Abstract: A milling machine may have a frame, a milling drum attached to the frame, and ground engaging tracks that support the frame and propel the milling machine in a forward or rearward direction. The milling machine may have a tank that stores hydraulic fluid. The milling machine may also have at least one actuator connecting the frame to the tracks. The actuator may adjust a height of the frame relative to a ground surface. A fluid conduit may connect the tank to the actuator. The milling machine may have a flow sensor in the fluid conduit. The flow sensor may determine a flow parameter associated with a flow of the hydraulic fluid into or out of the actuator. The milling machine may also have a controller that determines a height of the frame relative to the ground surface based on the flow parameter.

Abstract: A method for detecting an obstacle along a known path of a machine can include relating the location of the machine with a map. The map can include a worksite with a known path or known paths that the machine can travel on. The stopping distance of the machine can be determined and based on these identified known path and its characteristics along with a traveling speed and a weight of the machine. A LIDAR region of interest can be determined based on the stopping distance, the position and orientation of the machine, and characteristics of the known path. The machine can include a LIDAR system that can be configured to be oriented with respect to the LIDAR region of interest. A concentrated LIDAR scan can be performed to detect if an obstacle is present within the LIDAR region of interest.

Abstract: A milling machine may have a frame, a milling drum attached to the frame, and ground engaging tracks that support the frame and propel the milling machine in a forward or rearward direction. The milling machine may have at least one actuator connecting the frame to at least one of the ground engaging tracks. The actuator may adjust a height of the frame relative to at least one of the tracks. The milling machine may also have a non-contact leg-height sensor attached to the frame. The sensor may generate a signal indicative of a height of the frame relative to at least one of the tracks. The milling machine may also have a controller configured to determine the height based on the signal.

Abstract: A method for detecting an obstacle along a known path of a machine is disclosed herein. The method can include relating the location of the machine with a map. The map can include a worksite with a known path or known paths that the machine can travel on. The stopping distance of the machine can be determined and based on these identified known path and its characteristics along with a traveling speed and a weight of the machine. A LIDAR region of interest can be determined based on the stopping distance, the position and orientation of the machine, and characteristics of the known path. The machine can include a LIDAR system that can be configured to be oriented with respect to the LIDAR region of interest. A concentrated LIDAR scan can be performed to detect if an obstacle is present within the LIDAR region of interest.

Abstract: A milling machine may have a frame, a milling drum attached to the frame, and ground engaging tracks that support the frame and propel the milling machine in a forward or rearward direction. The milling machine may have a tank that stores hydraulic fluid. The milling machine may also have at least one actuator connecting the frame to the tracks. The actuator may adjust a height of the frame relative to a ground surface. A fluid conduit may connect the tank to the actuator. The milling machine may have a flow sensor in the fluid conduit. The flow sensor may determine a flow parameter associated with a flow of the hydraulic fluid into or out of the actuator. The milling machine may also have a controller that determines a height of the frame relative to the ground surface based on the flow parameter.

Abstract: A milling machine may have a frame, a milling drum attached to the frame, and ground engaging tracks that support the frame and propel the milling machine in a forward or rearward direction. The milling machine may have at least one actuator connecting the frame to at least one of the ground engaging tracks. The actuator may adjust a height of the frame relative to at least one of the tracks. The milling machine may also have a non-contact leg-height sensor attached to the frame. The sensor may generate a signal indicative of a height of the frame relative to at least one of the tracks. The milling machine may also have a controller configured to determine the height based on the signal.

Abstract: A system for controlling operation of a first material engaging work implement includes a first machine, a second machine, and a controller. The controller is configured to store a kinematic model and characteristics of the implement system, determine a second machine operation zone, with the second machine operation zone being defined by a material movement plan of the second machine, and determine a current pose of the first machine. The controller is further configured to determine a first machine operation zone based upon the pose of the first machine, the kinematic model and characteristics of the implement system, and the second machine operation zone, with the first machine operation zone being spaced from the second machine operation zone, and generate a plurality of command signals to move the first material engaging work implement within the first machine operation zone between a first position and a second position.

Abstract: A system for preparing a worksite for an additive construction operation includes a positioning system configured to determine positioning signals including topographical characteristics of the worksite. An additive construction plan includes, at least, structure placement data, configured for a desired location for constructing the structure, and toolpath instructions for guiding the implement to construct the structure. A controller is configured to determine a construction zone on the worksite based on the structure placement data and the topographical characteristics of the worksite. The controller is further configured for determining if the construction zone is readied for execution of the toolpath instructions at the construction zone and, if the construction zone is not readied for such execution, identifying one or more impediments to construction at the worksite, within the construction zone, based on the topographical characteristics of the worksite.

Abstract: A material management system and method manages and tracks the progress of excavated material transferred through an excavation site by a conveyer system operating in cooperation with an in-pit crusher and conveyer (IPCC). The material management system distinguishes the material dispensed into the IPCC into identified material batches. To track the identified material batches, the material management system records data regarding the conveyer speed and the conveyer distance associated with the IPCC, as well as possible other data regarding the identified material batches. The material management system processes this to track the indentified material batches along the conveyer route.

Abstract: A control system for a machine, operating on a worksite is associated with an implement, which perform additive construction operations in accordance with a pre-determined implement control plan. The system includes a positioning system, one or more implement control actuators, and a controller. The positioning system is configured to determine positioning signals associated with, at least, a terrain of the worksite and any worksite objects existing thereon. The controller determine an available zone, in which the machine and implement are capable of executing the additive construction operations within the available zone, based on the positioning signals and the pre-determined implement control plan, and determine an operation zone, relative to a desired additive construction site on the worksite, within the available zone, wherein parameters of the operation zone are based, at least in part, on the available zone, the machine configuration, and the pre-determined implement control plan.

