Abstract: A data acquisition system for an excavation machine having a power source configured to drive a tool through a work cycle is disclosed. The data acquisition system may have a first sensor associated with the power source to generate a first signal indicative of a performance of the power source, and a second sensor associated with the tool to generate a second signal indicative of a performance of the tool. The data acquisition system may also have a controller in communication with the first and second sensors. The controller may be configured to record the first and second signals, and partition the work cycle into a plurality of segments. The controller may be further configured to link the performance of the power source and the performance of the tool together with one of the plurality of segments during which the associated first and second signals were recorded.

Abstract: A payload monitoring system for an excavation machine is disclosed. The payload monitoring system may have a tool, a first sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of a velocity of the tool, and a second sensor configured to generate a second signal indicative of a lift force of the tool. The payload monitoring system may also have a controller in communication with the first sensor and the second sensor. The controller may be configured to record the velocity and the lift force of the tool during a work cycle based on the first and second signals, and partition the work cycle into a plurality of segments including a loaded moving segment. The controller may also be configured to determine a period of time within the loaded moving segment during which the velocity of the tool is substantially constant, and calculate a payload of the tool based on the lift force recorded during the period of time.

Abstract: A control system for an excavation machine is disclosed. The control system may have a work tool movable to perform an excavation work cycle, at least one sensor configured to monitor a speed of the work tool and generate a signal indicative of the monitored speed, and a controller in communication with the at least one sensor. The controller may be configured to record the monitored speed of the work tool during each excavation work cycle, and compare the signal currently being generated to a maximum speed recorded for a previous excavation work cycle. The controller may be further configured to partition a current excavation work cycle into a plurality of segments based on the comparison.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a payload calculation system for use with a work implement. The payload calculation system may have a state sensor configured to measure a state of the work implement. The payload calculation system may further have a processing device configured to calculate a mass of a payload moved by the work implement. The processing device may be configured to use the measured state to compensate the calculation of the mass for centrifugal, inertial, and frictional forces of the work implement caused by the work implement rotating about a vertical pivot.

Abstract: A machine includes a component. The machine may also include a position-sensing system with a plurality of sensor elements that each generate a signal related to proximity of the sensor element to the component by generating the signal based at least in part on the magnetic permeability of the space adjacent the sensor element and a time-varying magnetic field generated by an electric circuit of the position-sensing system. The machine may also include one or more information-processing devices that determine a positional relationship between the component and the plurality of sensor elements based on a plurality of the signals generated by the sensor elements.

Abstract: A hydraulic system is disclosed having at least two hydraulic circuits. The disclosed system compares pressures between the hydraulic circuits and alters valve commands of the circuit associated with higher pressures in order to reduce overall system pressure.

Abstract: A hydraulic circuit that enables smooth absorption of the energy of a return fluid from a hydraulic actuator by means of an energy recovery motor. A return fluid passage to which the fluid discharged from a boom cylinder is branched is provided at the tank passage side of a solenoid valve of a boom control circuit. The return fluid passage comprises two return passages, which are provided with a flow rate ratio control valve for controlling a ratio of fluid that branches off into the return passages. The flow rate ratio control valve is comprised of a solenoid valve disposed in the return passage, which is provided with an energy recovery motor, and a solenoid valve disposed in the return passage, which branches off the upstream side of the solenoid valve.

Abstract: A hydraulic system is disclosed having a source of pressurized fluid, at least a one hydraulic actuator, and a first valve. The first valve has a first valve element movable relative to a first valve bore between a plurality of positions from a first position in which pressurized fluid is substantially blocked from flowing toward the at least one hydraulic actuator to a second position in which pressurized fluid is allowed to flow toward the at least one hydraulic actuator. The first valve element is configured to be selectively moved from a third position located between the first and second positions to a fourth position located between the third and second positions at least partially based on a pressure signal of pressurized fluid downstream of the first valve.

Abstract: A work machine enabling a hybrid drive system to be directly driven by energy contained in a return fluid discharged from a hydraulic actuator. The work machine includes a hydraulic actuator control circuit and a swing control circuit. The hydraulic actuator control circuit serves to control hydraulic fluid supplied from pumps of a hybrid drive system to travel motors and work actuators. The swing control circuit serves to control a swing motor generator, which functions as an electric motor and, during braking of rotating motion of the upper structure, functions as a generator. The hydraulic actuator control circuit includes an energy recovery motor provided in a return passage, though which return fluid recovered from a work actuator flows. The energy recovery motor is adapted to be driven by return fluid and thereby drive a motor generator of the hybrid drive system.

Abstract: A control system for an excavation machine is disclosed. The control system may have a work tool movable to perform an excavation work cycle, at least one sensor configured to monitor a speed of the work tool and generate a signal indicative of the monitored speed, and a controller in communication with the at least one sensor. The controller may be configured to record the monitored speed of the work tool during each excavation work cycle, and compare the signal currently being generated to a maximum speed recorded for a previous excavation work cycle. The controller may be further configured to partition a current excavation work cycle into a plurality of segments based on the comparison.

Abstract: A payload monitoring system for an excavation machine is disclosed. The payload monitoring system may have a tool, a first sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of a velocity of the tool, and a second sensor configured to generate a second signal indicative of a lift force of the tool. The payload monitoring system may also have a controller in communication with the first sensor and the second sensor. The controller may be configured to record the velocity and the lift force of the tool during a work cycle based on the first and second signals, and partition the work cycle into a plurality of segments including a loaded moving segment. The controller may also be configured to determine a period of time within the loaded moving segment during which the velocity of the tool is substantially constant, and calculate a payload of the tool based on the lift force recorded during the period of time.

