Automated lost load response system

• US 20090084173A1
• Filed: 09/27/2007
• Published: 04/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Kriel, Bradley Scott, Gudat, Adam John, Stratton, Kenneth Lee
• Granted Patent: US 7,594,441 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/146
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 1/283 Elements of tipping devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/04 Systems determining presence of a target based on relative movement of target G01S13/56
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/88 Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications electromagnetic prospecting or detecting of objects, e.g. near-field detection, G01V3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/88 Lidar systems specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/411 Identification of targets based on measurements of radar reflectivity G01S7/415 takes precedence

Abstract

An automated lost load response system for work machines is disclosed. The response system has a first sensor situated to detect the contour of the road surface forward of a first machine, and a second sensor situated to detect the contour of the road surface rearward of the first machine. Each of the first and second sensors generates a signal corresponding to its detection of the contour of the road surface. The response system also has a controller that is in communication with both sensors. The controller is configured to provide a load loss warning based on the signals.

Claims

1. A load response system for a first machine, comprising:

a first sensor situated to detect the contour of a road surface forward of the first machine and generate a corresponding first signal;

a second sensor situated to detect the contour of the road surface rearward of the first machine and generate a corresponding second signal; and

a controller in communication with the first and second sensors and configured to provide a potential load loss warning based on the first and second signals.

2. The load response system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to determine whether a potential loss of load is potentially hazardous to at least one of the first machine and a second machine.

3. The load response system of claim 2, further including a locating device configured to determine a geographical location of the first machine, wherein the controller is in further communication with the locating device and configured to relate the potential loss of the load to the geographical location at the time of the potential loss.

4. The load response system of claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to calculate an amount of load material potentially lost based on the first and second signals.

5. The load response system of claim 4, further including at least one load sensor configured to generate a load signal indicative of the amount of load material within a container, wherein the controller is in further communication with the load sensor and the amount of load material potentially lost is calculated based further on the load signal.

6. The load response system of claim 2, further including a transmission device, wherein the controller is in further communication with the transmission device and configured to transmit a potential load loss warning to the second machine, in response to a determination that the potential loss of the load is potentially hazardous to the second machine.

7. The load response system of claim 2, further including a transmission device, wherein the controller is in further communication with the transmission device and configured to transmit a maintenance request to a service facility, in response to a determination that the potential loss of the load is potentially hazardous to at least one of the first machine and the second machine.

8. The load response system of claim 7, wherein the maintenance request is based on a potential obstruction to the roadway.

9. The load response system of claim 7, wherein the maintenance request is based on potential damage to the road surface.

10. The load response system of claim 2, further including a third sensor situated to detect material that is lost from a container and generate a corresponding third signal, wherein the controller is in further communication with the third sensor and configured to, based on the third signal, refine at least one of the detected contour of the road surface forward of the first machine and the detected contour of the road surface rearward of the first machine.

11. The load response system of claim 1, wherein the first and second sensors each include:

an emitter to emit a beam; and

a receiver situated to receive the beam and generate a corresponding signal.

12. The load response system of claim 11, wherein each of the first and second sensors is configured to detect the contour of both concave and convex portions of the road surface.

13. The load response system of claim 1, further including an override device configured to generate an intent signal indicative of purposeful alterations to an amount of load material retained by a container, wherein the controller is in further communication with the override device and configured to prevent transmissions to offboard systems in response to the intent signal.

14. A method of responding to a load lost from a first machine, comprising:

detecting the contour of a road surface before and after the first machine passes over it;

detecting a difference between the contour of the road surface before and after the first machine passed over it; and

providing a potential load loss warning based on the detection of the difference between the contours.

15. The method of claim 14, further including relating the potential loss of the load to the geographical location of the first machine at the time of the potential loss.

16. The method of claim 15, further including determining a geographical location where the load is lost.

17. The method of claim 15, further including calculating an amount of the load lost.

18. The method of claim 15, further including transmitting, in response to a determination that a load loss is potentially hazardous, at least one of:

a potential load loss warning to a second machine;

a potential load loss warning to a machine operator; and

a maintenance request to a service facility.

19. The method of claim 18, further including:

emitting a detection beam;

detecting an irregular reflection of the detection beam;

determining load material is potentially falling from the first machine based on a detection of the irregular reflection of the detection beam; and

refining at least one of the detected contour of the road surface before and after the first machine passes over it.

20. A machine, comprising:

a power source;

a container;

a frame operatively supporting the power source and the container;

a first sensor situated to detect the contour of a road surface forward of the machine and generate a corresponding first signal;

a second sensor situated to detect the contour of the road surface rearward of the machine and generate a corresponding second signal; and

a controller in communication with the machine and the first and second sensors, the controller configured to provide a potential load loss warning based on the first and second signals.

21. The machine of claim 20, further including a third sensor situated to detect material that is lost from the container and configured to generate a corresponding third signal, the controller being in further communication with the third sensor, and configured to refine at least one of the detected contour of the road surface forward of the machine and the detected contour of the road surface rearward of the machine, based on the third signal.