Abstract: A system and method are provided for assisting transport vehicle drivers in material discharge for optimized working at a worksite by work machines such as dozers. A first user interface associated with the work machine accesses a map comprising three-dimensional data corresponding to at least a portion of the worksite. User input is received via the first user interface corresponding to desired discharge location(s) in the worksite to be worked, and output signals are generated for modifying a display on a second user interface associated with the transport vehicle, said modifications corresponding to the received user input and for directing the transport vehicle to the desired discharge locations. The two vehicles may share a common mapping unit such that input from the work machine is applied substantially in real-time at the transport vehicle. Alternatively, the inputs may be translated across mapping units to generate appropriate positioning instructions.

Abstract: Work machines, control systems for work machines, and methods of operating work machines are disclosed herein. A work machine includes a frame structure, a work implement, a camera, a cleaning system, and a control system. The work implement is coupled to the frame structure and includes at least one ground engagement tool configured for interaction with an underlying surface in use of the work machine. The camera is coupled to the frame structure and configured to provide camera input indicative of one or more images captured by the camera in use of the work machine. The cleaning system is coupled to the frame structure and configured to clean the camera in use of the work machine. The control system is coupled to the frame structure and includes a controller communicatively coupled to the camera and the cleaning system.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for real-time deduction of material carryback in a loading container of a transport vehicle, wherein the material is loaded in the loading container by a work machine at a first site and dumped from the loading container by the transport vehicle at a second site. A first sensor (e.g., a camera associated with the work machine) provides first data corresponding to a volume of material loaded in the loading container in a first work state (e.g., loaded). A second sensor (e.g., a camera or a payload measuring unit associated with the transport vehicle) provides second data corresponding to a volume of material loaded in the loading container in a second work state (e.g., unloaded). A generated output signal corresponds to a calculated total volume of material associated with a work cycle, said total volume based on at least the provided first and second data.

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 assisted positioning of a loading container of a transport vehicle with respect to a work machine during material loading operations. A target loading position is determined for at least the loading container relative to at least an undercarriage of the work machine. The target loading position may be based on user input, and/or automatically determined based on a selected swing angle or range for an implement (e.g., boom assembly), a distance from the work machine, etc. Output signals are generated corresponding to the target loading position, and optionally to a determined route of travel corresponding to a current position of the transport vehicle and the target loading position for at least the loading container.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for assisting transport vehicle drivers in material discharge for optimized working at a worksite by work machines such as dozers. A first user interface associated with the work machine accesses a map comprising three-dimensional data corresponding to at least a portion of the worksite. User input is received via the first user interface corresponding to desired discharge location(s) in the worksite to be worked, and output signals are generated for modifying a display on a second user interface associated with the transport vehicle, said modifications corresponding to the received user input and for directing the transport vehicle to the desired discharge locations. The two vehicles may share a common mapping unit such that input from the work machine is applied substantially in real-time at the transport vehicle. Alternatively, the inputs may be translated across mapping units to generate appropriate positioning instructions.

Abstract: Work machines, control systems for work machines, and methods of operating work machines are disclosed herein. A work machine includes a frame structure, a work implement, a camera, a cleaning system, and a control system. The work implement is coupled to the frame structure and includes at least one ground engagement tool configured for interaction with an underlying surface in use of the work machine. The camera is coupled to the frame structure and configured to provide camera input indicative of one or more images captured by the camera in use of the work machine. The cleaning system is coupled to the frame structure and configured to clean the camera in use of the work machine. The control system is coupled to the frame structure and includes a controller communicatively coupled to the camera and the cleaning system.

Abstract: A work vehicle includes a vehicle frame and an operator control station coupled to the vehicle frame. An implement arm assembly is affixed to the vehicle frame outside the operator control station. The implement arm assembly is movable relative to the vehicle frame and the operator control station. The implement arm assembly has an exterior surface. The work vehicle includes at least one sensor to detect positional information of the implement arm assembly. A visual indicator is positioned on the exterior surface. A power source of the work vehicle is in selective communication with the visual indicator to power the visual indicator. The work vehicle further includes a controller to receive a signal from the at least one sensor indicative of the positional information and electrically couple the power source to the visual indicator in response to a portion of the implement am assembly reaching a threshold position.

Abstract: A fault detection system is disclosed for predicting bearing failure in a system with a bearing-supported shaft. A position sensor may sense a position of the shaft as the shaft rotates. A controller may receive, from the position sensor, position data indicating a plurality of sensed positions of the shaft. The controller may determine a position or velocity profile for the shaft based upon the received position data and may determine a frequency profile based upon the position or velocity profile. The controller may identify a characteristic of the frequency profile, and identify an expected bearing failure based upon the identified characteristic.