Abstract: A data acquisition system for an excavation machine having a power source configured to drive a tool through a work cycle is disclosed. The data acquisition system may have a first sensor associated with the power source to generate a first signal indicative of a performance of the power source, and a second sensor associated with the tool to generate a second signal indicative of a performance of the tool. The data acquisition system may also have a controller in communication with the first and second sensors. The controller may be configured to record the first and second signals, and partition the work cycle into a plurality of segments. The controller may be further configured to link the performance of the power source and the performance of the tool together with one of the plurality of segments during which the associated first and second signals were recorded.

Abstract: A swing control circuit is provided separately from a hydraulic actuator control circuit. The swing control circuit includes a swing pump motor connected to closed circuits of a swing motor through a solenoid valve that serves as a directional control valve. A swing motor generator is connected to the swing pump motor. The swing motor generator is connected to an electric power storage device of a hybrid type drive system. An exterior-connecting passage for feeding hydraulic fluid to hydraulic actuators of a lower structure and a work equipment is drawn from a pipeline between the swing pump motor and the solenoid valve. A connecting passage solenoid valve is disposed in the exterior-connecting passage. The invention enables hydraulic energy generated in the swing system to be directly fed to the outside of the swing system.

Abstract: A boom control circuit for controlling hydraulic fluid fed to a boom cylinder is provided separately and independently from a travel/stick/bucket control circuit, which serves to control hydraulic fluid fed to travel motors, a stick cylinder, and a bucket cylinder. The boom control circuit includes a boom pump, an energy recovery motor disposed in a return passage through which return fluid from the boom cylinder 8bmc passes, and a boom motor generator connected to the energy recovery motor. The aforementioned boom pump is connected through a clutch to the boom motor generator. The invention is capable of providing a work machine of which a boom control circuit is adapted to function independently so that the flow rate required by the boom control circuit can be easily ensured.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a payload calculation system for use with a work implement. The payload calculation system may have a state sensor configured to measure a state of the work implement. The payload calculation system may further have a processing device configured to calculate a mass of a payload moved by the work implement. The processing device may be configured to use the measured state to compensate the calculation of the mass for centrifugal, inertial, and frictional forces of the work implement caused by the work implement rotating about a vertical pivot.

Abstract: A boom control circuit for controlling hydraulic fluid fed to a boom cylinder is provided separately and independently from a travel/stick/bucket control circuit, which serves to control hydraulic fluid fed to travel motors, a stick cylinder, and a bucket cylinder. The boom control circuit includes a boom pump, an energy recovery motor disposed in a return passage through which return fluid from the boom cylinder 8bmc passes, and a boom motor generator connected to the energy recovery motor. The aforementioned boom pump is connected through a clutch to the boom motor generator. The invention is capable of providing a work machine of which a boom control circuit is adapted to function independently so that the flow rate required by the boom control circuit can be easily ensured.

Abstract: A machine includes a component. The machine may also include a position-sensing system with a plurality of sensor elements that each generate a signal related to proximity of the sensor element to the component by generating the signal based at least in part on the magnetic permeability of the space adjacent the sensor element and a time-varying magnetic field generated by an electric circuit of the position-sensing system. The machine may also include one or more information-processing devices that determine a positional relationship between the component and the plurality of sensor elements based on a plurality of the signals generated by the sensor elements.

Abstract: A work machine enabling a hybrid drive system to be directly driven by energy contained in a return fluid discharged from a hydraulic actuator. The work machine includes a hydraulic actuator control circuit and a swing control circuit. The hydraulic actuator control circuit serves to control hydraulic fluid supplied from pumps of a hybrid drive system to travel motors and work actuators. The swing control circuit serves to control a swing motor generator, which functions as an electric motor and, during braking of rotating motion of the upper structure, functions as a generator. The hydraulic actuator control circuit includes an energy recovery motor provided in a return passage, through which return fluid recovered from a work actuator flows. The energy recovery motor is adapted to be driven by return fluid and thereby drive a motor generator of the hybrid drive system.

Abstract: A swing control circuit is provided separately from a hydraulic actuator control circuit. The swing control circuit includes a swing pump motor connected to closed circuits of a swing motor through a solenoid valve that serves as a directional control valve. A swing motor generator is connected to the swing pump motor. The swing motor generator is connected to an electric power storage device of a hybrid type drive system. An exterior-connecting passage for feeding hydraulic fluid to hydraulic actuators of a lower structure and a work equipment is drawn from a pipeline between the swing pump motor and the solenoid valve. A connecting passage solenoid valve is disposed in the exterior-connecting passage. The invention enables hydraulic energy generated in the swing system to be directly fed to the outside of the swing system.

Abstract: A control system for a work machine having a plurality of removably attachable work tools is disclosed. The control system has a tool recognition device configured to generate a recognition signal corresponding to each of the removably attachable work tools, and at least one fluid actuator configured to move at least one of the plurality of removably attachable work tools. The control system also has at least one fluid sensor configured to generate a load signal and at least one operator interface device configured to generate a desired velocity signal. The control system further has a controller in communication with the tool recognition device, the at least one fluid actuator, the at least one fluid sensor, and the at least one input device. The controller is configured to command a velocity for the fluid actuator in response to the recognition signal, the load signal, and the desired velocity signal.