Caterpillar Inc.

Daniel Aaron Jones

Jeffrey Graham Fletcher

Ricky Kam Ho Chow

Ranishka De Silva Hewavisenthi

An excavation system is disclosed for use with a mobile machine having a work tool. The excavation system may have a speed sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of a travel speed of the mobile machine, and at least one load sensor configured to generate a second signal indicative of loading of the work tool. The excavation system may also have a controller configured to record values of the first signal during travel of the mobile machine toward a material, and to detect engagement of the work tool with the material based on the second signal. After engagement of the work tool with the material is detected, the controller may be further configured to determine an edge location of the material passed through by the work tool based on values of the first signal recorded prior to engagement detection of the work tool with the material.

Excavation system providing impact detection

An excavation system is disclosed as having first and second actuators configured to move a work tool in first and second directions. The second actuator may only be capable of full-range movement when the first actuator is positioned within a sub-range. The excavation system may also have first and second sensors configured to generate first and second signals indicative of first and second actuator movements, and a controller in communication with the first and second sensors. The controller may be configured to command movement of the first actuator to the sub-range, to confirm that the first actuator has moved to the sub-range based on the first signal, to command movement of the second actuator to an end-of-stroke position after the first actuator is confirmed to be within the sub-range, and to selectively record a current position of the second actuator as the end-of-stroke position based on the second signal.

Excavation system providing automated tool linkage calibration

An excavation system is disclosed for a machine having a work tool. The excavation system may have at least one sensor to generate a signal indicative of a load exerted on the work tool. The excavation system may also have a lift actuator and a tilt actuator. The excavation system may also have a controller configured to detect engagement of the work tool with a material pile based the signal. The controller may operate the work tool to load the work tool with an amount of material. The controller may determine whether loading of the work tool has been completed. The controller may lift the work tool when the loading has been completed. The controller may also operate the tilt actuator to shake the work tool. Additionally, the controller may cause the machine to withdraw from the material pile after shaking the work tool.

Excavation system having velocity based work tool shake

An excavation system is disclosed for use with a mobile machine having a work tool. The excavation system may have a first sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of a distance to an inclined face of the pile of material, and a controller in communication with the first sensor. The controller may be configured to determine a repose angle of the pile of material based on a known edge location of the pile of material and the distance.

An excavation system is disclosed for a machine having a work tool. The excavation system may have first and second actuators configured to move the work tool in first and second directions, at least a first valve configured to regulate fluid flow through the first actuator, and at least a second valve configured to regulate fluid flow through the second actuator. The excavation system may also have at least one sensor to generate a first signal indicative of a performance of the first actuator, and a controller in communication with the at least a first valve, the at least a second valve, and the at least one sensor. The controller may be configured to make a first determination that the first actuator is experiencing a stall condition based on the first signal, and to selectively command neutralization of the powertrain and movement of the second actuator based on the first determination.

Excavation system providing automated stall correction

An excavation system is disclosed for a machine having a work tool. The excavation system may have a speed sensor to detect a travel speed of the machine and a load sensor to detect loading of the work tool. The excavation system may also have a controller configured to detect engagement of the work tool with a material pile based on at least one of the first signal and the second signal. The controller may also be configured to select at least one tilt control parameter value for the work tool and operate the work tool based on the selected tilt control parameter value to load the work tool with an amount of material. The controller may be configured to determine whether the amount of material exceeds a target amount and to cause the machine to withdraw from the material pile when the amount exceeds the target amount.

Growing community of inventors

Tasmania, Australia

Daniel Aaron Jones