System and method for controlling compactor systems
First Claim
1. A method for controlling the operation of a waste compactor having a hydraulic ram and a hydraulic pump operative for applying hydraulic pressure to advance and retract the ram during compacting strokes of the compactor, wherein the hydraulic pump comprises a measurable fluid having a viscosity, the method comprising the steps of:
- establishing a maximum pressure for the hydraulic pressure;
establishing extend and retract time constraints for the hydraulic ram;
operating the hydraulic ram;
monitoring the hydraulic pressure while the hydraulic ram is operated;
estimating the viscosity of the fluid; and
adjusting the extend and retract time constraints based on the estimated viscosity.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An integrated system for: complete waste compactor operational control; remote fullness monitoring; and, remote performance and maintenance diagnostics. Such diagnostic information is transferred wirelessly or otherwise to one or more recipients, so as to directly provide a critical warning in real time.
The waste compactor controller/monitor system allows for periodic real-time oil viscosity measurements of the hydraulic fluid to account for changes in such viscosity. The system adjusts the timing of the compactor stroke to permit more efficient operation and inhibit damage to the hydraulic ram and/or container during use.
61 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method for controlling the operation of a waste compactor having a hydraulic ram and a hydraulic pump operative for applying hydraulic pressure to advance and retract the ram during compacting strokes of the compactor, wherein the hydraulic pump comprises a measurable fluid having a viscosity, the method comprising the steps of:
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establishing a maximum pressure for the hydraulic pressure; establishing extend and retract time constraints for the hydraulic ram; operating the hydraulic ram; monitoring the hydraulic pressure while the hydraulic ram is operated; estimating the viscosity of the fluid; and adjusting the extend and retract time constraints based on the estimated viscosity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for controlling the operation of a waste compactor having a hydraulic ram and a hydraulic pump operative for applying hydraulic pressure to advance and retract the ram during compacting strokes of the compactor, wherein the hydraulic pump comprises a fluid having a viscosity, the method comprising the steps of:
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operating the hydraulic ram; calculating empirical time constraints and maximum pressure readings for the hydraulic ram; monitoring the hydraulic pressure while the hydraulic ram is operated; estimating the viscosity of the fluid; and adjusting the empirical time constraints based on the estimated viscosity of the fluid. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for controlling the operation of a compactor system having a hydraulic ram and a hydraulic pump operative for applying hydraulic pressure to advance and retract the ram during compacting strokes of the compactor, wherein the hydraulic pump comprises a fluid having a measurable viscosity, the system comprising:
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means for establishing a maximum pressure for the hydraulic pressure; means for establishing time constraints for the hydraulic ram; a pressure transducer for monitoring the hydraulic pressure while the hydraulic ram is operated; means for estimating the viscosity of the fluid; and means for adjusting the time constraints pressure based on the estimated viscosity. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A system for controlling the operation of a waste compactor having a hydraulic ram and a hydraulic pump operative for applying hydraulic pressure to advance and retract the ram during compacting strokes of the compactor, wherein the hydraulic pump comprises a fluid having a viscosity, the system comprising:
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a hydraulic pressure sensor for measuring the hydraulic pressure, and a processor for executing a plurality of prestored instructions including; instructions for retracting the hydraulic ram for a set period of time and recording a maximum pressure; instructions for establishing a maximum pressure reading; instructions for extending the hydraulic ram until the hydraulic pressure reaches the maximum pressure reading; instructions for recording the time it takes for the hydraulic pressure to reach the maximum pressure reading during the extending of the hydraulic ram; and instructions for establishing a maximum extend time.
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21. A system for controlling the operation of a compactor system having a hydraulic ram and a hydraulic pump operative for applying hydraulic pressure to advance and retract the ram during compacting strokes of the compactor, wherein the hydraulic pump comprises a fluid having a viscosity, the system comprising:
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a pressure transducer for measuring the hydraulic pressure; and a processor for executing a plurality of prestored instructions including; instructions for retracting the hydraulic ram for a set period of time and recording a maximum pressure; instructions for establishing a maximum pressure reading; instructions for extending the hydraulic ram until the hydraulic pressure reaches the maximum pressure reading; instructions for recording the time it takes for the hydraulic pressure to reach the maximum pressure reading during the extending of the hydraulic ram; and instructions for establishing a maximum extend time. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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25. A system for controlling the operation of a compactor system comprising:
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a waste container for receiving waste material; a hydraulic ram; a hydraulic pump operative for applying hydraulic pressure to advance and retract the hydraulic ram during compacting strokes of the compactor, wherein the hydraulic pump comprises a fluid having a viscosity; a pressure sensor; and a processor operatively connected to the pressure sensor and the hydraulic ram to operate the hydraulic ram and calculate a maximum pressure for the hydraulic pressure, estimate the viscosity of the fluid and adjust the maximum pressure based on the estimated viscosity. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A system for controlling the operation of a compactor system comprising:
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a waste container for receiving waste material; a hydraulic ram; a hydraulic pump operatively connected to the hydraulic ram for applying hydraulic pressure to advance and retract the hydraulic ram during compacting strokes of the compactor, said hydraulic pump comprising a hydraulic fluid having a measurable viscosity; means for measuring changes in the viscosity of the hydraulic fluid; means for monitoring the fullness of the waste container operably associated with the hydraulic ram; and means for controlling the advancing and retracting of the hydraulic ram during the compacting strokes of the compactor based on changes to the viscosity of the hydraulic fluid.
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Specification