Environmental monitoring system for a machine environment

• US 20070179640A1
• Filed: 01/31/2006
• Published: 08/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Moughler, Eric
• Application Number:
  US11/342,567
• Publication Number:
  US 20070179640A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/36
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2045 Guiding machines along a predetermined path for graders E02F3/841; machines for construction of roads E01C19/004
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/205 Remotely operated machines, e.g. unmanned vehicles E02F3/8866 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/26 Indicating devices E02F5/145 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/262 with follow-up actions to control the work tool, e.g. controller

Abstract

Systems and methods for managing a machine environment based on environmental conditions associated with a machine are disclosed. According to one embodiment, the method may include receiving one or more of environmental data and operation data associated with at least one machine operating at a job site associated with a machine environment. An aspect may also include determining one or more environmental conditions associated with the job site based on at least one of the environmental data and the operation data. An aspect may further include updating a project schedule based on the determined environmental conditions.

Claims

1. A method for managing a machine environment based on environmental conditions associated with a machine;

comprising;

receiving one or more of environmental data and operation data associated with at least one machine operating at a job site associated with a machine environment;

determining one or more environmental conditions associated with the job site based on at least one of the environmental data and the operation data; and

updating a project schedule based on the determined environmental conditions.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the environmental data includes at least one of an air temperature, a humidity level, a soil moisture level, and a wind speed.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the operation data includes one or more of an engine speed, a torque output, a fuel consumption rate, and a transmission ratio associated with the machine.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining one or more environmental conditions corresponding to the at least one machine includes:

comparing the received environmental data with at least one of historical environmental data and weather forecast data.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein updating the project schedule includes:

determining a productivity factor associated with the determined environmental conditions based on one or more of the received environmental data, the received operation data, and historical productivity data;

comparing the determined productivity factor associated with the machine with an alternative productivity factor associated with an alternate job site; and

assigning the machine to the alternate job site if the determined productivity factor is substantially less than the alternative productivity factor.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein updating the project schedule includes providing a work assignment to an operator of the machine.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the work assignment includes instructions for reporting to an alternate job site.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein updating the project schedule includes providing a precipitation profile associated with the job site to an operator of the machine.

9. The method of claim 1, further including estimating a wear rate of one or more machine components based on the one or more environmental conditions.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein estimating the wear rate includes determining a lease price adjustment based on the wear rate associated with one or more environmental conditions.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein estimating the wear rate includes calculating a residual value of the machine based on historical data.

12. The method of claim 1, further including adjusting an operational aspect of the machine based on the one or more environmental conditions.

13. A computer readable medium for use on a computer system, the computer readable medium having computer executable instructions for performing a method comprising:

receiving one or more of environmental data and operation data associated with at least one machine operating at a job site associated with a machine environment;

determining one or more environmental conditions associated with the job site based on at least one of the environmental data and the operation data; and

updating a project schedule based on the determined environmental conditions.

14. The computer readable medium of claim 13, wherein the environmental data includes at least one of an air temperature, a humidity level, a soil moisture level, and a wind speed.

15. The computer readable medium of claim 13, wherein the operation data includes one or more of an engine speed, a torque output, a fuel consumption rate, and a transmission ratio associated with the machine.

16. The computer readable medium of claim 13, wherein determining one or more environmental conditions corresponding to the at least one machine includes:

comparing the received environmental data with at least one of historical environmental data and weather forecast data.

17. The computer readable medium of claim 13, wherein updating the project schedule includes:

determining a productivity factor associated with the determined environmental conditions based on one or more of the received environmental data, the received operation data, and historical productivity data;

comparing the determined productivity factor associated with the machine with an alternative productivity factor associated with an alternate job site; and

assigning the machine to the alternate job site if the determined productivity factor is substantially less than the alternative productivity factor.

18. The computer readable medium of claim 13, wherein updating the project schedule includes providing a work assignment to an operator of the machine.

19. The computer readable medium of claim 18, wherein the work assignment includes instructions for reporting to an alternate job site.

20. The computer readable medium of claim 13, wherein updating the project schedule includes providing a precipitation profile associated with the job site to an operator of the machine.

21. The computer readable medium of claim 13, further including estimating a wear rate of one or more machine components based on the one or more environmental conditions.

22. The computer readable medium of claim 21, wherein estimating the wear rate includes determining a lease price adjustment based on the wear rate associated with one or more environmental conditions.

23. The computer readable medium of claim 21, wherein estimating the wear rate includes calculating a residual value of the machine based on historical data.

24. The computer readable medium of claim 13, further including adjusting an operational aspect of the machine based on the one or more environmental conditions.

25. A machine environment, comprising:

at least one machine for performing a task associated with the machine environment and including one or more monitoring devices configured to collect data indicative of at least one of environmental data and operation data associated with the at least one machine;

an environmental monitoring system communicatively coupled to the one or more machines via a communication network, the environmental monitoring system comprising;

a processor configured to;

receive one or more of environmental data and operation data associated with at least one machine operating at a job site associated with a machine environment;

determine one or more environmental conditions associated with the job site based on at least one of the environmental data and the operation data; and

update a project schedule based on the determined environmental conditions.

26. The machine environment of claim 25, wherein the environmental data includes at least one of an air temperature, a humidity level, a soil moisture level, and a wind speed.

27. The machine environment of claim 25, wherein the operation data includes one or more of an engine speed, a torque output, a fuel consumption rate, and a transmission ratio associated with the machine.

28. The machine environment of claim 25, wherein determining one or more environmental conditions corresponding to the at least one machine includes:

comparing the received environmental data with at least one of historical environmental data and weather forecast data.

29. The machine environment of claim 25, wherein updating the project schedule includes:

determining a productivity factor associated with the determined environmental conditions based on one or more of the received environmental data, the received operation data, and historical productivity data;

comparing the determined productivity factor associated with the machine with an alternative productivity factor associated with an alternate job site; and

assigning the machine to the alternate job site if the determined productivity factor is substantially less than the alternative productivity factor.

30. The machine environment of claim 25, wherein updating the project schedule includes providing a work assignment to an operator of the machine.

31. The machine environment of claim 30, wherein the work assignment includes instructions for reporting to an alternate job site.

32. The machine environment of claim 25, wherein updating the project schedule includes providing a precipitation profile associated with the job site to an operator of the machine.

33. The machine environment of claim 25, further including estimating a wear rate of one or more machine components based on the one or more environmental conditions.

34. The machine environment of claim 33, wherein estimating the wear rate includes determining a lease price adjustment based on the wear rate associated with one or more environmental conditions.

35. The machine environment of claim 33, wherein estimating the wear rate includes calculating a residual value of the machine based on historical data.

36. The machine environment of claim 25, further including adjusting an operational aspect of the machine based on the one or more environmental conditions.