Valve systems and method for enhanced grading control
First Claim
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1. A method of operating a digging machine, comprising:
- operationally connecting a sensor to a bucket;
operationally connecting an electronic controller to the sensor and to each respective hydraulic cylinder;
operationally connecting a valve system to at least one hydraulic cylinder and to the electronic controller;
inputting a desired post excavation landscape contour into the electronic controller;
inputting locations of underground objects into the electronic controller;
automatically actuating a bucket hydraulic cylinder operationally connected to the bucket;
automatically controlling the bucket hydraulic cylinder to dig within predetermined parameters.
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Abstract
A method of operating a digging machine, including operationally connecting a sensor to a bucket, operationally connecting an electronic controller to the sensor and to each respective hydraulic cylinder, operationally connecting a valve system to the hydraulic cylinder and to the electronic controller, inputting a desired post excavation landscape contour into the electronic controller, inputting locations of underground objects into the electronic controller, automatically actuating a bucket hydraulic cylinder operationally connected to the bucket, and automatically controlling the bucket hydraulic cylinder to dig within predetermined parameters.
55 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A method of operating a digging machine, comprising:
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operationally connecting a sensor to a bucket; operationally connecting an electronic controller to the sensor and to each respective hydraulic cylinder; operationally connecting a valve system to at least one hydraulic cylinder and to the electronic controller; inputting a desired post excavation landscape contour into the electronic controller; inputting locations of underground objects into the electronic controller; automatically actuating a bucket hydraulic cylinder operationally connected to the bucket; automatically controlling the bucket hydraulic cylinder to dig within predetermined parameters. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of controlling a digging machine, comprising:
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operationally connecting a sensor to a bucket; operationally connecting an electronic controller to the sensor and to each respective hydraulic cylinder; operationally connecting a valve system to at least one hydraulic cylinder and to the electronic controller; inputting a desired post excavation landscape contour into the electronic controller; inputting locations of underground objects into the electronic controller; automatically actuating a bucket hydraulic cylinder operationally connected to the bucket; automatically controlling the bucket hydraulic cylinder to dig within predetermined parameters; wherein the sensor is selected from the group comprising angle sensors, line sensors, accelerometers, inclinometers, gyroscopes GPS transceivers, and combinations thereof; wherein the electronic controller may actuate the valve to enhance human operator control of the bucket hydraulic cylinder; wherein the valve may only be actuated during active human operation of the bucket hydraulic cylinder; wherein the valve is not directly fluidically connected to a pump; and wherein the valve is not directly fluidically connected to a fluid reservoir. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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Specification