APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ENHANCED GRADING CONTROL
First Claim
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1. A digging machine, comprising:
- a tractor portion;
at least one boom arm portion operationally connected to the tractor portion;
a bucket arm portion operationally connected to the at least one boom arm portion;
a bucket portion operationally connected to the bucket arm portion;
a boom hydraulic piston portion operationally connected to the at least one boom arm portion;
a bucket hydraulic piston portion operationally connected to the bucket portion;
a hydraulic fluid source operationally connected to each respective hydraulic piston portion; and
a hydraulic valve operationally connected to the boom hydraulic piston portion and to the hydraulic fluid source;
a microprocessor;
a display operationally connected to the microprocessor; and
a first sensor operationally connected to the bucket portion and to the microprocessor;
wherein each respective hydraulic piston portion has a respective first and a respective second hydraulic fluid port formed therethrough;
wherein the hydraulic valve may be engaged to connect the respective first and second hydraulic fluid ports formed through the boom hydraulic piston portion in direct hydraulic communication with one another;
wherein the microprocessor is operationally connected to the hydraulic fluid source, to the hydraulic valve, and to each respective hydraulic pistons; and
wherein the microprocessor may be engaged to assist movement of the bucket portion through a predetermined digging profile.
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Abstract
A method of operating a digging machine, including damping the response of a boom hydraulic cylinder operationally connected to a boom arm and actuating a bucket hydraulic cylinder operationally connected to a bucket.
22 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A digging machine, comprising:
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a tractor portion; at least one boom arm portion operationally connected to the tractor portion; a bucket arm portion operationally connected to the at least one boom arm portion; a bucket portion operationally connected to the bucket arm portion; a boom hydraulic piston portion operationally connected to the at least one boom arm portion; a bucket hydraulic piston portion operationally connected to the bucket portion; a hydraulic fluid source operationally connected to each respective hydraulic piston portion; and a hydraulic valve operationally connected to the boom hydraulic piston portion and to the hydraulic fluid source; a microprocessor; a display operationally connected to the microprocessor; and a first sensor operationally connected to the bucket portion and to the microprocessor; wherein each respective hydraulic piston portion has a respective first and a respective second hydraulic fluid port formed therethrough; wherein the hydraulic valve may be engaged to connect the respective first and second hydraulic fluid ports formed through the boom hydraulic piston portion in direct hydraulic communication with one another; wherein the microprocessor is operationally connected to the hydraulic fluid source, to the hydraulic valve, and to each respective hydraulic pistons; and wherein the microprocessor may be engaged to assist movement of the bucket portion through a predetermined digging profile. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of operating a digging machine, comprising:
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operationally connecting a sensor to a bucket; operationally connecting an electronic controller to the sensor and to each respective hydraulic cylinder; inputting a desired post excavation landscape contour into the electronic controller; inputting locations of underground objects into the electronic controller; automatically actuating a bucket hydraulic cylinder operationally connected to the bucket; automatically controlling the bucket hydraulic cylinder to dig within predetermined parameters. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of automatically controlled digging, comprising:
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connecting a fluidic input port and a fluidic outlet port of a boom hydraulic cylinder in fluidic communication with one another, wherein the boom hydraulic cylinder is operationally connected to a boom arm; energizing a bucket hydraulic cylinder operationally connected to a bucket to orient the bucket to a predetermined orientation relative to earth; displaying the locations of known underground objects to an operator; urging the bucket through earth; and displaying the position of the bucket relative to the known underground objects to the operator; wherein the bucket maintains the predetermined orientation as it moves through earth. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification