Work tool collision avoidance system for underground objects
AssigneeCaterpillar Paving Products Inc.
InventorsLee M. Hogan, David Nels Peterson, Timothy Michael O'Donnell, Eric Engelmann
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electronic controller comprises a memory including computer executable instructions for detecting an underground object, and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to execute the computer executable instructions, the computer executable instructions when executed by the process cause the processor to: sense a signal indicating the presence of an underground object, and send a control signal to a machine control system or a work tool control system to alter the movement of the machine or the work tool.
Claims20
A method for avoiding objects, the method comprising:
- transmitting a signal using a sensor of a machine,
- the sensor being positioned in front of a work tool of the machine and along a direction of travel of the work tool or the machine,
- the machine traveling along a path on a ground surface and the work tool is moving;
- the sensor pointing toward the ground surface;
- monitoring signals responsive to the signal transmitted using the sensor,
- the signals being monitored using the sensor or a receiver separate from the sensor;
- processing one or more of the signals to detect an object along the path;
- comparing a distance, between the object and the work tool, to a threshold;
- and
- at least one of:
- altering a movement of the work tool based on comparing the distance to the threshold, or
- altering a movement of the machine based on comparing the distance to the threshold.
A work tool collision avoidance system for a machine with a work tool, the system comprising:
- a sensor;
- a receiver;
- and
- an electronic controller unit coupled to the sensor and the receiver, wherein the electronic controller unit is configured to:
- cause the sensor to transmit a signal at a first time interval;
- process a signal received by the receiver at a second time interval;
- and
- alter the movement of the work tool or the movement of the machine after processing the signal received by the receiver.
An electronic controller unit of a machine comprising:
- a memory including computer executable instructions for detecting an object;
- and
- a processor coupled to the memory and configured to execute the computer executable instructions, the computer executable instructions when executed by the processor cause the processor to:
- sense a signal indicating the presence of an object;
- and
- send a control signal to a machine control system or a work tool control system to alter the movement of the machine or the movement of the work tool.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.