Data processing: measuring – calibrating – or testing – Calibration or correction system – For mechanical system
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-10
2001-08-21
Assouad, Patrick (Department: 2857)
Data processing: measuring, calibrating, or testing
Calibration or correction system
For mechanical system
C702S095000, C701S050000, C701S051000, C172S091000, C172S092000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06278955
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates generally to a method for automatically positioning the blade of a motor grader to a memory position and, more particularly, to a method for automatically adjusting the blade to an operator programmed blade position.
BACKGROUND ART
Motor graders are used primarily as a finishing tool to sculpt a surface of earth to a final arrangement. To perform such earth sculpting tasks, motor graders include a blade, also referred to as a moldboard or implement. The blade moves relatively small quantities of earth from side to side. Motor graders must produce a variety of final earth arrangements. As a result, the blade must be set to many different blade positions.
The blade may be adjusted for blade height, blade cutting angle, blade tip, blade sideshift, and drawbar sideshift. Accordingly, motor graders include several hand controls to operate the multiple blade adjustments. Positioning the blade of a motor grader is a complex and time consuming task. Frequently, an operator will desire one or more unique blade positions. Thus, to improve efficiency and consistency, it is desirable to provide a method for automatically positioning the blade of a motor grader to an operator programmed blade position.
The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a method for automatically positioning the blade of a motor grader to a memory position. The method includes the steps of: providing an electronic controller and blade controls having position sensors; monitoring the output of the position sensors to ascertain the position of the blade controls; receiving a first input signal for setting a memory blade position; determining the memory blade position based on the output of the position sensors; receiving a second input signal for requesting the memory blade position; determining the present blade position based on the output of the position sensors; and producing a control signal for actuating the blade controls to move the blade from the present blade position to the memory blade position.
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Hartman Matthew A.
Shane Mark D.
Shearer Daniel E.
Zhang Xiaojun
Assouad Patrick
Bui Bryan
Caterpillar Inc.
Kercher Kevin M.
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