Automatic depth control system
AssigneeThe Charles Machine Works, Inc.
InventorsVictor D. Cámara Puerto, Benjamin Ryan Travers
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for uncovering a desired and pre-planned trench. A trenching machine is equipped with sensors, including visual imaging sensors. The sensors detect the inclination of the ground and movement of the trenching machine, as well as the angle of a trenching boom. Using this information, and a pre-determined preferred trench grade, a processor commands the trenching boom to adjust its angle to maintain the preferred trench grade. Surface irregularities may therefore be accounted for along the length of the trench to maintain a constant grade at the trench bottom.
Claims20
A method comprising:
- designating a preferred excavation dimension for a first location;
- using one or more scanning devices to collect imaging data from areas at and around the first location;
- excavating the ground at the location with a digging attachment carried by a self-propelled work machine, the position of the digging attachment being denoted by an excavating dimension;
- and
- using the imaging data, positioning the digging attachment such that its position matches the preferred excavation dimension.
A method comprising:
- determining a preferred excavation depth for a location;
- with a work machine carrying an elongate trencher boom, excavating the ground at the location;
- while excavating the ground at the location, performing the steps of:
- identifying a ground plane upon which the work machine is situated;
- ascertaining the inclination of the trencher boom;
- using one or more scanning devices to collect imaging data from areas around the work machine;
- and
- using the inclination of the trencher boom, the identified ground plane, and the collected imaging data, adjusting the boom inclination such that the trencher boom's depth matches the preferred excavation depth.
A method comprising:
- excavating the ground with a digging attachment of a self-propelled work machine;
- detecting the inclination of the ground surface underlying the work machine;
- using the ground surface inclination, positioning the digging attachment as required to maintain it at a desired depth;
- and
- using one or more scanning devices on the machine to collect imaging data about the excavation.
A method of using a work machine having an elongate boom equipped with a digging tool, comprising:
- excavating a trench with the digging tool;
- using one or more scanning devices to collect imaging data from areas around the work machine and the trench;
- from the imaging data, identifying a ground plane upon which the work machine is situated;
- after identifying a ground plane, ascertaining the inclination of the boom;
- and
- using the boom inclination and the identified ground plane, calculating an estimated depth of the digging tool.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.