Weighing scales – Structural installation – Vehicle
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-27
2001-04-03
Gibson, Randy W. (Department: 2859)
Weighing scales
Structural installation
Vehicle
C177S141000, C701S050000, C702S174000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06211471
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates generally to a control system for automatically controlling a work implement of an earthmoving machine and, more particularly, to a control system that controls the hydraulic cylinders of an earthmoving machine to capture, lift and dump material.
BACKGROUND ART
In general, earthmoving machines such as wheel loaders and the like are used for moving mass quantities of material. These earthmoving machines have work implements that can include a bucket. The bucket is controllably actuated by at least one hydraulic cylinder. The operator typically performs a sequence of distinct operations to capture, lift and dump material.
A typical work cycle can include an operator first positioning the bucket at a pile of material. The bucket is then lowered so that the work implement is near the ground surface. The operator then controls the bucket to raise the work implement through the pile to fill the bucket and lift the material. The operator then tilts or racks the bucket back to capture the material. The operator then moves the earthmoving machine to a desired target location, e.g., dump truck, and dumps the captured material from the bucket. The operator then moves the earthmoving machine back to the pile of material to start this work cycle all over again.
There are numerous problems related to this manual process. With a human operator, the earthmoving machine cannot be constantly productive in all environments and for prolonged work hours. The overloading of a bucket can damage the earthmoving machine or allow material to leave the bucket at undesired locations. On the other hand, the underloading of the bucket can be extremely inefficient and costly. An automated earthmoving machine can work in conditions that are dangerous, unsuitable, or undesirable for human beings. In addition, an automated earthmoving machine can provide more accurate loading that would lessen the problems created by human error as well as a lack of operator skill, experience, or training.
The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of this invention, a control system for automatically controlling a work implement of an earthmoving machine, the work implement including a bucket, to capture, lift and dump material, the bucket being controllably actuated by a hydraulic tilt cylinder and lift cylinder is disclosed. The control system includes a weight sensing mechanism for sensing weight of the material in the bucket and a logic mechanism for receiving the weight signals for the material in the bucket from the weight sensing mechanism and then determining a total summed weight of the material for a total number of capture, lift, and dump cycles needed to capture, lift and dump a predetermined weight of the material with the bucket and then generating various command signals based on the weight signal from each capture, lift and dump cycle and the total summed weight for the total number of capture, lift and dump cycles. In addition, there is a hydraulic implement controller for controlling hydraulic fluid flow to the hydraulic tilt cylinder and the hydraulic lift cylinder in response to the command signals thereby controllably actuating the bucket of the earthmoving machine in order to capture, lift and dump material.
In another aspect of the present invention, a method for automatically controlling a work implement of an earthmoving machine, the work implement including a bucket, to capture, lift and dump material, the bucket being controllably actuated by a hydraulic tilt cylinder and lift cylinder is disclosed. The method includes the steps of sensing weight of the material in the bucket with a weight sensing mechanism and utilizing a logic mechanism for receiving the weight signals for the material in the bucket from the weight sensing mechanism and summing a total number of capture, lift, and dump cycles needed to capture, lift and dump a predetermined weight of the material and then determining the total summed weight of the material for the total number of capture, lift and dump cycles and then generating various command signals based on the weight signal from each capture, lift and dump cycle and the total summed weight for the total number of capture, lift and dump cycles. In addition, the method includes the step of controlling hydraulic fluid flow to the hydraulic tilt cylinder and the hydraulic lift cylinder with a hydraulic implement controller thereby controllably actuating the bucket of the earthmoving machine in order to capture, lift and dump material.
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Palmer Marvin K.
Rocke David J.
Caterpillar Inc.
Gibson Randy W.
Kercher Kevin M.
Kibby Steven G.
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