Excavator data logging system

• US 4,035,621 A
• Filed: 07/14/1975
• Issued: 07/12/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Kemp, Kenneth A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wise, Edward J.
• Application Number:
  US05/595,924
• Time in Patent Office: 729 Days
• Field of Search: 235/151.3, 235/151.11, 235/151, 235/150.2, 444/1, 37/116, 37/DIG. 1
• US Class Current: 701/35
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/267 Diagnosing or detecting failure of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0883 wherein the data carrier is removable

Abstract

A system for measuring, storing, and analyzing excavator parameters in order to classify excavator activity. A rotary position sensor is coupled to the drag drum, the hoist drum, and the center pindle of an excavator in order to generate analog signals that are a function of the drag cable length, the hoist cable length, and the swing angle, respectively. Shunts are placed in circuit with the drag motor armature and the hoist motor armature in order to generate signals proportional to the drag motor current and the hoist motor current, respectively. A watts transducer connected to the power input generates a signal that is proportional to the amount of power being consumed by the excavator. A control panel is provided whereby an operator can set in the month, day, and the shift, and codes identifying the excavator, the operator and any delay or special activities. The six excavator signals are converted into digital form and recorded along with time and the control panel data on a magnetic tape. The information recorded on the tape is analyzed by a digital computer which provides a printed report summarizing and analyzing the activities of the excavator.

Claims

1. A system for analyzing the performance of a power operated excavator having a lower frame member and a boom rotatable with respect to the lower frame member, a bucket controlled by means of a motor driven drag cable and a motor driven hoist cable, the system comprising:

(a) drag sensor means for generating a signal representative of the drag cable length;

(b) hoist sensor means for generating a signal representative of the hoist cable length;

(c) swing angle sensor means for generating a signal representative of the angle of the boom relative to the lower frame member;

(d) first shunt means in circuit with the drag motor for generating a signal proportional to the drag motor current;

(e) second shunt means in circuit with the hoist motor for generating a signal proportional to the hoist motor current;

(f) memory means for storing the sensor and shunt means signals;

(g) a multi-switch control panel for generating codes identifying excavator delay or special excavator activities, the excavator, and its time period of operation, said memory means being operably connected to said control panel for storing the identifying codes;

(h) a computer including computer means for accessing instructions that control the computer;

to scan said memory means and compare the sensor and shunt signals and said codes stored therein with certain of said instructions to analyze the recorded data, to generate indicia of selected operating cycles performed by the excavator during said time period of operation, and to calculate certain end-of-time-period parameters; and

(i) means for transferring said analyzed data and parameters to a print-out that is readable by an operator to classify the activity of the excavator during said time period.

2. A system as recited in claim 1 additionally comprising watts transducer means responsive to the excavator input power for generating a signal proportional to the power consumed by the excavator and wherein the memory means additionally stores the watts transducer signal.

3. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein the memory means includes a clock for generating a time signal and wherein the memory means periodically samples and records the sensor, shunt, and time signals.

4. A system for analyzing the performance of a power operated walking dragline excavator having a lower frame member and an upper frame member rotatable about a center pindle with respect to the lower frame member, a boom supported on the upper frame member, a drag cable having one end connected to a bucket and the other end wound on a motor driven drag drum, a hoist cable having one end connected to the bucket and the other end wound on a motor driven hoist drum, and a walking mechanism driven by the drag drum motor, the system comprising:

(a) first drag sensor means for generating a signal representative of the drag cable length;

(b) first hoist sensor means for generating a signal representative of the hoist cable length;

(c) second drag sensor means for generating a signal representative of the force in the drag cable;

(d) second hoist sensor means for generating a signal representative of the force in the hoist cable;

(e) a clock for generating a time signal;

(f) data acquisition means for periodically sampling and recording the sensor and time signals;

(g) a multi-switch control panel for generating codes identifying excavator delay or special excavator activities, the excavator, and its time period of operation, said memory means being operably conected to said control panel for storing the identifying codes;

(h) a computer including computer means for accessing instructions that control the computer;

to scan said memory means and compare the sensor and shunt signals and said codes stored therein with certain of said instructions to analyze the recorded data, to generate indicia of selected operating cycles performed by the excavator during said time period of operation, and to calculate certain end-of-time-period parameters; and

(i) means for transferring said analyzed data and parameters to a print-out that is readable by an operator to classify the activity of the excavator during said time period.