Abstract: A guidance system and method for guiding excavation at an excavation site utilizes an excavating machine and an in-pit crusher and conveyer (IPCC) having a first hopper and a second hopper for receiving material. The guidance system can receive first hopper data associated with the first hopper and second hopper data associated with the second hopper and can process the first hopper data and second hopper data to determine a selected hopper for dispensing material. In an aspect, the guidance system can generate a guidance indication to display to the operator of the excavating machine that indicates the selected hopper.

Abstract: A guidance system and method for guiding excavation at an excavation site utilizes an excavating machine and an in-pit crusher and conveyer (IPCC) having a first hopper and a second hopper for receiving material. The guidance system can receive first hopper data associated with the first hopper and second hopper data associated with the second hopper and can process the first hopper data and second hopper data to determine a selected hopper for dispensing material. In an aspect, the guidance system can generate a guidance indication to display to the operator of the excavating machine that indicates the selected hopper.

Abstract: A material management system and method manages and tracks the progress of excavated material transferred through an excavation site by a conveyer system operating in cooperation with an in-pit crusher and conveyer (IPCC). The material management system distinguishes the material dispensed into the IPCC into identified material batches. To track the identified material batches, the material management system records data regarding the conveyer speed and the conveyer distance associated with the IPCC, as well as possible other data regarding the identified material batches. The material management system processes this to track the indentified material batches along the conveyer route.

Abstract: A control system for a machine, operating on a worksite is associated with an implement, which perform additive construction operations in accordance with a pre-determined implement control plan. The system includes a positioning system, one or more implement control actuators, and a controller. The positioning system is configured to determine positioning signals associated with, at least, a terrain of the worksite and any worksite objects existing thereon. The controller determine an available zone, in which the machine and implement are capable of executing the additive construction operations within the available zone, based on the positioning signals and the pre-determined implement control plan, and determine an operation zone, relative to a desired additive construction site on the worksite, within the available zone, wherein parameters of the operation zone are based, at least in part, on the available zone, the machine configuration, and the pre-determined implement control plan.

Abstract: A system for preparing a worksite for an additive construction operation includes a positioning system configured to determine positioning signals including topographical characteristics of the worksite. An additive construction plan includes, at least, structure placement data, configured for a desired location for constructing the structure, and toolpath instructions for guiding the implement to construct the structure. A controller is configured to determine a construction zone on the worksite based on the structure placement data and the topographical characteristics of the worksite. The controller is further configured for determining if the construction zone is readied for execution of the toolpath instructions at the construction zone and, if the construction zone is not readied for such execution, identifying one or more impediments to construction at the worksite, within the construction zone, based on the topographical characteristics of the worksite.

Abstract: A system for planning material dumping operations includes one or more machine controllers and a dump zone controller. Each of the one or more machine controllers are configured to provide dump planning information for the one or more machines and configured to determine actual dump information for dumping operations of machines. The dump zone controller is communicatively coupled with each of the one or more machine controllers and configured to initialize a dump zone. The dump zone controller is configured to plan an array of dump locations at the dump zone, each dumping location associated with a dumping operation. The dump zone controller is further configured to update the array of dump locations based on the actual dump information, the updated array of dump locations including, at least, updated dump location instructions, the updated dump locations based, in part, on the array of dump locations and the actual dump information.

Abstract: A system for controlling operation of a first material engaging work implement includes a first machine, a second machine, and a controller. The controller is configured to store a kinematic model and characteristics of the implement system, determine a second machine operation zone, with the second machine operation zone being defined by a material movement plan of the second machine, and determine a current pose of the first machine. The controller is further configured to determine a first machine operation zone based upon the pose of the first machine, the kinematic model and characteristics of the implement system, and the second machine operation zone, with the first machine operation zone being spaced from the second machine operation zone, and generate a plurality of command signals to move the first material engaging work implement within the first machine operation zone between a first position and a second position.

Abstract: A control system for an additive construction implement of a machine is disclosed. The control system may include a relative positioning system for providing relative positioning signals, where the relative positioning signals are representative of a position of the implement relative to a worksite. The control system may receive a three-dimensional structure design file. The control system may further include a controller for determining an implement control plan, where the implement control plan is based on, at least, the relative positioning signals and includes coarse control signals and fine control signals. The control system may further include a coarse control system and a fine control system that controls fine movements of the implement based on the fine control signals. The fine movements may have a fine range of motion, the fine range of motion being less than the coarse range of motion.

Abstract: A control system for controlling operation of an implement based, at least, on a pre-determined implement control plan, includes a relative positioning system, a controller, and one or more actuators. The relative positioning system is configured for determining positioning of the and utilize input from perception sensors to determine relative positioning signals. The controller is configured to determine a resume position for a next operation of the implement based on the predetermined implement control plan and at least one of the relative positioning signals and an end position of a previous operation of the implement. The controller may further be configured to determine implement control signals based on, at least, the resume position. The one or more actuators are each operatively associated with one or both of the implement and machine and configured to receive the implement control signals and position the implement based on the implement control signals.

Abstract: A system for controlling movement of a work implement of a machine between a dump location and a plurality of dig locations includes a rotatable implement system, and an implement system pose sensor. A controller is configured to store first dig signals from the implement system pose sensor indicative of a first dig location, store second dig signals from the implement system pose sensor indicative of a second dig location spaced from the first dig location and store a dump location. The controller is further configured to generate command signals to move the work implement from the first dig location to the dump location, generate command signals to dump a load of material carried by the work implement at the dump location, and generate command signals to move the work implement from the dump location to the second dig location.