COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED METHOD FOR PROVIDING A WARNING

• US 20160002890A1
• Filed: 07/02/2015
• Published: 01/07/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: J C Bamford Excavators Limited (Transmissions & Engineering Services Netherlands BV)
• Original Assignee: J C Bamford Excavators Limited (Transmissions & Engineering Services Netherlands BV)
• Inventors: Harper, Lee, Layton, Phil
• Granted Patent: US 9,540,791 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 23/88 Safety gear for cranes in general B66C15/00; for rope, cable, or chain winding mechanisms B66D1/54
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 17/00 Safety devices, e.g. for limiting or indicating lifting force
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/325 Backhoes of the miniature type
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/964 of several tools mounted on one machine E02F3/962 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/245 for preventing damage to underground objects during excavation, e.g. indicating buried pipes or the like detection of pipes in the ground F16L1/11
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/261 Surveying the work-site to be treated
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 11/01 electric

Abstract

A computer-implemented method for providing a warning including the steps: obtaining data relating to the location of a hazardous object and obtaining data relating to the location of a material handling machine. The computer to compare the location of the material handling machine to the location of the hazardous object and estimates a probability of a hazardous event occurring. If the estimate exceeds a threshold valve, a warning is issued by the computer.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for providing a warning including the steps:

obtaining data relating to the location of an object, obtaining data relating to the location of a material handling machine;

using the computer to compare the location of the material handling machine to the location of the object in order to estimate a probability of damage occurring;

providing a warning based on the estimate;

determining the type of the material handling machine, and using this data to estimate the probability of the damage occurring.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the location of the object is below ground level, or wherein the location of the object is above ground level.

3. A method according to claim 2, further including obtaining data relating to the distance of the object below or above the ground level and using this data to estimate the probability of damage occurring.

4. A method according to claim 1, further including using a communication system, preferably wherein the communication system communicates the data relating to the location of the object to the computer.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the communication system communicates the data relating to the location of the material handling machine to the computer.

6. A method according to claim 4, wherein the communication system communicates the warning, for example wherein the communication system communicates the warning to and/or from the material handling machine.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the material handling machine is an excavator, or a backhoe loader, or a tele-handler.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the material handling machine has a material handling implement, for example a ground-engaging material handling implement, the method preferably further including determining the position of the material handling implement relative to the rest of the material handling machine, preferably the height of the material handling implement relative to the rest of the material handling machine, and using this data to estimate the probability of the damage occurring.

9. A method according to claim 1, further including determining if the material handling machine is moving, preferably the speed and/or direction at which the material handling machine is moving, and using this data to estimate the probability of the damage occurring.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein the material handling machine has an engine and the method includes determining if the engine is running, preferably the speed at which the engine is running, and using this data to estimate the probability of the damage occurring.

11. A method according to claim 8, wherein the material handling machine has a hydraulic system that manoeuvers the material handling implement and the method includes determining the pressure in the hydraulic system and using this data to estimate the probability of the damage occurring.

12. A method according to claim 1, wherein the warning includes an alarm, for example an audible, visual or vibration alarm, or wherein the warning includes sending a message containing data about the estimate of the probability of damage occurring to and/or from the material handling machine.

13. A material handling machine including a processor that is configured to receive data relating to the location of an object and data relating to the location of the material handling machine;

to compare the location of the material handling machine and the location of the object;

to estimate a probability of damage occurring; and

to provide a warning based on the estimate.

14. A system for providing a warning including a processor that is configured to receive data relating to the location of an object and data relating to the location of a material handling machine;

to compare the location of the material handling machine and the location of the object;

to estimate a probability of damage occurring, and to provide a warning based on the estimate.

15. A computer program product which when executed on a processor causes the processor to execute the steps of:

comparing data relating to the location of an object and data relating to the location of a material handling machine;

estimating the probability of damage occurring; and

providing a warning based on the estimate.