Apparatus and method for enhanced grading control
First Claim
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1. A digging machine, comprising:
- a tractor portion;
at least one boom arm portion operationally connected to the tractor portion;
a bucket arm portion operationally connected to the at least one boom arm portion;
a bucket portion operationally connected to the bucket arm portion;
a boom hydraulic piston portion operationally connected to the at least one boom arm portion;
a bucket hydraulic piston portion operationally connected to the bucket portion;
a hydraulic fluid source operationally connected to each respective hydraulic piston portion;
a hydraulic valve operationally connected to the boom hydraulic piston portion and to the hydraulic fluid source;
a microprocessor; and
a first sensor operationally connected to the bucket portion and to the microprocessor;
wherein the microprocessor is operationally connected to the hydraulic fluid source, to the hydraulic valve, and to each respective hydraulic pistons; and
wherein the microprocessor may be engaged to assist movement of the bucket portion through a predetermined digging profile when the tractor portion is in motion;
wherein each respective hydraulic piston portion has a respective first and a respective second hydraulic fluid port formed therethrough;
wherein the hydraulic valve may be engaged to connect the respective first and second hydraulic fluid ports formed through the boom hydraulic piston portion in direct hydraulic communication with one another.
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Abstract
A method of operating a digging machine, including damping the response of a boom hydraulic cylinder operationally connected to a boom arm and actuating a bucket hydraulic cylinder operationally connected to a bucket.
40 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A digging machine, comprising:
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a tractor portion; at least one boom arm portion operationally connected to the tractor portion; a bucket arm portion operationally connected to the at least one boom arm portion; a bucket portion operationally connected to the bucket arm portion; a boom hydraulic piston portion operationally connected to the at least one boom arm portion; a bucket hydraulic piston portion operationally connected to the bucket portion; a hydraulic fluid source operationally connected to each respective hydraulic piston portion; a hydraulic valve operationally connected to the boom hydraulic piston portion and to the hydraulic fluid source; a microprocessor; and a first sensor operationally connected to the bucket portion and to the microprocessor; wherein the microprocessor is operationally connected to the hydraulic fluid source, to the hydraulic valve, and to each respective hydraulic pistons; and wherein the microprocessor may be engaged to assist movement of the bucket portion through a predetermined digging profile when the tractor portion is in motion; wherein each respective hydraulic piston portion has a respective first and a respective second hydraulic fluid port formed therethrough; wherein the hydraulic valve may be engaged to connect the respective first and second hydraulic fluid ports formed through the boom hydraulic piston portion in direct hydraulic communication with one another. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10)
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5. A method of controlled digging, comprising:
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connecting a fluidic input port and a fluidic outlet port of a boom hydraulic cylinder in fluidic communication with one another, wherein the boom hydraulic cylinder is operationally connected to a boom arm connected to a tractor; energizing a bucket hydraulic cylinder operationally connected to a bucket to orient the bucket to a predetermined orientation relative to earth; and urging the bucket through a predetermined path through the earth; wherein the bucket maintains the predetermined orientation as it moves through earth; and wherein the tractor is free to move during while the bucket moves through the earth. - View Dependent Claims (7, 12, 13)
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11. A method of operating a digging machine, comprising:
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automatically actuating a bucket hydraulic cylinder operationally connected to a bucket to move the bucket though a predetermined path through the earth, wherein a sensor is operationally connected to the bucket and is in electric communication with an electronic controller; damping a response of a boom hydraulic cylinder operationally connected to a boom arm by directly connecting a variable flow hydraulic valve across the hydraulic cylinder during movement of the bucket; maintaining the bucket in a predetermined orientation as it moves through its predetermined path through the earth; wherein movement of the bucket through a predetermined path through the earth while maintaining the bucket at a predetermined orientation is independent of the movement of the digging machine. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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Specification