System and method for underwater payload estimation in dragline bucket

A dragline machine comprising:

• a frame;
• a dragline bucket;
• and
• a system for underwater payload estimation in the dragline bucket, the system comprising:
• a sensing module disposed on the dragline bucket, wherein the sensing module is configured to generate a plurality of signals indicative of a distance value between the sensing module and payload in the dragline bucket;
• and
• a controller including at least one memory and at least one processor communicably coupled with the at least one memory and the sensing module, wherein the at least one processor is configured to:
• receive, from the sensing module, the plurality of signals indicative of the distance value between the sensing module and the payload in the dragline bucket, when the dragline bucket is underwater;
• estimate a volume of the payload in the dragline bucket when the dragline bucket is underwater, based on the plurality of signals received from the sensing module;
• and
• generate an output signal indicative of the estimated volume of the payload in the dragline bucket.

A method of underwater payload estimation in a dragline bucket of a dragline machine, the method comprising:

• disposing a sensing module on the dragline bucket;
• generating, by the sensing module, a plurality of signals indicative of a distance value between the sensing module and payload in the dragline bucket;
• receiving, by at least one processor of a controller, the plurality of signals indicative of the distance value between the sensing module and the payload in the dragline bucket from the sensing module, when the dragline bucket is underwater, wherein the at least one processor is communicably coupled with at least one memory of the controller and the sensing module;
• estimating, by the at least one processor, a volume of the payload in the dragline bucket when the dragline bucket is underwater, based on the plurality of signals received from the sensing module;
• and
• generating, by the at least one processor, an output signal indicative of the estimated volume of the payload in the dragline bucket.