Damage avoidance systems and methods for motor grader scarifiers
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorsMichael C. Gentle, Ethan M. Tevis, David L. Cox
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for operating a grading machine. The method includes (i) receiving information indicating a current position of a moldboard of the grading machine; (ii) determining if the moldboard is moving toward an avoidance zone, and the avoidance zone is defined by a distance from a scarifier of the grading machine; and (iii) in response to a determination that the moldboard is moving toward the avoidance zone, adjusting at least one operating parameter of the moldboard or the scarifier of the grading machine.
Claims20
A method for operating a grading machine on a surface, comprising:
- receiving information indicating a current position of a moldboard of the grading machine, wherein the moldboard is coupled to a drawbar of the grading machine and configured to rotate about an axis, and wherein the moldboard includes two ends configured to move vertically relative to the surface;
- determining if the moldboard is moving toward an avoidance zone via at least one moldboard sensor and a positioning sensor for a scarifier of the grading machine, wherein the avoidance zone is defined by a distance from the scarifier to the moldboard, and wherein the distance is measured when both the scarifier and the moldboard are capable of being moved or rotated in an operation;
- and
- in response to a determination that the moldboard is moving toward the avoidance zone, adjusting at least one operating parameter of the moldboard or the scarifier of the grading machine.
A grading machine comprising:
- a processor;
- a memory communicably coupled to the processor, the memory comprising computer executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the grading machine to:
- receive information indicating a current position of a moldboard of the grading machine, wherein the moldboard is coupled to a drawbar of the grading machine and configured to rotate about an axis, and wherein the moldboard includes two ends configured to move vertically relative to the drawbar;
- determine if the moldboard is moving toward an avoidance zone via at least one moldboard sensor and a position sensor for a scarifier of the grading machine, wherein the avoidance zone is defined by a distance from the scarifier to the moldboard, and wherein the distance is measured when both the scarifier and the moldboard are capable of being moved or rotated in an operation;
- and
- in response to a determination that the moldboard is moving toward the avoidance zone, adjust one or more operating parameters of the moldboard or the scarifier of the grading machine.
A method for operating a grading machine, comprising:
- receiving information indicating an operation of a moldboard of the grading machine, wherein the moldboard is coupled to a drawbar of the grading machine and configured to rotate about an axis, and wherein the operation of the moldboard includes a movement and/or a rotation;
- determining if the operation of the moldboard results in a portion of the moldboard moving into an avoidance zone via at least one moldboard sensor and a position sensor for a scarifier of the grading machine, wherein the avoidance zone is defined by a distance from the scarifier to the moldboard, and wherein the distance is measured when both the scarifier and the moldboard are capable of being moved or rotated in an operation;
- and
- in response to a determination that the moldboard is moving into the avoidance zone, adjusting at least one operating parameter of the moldboard or the scarifier of the grading machine.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.