Abstract: A fault detection system is disclosed for predicting bearing failure in a system with a bearing-supported shaft. A position sensor may sense a position of the shaft as the shaft rotates. A controller may receive, from the position sensor, position data indicating a plurality of sensed positions of the shaft. The controller may determine a position or velocity profile for the shaft based upon the received position data and may determine a frequency profile based upon the position or velocity profile. The controller may identify a characteristic of the frequency profile, and identify an expected bearing failure based upon the identified characteristic.

Abstract: Provided is a method and controller for controlling a vehicle dc bus voltage. The method includes generating a parameter. The parameter is based on a reference dc bus voltage squared. The method includes controlling the vehicle dc bus voltage based on the parameter and a detected dc bus voltage. The method may also include generating another parameter based on a power demand associated with at least one of a motoring mode operation and a generating mode operation of a traction motor associated with the vehicle. The power demand is indicated in a message received via a dedicated high speed data bus. The method includes controlling the vehicle dc bus voltage based on the another parameter.

Abstract: Provided is a method and controller for controlling a vehicle dc bus voltage. The method includes generating a parameter. The parameter is based on a reference dc bus voltage squared. The method includes controlling the vehicle dc bus voltage based on the parameter and a detected dc bus voltage. The method may also include generating another parameter based on a power demand associated with at least one of a motoring mode operation and a generating mode operation of a traction motor associated with the vehicle. The power demand is indicated in a message received via a dedicated high speed data bus. The method includes controlling the vehicle dc bus voltage based on the another parameter.

Abstract: A memory management method including the steps of storing a value and writing data. The storing a value step stores a value representative of a number of erase/write cycles that a subset of memory space of a first memory has undergone. The first memory having an assigned predetermined maximum number of erase/write cycles. The writing data step writes data to the subset of memory space dependent upon whether the value is below the predetermined maximum number.

Abstract: Provided is a method and controller for controlling a vehicle dc bus voltage. The method includes generating a parameter. The parameter is based on a reference dc bus voltage squared. The method includes controlling the vehicle dc bus voltage based on the parameter and a detected dc bus voltage. The method may also include generating another parameter based on a power demand associated with at least one of a motoring mode operation and a generating mode operation of a traction motor associated with the vehicle. The power demand is indicated in a message received via a dedicated high speed data bus. The method includes controlling the vehicle dc bus voltage based on the another parameter.

Abstract: A drive system has a switched reluctance motor (SR motor) and a control system configured to determine an estimated total torque of SR motor as a function of the phase voltages and phase currents of the phases of the SR motor.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided having an electric motor and a controller configured to control the electric motor. The controller may calculate the torque output of the motor based on the acceleration and deceleration rates of the motor. Moments of inertia for components rotationally coupled to the motor may be employed in the torque calculation.

Abstract: A drive system has a switched reluctance motor (SR motor) and a control system configured to determine an estimated total torque of SR motor as a function of the phase voltages and phase currents of the phases of the SR motor.

Abstract: An electric drive system comprises a generator, a traction motor, a brake resistor, a bus, and a control unit. The generator, the traction motor, and the brake resistor are coupled electrically to the bus. The control unit is configured to determine a pulse-width-modulation duty cycle for the brake resistor (“brake duty”) and control operation of the brake resistor according to the brake duty, wherein the brake duty can be a value intermediate of constant OFF and constant ON. A method of operating the electric drive system is also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a device and method for generating initial operating points for controlling an interior permanent magnet (IPM) machine. The method includes loading an inductance lookup table, first calculating a maximum torque per Ampere (MTPA) trajectory for a first threshold speed based on machine parameters of the IPM machine, second calculating a truncated voltage limit ellipse with monotonically increasing torque for a first speed based on the machine parameters, if the first speed is higher than the first threshold speed, determining an operating trajectory at the first speed based on at least one of the calculated MTPA trajectory and the calculated truncated voltage limit ellipse, and generating an Id,Iq map that maps an Id value and an Iq value to each torque command of a plurality of torque commands for the first speed based on the determined operating trajectory.

Abstract: An electric vehicle is provided having an electric generator and a motor. A voltage bus including a DC link is configured to provide generated electrical energy to the motor. A controller may estimate the charging current to a capacitor of the voltage bus based on the current commanded from the generator and the voltage measured across the capacitor. The controller may adjust the charging rate of the capacitor based on the estimated charging current.