Slippage condition response system

• US 20100152942A1
• Filed: 12/17/2008
• Published: 06/17/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Hull, Gary Edward, Everett, Bryan J., Stratton, Kenneth Lee, Humphrey, James Decker, Mintah, Brian
• Granted Patent: US 8,140,239 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/25
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2210/16 Off-road driving conditions
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/175 Brake regulation specially adapted to prevent excessive wheel spin during vehicle acceleration, e.g. for traction control safety devices for propulsion unit control responsive to, or preventing, skidding of wheels B60K28/16

Abstract

A slippage condition response system for a first machine of a plurality of machines is disclosed. The response system may have a sensing system configured to sense a parameter indicative of a slippage condition of the first machine. Additionally, the response system may have a locator configured to sense a parameter indicative of a location of the first machine. The response system may also have a transmitter. In addition, the response system may have a controller, which may be in communication with the sensing system, the locator, and the transmitter. The controller may be configured to monitor the location of the first machine. The controller may also be configured to monitor the parameter indicative of a slippage condition of the first machine. Additionally, the controller may be configured to transmit to an offboard system at least one location where the first machine experienced a slippage condition.

Claims

1. A slippage condition response system for a first machine of a plurality of machines, the slippage condition response system comprising:

a sensing system configured to sense a parameter indicative of a slippage condition of the first machine;

a locator configured to sense a parameter indicative of a location of the first machine;

a transmitter; and

a controller in communication with the sensing system, the locator, and the transmitter, the controller being configured to;

monitor the location of the first machine;

monitor the parameter indicative of a slippage condition of the first machine; and

transmit to an offboard system at least one location where the first machine experienced a slippage condition.

2. The slippage condition response system of claim 1, wherein the locator is included in the sensing system.

3. The slippage condition response system of claim 1, wherein the offboard system includes a map configured to store at least one known slippage condition location where at least one of the plurality of machines experienced a slippage condition.

4. The slippage condition response system of claim 1, wherein the offboard system includes a second machine of the plurality of machines.

5. The slippage condition response system of claim 1, wherein the offboard system includes a worksite control facility.

6. The slippage condition response system of claim 1, further including a receiver, wherein:

the controller is in communication with the receiver; and

the controller is further configured to;

receive from the offboard system at least one known slippage condition location where at least one of the plurality of machines experienced a slippage condition; and

autonomously control the first machine based on the at least one known slippage condition location.

7. The slippage condition response system of claim 1, further including a receiver, wherein:

the controller is in communication with the receiver; and

the controller is further configured to;

receive from the offboard system at least one known slippage condition location where at least one of the plurality of machines experienced a slippage condition; and

warn an operator of the first machine of the at least one known slippage condition location.

8. The slippage condition response system of claim 1, further including a receiver and a map, wherein:

the controller is in communication with the receiver and the map; and

the controller is further configured to;

receive from the offboard system at least one known slippage condition location where at least one of the plurality of machines experienced a slippage condition; and

store in the map the at least one known slippage condition location.

9. A method of operating a worksite, the method comprising:

monitoring a location of a first machine of a plurality of machines;

monitoring a parameter indicative of a slippage condition of the first machine; and

transmitting to an offboard system at least one location where the first machine experienced a slippage condition.

10. The method of claim 9, further including storing in a map at least one known slippage condition location where at least one of the plurality of machines experienced a slippage condition.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein transmitting to the offboard system includes transmitting to a second machine of the plurality of machines.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein transmitting to the offboard system includes transmitting to a worksite control facility.

13. The method of claim 9, further including:

receiving from the offboard system at least one known slippage condition location where at least one of the plurality of machines experienced a slippage condition; and

autonomously controlling the first machine based on the at least one known slippage condition location.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein autonomously controlling the first machine includes re-routing the first machine.

15. The method of claim 9, further including:

receiving from the offboard system at least one known slippage condition location where at least one of the plurality of machines experienced a slippage condition; and

warning an operator of the first machine of the at least one known slippage condition location.

16. A slippage condition response system for a first machine of a plurality of machines, the slippage condition response system comprising:

a sensing system configured to sense a parameter indicative of a slippage condition of the first machine;

a locator configured to sense a parameter indicative of a location of the first machine;

a transmitter;

a receiver;

a map; and

a controller in communication with the sensing system, the locator, the transmitter, the receiver, and the map, the controller being configured to;

monitor the location of the first machine;

monitor the parameter indicative of a slippage condition of the first machine;

transmit to an offboard system at least one location where the first machine experienced a slippage condition;

receive from the offboard system at least one known slippage condition location where at least one of the plurality of machines experienced a slippage condition; and

store in the map the at least one known slippage condition location.

17. The slippage condition response system of claim 16, wherein the locator is included in the sensing system.

18. The slippage condition response system of claim 16, wherein the controller is further configured to autonomously control the first machine based on the at least one known slippage condition location.

19. The slippage condition response system of claim 16, wherein the controller is further configured to warn an operator of the first machine of the at least one known slippage condition location.

20. The slippage condition response system of claim 16, wherein the offboard system includes a worksite control facility.

21. The slippage condition response system of claim 16, wherein the offboard system includes a second machine of the plurality of machines.

22. A method of operating a worksite, the method comprising:

monitoring a location of a first machine of a plurality of machines;

monitoring a parameter indicative of a slippage condition of the first machine;

transmitting to an offboard system at least one location where the first machine experienced a slippage condition;

receiving from the offboard system at least one known slippage condition location where at least one of the plurality of machines experienced a slippage condition; and

storing in a map the at least one known slippage condition location.

23. The method of claim 22, further including autonomously controlling the first machine based on the at least one known slippage condition location.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein autonomously controlling the first machine includes re-routing the first machine.

25. The method of claim 22, further including autonomously controlling a second machine of the plurality of machines based on the at least one known slippage condition location.

26. The method of claim 22, further including warning an operator of the first machine of the at least one known slippage condition location.

27. The method of claim 22, wherein transmitting to the offboard system includes transmitting to a second machine of the plurality of machines.

28. The method of claim 22, wherein transmitting to the offboard system includes transmitting to a worksite control facility.