Methods and apparatus to control machine configurations
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method comprising:
- determining a desired trajectory of at least two auxiliary machines based at least in part on a desired work path or an alignment of a host machine and the auxiliary machines, wherein each of the auxiliary machines are coupled to a first side of an implement and the host machine is coupled to a second side of the implement;
determining a first actual trajectory of each of the auxiliary machines;
comparing the desired trajectory of the auxiliary machines to the first actual trajectory of the auxiliary machines;
when the first actual trajectory does not satisfy a threshold distance of the desired trajectory, selecting a trajectory-assist mode;
in response to the trajectory-assist mode being selected;
crab steering each of the auxiliary machines toward the desired trajectory while a course of the host machine is different than a course of the auxiliary machines; and
at least one of
1) controlling a first one of ground engaging elements of each of the auxiliary machines in one of a free-wheeling mode, a minimum-slip mode, or a braking mode and controlling a second one of the ground engaging elements in another one of the free-wheeling mode, the minimum-slip mode, or the braking mode or
2) applying a first amount of power to the first one of the ground engaging elements and applying a second amount of power to the second one of the ground engaging elements.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for controlling machine configurations. An example method includes determining a desired trajectory of an auxiliary machine based at least in part on a desired work path or an alignment of a host machine and the auxiliary machine; determining a first actual trajectory of the auxiliary machine; comparing the desired trajectory of the auxiliary machine to the first actual trajectory of the auxiliary machine; when the first actual trajectory does not satisfy a threshold distance of the desired trajectory, crab steering the auxiliary machine toward the desired trajectory while a course of the host machine is different than a course of the auxiliary machine.
-
Citations
15 Claims
-
1. A method comprising:
-
determining a desired trajectory of at least two auxiliary machines based at least in part on a desired work path or an alignment of a host machine and the auxiliary machines, wherein each of the auxiliary machines are coupled to a first side of an implement and the host machine is coupled to a second side of the implement; determining a first actual trajectory of each of the auxiliary machines; comparing the desired trajectory of the auxiliary machines to the first actual trajectory of the auxiliary machines; when the first actual trajectory does not satisfy a threshold distance of the desired trajectory, selecting a trajectory-assist mode; in response to the trajectory-assist mode being selected; crab steering each of the auxiliary machines toward the desired trajectory while a course of the host machine is different than a course of the auxiliary machines; and at least one of
1) controlling a first one of ground engaging elements of each of the auxiliary machines in one of a free-wheeling mode, a minimum-slip mode, or a braking mode and controlling a second one of the ground engaging elements in another one of the free-wheeling mode, the minimum-slip mode, or the braking mode or
2) applying a first amount of power to the first one of the ground engaging elements and applying a second amount of power to the second one of the ground engaging elements. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. An apparatus comprising:
-
a path identifier to determine a desired trajectory of at least two auxiliary machines based at least in part on a desired work path or an alignment of a host machine and the auxiliary machines, wherein each of the auxiliary machines are coupled to a first side of an implement and the host machine is coupled to a second side of the implement; an alignment monitor to; determine a first actual trajectory of each of the auxiliary machines; compare the desired trajectory of the auxiliary machines to the first actual trajectory of the auxiliary machines; when the first actual trajectory does not satisfy a threshold distance of the desired trajectory, a power assist controller selects a trajectory-assist mode; in response to the trajectory-assist mode being selected, a trajectory controller is to at least one of
1) control a first one of ground engaging elements of each of the auxiliary machines in one of a free-wheeling mode, a minimum-slip mode, or a braking mode and control a second one of the ground engaging elements in another one of the free-wheeling mode, the minimum-slip mode, or the braking mode or
2) apply a first amount of power to the first one of the ground engaging elements and apply a second amount of power to the second one of the ground engaging elements. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
-
-
13. A method comprising:
-
determining a desired trajectory of at least two auxiliary machines based at least in part on a desired work path or an alignment of a host machine and the auxiliary machines, wherein each of the auxiliary machines are coupled to a first side of an implement and the host machine is coupled to a second side of the implement; determining a first actual trajectory of each of the auxiliary machines; comparing the desired trajectory of the auxiliary machines to the first actual trajectory of the auxiliary machines; when the first actual trajectory does not satisfy a threshold distance of the desired trajectory, crab steering each of the auxiliary machines toward the desired trajectory while a course of the host machine is different than a course of the auxiliary machines. - View Dependent Claims (14)
-
-
15. A method comprising:
-
determining a desired trajectory of a first auxiliary machine and a second auxiliary machine based at least in part on a desired work path or an alignment of a host machine, the auxiliary machine, and the second auxiliary machine, wherein the first auxiliary machine and the second auxiliary machine are coupled to a first side of an implement and the host machine is coupled to a second side of the implement; determining a first actual trajectory of the first auxiliary machine and the second auxiliary machine; comparing the desired trajectory of the first auxiliary machine and the second auxiliary machine to the first actual trajectory of the first auxiliary machine and the second auxiliary machine; when the first actual trajectory does not satisfy a threshold distance of the desired trajectory, selecting a trajectory-assist mode; in response to the trajectory-assist mode being selected; steering the first auxiliary machine and the second auxiliary machine toward the desired trajectory; and at least one of
1) controlling a first one of ground engaging elements of at least one of the first auxiliary machine or the second auxiliary machine in one of a free-wheeling mode, a minimum-slip mode, or a braking mode and controlling a second one of the ground engaging elements of the at least one of the first auxiliary machine or the second auxiliary machine in another one of the free-wheeling mode, the minimum-slip mode, or the braking mode or
2) applying a first amount of power to the first one of the ground engaging elements and applying a second amount of power to the second one of the ground engaging elements.
-
Specification