Track trencher control system and process
First Claim
1. A system for operating a track trencher, comprising:
- means for producing a travel mode signal indicative of one of a plurality of track trencher travel modes;
propulsion control means, operative in one of a plurality of operating modes in response to the travel mode signal, for producing a propel signal associated with one of the plurality of track trencher travel modes;
steering control means, operative in one of a plurality of operating modes in response to the travel mode signal, for producing a steering signal associated with one of the plurality of track trencher travel modes; and
computer control means for controlling propulsion of a left track drive and a right track drive of the track trencher in one of the plurality of track trencher travel modes to effect propulsion and steering changes in response to the propel and steering signals.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and process for operating a track trencher excavation machine includes multiple mode propulsion and steering controls that perform a plurality of functions depending on a selection of one of a plurality of operational modes. A computer modifies the functions of the multiple mode propulsion and steering controls depending on a selected operational mode, and coordinates propulsion of the engine and track drives of a track trencher in response to signals produced by the propulsion and steering controls. A display communicates status, fault, and other information to an operator during track trencher operation. Operator presence within a control area of the track trencher is monitored. Excavation and track trencher operation is interrupted upon detection of an operator leaving the control area. Automatic shutdown of the engine preferably occurs upon detection of one of a plurality of severe anomalous operating conditions.
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Citations
45 Claims
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1. A system for operating a track trencher, comprising:
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means for producing a travel mode signal indicative of one of a plurality of track trencher travel modes; propulsion control means, operative in one of a plurality of operating modes in response to the travel mode signal, for producing a propel signal associated with one of the plurality of track trencher travel modes; steering control means, operative in one of a plurality of operating modes in response to the travel mode signal, for producing a steering signal associated with one of the plurality of track trencher travel modes; and computer control means for controlling propulsion of a left track drive and a right track drive of the track trencher in one of the plurality of track trencher travel modes to effect propulsion and steering changes in response to the propel and steering signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system for operating a track trencher including an engine coupled to a left track drive and a right track drive, the system comprising:
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means for producing a travel mode signal indicative of one of a plurality of track trencher travel modes; a propel control, operative in one of a plurality of operating modes in response to the travel mode signal, for producing a propel signal associated with one of the plurality of track trencher travel modes; a steering control, operative in one of a plurality of operating modes in response to the travel mode signal, for producing a steering signal associated with one of the plurality of track trencher travel modes; a computer for controlling propulsion of the left track drive and the right track drive in one of the plurality of track trencher travel modes to effect propulsion and steering changes in response to the propel and steering signals; and a display for communicating to an operator a message indicative of an operating condition of the track trencher. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A system for operating a track trencher comprising:
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a track trencher adapted for receiving a trenching attachment, the track trencher including a left track drive, a right track drive, and an engine coupled to the left and right track drives; a computer comprising means for communicating with the track drives, the engine, and the trenching attachment when the trenching attachment is coupled to the track trencher; travel mode selection means for selecting one of a plurality of track trencher travel modes; propulsion control means for producing a propel signal and being operable in a plurality of propel modes, each of the plurality of propel modes being associated with a selected travel mode; steering control means for producing a steering signal, and being operable in a plurality of steering modes, each of the plurality of steering modes being associated with a selected travel mode; and display means, coupled to the computer, for communicating to an operator at least one of a plurality of messages; wherein the computer, coupled to the propel and steering control means, controls propulsion of the left and right track drives in response to the steering and propel signals associated with one of the plurality of travel modes, and comprises means for communicating to the display means a message signal indicative of an operating condition of the track trencher. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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44. A method for operating a track trencher, including the steps of:
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providing a track trencher having an engine coupled to a left track drive and a right track drive; producing a travel mode signal indicative of one of a plurality of track trencher travel modes; producing one of a plurality of steering signals associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of track trencher travel modes in response to the travel mode signal; producing one of a plurality of propel signals associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of track trencher travel modes in response to the travel mode signal; and modifying propulsion of the left and right track drives to effect velocity and steering changes of the track trencher in response to the steering and propel signals. - View Dependent Claims (45)
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Specification