ELECTROOPTICAL CONTROL SYSTEM FOR VEHICLES

• US 3,604,512 A
• Filed: 09/16/1969
• Issued: 09/14/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: James C. Barton, John W. Carter, Rolland D. Scholl
• Inventors: Carter, John W., Barton, James C., Scholl, Rolland D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pulfrey, Robert E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rader, R. T.
• Application Number:
  US04/858,432
• Time in Patent Office: 728 Days
• Field of Search: 172/4.5 94/46
• US Class Current: 172/4.5
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/847 using electromagnetic, optical or acoustic beams to determine the blade position, e.g. laser beams
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/024 in combination with a laser lasers per se H01S

Abstract

A laser or similar electromagnetic radiation with a lens system for converting the beam into a flat reference plane fanning outwardly from its source includes a vertical reference and control circuits drivingly connected to the lens system whereby the beam path can be maintained in the flat reference plane and at a preselected angle relative to true vertical as its supporting vehicle varies in attitude. The radiation source and lens system are mounted upon an earthmoving vehicle having an earthworking blade or similar tool which includes spaced apart optical sensors secured thereon which are connected to control circuits adjusting such blade or tool. These control circuits continuously adjust such blade or tool to a predetermined relationship relative to the flat reference plane of radiation, notwithstanding deflections or distortion in the machine frame. By mounting the radiation source and lens system along with its controls so that they are vertically adjustable on the vehicle, the height of the reference plane of radiation can be adjusted relative to an external reference thereby providing automatic control for a blade or tool in both slope and grade.

Claims

1. An electrooptical control system in combination with an adjustable element mounted on an earthworking vehicle cOmprising:

a source of electromagnetic radiation;

lens means rotatably mounted on the energy emitting end of said source, said lens means converting said source into a substantially thin reference plane of energy fanning out from said source;

drive means connected to said lens means to rotate said lens means;

vertical reference means mounted on said vehicle and connected to control said drive means to maintain said substantially thin reference plane of energy at a selected angle relative to vertical by rotating said lens means;

mounting means associated with said source and said lens means, and said drive means attaching them to said vehicle employing the control system so said reference plane of energy projects toward said adjustable element also mounted on said vehicle with the lens axis of said lens means parallel with the lineof-travel with said vehicle;

at least two optical sensors secured to said adjustable element at spaced apart location so they will move vertically with said element through said reference plane of energy; and

actuating means operably connected between said element and said vehicle to adjust said element vertically, said optical sensors being coupled to said actuating means whereby said element can be adjusted relative to said reference plane of energy by reference to signals from said optical sensors.

2. The electrooptical control system in the combination as defined in claim 1 wherein the optical sensors include a visual indicating device whereby their position relative to the reference lane of light provides a signal for the actuating means.

3. The electrooptical control system in the combination as desired in claim 2 wherein the optical sensors include photoelectric means and circuits for generating electrical signals representing their respective relative positions to the reference plane of energy.

4. the electrooptical control system in the combination as defined in claim 3 wherein the optical sensors with the photoelectric means include a null point when intersected by the reference plane of energy produces no electrical signal.

5. The electrooptical control system in the combination as defined in claim 1 wherein the lens axis is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

6. The electrooptical control system in the combination as defined in claim 3 wherein the actuating means includes two independent control and jack means connected between said element and said vehicle at spaced location and at least two separate circuit means, one of said circuit means coupled to the signal generated by one of the optical sensors and one control and jack means, the other circuit means coupled to the other optical sensors and the other control and actuating means whereby opposite ends of said element will move to a position where its associated optical sensor in the reference plane of energy will have a selected output.

7. The electrooptical control system in the combination as defined in claim 1 wherein the mounting means includes adjusting means to vertically raise and lower the source of electromagnetic radiation and the lens means in a level manner.

8. The electrooptical control system in the combination as defined in claim 1 wherein the mounting means includes adjusting means to vertically raise and lower the source of electromagnetic radiation and the lens means in a level manner and the lens axis of said lens means is substantially horizontal when vehicle is level.

9. The electrooptical control system in the combination as defined in claim 8 wherein the adjusting means includes a control circuit which has an input signal from an external reference source whereby the vertical adjustment of the source of electromagnetic radiation and the lens system is controlled relative to said input signal.

10. The electrooptical control system in the combination as defined in claim 9 wherein the input signal from the external reference is provided by mechanical sensing devices attacheD to the adjustable element and which engage a reference source external to the vehicle.

11. The electrooptical control system in the combination as defined in claim 10 wherein the mechanical sensing devices include a potentiometer and mechanical means driving said potentiometer relative to an external reference source.

12. The electrooptical control system in the combination as defined in claim 11 wherein the mechanical means includes a wand and the external reference source is a supported wire contacted by said wand.

13. The electrooptical control system in the combination as defined in claim 1 wherein the source of electromagnetic radiation is a laser.