state of the connection assembly. A controller is in operable communication with the weight detection subsystem and the position detection subsystem and is configured to receive signals from the weight detection subsystem and from the position detection subsystem, determine a condition of the connection assembly based on the signals received, and output a signal based at least in part on the determined condition.

Abstract: Methods and systems for adjusting operating parameters of a machine in anticipation of a transition from a current operational state to a predicted subsequent operational state. An electronic controller receives a data stream indicative of actuator settings, sensor outputs, and/or operator control settings and applies a pattern detection AI that is configured to determine a current operational state of the machine based on patterns detected in the data stream. The controller then applies a reinforcement learning AI that is configured to produce as an output one or more target operating parameters based at least in part on a predicted subsequent operational state of the machine. The one or more target operating parameters are applied to the machine and at least one performance metric of the machine is monitored. The reinforcement learning Ai is retrained based at least in part on the monitored performance metric(s).

Abstract: A method of controlling hydraulic fluid flow to a material handling vehicle implement includes coupling a boom arm to a vehicle frame for rotation about the vehicle frame, rotating a boom arm with respect to the vehicle frame with a first actuator, coupling an attachment to the boom arm for rotation with respect to the boom arm, rotating the attachment with respect to the boom arm with a second actuator, sensing a velocity of the attachment, communicating the sensed velocity to a control system, sensing a weight of the attachment, communicating the sensed weight to the control system, calculating a kinetic energy of the attachment based upon the sensed velocity and the sensed weight of the attachment, and adjusting fluid flow through the control valve to limit a range of movement of the attachment in response to the calculated kinetic energy of the attachment exceeding a pre-determined kinetic energy.

Abstract: A method of controlling hydraulic fluid flow to an implement of a material handling vehicle includes coupling a boom arm to a vehicle frame for rotation about the vehicle frame, rotating a boom arm with respect to the vehicle frame with an actuator, coupling an attachment to the boom arm for rotation with respect to the boom arm, sensing a pressure of fluid in the actuator, communicating the sensed pressure to a control system, determining a baseline pressure of the attachment based upon the sensed pressure of the fluid in the actuator, and limiting fluid flow to the actuator with a control valve in response to the sensed pressure of the fluid in the actuator being above the baseline pressure.

Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment, a method includes monitoring a position of an actuator during operation of the actuator, determining that an actuator command value is greater than an actuator command value threshold, starting a timer upon a movement of the actuator through a starting position during the operation of the actuator at the actuator command value, determining satisfaction of at least one condition, and stopping the timer upon satisfaction of the at least one condition and movement of the actuator through an ending position.

Abstract: A work machine includes a mechanical arm. A work implement is coupled to the mechanical arm to receive a load. A hydraulic actuator moves the arm between a lower position and an upper position, wherein a distance between the lower position and the upper position is a travel distance of the mechanical arm. A sensor unit is configured to sense the load in the work implement. A valve is in fluid communication with the hydraulic actuator for supplying a fluid output to the hydraulic actuator. A controller is in communication with the valve and the sensor unit. The controller is configured to transmit a control signal to the valve to adjust the fluid output to the hydraulic actuator. The controller is also configured to adjust the upper position to reduce the travel distance in response to the load being at or above a threshold value.

Abstract: A method of controlling hydraulic fluid flow to an implement of a material handling vehicle includes coupling a boom arm to a vehicle frame for rotation about the vehicle frame, rotating a boom arm with respect to the vehicle frame with an actuator, coupling an attachment to the boom arm for rotation with respect to the boom arm, sensing a pressure of fluid in the actuator, communicating the sensed pressure to a control system, determining a baseline pressure of the attachment based upon the sensed pressure of the fluid in the actuator, and limiting fluid flow to the actuator with a control valve in response to the sensed pressure of the fluid in the actuator being above the baseline pressure.