Abstract: A system and method are provided for work cycle tracking for a self-propelled work vehicle having an integrated or drawn/pushed implement, for example comprising a scraper, and a loading container for receiving material worked thereby. First sensors generate data corresponding to operating parameters of the work vehicle, and second sensors generate data corresponding to operating parameters of the implement. Data storage includes, for each of various work states associated with the work cycle, correlations between operating parameters, of the work vehicle and/or implement, and a start or completion of the respective work state. A controller determines a current work state of the various work states associated with the work cycle based on current input data from the first and second sets of sensors, with respect to the stored correlations, and generates one or more output signals based on the determined work state.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling operation of earth working machines, e.g., scraper units configured to load, transport, and unload material depending on the respective work state. A design plan (e.g., a cut-fill map) is obtained corresponding to a working area to which the earth working machines are assigned. For each of the machines, the method further includes generating and/or selectively retrieving performance optimization data sets comprising a loading capacity and loading rates correlated to combinations of input data for working parameters for the respective machine, generating a work plan comprising a route of advance and corresponding work state transitions of the machine with respect to the working area, wherein the work plan is generated based at least in part on the performance optimization data sets and the design plan, and automatically controlling working parameters for the machine in accordance with the generated work plan.

Abstract: A method of controlling a work vehicle on a worksite. Receiving a weather data indicative of a rainfall of the worksite. Receiving a design topography data indicative of the worksite in a final configuration. Receiving a current topography data. Determining a low elevation location on the worksite that may accumulate water from the rainfall. Comparing the rainfall to a rainfall threshold. Devising a temporary design topography data and communicating the temporary design topography data to the work vehicle if the rainfall threshold is met.

Abstract: A method is provided for dynamically monitoring material quality in a comminution system comprising a material crushing stage and a discharge stage. An imaging device captures images of comminuted material in the discharge stage, and characteristic features are extracted from the captured image for analysis with respect to at least one boundary condition. Output signals are accordingly generated corresponding to a determined comminution state of the comminuted material in the discharge stage. In one example, a crushing gap in the crushing stage is adjusted if the comminution state indicates material (or an amount of material) above a threshold size in the discharge stage. In another example, pre-screen settings in a pre-screen stage of the comminution system are adjusted if the comminution state indicates material (or an amount of material) below a threshold size in the discharge stage. Other comminution states and responses may, e.g., correspond to non-compliant material shapes, etc.

Abstract: A mobile work machine includes a frame, a material loading system having a material receiving area configured to receive material and an actuator configured to control the material loading system to move the material receiving area relative to the frame, and a control system configured to receive an indication of a detected object, determine a location of the object relative to the material loading system, and generate a control signal that controls the mobile work machine based on the determined location.

Abstract: A mobile work machine includes a frame, a material loading system having a material receiving area configured to receive material and an actuator configured to control the material loading system to move the material receiving area relative to the frame, and a control system configured to receive an indication of a detected object, determine a location of the object relative to the material loading system, and generate a control signal that controls the mobile work machine based on the determined location.

Abstract: A control method to operate a scraper over ground, the control method comprising: receiving a signal indicative of a desired attack angle between a cutting edge of the scraper and the ground; receiving a height control signal to control a cutting edge height; receiving one or more measuring signals from one or more sensors, calculating a measured attack angle based on the one or more measuring signals; comparing the measured attack angle and the desired attack angle; and outputting at least one control signal commanding movement of a bowl of the scraper based on the height control signal and a result of the comparing the measured attack angle and the desired attack angle.

Abstract: A method and system of using real-time control for a work machine to determine strategies for operating the work machine is disclosed. The method may comprise accessing a real-time cutting time; accessing a first productivity rate, accessing a payload data; analyzing the cutting time; determining an operating strategy based at least on changes in the cutting time and the payload data; and either executing the operating strategy or notifying an operator to execute the operating strategy.

Abstract: A loading vehicle detects the position of a receiving vehicle relative to the loading vehicle and determines whether the receiving vehicle is to be repositioned. If so, it sends a repositioning message to the receiving vehicle and receives acknowledgement that the loading vehicle has remote control of the positioning mechanisms in the receiving vehicle. A loading vehicle operator input is detected and a position control signal is sent to the receiving vehicle to reposition it relative to the loading vehicle.

Abstract: A material type identifier identifies a type of material loaded into a dump truck. When the dump truck is unloaded, a flow rate identification system identifies a flow rate of material exiting the dump truck. A flow rate controller automatically controls the tailgate actuator based on a desired flow rate of material exiting the dump body of the dump truck.

