System and method for indicating to an operator a forward direction of travel of a machine

A positional-relationship sensing system for indicating to an operator a forward direction of travel of a machine, the machine having a ground-engaging traveling device, a superstructure rotatably mounted to the traveling device and having an operator station defining an operator point of view, and a slew system disposed between the traveling device and the superstructure, the slew system having a circular race, the positional-relationship sensing system comprising:

• a system controller configured to be operatively connected to the machine;
• a rotation-sensing system operatively connected to the system controller comprising a beacon configured to be mounted to the superstructure and two pairs of sensors configured to be mounted to the circular race for determining a rotational relationship of the superstructure with respect to the traveling device;
• and
• the two pairs of sensors being configured to be mounted to the circular race such that an imaginary line extending between the two pairs of sensors defines a diameter of the race, the imaginary line being perpendicular to the forward direction of travel of the machine;
• and
• a signaler configured to be mounted to the operator station and operatively connected to the system controller for indicating to the operator the forward direction of travel of the machine in accordance with the operator point of view,
• upon rotation of the superstructure, the rotation-sensing system being configured to send a signal to the system controller in response to the beacon being rotated past both sensors of either pair of sensors.

A machine comprising:

• a ground-engaging traveling device;
• a superstructure rotatably mounted to the traveling device and having an operator station defining an operator point of view;
• a slew system disposed between the traveling device and the superstructure, the slew system having a circular race;
• and
• a positional-relationship sensing system for indicating to an operator a forward direction of travel of the machine, the positional-relationship sensing system comprising:
• a system controller operatively connected to the slew system;
• a rotation-sensing system operatively connected to the system controller, the rotation-sensing system comprising a beacon mounted to the superstructure and two sensors mounted to the circular race for determining a rotational relationship of the superstructure with respect to the traveling device, each of the two sensors defining a sensing region,
• an imaginary line extending between the two sensors defining a diameter of the race, the imaginary line being perpendicular to the forward direction of travel of the machine;
• and
• a signaler mounted to the operator station and operatively connected to the system controller for indicating to the operator the forward direction of travel of the machine in accordance with the operator point of view,
• the rotation-sensing system sending a signal to the system controller in response to the beacon entering and exiting the sensing region of one of the two sensors upon rotation of the superstructure.