Automated lost load response system

• US 20090002187A1
• Filed: 06/29/2007
• Published: 01/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Gudat, Adam J., Stratton, Kenneth L., Kriel, Bradley Scott
• Granted Patent: US 7,864,066 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/679
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/12 having electrical weight-sensitive devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 23/3735 using a digital network
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 23/3742 using a mobile telephone network
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 23/38 Recording and/or coding devices specially adapted for weighing apparatus computers per se G06; disc converters in general G08C

Abstract

An automated lost load response system for work machines is disclosed. The response system has a container supported by the machine to retain material. It also has a sensor situated to detect material lost from the container. The sensor generates a signal corresponding to detection of material lost. Additionally, the response system has a controller that is in communication with the sensor. The controller is configured to provide a load loss warning based on the signal generated by the sensor.

Claims

1. A load response system for a machine, comprising:

a container supported by the machine to retain material;

a sensor situated to detect material that is lost from the container and generate a corresponding signal; and

a controller in communication with the sensor and configured to provide a potential load loss warning based on the signal.

2. The load response system of claim 1, further including a locating device configured to determine a geographical location of the machine, wherein the controller is in further communication with the locating device and configured to relate the lost material to the geographical location of the loss.

3. The load response system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to relate the lost material to a time and date of the loss.

4. The load response system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to calculate an amount of material lost based on the signal.

5. The load response system of claim 4, further including at least one load sensor configured to generate a load signal indicative of an amount of material within the container, wherein the controller is in further communication with the load sensor and the amount of material lost is calculated based further on the load signal.

6. The load response system of claim 1, further including a transmission device, wherein the controller is in further communication with the transmission device and configured to transmit a load loss warning to another machine based on the signal.

7. The load response system of claim 1, further including a transmission device, wherein the controller is in further communication with the transmission device and configured to transmit a maintenance request to a service facility based on the signal.

8. The load response system of claim 7, wherein the maintenance request is based on potential machine damage caused by the lost material.

9. The load response system of claim 7, wherein the maintenance request is based on potential damage to the environment.

10. The load response system of claim 1, wherein the sensor includes:

an emitter to emit a beam; and

a receiver situated to receive the beam and generate a corresponding signal.

11. The load response system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is configured to detect material that is lost while the container is intact.

12. The load response system of claim 1, further including an operator warning device, wherein the controller is in further communication with the operator warning device and configured to activate the operator warning device based on the signal.

13. The load response system of claim 1, further including an external warning device, wherein the controller is in further communication with the external warning device and configured to activate the external warning device based on the signal.

14. The load response system of claim 1, further including an override device configured to generate an intent signal indicative of the operator'"'"'s intent to alter an amount of material retained by the container, wherein the controller is in further communication with the override device and configured to prevent transmission of the potential load loss warning, in response to the intent signal.

15. A method of responding to a load lost from a machine, comprising:

emitting a detection beam;

detecting an irregular reflection of the beam; and

determining the machine has lost at least a portion of its load based on the detection.

16. The method of claim 15, further including determining a geographical location where the load is lost.

17. The method of claim 15, further including determining a time and date when the load is lost.

18. The method of claim 15, further including calculating an amount of the load lost.

19. The method of claim 15, further including transmitting, in response to a determination that load is lost, at least one of:

a warning to another machine of the lost load;

a warning to a machine operator of the lost load; and

a maintenance request to a service facility.

20. A machine, comprising:

a power source;

a container;

a frame operatively connecting the power source and the container;

a sensor including;

an emitter to emit a beam; and

a receiver situated to receive the beam and configured to generate a corresponding signal; and

a controller in communication with the machine and the sensor, the controller configured to provide a warning that material has been lost from the container based on the signal.