Metal tooth detection and locating

• US 8,890,672 B2
• Filed: 08/29/2011
• Issued: 11/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joy Global Surface Mining Inc. (Mitsui & Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Harnischfeger Technologies Inc. (Mitsui & Company Limited)
• Inventors: Miller, Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): KING, CURTIS J
• Application Number:
  US13/220,260
• Publication Number:
  US 20130049935A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,177 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 340/438
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/26 Indicating devices E02F5/145 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/267 Diagnosing or detecting failure of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2808 Teeth
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2816 Mountings therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10009 sensing by radiation using wavelengths larger than 0.1 mm, e.g. radio-waves or microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10366 the interrogation device being adapted for miscellaneous applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/47 using RFID associated with sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom

Abstract

A machine tooth for heavy equipment can be monitored by coupling an RFID tag to the heavy machine tooth and positioning an RFID reader to read the RFID tag. The RFID reader provides an indication that the heavy machine tooth is separated from the heavy machine. The heavy machine tooth is configured, for example, to be mounted on a bucket of a heavy machine.

Claims

1. A method of monitoring a heavy machine tooth, the method comprising:

coupling an RFID tag to the heavy machine tooth, the RFID tag coupled to the heavy machine tooth to move with the heavy machine tooth; and

positioning an RFID reader to read the RFID tag; and

determining the heavy machine tooth is separated from the heavy machine when a signal strength of the RFID tag increases,

wherein the RFID reader provides an indication that the heavy machine tooth is separated from the heavy machine and a location of the heavy machine tooth when the heavy machine tooth is separated from the heavy machine.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising encasing the RFID tag in ceramic, the ceramic placed in a mold, and liquid steel is poured into the mold to form the heavy machine tooth.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising positioning the RFID reader at a feeder to a crusher.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising positioning the RFID reader to detect when the RFID tag is in a truck.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the RFID tag is attached to an end of the tooth.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising inserting the RFID tag in a hole in the tooth.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising coupling a tuning circuit to the RFID tag, the tuning circuit tuning the RFID tag after the RFID tag is coupled to the tooth.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising detuning the RFID tag.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising tuning the RFID tag by coupling the RFID tag to the tooth.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising magnifying a signal from the RFID tag by backscattering.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising coupling a wear detection circuit to the RFID tag.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising detecting wear of the tooth and providing information on the detected wear of the tooth to the RFID tag.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising using a four point resistance method to detect wear of the tooth.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising positioning the RFID reader in a cab of the heavy machine.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the RFID tag stores information identifying the tooth.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing, by the RFID reader, information about the heavy machine tooth to a user of the heavy machine.

17. A heavy machine tooth monitoring system, the system comprising:

a heavy machine tooth configured to be mounted on a bucket of a heavy machine;

an active RFID tag coupled to the tooth to move with the tooth; and

an RFID reader configured to read data from the RFID tag and provide an indication regarding the location of the tooth when the tooth separates from the bucket, wherein the RFID reader is configured to determine the heavy machine tooth is separated from the bucket when a signal strength of the RFID tag increases.

18. The heavy machine tooth monitoring system of claim 17, wherein the RFID reader is positioned at a feeder to a crusher.

19. The heavy machine tooth monitoring system of claim 17, wherein the RFID reader is positioned to detect an RFID tag in a truck.

20. The heavy machine tooth monitoring system of claim 17, wherein the RFID tag is encased in ceramic.

21. The heavy machine tooth monitoring system of claim 17, wherein the RFID tag is attached to an end of the tooth.

22. The heavy machine tooth monitoring system of claim 17, wherein the RFID tag is inserted in a hole in the tooth.

23. The heavy machine tooth monitoring system of claim 17, further comprising a tuning circuit, the tuning circuit tuning the RFID tag after the RFID tag is coupled to the tooth.

24. The heavy machine tooth monitoring system of claim 17, further comprising a wear detection circuit, wherein the wear detection circuit detects wear of the tooth and provides information on the detected wear of the tooth to the RFID tag.

25. The heavy machine tooth monitoring system of claim 24, wherein the wear detection circuit uses a four-point resistance method to detect wear of the tooth.

26. The heavy machine tooth monitoring system of claim 25, wherein the RFID tag is embedded in a ceramic plug that is inserted in the tooth, and wherein four probes in electrical communication with the new detection circuit are embedded in and extend from the plug and are in electrical contact with the tooth.

27. The heavy machine tooth monitoring system of claim 17, wherein the RFID reader is positioned in a cab of the heavy machine, and provides information about the heavy machine tooth to a user of the heavy machine.

28. A heavy machine tooth monitoring system, the system comprising:

a heavy machine tooth configured to be mounted on a bucket of a heavy machine;

an RFID tag coupled to the tooth to move with the tooth; and

an RFID reader configured to read data from the RFID tag and provide an indication regarding a location of the tooth when the tooth separates from the bucket, wherein the RFID tag includes information identifying the tooth,

wherein the RFID tag is configured to transmit a signal at a first strength when the tooth is mounted on the bucket of the heavy machine and is configured to transmit a signal at a second strength greater than the first strength when the tooth is no longer mounted on the bucket of the heavy machine.

29. The heavy machine tooth monitoring system of claim 28, wherein the information includes at least one selected from the group of a serial number, an origin, and a date of manufacturer.

30. The heavy machine tooth monitoring system of claim 28, further comprising a controller configured to receive information from the RFID reader based on the data from the RFID tag and provide diagnostic information to a user based on the received information.

31. The heavy machine tooth monitoring system of claim 30, wherein the diagnostic information includes when the tooth was installed.

32. The heavy machine tooth monitoring system of claim 30, wherein the diagnostic information includes how many hours the tooth has been in operation.

33. A heavy machine tooth monitoring system, the system comprising:

a heavy machine tooth for a heavy machine;

an RFID tag mounted to an end of the tooth; and

a mounting bracket receiving the end of the tooth, wherein the mounting bracket couples the tooth to the heavy machine; and

an RFID reader configured to read the RFID tag and determine the heavy machine tooth is separated from the heavy machine when a signal strength of the RFID tag increases.

34. The heavy machine tool monitoring system of claim 33, wherein the RFID reader provides an indication that the heavy machine tooth is separated from the heavy machine.

35. A heavy machine tooth monitoring system, the system comprising:

a heavy machine tooth for a heavy machine, the tooth including a hole in one surface of the tooth; and

a plug inserted into the hole, the plug including

an RFID tag,

a wear detection circuit, and

a plurality of probes protruding from the plug and electrically coupled to the heavy machine tooth,

wherein the wear detection circuit uses the plurality of probes to determine a resistance of the tooth and provide data regarding the resistance to the RFID tag for transmission to an RFID reader,

wherein the RFID tag and the plurality of probes are encased in a common material to form the plug; and

the RFID reader configured to read the RFID tag, wherein the RFID reader provides an indication that the heavy machine tooth is separated from the heavy machine and provides an indication of the wear of the tooth.

36. The heavy machine tooth monitoring system of claim 35, wherein the RFID tag records the data regarding the resistance.

37. The heavy machine tooth monitoring system of claim 35, wherein the RFID tag records an initial resistance of the tooth.