System and method for tracking and categorizing machine efficiency

• US 20080269981A1
• Filed: 04/25/2007
• Published: 10/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Kingham, Ted, Groth, Steven, Stratton, Kenneth, Pagnotta, Jason
• Application Number:
  US11/790,310
• Publication Number:
  US 20080269981A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/35
• 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 9/26 Indicating devices E02F5/145 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/264 Sensors and their calibration for indicating the position of the work tool
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/265 with follow-up actions (e.g. control signals sent to actuate the work tool)

Abstract

A control system for a mobile excavation machine is disclosed. The control system may include a ground engaging work tool, a sensor and a controller. The sensor may be configured to sense a parameter indicative of a current operating condition of the mobile excavation machine and to generate a signal in response thereto. The controller may be in communication with the sensor and configured to receive the signal and calculate a current efficiency value based on the received signals. The controller may be further configured to associate the current efficiency value with a current operating mode of the machine and categorize and store the current efficiency value based on the current operating mode.

Claims

1. A control system for a mobile excavation machine, comprising:

a ground engaging work tool;

a sensor configured to sense a parameter indicative of a current operating condition of the mobile excavation machine and to generate a signal in response thereto; and

a controller in communication with the sensor, the controller being configured to;

receive the signal;

calculate a current efficiency value corresponding to a currently performed task based on the received signal;

associate the current efficiency value with a current operating mode of the machine; and

categorize and store the current efficiency value based on the current operating mode.

2. The control system of claim 1, further including an operator display device disposed within the mobile excavation machine, wherein the controller is further configured to display the current efficiency value on the operator display device.

3. The control system of claim 2, wherein the controller is further configured to:

receive a request to display the categorized efficiency values associated with a certain operating mode; and

display the categorized efficiency values associated with the certain operating mode on the operator display device.

4. The control system of claim 3, wherein the categorized efficiency values correspond to individual excavation passes completed during a single workshift.

5. The control system of claim 2, further including an operator interface device, wherein the controller is further configured to receive instructions from the operator interface device.

6. The control system of claim 5, wherein the operator interface device is used to manually communicate a current operating mode to the controller.

7. The control system of claim 1, wherein the current operating mode is automatically determined by the controller.

8. The control system of claim 1, wherein the sensor includes a ground speed sensor.

9. The control system of claim 7, further including:

an engine speed sensor;

an inclinometer; and

a torque sensor, wherein the current efficiency value is calculated based further on parameters measured by the engine speed sensor, inclinometer, and torque sensor.

10. A method of tracking machine efficiency, comprising:

receiving data indicative of current machine operation;

calculating a current efficiency value based on the received data,

associating the current efficiency value with a current operating mode; and

categorizing and storing the current efficiency value.

11. The method of claim 10, further including displaying the current efficiency value within a mobile earthmoving machine.

12. The method of claim 11, further including:

receiving a request to display stored efficiency values associated with a particular operating mode; and

displaying the requested efficiency values associated with the operating mode.

13. A mobile excavation machine, comprising:

a power source configured to generate a power output;

a traction device configured to receive the power output and propel the mobile excavation machine;

a ground engaging work tool;

a sensor configured to sense a parameter indicative of a current operating condition of the mobile excavation machine and to generate a signal in response thereto; and

a controller in communication with the sensor, the controller being configured to;

receive the signal;

calculate a current efficiency value corresponding to a currently performed task based on the received signal;

associate the current efficiency value with a current operating mode of the machine; and

categorize and store the current efficiency value based on the current operating mode.

14. The mobile excavation machine of claim 13, further comprising an operator display device disposed within the mobile excavation machine, wherein the controller is further configured to display the current efficiency value on the operator display device.

15. The mobile excavation machine of claim 14, the controller further configured to:

receive a request to display the categorized efficiency values associated with a certain operating mode; and

display the categorized efficiency values associated with the certain operating mode on the operator display device.

16. The mobile excavation machine of claim 15, further including an operator interface device, wherein the controller is further configured to receive instructions from the operator interface device.

17. The mobile excavation machine of claim 16, wherein the operator interface device is used to manually communicate a current operating mode to the controller.

18. The mobile excavation machine of claim 15, wherein the current operating mode is automatically determined by the controller.

19. The mobile excavation machine of claim 13, wherein the sensor includes a ground speed sensor, and the mobile excavation machine further includes:

an engine speed sensor;

a torque sensor; and

an inclinometer, wherein the current efficiency value is calculated based further on parameters measured by the ground speed sensor, engine speed sensor, inclinometer, and torque sensor.

20. The mobile excavation machine of claim 15, wherein the categorized efficiency values correspond to individual excavation passes completed during a single workshift.