Work tool data system

• US 20090198409A1
• Filed: 01/31/2008
• Published: 08/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Johnson, Glen Jay Grimstad, Rector, Stephen William, Dandgey, Ujwal Kumar, Price, Robert J.
• Application Number:
  US12/068,027
• Publication Number:
  US 20090198409A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/35
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/085 using electronic data carriers

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to a data system for use with a work tool. The data system may have a processing device and a data storage device in communication with the processing device. The data storage device may be located on a work tool and be configured to log at least one of a usage time of the work tool and a warning event associated with the work tool.

Claims

1. A data system for use with a work tool, comprising:

a processing device; and

a data storage device in communication with the processing device, the data storage device being located on the work tool and being configured to log a warning event associated with the work tool.

2. The work tool data system of claim 1, further including a reader configured to communicate wirelessly with the data storage device.

3. The work tool data system of claim 1, wherein the data storage device is configured to store work tool parameters and the processing device is configured to automatically access the work tool parameters.

4. The work tool data system of claim 3, wherein the processing device is configured to use the work tool parameters to operate the work tool.

5. The work tool data system of claim 1, further including at least one sensor, wherein the processing device determines a warning event by communicating with the at least one sensor and comparing the sensor data to set limits.

6. The work tool data system of claim 5, wherein the data storage device is configured to log a usage time of the work tool, and wherein the processing device is in communication with a display device and the display device is configured to display the usage time of the work tool and any warning event associated with the work tool.

7. The work tool data system of claim 5, wherein the set limits include at least one of a limit on a maximum angle at which the work tool can be used, a maximum pressure of a hydraulic fluid supplied to the work tool, a maximum force or torque experienced by the work tool, and a maximum temperature of the hydraulic fluid supplied to the work tool.

8. The work tool data system of claim 1, wherein the data storage device is configured to store work tool identification data.

9. The work tool data system of claim 8, wherein at least one of the work tool identification data, a usage time of the work tool, and any warning event associated with the work tool is encrypted onto the data storage device.

10. A method of tracking work tool usage, comprising:

determining a warning event associated with a work tool;

logging the warning event onto a data storage device located on the work tool; and

communicating with the data storage device and displaying the warning event of the work tool.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein determining the warning event is determined by comparing data received from one or more sensors to set limits.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the set limits include at least one of a limit on a maximum angle at which the work tool can be used, a maximum pressure of a hydraulic fluid supplied to the work tool, a maximum force or torque experienced by the work tool, and a maximum temperature of the hydraulic fluid supplied to the work tool.

13. The method of claim 10, further including storing information associated with the warning event onto the data storage device.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the data storage device is configured to store work tool identification data including at least one of owner information of the work tool and manufacturer information of the work tool.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein at least one of the work tool identification data, a usage time of the work tool, and the warning event associated with the work tool is encrypted onto the data storage device.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the work tool is at least one of a bucket, a grappler, a hammer, a fork, a saw, a rotary broom, a shear, or a lifting hook.

17. A data system, comprising:

a work tool configured to be attached to a machine; and

a data storage device located on the work tool, the data storage device being configured to log a warning event associated with the work tool.

18. The data system of claim 17, wherein the data system is configured to store servicing information regarding the work tool.

19. The data system of claim 17, further including at least one sensor, wherein a processing device determines a warning event by communicating with the at least one sensor and comparing the sensor data to set limits.

20. The data system of claim 17, wherein the data storage device is configured to log a usage time of the work tool, and the work tool usage time includes at least one of a current usage time, a total machine usage time, and a lifetime usage time.