Abstract: A speed control system to control retardation energy of a vehicle and a method of controlling retardation energy of a vehicle are provided. The system includes an energy storage device configured to absorb and store the retardation energy of the vehicle. The energy storage device includes a power absorption limit determined at least partially by a temperature and a state of charge of the energy storage device. The system further includes a non-energy-storing retarder configured to absorb the retardation energy of the vehicle and a controller configured to route the retardation energy to the energy storage device up to the power absorption limit and route a remaining portion of the retardation energy to the non-energy-storing retarder.

Abstract: System and methods are provided for dynamic characterization of an area to be worked using a work implement of a work machine. First real-time data (e.g., surface scan data) are collected in a forward direction via a first sensor external to or onboard the work machine, and second real-time data (e.g., surface scan data) are collected for at least a traversed portion of the work area via a second onboard sensor. Characteristic values of a ground material in the work area are determined based on at least the first and second data corresponding to a given surface, and outputs are generated corresponding to at least a determined amount of material needed to achieve target values for the work area, based on at least one of the characteristic values. Certain characteristic values based on the real-time data may be used to estimate, among other things, how many truck loads are still required for the work area.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for flow synchronization between various transport vehicles (e.g. dump trucks) and a work machine (e.g. excavator) in a material loading cycle. The work machine and each transport vehicle are configured to communicate with each other via a machine-to-machine communications network. A controller determines initiation of a loading cycle associated with the work machine and a first transport vehicle, and detects certain parameters corresponding to a duration of the loading cycle (e.g. weight of payload, volume of truck bin, historical cycle data). A remaining time in the loading cycle duration is accordingly estimated, and an output signal corresponding to the estimated remaining time is generated to at least a next transport vehicle in a loading sequence. The system and method facilitate even spacing of transport vehicles, consistent travel speeds, and optimization of a number of loading vehicles required to coordinate with a given work machine.

Abstract: A method and system of using real-time control for a work machine to determine strategies for operating the work machine is disclosed. The method may comprise accessing a real-time cutting time; accessing a first productivity rate, accessing a payload data; analyzing the cutting time; determining an operating strategy based at least on changes in the cutting time and the payload data; and either executing the operating strategy or notifying an operator to execute the operating strategy.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for identifying a behavior of a machine. A computer system receives a signal indicative of operation of a field machine and applies a deep learning algorithm to identify a pattern in a collection of signals stored on a computer-readable memory. The collection of signals includes the received signal indicative of operation of the field machine and other signals. A series of targeted tests are performed using a test machine while monitoring a signal indicative of operation of the test machine. A behavior is identified during the series of targeted tests that produces a signal that matches the pattern identified by the deep learning algorithm. An occurrence of the behavior is then automatically identified in the field machine in response to detecting the pattern in the received signal indicative of operation of the field machine.

Abstract: A loading vehicle detects the position of a receiving relative to the loading vehicle and determines whether the receiving vehicle is to be repositioned. If so, it sends a repositioning message to the receiving vehicle and received acknowledgement that the loading vehicle has remote control of the positioning mechanisms in the receiving vehicle. a loading vehicle operator input is detected and a position control signal is sent to the receiving vehicle to reposition it relative to the loading vehicle.

Abstract: A material type identifier identifies a type of material loaded into a dump truck. When the dump truck is unloaded, a flow rate identification system identifies a flow rate of material exiting the dump truck. A flow rate controller automatically controls the tailgate actuator based on a desired flow rate of material exiting the dump body of the dump truck.

Abstract: A mobile work machine includes a frame, a material loading system having a material receiving area configured to receive material and an actuator configured to control the material loading system to move the material receiving area relative to the frame, and a control system configured to receive an indication of a detected object, determine a location of the object relative to the material loading system, and generate a control signal that controls the mobile work machine based on the determined location.

Abstract: A fluid control system that has a fluid assembly with a piston defined within a chamber, an electrical system having a motor configured to selectively reposition the piston, a controller in communication with the electrical system, and a sensor in communication with the controller to identify a fluid pressure value. Wherein, the controller identifies a desired fluid pressure range and selectively repositions the piston with the motor until the fluid pressure value is within the desired fluid pressure range.

Abstract: A speed control system to control retardation energy of a vehicle and a method of controlling retardation energy of a vehicle are provided. The system includes an energy storage device configured to absorb and store the retardation energy of the vehicle. The energy storage device includes a power absorption limit determined at least partially by a temperature and a state of charge of the energy storage device. The system further includes a non-energy-storing retarder configured to absorb the retardation energy of the vehicle and a controller configured to route the retardation energy to the energy storage device up to the power absorption limit and route a remaining portion of the retardation energy to the non-energy-storing retarder.