Mine Truck to Mine Truck Communication
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorEric J. Ruth
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for monitoring and controlling a plurality of mining trucks, while the mining trucks operate on a worksite, is disclosed. The plurality of mining trucks includes, at least, a first truck and a second truck. The method includes monitoring a first speed of the first truck and determining a second speed of the second truck based on, at least, the first speed. The method further includes modulating the second speed based on changes to the first speed and controlling propulsion of the second truck based on the second speed.
Claims20
A method for monitoring and controlling a plurality of mining trucks while the plurality of mining trucks operate on a worksite, the plurality of mining trucks including at least a first truck and a second truck, the method comprising:
- monitoring a first speed of the first truck;
- determining a second speed of the second truck based on, at least, the first speed;
- modulating the second speed based on changes to the first speed;
- and
- controlling propulsion of the second truck based on the second speed.
A method for monitoring and controlling a plurality of mining trucks while the plurality of mining trucks operate on a worksite, the plurality of mining trucks including at least a first truck and a second truck, the worksite including a first road and a second road, the first road and second road intersecting at an intersection and the first truck travelling on the first road towards the intersection and the second truck travelling on the second road towards the intersection, the method comprising:
- monitoring a first speed of the first truck;
- determining a timeframe in which the first truck will reach the intersection based on the first speed;
- determining a second speed of the second truck based on, at least, the first speed and the timeframe;
- and
- controlling propulsion of the second truck based on the second speed.
A system for monitoring and controlling a plurality of mining trucks while the plurality of mining trucks operate on a worksite, the plurality of mining trucks including, at least, a first truck and a second truck, the system including:
- a network communication system configured to enable communication amongst the plurality of mining trucks;
- a plurality of controllers associated with the plurality of mining trucks, each of the plurality of controllers being operatively associated with one of the plurality of mining trucks, the plurality of controllers including, at least, a first controller operatively associated with the first truck and a second controller operatively associated with the second truck, the plurality of controllers being in communication via the network communication system, the plurality of controllers being configured to:
- control propulsion of the first truck based on a first speed,
- communicate the first speed amongst the plurality of mining trucks via the network communication system;
- determine a second speed for the second truck based on, at least, the first speed, and
- control propulsion of the second truck based on the second speed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.