Grapple control system
AssigneeAltec Industries, Inc.
InventorsDavid Mead, Thomas Marietta
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for controlling a grapple is described in embodiments herein. A variable pressure control may be implemented that controls the pressure applied to a load held by the grapple. An interlock mechanism may be employed on the felling grapple that disables the operation of components of the felling grapple such as a feller. A grapple release mechanism may be activated to release the pressure applied to the load in the event of a malfunction in the felling grapple.
Claims20
A felling grapple for gripping a load comprising:
- a grapple comprising a first tine and a second tine for gripping the load;
- a feller configured to cut the load;
- one hydraulic cylinder configured to move the first tine and the second tine;
- and
- a sensor configured to measure a pressure indicative of a pressure applied to the load by the first tine and the second tine gripping the load,
- wherein the pressure is measured in a grapple close line,
- wherein operation of the feller is based at least in part on the sensor measurement,
- wherein at least one operation of the feller is disabled when the pressure measurement drops below a minimum pressure threshold.
A felling grapple for gripping a load comprising:
- a grapple comprising a first tine and a second tine for gripping the load;
- a feller configured to cut the load;
- a user input configured to receive a maximum gripping pressure setting from an operator;
- a sensor configured to measure a pressure indicative of a pressure applied to the load by the grapple,
- wherein the pressure is measured in a grapple close line,
- wherein operation of the feller is based at least in part on the sensor measurement;
- and
- a controller for controlling the pressure applied by the grapple such that the indicative pressure is at or below the maximum gripping pressure,
- an interlock for restricting operation of the feller,
- wherein the interlock is released when the felling grapple is in a grapple holding mode and the measured pressure is above a minimum threshold.
A felling grapple for gripping a load comprising:
- a grapple comprising a first tine and a second tine for gripping the load;
- a feller configured to cut the load;
- a cylinder configured to supply hydraulic fluid to the grapple;
- a sensor configured to measure a pressure indicative of a pressure applied to the load by the grapple,
- wherein the pressure is measured in a grapple close line,
- wherein operation of the feller is based at least in part on the sensor measurement;
- and
- a valve in fluid communication with the cylinder and supplying the hydraulic fluid for operating the first tine and the second tine,
- wherein at least one operation of the feller is disabled when the pressure measurement drops below a minimum pressure threshold;
- a manual releasing mechanism operable to release fluid from the cylinder via the grapple close line when the felling grapple is in a grapple holding mode,
- wherein the manual releasing mechanism is disposed at a base of a utility vehicle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.