Load measuring system for refuse trucks
First Claim
1. A method of determining a weight of material being emptied from a container wherein said container is lifted to and lowered from an emptying position in a lift, empty and lower cycle by an arm means, and wherein mounted on said arm means are at least one front and at least one rear first sensors having respective first outputs proportional to the weight of said container, said method comprising:
- a) selecting at least one measurement position;
b) calibrating said first sensors by recording at said measurement position said respective first outputs from each of said first sensors for both an empty arm means and for an arm means lifting and lowering a calibrating weight;
c) subtracting from said respective first outputs recorded from said first sensors for said calibrating weight, the respective first outputs recorded from said first sensors for said empty arm means, at said measurement position, during both the lift and lower portion of the cycle and recording a difference;
d) lifting, emptying and lowering an unknown load and recording said first outputs from each of said front and rear first sensors for each of said lifting and lowering portions of said cycle at said measurement position;
e) subtracting from said output recorded during the lifting portion of said cycle, said output recorded during the lowering portion of said cycle, at said measurement position, to determine a change in output for each first sensor;
f) computing from said change of output at said front and rear first sensors for said unknown weight and said change of output recorded for said front and rear first sensors of said calibrating weight, at said measurement position, the weight of material emptied from said container.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for determining a weight of material being emptied from a container is shown. The container is lifted to and lowered from an emptying position in a lift empty and lower cycle by an arm which has at least two sensors mounted on it. The method includes selecting at least one measurement position, calibrating the sensors by recording the respective outputs from each of the sensors for both an empty arm and for an arm lifting and lowering a calibrating weight. The outputs recorded for the calibrating weight can then be subtracted from the outputs recorded for the empty arm. Then, an unknown load can be lifted emptied and lowered with the output of the sensors being similarly recorded at the measurement position. By subtracting the output recorded during the lifting portion of the cycle for the unknown load from the output recorded during the lowering cycle for the unknown load a change in output for each sensor at the measurement position can be obtained. The change in output of the sensors can then be compared to the change in output recorded for the calibration step and a weight value calculated. In another aspect of the present invention an apparatus is disclosed having at least two sensors mounted to a sensing portion of an arm. Output from each sensor is independently recorded and used in obtaining calibration values and actual weight values.
97 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of determining a weight of material being emptied from a container wherein said container is lifted to and lowered from an emptying position in a lift, empty and lower cycle by an arm means, and wherein mounted on said arm means are at least one front and at least one rear first sensors having respective first outputs proportional to the weight of said container, said method comprising:
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a) selecting at least one measurement position; b) calibrating said first sensors by recording at said measurement position said respective first outputs from each of said first sensors for both an empty arm means and for an arm means lifting and lowering a calibrating weight; c) subtracting from said respective first outputs recorded from said first sensors for said calibrating weight, the respective first outputs recorded from said first sensors for said empty arm means, at said measurement position, during both the lift and lower portion of the cycle and recording a difference; d) lifting, emptying and lowering an unknown load and recording said first outputs from each of said front and rear first sensors for each of said lifting and lowering portions of said cycle at said measurement position; e) subtracting from said output recorded during the lifting portion of said cycle, said output recorded during the lowering portion of said cycle, at said measurement position, to determine a change in output for each first sensor; f) computing from said change of output at said front and rear first sensors for said unknown weight and said change of output recorded for said front and rear first sensors of said calibrating weight, at said measurement position, the weight of material emptied from said container. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A load weighing apparatus for weighing a load lifted, emptied and lowered by an arm means, the arm means having a loading portion generally toward one end, and a sensing portion located between the other end and said loading portion, said apparatus comprising:
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a first sensor mounted on said load arm on said sensing portion to produce a first output proportion to a force in said sensing portion of said load arm, at a first known location; a second sensor mounted to said load arm on said sensing portion between said first sensor and the other end, to produce a second output proportional to a force in said sensing portion of said load arm at a second known location; at least one third sensor to produce a third output to identify at least one measurement position; a computational unit for separately recording at least said first and second outputs at said measurement position; a means to separately deliver and input into said computational unit at least said first, second and third outputs, and a source of electrical power whereby said apparatus can be used to determine the difference in weight between an unknown weight lifted by said arm means and lowered by said arm means even where said arm means is of a non-uniform modulus of elasticity or a non-uniform area moment of inertia. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification