Systems and methods for improving haul route management

• US 8,095,279 B2
• Filed: 08/31/2007
• Issued: 01/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Greiner, Jonny Ray, Liu, Yang, Vyas, Bhavin Jagdishbhai
• Primary Examiner(s): Trammell, James
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shafi, Muhammad
• Application Number:
  US11/897,651
• Publication Number:
  US 20090063226A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,593 Days
• Field of Search: 701/117, 701/50, 701 80- 97, 701/110, 701/114, 235/376, 37205-223, 372/33, 372/36, 372/40, 372/42, 372/44, 37246-252, 372/64, 372/66, 372/71, 373/05, 56/101, 56/102.R, 56 103- 104, 56 102 A- 102 H, 56/102.J, 56 105- 176, 340/439
• US Class Current: 701/50
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/047 Optimisation of routes or paths, e.g. travelling salesman problem
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06316 Sequencing of tasks or work
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0639 Performance analysis of employees; Performance analysis of enterprise or organisation operations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/02 Agriculture; Fishing; Forestry; Mining
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/08 Construction
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/40 Business processes related to the transportation industry shipping G06Q10/083
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/84 Greenhouse gas [GHG] management systems

Abstract

A method for managing haul routes in work environments comprises receiving performance criteria associated with a haul route and establishing a target total effective grade for at least one machine associated with the haul route based on the performance criteria. The method also includes collecting performance data associated with the at least one machine. A drive axle torque of the at least one machine is determined and an actual total effective grade associated with the at least one machine is estimated. The at least one machine is identified as an underperforming machine if the actual total effective grade for the at least one machine exceeds the target total effective grade. An average total effective grade for the at least one machine is determined as a function of the actual total effective grade. A haul route deficiency is identified if the average total effective grade exceeds a threshold level.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for improving haul route management, comprising:

receiving, at a processor associated with a computer, performance criteria associated with a haul route;

establishing, by the processor, a target total effective grade for at least one machine associated with the haul route based on the performance criteria;

collecting, by the processor, performance data associated with the at least one machine;

determining, by the processor, a drive axle torque of the at least one machine and estimating an actual total effective grade associated with the at least one machine based on the drive axle torque; and

identifying, by the processor, the at least one machine as an underperforming machine if the actual total effective grade for the at least one machine exceeds the target total effective grade.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further including:

monitoring an average total effective grade for the at least one machine; and

identifying a potential haul route deficiency if the average total effective grade exceeds a threshold level.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further including generating a performance report that provides recommendations for resolving the potential haul route deficiency.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further including generating a performance report that provides recommendations for improving performance of one or more underperforming machines.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the performance criteria includes a greenhouse gas emission limit associated with the at least one machine.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the performance criteria includes a speed associated with a portion of the haul route.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the performance criteria includes a productivity quota.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the performance criteria includes a fuel consumption level.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the performance criteria includes a lifespan associated with one or more components of the at least one machine.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further including adjusting one or more of an actual grade of the haul route, a payload level associated with one or more underperforming machines, a fuel consumption limit associated with one or more machines, and a speed limit associated with the haul route.

11. A computer-implemented method for improving haul route management, comprising:

receiving, at a processor associated with a computer, performance criteria associated with a haul route;

collecting, by the processor, performance data associated with a plurality of machines operating on the haul route;

determining, by the processor, whether actual performance of the haul route is consistent with the performance criteria based on the collected performance data;

simulating, by the processor, a design performance of each machine;

comparing, by the processor, the collected performance data with simulated design performance data and identifying one or more underperforming machines based on the comparison;

identifying, by the processor, a potential problem with the haul route if a total number of underperforming machines exceeds a threshold number; and

generating, by the processor, a performance report providing one or more recommendations for improving haul route management.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 11, wherein receiving the performance criteria includes receiving at least one of a greenhouse gas emission level, a fuel consumption level, an engine operating speed, a drive axle torque, a total effective grade, and a productivity level associated with one or more of the machines.

13. The computer-implemented method of claim 11, wherein the one or more recommendations for improving haul route performance include at least one recommendation for adjusting one or more of a total effective grade and a rolling resistance associated with one or more of the machines.

14. The computer-implemented method of claim 13, wherein the at least one recommendation for adjusting one or more of a total effective grade and a rolling resistance of the machine includes a recommendation for reducing an actual grade of the haul route.

15. The computer-implemented method of claim 13, wherein the at least one recommendation for adjusting one or more of a total effective grade and a rolling resistance of the machine includes a recommendation for limiting a payload level associated with one or more underperforming machines.

16. The computer-implemented method of claim 11, wherein the one or more recommendations for improving haul route performance include at least one recommendation for limiting the fuel consumption rate associated with one or more machines.

17. The computer-implemented method of claim 11, wherein the one or more recommendations for improving haul route performance include at least one recommendation for extending component life associated with the one or more machines.

18. The computer-implemented method of claim 11, wherein the performance criteria includes a greenhouse gas emission budget associated with the plurality of machines operating on the haul route and determining whether the performance criteria is being met further includes:

estimating a greenhouse gas emission level for each of the plurality of machines based on the collected performance data;

calculating a total greenhouse gas emission level for the plurality of machines as a sum of greenhouse gas emission levels for each of the machines; and

determining whether the total greenhouse gas emission level exceeds the greenhouse gas emission budget.

19. The computer-implemented method of claim 18, wherein simulating the design performance of each machine includes:

simulating an ideal greenhouse gas emission level for each of the plurality of machines;

comparing the ideal greenhouse gas emission level for each of the plurality of machines with an estimated greenhouse gas emission level for each of the plurality of machines; and

identifying one or more underperforming machines as machines having estimated greenhouse gas emission levels that exceed ideal greenhouse gas emission levels by a threshold amount.