Method and apparatus for identifying load cycle functions
First Claim
1. An apparatus for a vehicle having at least one lift cylinder for elevating a payload carrier, said vehicle generally executing a plurality of functions in a loading cycle, comprising:
- means for sensing the hydraulic pressure of said lift cylinder and responsively producing a plurality of pressure signals;
means for storing said plurality of pressure signals and at least one predetermined constant;
means for retrieving said plurality of pressure signals and said predetermined constant; and
means for identifying the function being performed in the loading cycle in response to said plurality of pressure signals and said predetermined constant.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In many applications, a loader performs a loading operation that includes, sequentially: digging and/or crowding a stock pile, racking back the bucket to maintain the load, travelling to a dump site or a transport vehicle while raising the bucket, and finally dumping the load from a raised position. For many devices, such as payload monitors and productivity indicators, it is important to have an indication of which function in the loading operation is being performed. A loading function identifier senses, stores, and averages the hydraulic pressure in a lift cylinder. The sensed and averaged data are compared to a series of predetermined constants to identify the function being performed. The algorithms used in this invention are applicable to a number of work vehicles having at least one work implement linkage and at least one hydraulic cylinder for modifying the linkage geometry.
37 Citations
17 Claims
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1. An apparatus for a vehicle having at least one lift cylinder for elevating a payload carrier, said vehicle generally executing a plurality of functions in a loading cycle, comprising:
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means for sensing the hydraulic pressure of said lift cylinder and responsively producing a plurality of pressure signals; means for storing said plurality of pressure signals and at least one predetermined constant; means for retrieving said plurality of pressure signals and said predetermined constant; and means for identifying the function being performed in the loading cycle in response to said plurality of pressure signals and said predetermined constant. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for determining which of a plurality of functions in a loading cycle is being performed by a vehicle having at least one lift cylinder for elevating a payload carrier, comprising the steps of:
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sensing the hydraulic pressure of said lift cylinder and responsively producing a plurality of pressure signals; storing said plurality of pressure signals and at least one predetermined constant; retrieving said plurality of pressure signals and said predetermined constant; and identifying the function being performed in the loading cycle in response to said plurality of pressure signals and said predetermined constant. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification