Excavation utilizing dual hopper system
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorsPaul Friend, Kenneth L. Stratton
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims20
An excavating machine for excavation at an excavation site in cooperation with a first hopper and a second hopper for receiving material, the excavating machine comprising:
- a digging tool configured to excavate and dispense material;
- a machine receiver configured to receive first hopper data associated with the first hopper and second hopper data associated with the second hopper;
- and
- a guidance system in communication with the machine receiver configured to process the first hopper data and the second hopper data to determine a selected hopper between the first hopper and the second hopper, and generating a guidance indication reflecting the selected hopper.
A method of assisting excavation at an excavation site comprising:
- providing a first hopper and a second hopper for receiving material at an excavation site;
- receiving first hopper data associated with the first hopper;
- receiving second hopper data associated with the second hopper;
- comparing the first hopper data and the second hopper data to determine a selected hopper from the first hopper and the second hopper for depositing excavated material;
- generating a guidance indication reflecting the selected hopper;
- and
- displaying the guidance indication to an operator of an excavating machine operating in cooperation with the first hopper and the second hopper.
A guidance system for assisting excavation at an excavation site utilizing a first hopper and a second hopper configured to receive material, the guidance system comprising:
- a machine controller operatively associated with an excavating machine, the machine controller communicating with a machine receiver disposed on the excavating machine;
- a first hopper transmitter operatively associated with a first hopper and communicating first hopper data associated with the first hopper;
- and
- a second hopper transmitter operatively associated with the second hopper and communicating second hopper data associated with the second hopper;
- wherein the guidance system determines a selected hopper for dispensing material into based on comparison of the first hopper data and the second hopper data.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.