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Laser beam control system for earthworking or similar machines

  • US 3,953,145 A
  • Filed: 03/12/1975
  • Issued: 04/27/1976
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/11/1973
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for continuously controlling the vertical height of a portion of a vertically adjustable working tool of a mobile earthworking machine, said apparatus comprising, in combination:

  • means for sensing the elevation of a laser beam periodically moving over the working area in a predetermined substantially horizontal plane;

    control means responsive to said laser beam for maintaining a predetermined vertical relationship between said plane and the vertical height of said tool portion; and

    adjustment means for changing said predetermined relationship at predetermined points along the intended path of travel of said machine, said adjustment means comprising;

    1. means on the machine for intermittently advancing an indicia-bearing tape past a reader station, said tape having two sets of equally spaced indicia thereon, one set indicating each desired change in height of said portion of said tool at successive points along the path of travel of said machine, and the other set of indicia indicating the distance to be travelled by the machine until the next change in tool elevation is desired,2. means responsive to the movement of said machine for advancing said tape past the reader station by an increment corresponding to the spacing of said indicia whenever the machine reaches the next point where a change in height of said tool portion is required, and3. reader means at said reader station responsive to said one set of indicia and operatively associated with said control means for changing said predetermined relationship to thereby effect the desired change in height of said portion of said tool at each said point.

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