Erosion monitoring system for ground engaging tool

• US 9,243,381 B2
• Filed: 04/19/2013
• Issued: 01/26/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Behmlander, Matthew J., Hammar, Jeremy R., Meyer, Robert L., Atkinson, Terri L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Troutman, Matthew D
• Application Number:
  US13/866,394
• Publication Number:
  US 20140311762A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,012 Days
• Field of Search: 172/719, 172/772, 172/772.5, 172/430, 374/46, 37450-454, 374/60, 175/39
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 23/02 Teeth; Fixing the teeth
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/7604 Combinations of scraper blades with soil loosening tools working independently of scraper blades soil loosening attachments fixed on blades E02F3/8152, E02F3/8155
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/7645 with the scraper blade being pivotable about a horizontal axis disposed parallel to the blade
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/765 with the scraper blade being pivotable about a horizontal axis disposed perpendicular to the blade
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/7654 with the scraper blade being horizontally movable into a position near the chassis
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/8152 Attachments therefor, e.g. wear resisting parts, cutting edges E02F3/8155, E02F3/8157 take precedence; teeth per se E02F9/28
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/267 Diagnosing or detecting failure of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2808 Teeth
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2875 Ripper tips
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/02854 Length, thickness
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/044 Internal reflections (echoes), e.g. on walls or defects
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/07 by measuring propagation velocity or propagation time of acoustic waves

Abstract

An erosion monitoring system is disclosed for use with a machine. The erosion monitoring system may have an ultrasonic sensor embedded within a replaceable cutting edge of a ground engaging tool connectable to the machine. The erosion monitoring system may also have a wireless communication element associated with the ultrasonic sensor, and a controller mountable onboard the machine in communication with the ultrasonic sensor via the wireless communication element. The controller may be configured to monitor a wear rate of the cutting edge based on signals from the ultrasonic sensor.

Claims

1. An erosion monitoring system for a machine, comprising:

an ultrasonic sensor embedded within a replaceable cutting edge of a ground engaging tool connectable to the machine, wherein the ultrasonic sensor is generally cylindrical and has an axis oriented at an angle of about 90°

relative to a terminus of the cutting edge;

a wireless communication element associated with the ultrasonic sensor;

a battery associated with the ultrasonic sensor and the wireless communication element, wherein the ultrasonic sensor, the wireless communication element, and the battery are all mounted together within a bore formed inside the cutting edge; and

a controller configured to be mounted onboard the machine in communication with the ultrasonic sensor via the wireless communication element, the controller being configured to monitor a wear rate of the cutting edge based on signals from the ultrasonic sensor, determine a length of the cutting edge, make a comparison of the length of the cutting edge to a threshold length, and selectively generate a notification based on the comparison.

2. The erosion monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the battery is configured to supply power to the ultrasonic sensor and the wireless communication element for as long as the cutting edge is rated for use on the ground engaging tool.

3. The erosion monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the bore is formed at a connection location between the cutting edge and a base member of the ground engaging tool.

4. The erosion monitoring system of claim 1, further including a threaded cap configured to engage and seal off an end of the bore.

5. The erosion monitoring system of claim 1, further including a communication device configured to transmit messages between the controller and an offboard entity.

6. The erosion monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the notification is indicative of an estimated useful life of the cutting edge.

7. The erosion monitoring system of claim 6, further including a display located onboard the machine, wherein the notification is shown on the display.

8. The erosion monitoring system of claim 6, wherein the notification is transmitted to an offboard entity.

9. The erosion monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the communication element facilitates communication of signals between the ultrasonic sensor and the controller via a base material of the ground engaging tool.

10. A ground engaging tool, comprising:

a base member;

a cutting edge removably connected to the base member, the cutting edge having a bore formed therein;

an ultrasonic sensor disposed within the bore and configured to generate a signal indicative of a length of the cutting edge, wherein the ultrasonic sensor is generally cylindrical and has an axis oriented at an angle of about 90°

relative to a terminus of the cutting edge;

a battery associated with the ultrasonic sensor, wherein the battery is mounted together with the ultrasonic sensor inside the bore; and

a controller in communication with the ultrasonic sensor, the controller being configured to determine a length of the cutting edge, make a comparison of the length of the cutting edge to a threshold length, and selectively generate a notification based on the comparison.

11. The ground engaging tool of claim 10, wherein the bore is formed at a connection location between the cutting edge and the base member.

12. The ground engaging tool of claim 10, further including a threaded cap configured to engage and seal off an end of the bore.

13. A machine, comprising:

a frame;

an engine supported by the frame;

a traction device configured to support the frame and be driven by the engine;

a ground engaging tool connected to the frame and having a base member;

a cutting edge removably connected to the base member of the ground engaging tool, the cutting edge having a bore formed therein at a connection location between the cutting edge and the base member;

an ultrasonic sensor embedded within the bore of the cutting edge and having an axis oriented at about 90°

relative to a terminus of the cutting edge;

a wireless communication element associated with the ultrasonic sensor;

a battery configured to power the ultrasonic sensor and the wireless communication element, wherein the battery is embedded with the ultrasonic sensor within the bore of the cutting edge; and

a controller mounted onboard the machine in communication with the ultrasonic sensor via the wireless communication element, the controller being configured to;

determine a length of the cutting edge;

make a comparison of the length of the cutting edge to a threshold length; and

selectively generate a notification based on the comparison.