Systems and methods for tracking data associated with operation of a power take-off device

• US 8,818,698 B2
• Filed: 07/20/2012
• Issued: 08/26/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RN Industries Trucking, Inc. (Lincolnshire Dalbo Holdings LLC)
• Original Assignee: RN Industries Trucking, Inc. (Lincolnshire Dalbo Holdings LLC)
• Inventors: Muir, Keith, Moon, Rick
• Primary Examiner(s): Trammell, James
• Assistant Examiner(s): LANG, MICHAEL DEAN
• Application Number:
  US13/554,712
• Publication Number:
  US 20140025283A1
• Time in Patent Office: 767 Days
• Field of Search: 701/123
• US Class Current: 701/123
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 17/28 characterised by arrangement, location, or type of power take-off
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 9/008 where the other variable is the flight or running time
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0841 Registering performance data recording measured values G01D; information storage G11B

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments are directed to systems and methods for tracking data during operation of a power transfer device. A system may include an electrical relay and a switch. The switch may be coupled to each of the electrical relay and a power transfer device and may be configured to couple the electrical relay to a reference voltage upon engagement of the power transfer device. The system may further include a processing unit configured to receive a signal from the electrical relay while the power transfer device is engaged.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a power transfer device;

a switch coupled to each of an electrical relay and a reference voltage and configured to couple the electrical relay to the reference voltage upon engagement of the power transfer device;

a valve configured to independently engage the power transfer device and enable the switch; and

a processing unit configured to receive a signal from the electrical relay while the power transfer device is engaged.

2. The system of claim 1, the switch comprising an air pressure electrical switch configured to couple the electrical relay to the reference voltage.

3. The system of claim 1, the processing unit configured to track at least one parameter while the power transfer device is engaged.

4. The system of claim 3, the at least one parameter comprising at least one of an amount of time elapsed during operation of the power transfer device and an amount of fuel used by an associated vehicle during operation of the power transfer device.

5. The system of claim 3, the processing unit configured to transmit information related to the at least one parameter to a remote location.

6. The system of claim 3, the processing unit comprising a global positioning system.

7. The system of claim 3, the switch comprising an air valve adapted to engage the power transfer device and substantially simultaneously configure the switch to couple the electrical relay to the reference voltage.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising an engine control unit, the processing unit configured to retrieve information from the engine control unit.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a power source coupled to the electrical relay.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one auxiliary device coupled to the power transfer device.

11. A method, comprising:

engaging a power transfer device with a valve;

enabling a switch with the valve independent of the power transfer device;

coupling an electrical relay to a ground voltage via the switch to generate an electrical signal upon a power transfer device being enabled;

conveying the electrical signal from the electrical relay to a processor while the power transfer device is enabled; and

electrically isolating the electrical relay from the ground voltage via the switch upon the power transfer device being disabled.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising determining at least one parameter associated with operation of the power transfer device, the determining at least one parameter comprising determining at least one of an amount of time that has elapsed during operation of the power transfer device and an amount of fuel used by a vehicle during operation of the power transfer device.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising transmitting information related to the at least one parameter to a remote location.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising engaging the power transfer device with an air valve.

15. The method of claim 12, the determining comprising configuring a switch to enable a processing unit to receive a signal indicative of power transfer device operation.

16. The method of claim 11, the determining comprising:

determining an amount of fuel in an associated vehicle upon engagement of the power transfer device; and

determining an amount of fuel in the vehicle upon disengagement of the power transfer device.

17. A method, comprising:

enabling a switch in response to pressure from a valve;

activating a power transfer device independent of the switch and in response to pressure from the valve; and

generating an electrical signal in response to the enabled switch to track data while the power transfer device is activated.

18. The method of claim 17, the activating the power transfer device and the generating an electrical signal occurring substantially simultaneously.

19. The method of claim 17, the generating an electrical signal to track data comprising generating the electrical signal to track at least one of an amount of time elapsed during operation of the power transfer device and an amount of fuel used by an associated vehicle during operation of the power transfer device.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising supplying an adequate amount of air pressure to each of the power transfer device for engagement thereof and an air pressure switch to close the air pressure switch.

21. A system, comprising:

an engine;

a power transfer device coupled to the engine;

a valve independently coupled to each of the power transfer device and a switch and configured to engage the power transfer device and independently enable the switch to generate a signal indicative of the engagement of the power transfer device; and

a processing unit coupled to the engine and configured to determine an amount of fuel used by the engine during engagement of the power transfer device.

22. The system of claim 21, the processing unit further configured to determine a total amount of fuel used by the engine.