Computerized monitoring management system for load carrying vehicle
First Claim
1. A weighing system for a vehicle that includes a vehicle body having motive power and an articulated load-carrying portion attached to the body and movable to various positions relative to the body, the system comprising:
- (a) a plurality of sensors operatively connected to the load-carrying portion so as to detect at least two parameters associated with the positions of the load-carrying portion relative to the body and outputting at least two electronic signals indicative of the sensed parameters;
(b) a microprocessor;
(c) memory in which there is stored at least one empirically determined factor, the microprocessor being operable to receive the at least two electronic signals outputted by the sensors and use the signals and the at least one factor to calculate a most probable weight of a load in the load-carrying portion; and
(d) a recording device operable to receive and record the most probable weight.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A computerized monitoring system is provided for sensing, displaying and storing a plurality of vehicle parameters for determining efficiency and to provide a detailed history of the vehicle throughout a work shift. The system is primarily intended for use on vehicles that carry heavy payloads many times a day such as are used in mining and general off-road, heavy-duty construction. The system incorporates up to 40 sensors to monitor vehicle parameters such as payload weight fluid temperatures, fluid pressures, fluid levels, shift position, direction of vehicle motion and vehicle speed. The system is provided with a display for showing the information to a vehicle operator. In addition, a central processing unit monitors the sensors and continuously compares the sensor output against predetermined maximum and minimum levels which indicate a "normal" range of operation. The system is initialized by a computer card that must be inserted into a card reader. In addition to initializing the system, the card provides an operator identification and provides memory to store the vehicle parameters that are generated by the sensors during an entire work shift.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A weighing system for a vehicle that includes a vehicle body having motive power and an articulated load-carrying portion attached to the body and movable to various positions relative to the body, the system comprising:
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(a) a plurality of sensors operatively connected to the load-carrying portion so as to detect at least two parameters associated with the positions of the load-carrying portion relative to the body and outputting at least two electronic signals indicative of the sensed parameters; (b) a microprocessor; (c) memory in which there is stored at least one empirically determined factor, the microprocessor being operable to receive the at least two electronic signals outputted by the sensors and use the signals and the at least one factor to calculate a most probable weight of a load in the load-carrying portion; and (d) a recording device operable to receive and record the most probable weight. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. In an electronic weighing system, a method of calculating a most probable weight of a load in a load-carrying portion of a vehicle, the method comprising the steps:
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(a) detecting the position of the load-carrying portion; (b) detecting pressure in an hydraulic cylinder used for raising the load-carrying portion; (c) selecting at least one empirically determined factor according to the position of the load-carrying portion; (d) calculating the most probable weight of a load in the load-carrying portion as a function of the position and the pressure and the factor; and (e) storing the most probable weight in memory. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. In a weighing system, a method of calculating a most probable weight in a load-carrying portion of a vehicle, comprising the steps:
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(a) detecting a position of the load-carrying portion; (b) selecting a lift factor based on the position; (c) calculating a speed of the load-carrying portion by comparison of the position at different times; (d) detecting pressure in a hydraulic cylinder used for raising and lowering the load-carrying portion; (e) calculating the most probable weight in the load-carrying portion from the speed of the load-carrying portion and the pressure; and (f) storing the most probable weight of at least two loads in memory.
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21. In a weighing system, a method of calculating a most probable weight in a load-carrying portion of a vehicle, comprising the steps:
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(a) detecting a position of the load-carrying portion; (b) selecting a load factor based on the position; (c) calculating a speed of the load-carrying portion by comparison of the position at different times; (d) detecting pressure in a hydraulic cylinder used for raising and lowering the load-carrying portion; (e) calculating the most probable weight in the load-carrying portion from the speed of the load-carrying portion and the pressure; and (f) storing the most probable weight of at least two loads in memory.
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22. In a weighing system, a method of calculating a most probable weight in a load-carrying portion of a vehicle, comprising the steps:
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(a) detecting a position of the load-carrying portion; (b) calculating a speed of the load-carrying portion by comparison of the position at different times; (c) detecting pressure in a hydraulic cylinder used for raising and lowering the load-carrying portion; (d) selecting a rod factor based on the pressure; and (e) storing the most probable weight of at least two loads in memory.
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Specification