US5944764A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for monitoring the work cycle of earth moving machinery during material removal
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
•
Filing: 1997-06-23
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Granted: 1999-08-31
•
Expires: 2017-06-23
Abstract
Abstract The invention is a method for monitoring a work cycle of a earth moving machine on a land site. The method includes the steps of determining a direction of motion of the earth moving machine as being either a forward or a reverse direction of motion, determining a change in the direction of motion to an opposite direction of motion, determining a location of the earth moving machine on the land site where the change in direction of motion occurs, determining a condition of the land site at the location, and determining a work cycle of the earth moving machine in response to the condition.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel E. Henderson
- 👤 Gregory R. Harrod
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 15:53
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02F; E02F9/00; E02F9/20; E02F9/2025; E02F9/2045; E02F3/00; E02F3/04; E02F3/76; E02F3/80; E02F3/84; E02F3/841; E02F3/842
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A method for monitoring a work cycle of an earth moving machine for moving material in a land site, the earth moving machine having a body and a bucket, the method including the steps of: determining a direction of motion of said earth moving machine as being one of a forward and a reverse direction of motion; determining a change in said direction of motion to an opposite direction of motion; determining that said opposite direction of motion is said reverse direction of motion; determining a location of said earth moving machine on said land site in response to said change in direction of motion to said reverse direction; determining a condition of said land site at said location; and determining a work cycle of said earth moving machine in response to said condition.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
134 words
A method for monitoring a work cycle of an earth moving machine for moving material in a land site, the earth moving machine having a body and a bucket, the method including the steps of: determining a direction of motion of said earth moving machine as being one of a forward and a reverse direction of motion; determining a change in said direction of motion to an opposite direction of motion; determining that said opposite direction of motion is said reverse direction of motion; determining a location of said earth moving machine on said land site in response to said change in direction of motion to said reverse direction; determining a condition of said land site at said location; and determining a work cycle of said earth moving machine in response to said condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method, as set forth in claim 1, including the step of: determining a resource map for said land site; and defining a potential load region as a portion of said land site that is located between said body and a maximum extension of said bucket.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method, as set forth in claim 2, wherein the step of determining a condition of said land site includes the step of determining that said material in said potential load region is one of available to be mined and mined out.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
64 words
A method, as set forth in claim 3, wherein the step of determining said work cycle includes the steps of: determining that a loading operation has occurred in response to said material in said potential load region being available to be mined; and determining that a dumping operation has occurred in response to said material type in said potential load region being mined out.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method, as set forth in claim 1 including the step of identifying a type of material loaded in said bucket.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the step of determining a change in direction includes the steps of: determining a position of said earth moving machine in response to receiving a GPS signal; and determining a change in direction in response to receiving multiple said GPS signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method, as set forth in claim 1, where the earth moving machine includes a transmission and, wherein the step of determining a change in direction includes the step of sensing a shift in said transmission.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
147 words
A method for monitoring a work cycle of an earth moving machine for moving material in a land site, the earth moving machine having a body and a bucket, the method including the steps of: determining a direction of motion of said earth moving machine as being one of a forward and a reverse direction of motion; determining a change in said direction of motion to an opposite direction of motion; determining that said opposite direction of motion is said reverse direction of motion; determining a location of said earth moving machine on said land site in response to said change in direction of motion to said reverse direction; determining a condition of said land site at said location, wherein said condition includes one of available to be mined, and mined out; and determining a work cycle of said earth moving machine in response to said condition.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
147 words
A method for monitoring a work cycle of an earth moving machine for moving material in a land site, the earth moving machine having a body and a bucket, the method including the steps of: determining a direction of motion of said earth moving machine as being one of a forward and a reverse direction of motion; determining a change in said direction of motion to an opposite direction of motion; determining that said opposite direction of motion is said reverse direction of motion; determining a location of said earth moving machine on said land site in response to said change in direction of motion to said reverse direction; determining a condition of said land site at said location, wherein said condition includes one of available to be mined, and mined out; and determining a work cycle of said earth moving machine in response to said condition.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method, as set forth in claim 8, including the steps of: determining a resource map for said land site; and defining a potential load region.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method, as set forth in claim 8, wherein said potential load region is a portion of said land site that is located between said body and a maximum extension of said bucket.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-08-30 | 2003-03-01 | 2003-08-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-08-30 | 2007-03-01 | 2007-08-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-08-30 | 2011-03-01 | 2011-08-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |