Abstract:
Measure-up processes described herein provide data that enable three-dimensional (3D) positioning of a tip of a bucket of an excavator. The processes may include steps of curling a bucket of the excavator in and out, moving a stick of the excavator in and out, and moving the bucket so that it touches a point at different bucket angles. During each of the steps, data is generated using a tilt compensating survey pole and one or more inertial measurement units (IMUs).
Abstract:
An excavator (100) comprises a machine chassis (102), boom (108), stick (110), and implement (114). The boom, stick, and implement collectively define a variable implement angle Theta Bucket (t) indicative of a current position of the implement relative to horizontal as a function of time t. The implement comprises teeth extending at a tooth height h from an internal leading edge J_l to an external leading edge J_E. The teeth are spaced along J_l and define an active raking ratio r. Controllers are programmed to execute an implement teeth grading offset determination process that comprises determining a variable implement offset angle Theta Delta (t) at least partially based on a difference between an original target design angle Theta Tgt (t) and the variable implement angle Theta Bucket (t), determining an implement offset 10 based on h, r, and Theta Delta (t), and determining a new target design elevation Elv_(Tgt,New) (t) based on IO and an original target design elevation Elv_(Tgt,Orig) (t).
Abstract:
Yaw and center-of-rotation of a platform are determined using a single Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) device and an inertial measurement unit (IMU). A measurement center of the GNSS device is disposed on the platform away from the center-of-rotation and arranged in a known spatial relationship with the center-of- rotation. The platform is rotated about the center-of-rotation between a first orientation and a second orientation (602). The IMU is used to determine a change in pitch, roll, and yaw of the platform between the first orientation and the second orientation (604). The GNSS device is used to determine a change in position of the measurement center of the GNSS device between the first orientation and the second orientation (606). The yaw of the platform is determined at the second orientation and the position of the center-of-rotation of the platform is determined in a global coordinate frame (608).
Abstract:
An excavator includes a chassis, an implement, control architecture, and an assembly to swing with, or relative to, the chassis and including a boom, stick to curl relative to the boom, and coupling between the implement and stick. The implement rotates about an axis R such that a leading edge LE defines a heading Î. The control architecture comprises sensors, actuators, and controllers to utilize sensor signals to generate a LE position relative to a reference based on reference data and map information, utilize sensor implement edge signals and the excavator position relative to the reference and map information to generate a nearest implement edge (NIE) signal indicative of a LE NIE position relative to the reference, and utilize the actuators for divertive implement rotation about R to adjust Î to account for divertive rotation away from an actual or projected overlap of the NIE and reference.
Abstract:
A three dimensional machine scanning arrangement for a machine (16) traveling over a worksite includes a pair of scanners (12, 14) that are mounted on the machine. Each scanner measures distances to a number of points on the ground at the worksite. One of the scanner faces rearward and the other of the scanner faces forward. A control is responsive to the pair of scanner. The control determines the contour of the worksite. A display, mounted on the machine,' is responsive to the control for displaying the contour of the worksite.
Abstract:
System and method for presenting a visual image of a work site for an earthmoving machine. In one embodiment, target design data for the work site may be received. A spatial location and orientation for an earthmoving machine operating in relation to the work site may also be received. A visual image of at least a portion of the work site may be received from an imaging device mounted to the earthmoving machine. A visual image of the portion of the work site may be displayed with a subset of the design data overlaying the visual image, wherein the subset of the design data relates to the portion of the work site.
Abstract:
A method of contour shaping by a machine equipped with a cutting implement, including the steps of: Providing a desired topographical plan; measuring the real time position of at least one of the machine and the cutting implement; generating instructions for at least one actuator to move the cutting implement; sending the instructions to the or each actuator; characterised in that the method includes the intermediate steps of: plotting a transitional path from the real time position of the machine or the cutting implement to a point on the desired topographical plan; and using the transitional path and the real time position of the machine or the cutting implement to generate the instructions for the at least one actuator.
Abstract:
A project data delivery apparatus for automatically delivering project data files to a construction machine based on the geographical location and identification of the construction machine. The apparatus includes a project data distributor for storing, maintaining and transmitting project data files that are associated with project site locations and project plan machine identifications.
Abstract:
An earthmoving system is disclosed. The earthmoving system includes a blade, a controller, and a blade control system configured to control the positioning of the blade. While grading, the earthmoving system is configured to simultaneously position the blade according to each of a fixed slope grading mode, a design driven control grading mode, and an fixed load grading mode.
Abstract:
A framework comprises a laser distance meter (LDM), reflector, and construction machine comprising a chassis, linkage assembly (LA), boom and stick sensors, implement, and control architecture. The LA comprises a boom and stick defining LA positions. The LDM is configured to generate a D LDM and θ INC between the LDM and the reflector at a node, and the control architecture comprises actuator(s) and a controller programmed to execute at successive LA positions an iterative process (comprises generating θ B , generating θ S , and calculating a height H and a distance D between the node and the LDM based on D LMD and θ IMC , build a set of H, D measurements and a corresponding set of θ B , θ S for n LA positions, and execute a linear least squares optimization process based on the H, D set and corresponding set of θ B , θ S to determine and operate the machine using L B , L S , θ B Bias , and θ S Bias .