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Production method using global positioning system

  • US 6,671,600 B1
  • Filed: 03/25/2002
  • Issued: 12/30/2003
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/12/1999
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method of producing a projected useful form (7) such as a road project surface, from an existing body (5) delimited by a three-dimensional envelope, such as a construction site, a building or the like, using a tool (4) mounted on a machine (2), for example an earthwork machine for a construction site )or the like;

  • this machine (2) cooperating with a global satellite positioning system of the bifrequency, differential, kinematic and real time type such as GPS;

    the machine (2) having at least one global positioning receiver (10;

    1A;

    10B), for example on its tool (4), in order to be moved according to a theoretical model (6) of the form (7);

    characterised in that it includes the steps making provision for;

    storing fixed geometric curves (28, 30) peculiar to the useful form, including at least one substantially longitudinal arch axis (28) and at least one cross-sectional profile (29);

    measuring, at at least one moment (N), the elevation (z(P)), longitudinal (x(P)) and transverse (y(P)) position of the tool, using a receiver (10;

    10A;

    10B) when the tool is moved, for example at a predetermined frequency (F);

    associating a position along the arch axis (28) with this measured position;

    locally calculating the theoretical model (6) whilst making a cross-sectional profile (29) of the useful form (7) correspond to this location;

    activating in memory a standard deviation (ET) signifying an uncertainty characteristic of the global positioning system, possibly after it is determined during a phase of calibrating the receiver (10;

    10A;

    10B);

    comparing, during the movement of the tool (4), for example at the predetermined frequency (F), a measured elevation position (z(P)) of the tool with a theoretical altitude (ZTH(P)) defined from the model (6);

    deducing from this comparison a deviation (E(N)) in elevation at the time of measurement (N), such that this deviation is said to be a zero deviation (E0) when the measured elevation position (z(P)) is substantially the same as the theoretical altitude (ZTH(P));

    defining on the one hand at least from the zero deviation (E0) at least two analysis bands, for example two centre bands respectively upper (31) and lower (34), two median bands respectively upper (32) and lower (35), and two external bands respectively upper (33) and lower (36), these bands being for example symmetrical in pairs, lower and/or upper delimiters of these analysis bands being proportional to the standard deviation (ET);

    identifying an active analysis band (31, 36) to which this deviation in elevation (E(N)) belongs;

    calculating, according to the deviation (E(N)) and the active analysis band, an elevation slaving reference (C(P)), a ceiling for whose value is set according to the active analysis band identified; and

    controlling the elevation position of the tool (4) according to the calculated reference (C(P)), so that this tool is either momentarily left in position, or brought closer, in a limited manner, to the model (6) by an elevation distance substantially proportional to the absolute value of the reference (C(P)).

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