Patent Application
20170352199
The present disclosure relates to systems, processes and devices for monitoring ground engaging tools secured to earth working equipment to assist earth working operations by, for example, determining wear, estimating fully worn conditions, scheduling replacement of ground engaging tools, sending alerts, and the like.
In mining and construction, ground engaging tools (e.g., teeth and shrouds) are commonly provided on earth working equipment (e.g., buckets) to protect the underlying equipment from undue wear and, in some cases, also perform other functions such as breaking up the ground ahead of the digging edge. For example, buckets for excavating machines (e.g., dragline machines, cable shovels, face shovels, hydraulic excavators, wheel loaders and the like) are typically provided with ground engaging tools (such as excavating teeth and shrouds) secured along the lip or digging edge. A tooth includes a point (or tip) secured to a base secured to the lip or formed as a projection on lip. The point initiates contact with the ground and breaks up the ground ahead of the digging edge of the bucket. Ground engaging tools are also used on other earth working equipment and can include tools such as, for example, teeth on a dredge cutter head and picks on a rotating drum.
During use, ground engaging tools can encounter heavy loading and highly abrasive conditions. These conditions cause the tools to wear and eventually become fully worn, i.e., where they need to be replaced. Tools that are not timely replaced, can be lost, cause a decrease in production, and/or lead to unnecessary wear of other components (e.g., the base).
The following presents a simplified summary of the present disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosure. This summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosure. The following summary merely presents some concepts of the disclosure in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description provided below.
Certain embodiments of the disclosure involve a streamlined and/or efficient process for capturing use and determining the wear of a ground engaging tool secured to earth working equipment. Disclosed herein are apparatuses, methods, and computer-readable media for monitoring and/or predicting wear life of ground engaging tools to lessen unplanned downtime and/or improve supply chain accuracy.
In one embodiment, a process for monitoring a ground engaging tool secured to earth working equipment includes capturing an image of the ground engaging tool with a mobile device and showing the captured image on the display. The process determines a dimension of the ground engaging tool, and operates at least one processor and memory storing computer-executable instructions to calculate at least one result including the extent of wearing experienced by the ground engaging tool and/or an estimate of when the ground engaging tool will reach a fully worn condition.
In another embodiment, a process of monitoring a ground engaging tool secured to earth working equipment includes capturing, via a mobile device, an image comprising the ground engaging tool secured to the earth working equipment, and displaying, via a user interface on the mobile device, the captured image of the ground engaging tool, and edge markers overlying the captured image of the ground engaging tool to indicate a dimension of the ground engaging tool. Input can be received via the user interface, to adjust at least one of the edge markers to calculate, by the mobile device, an extent of wear of the ground engaging tool based in part on information from the edge markers.
In another embodiment, a process for scheduling replacement of a ground engaging tool secured to earth moving equipment includes capturing an image of the ground engaging tool with a mobile device and showing the captured image on a display. A dimension can be determined along with capturing the image. At least one processor and memory storing computer-executable instructions can be operated to calculate at least one result including the extent of wearing experienced by the ground engaging tool and/or an estimate of when the ground engaging tool will reach the fully worn condition. The result(s) can be then used to schedule when to replace the ground engaging tool secured to the earth working equipment.
In another embodiment, a process for scheduling replacement of ground engaging tools for earth working equipment includes capturing information on when one or more ground engaging tool is installed, and when the ground engaging tool(s) is removed from the earth working equipment. The earth working equipment and the position of the ground engaging tool on the earth working equipment can be identified, and the steps repeated for successive ground engaging tools installed at the same position on the same machine. The captured information can be used to calculate an average time period the ground engaging tools are in use, which can be used to schedule when the ground engaging tool(s) should be replaced. Alternatively, the process can be used to monitor and capture this information on all the teeth on a machine and in this way schedule complete change out of the monitored ground engaging tools (e.g., all the teeth on a machine) at, e.g., the scheduled downtime for the machine closest (but not after) the fully worn condition is expected for at least one of the ground engaging tools on the machine.
In another embodiment, a process for monitoring a ground engaging tool secured to earth working equipment includes using a mobile device to capture an image of the ground engaging tool and showing on a display of the mobile device the captured image and electronically generated markers. The markers are set to overlie opposite edges of the ground engaging tool in the captured image. The image is calibrated to determine the relationship between a first distance extending between the markers on the display and a second distance extending between the opposite edges of the ground engaging tool. The first and second distances are calculated, and used with data on at least the fully worn condition of the ground engaging tool to determine an extent of wear in the ground engaging tool and/or an estimate of when the fully worn condition of the ground engaging tool will be reached.
In another embodiment, a process for scheduling replacement of a ground engaging tool secured to earth working equipment includes using a mobile device to capture information pertaining to wear of the ground engaging tool at a plurality of different times wherein said times of capturing information are separated from each other by a time of operation for the earth working equipment. The captured information and time lapse between the different times of capturing information is used to calculate the extent of wear at any one of the times of capturing information and estimating when the ground engaging tool will reach a fully worn condition. A time when the ground engaging tool will be replaced is scheduled based on the estimate of when the fully worn condition will be reached.
In another embodiment, a system for monitoring a ground engaging tool secured to earth working equipment includes at least one processor, a communication interface to receive information from a mobile device relating to at least one said ground engaging tool secured to the earth working equipment, and memory storing computer-executable instructions. The received information includes at least one of an image of the ground engaging tool, calibration information relating to the ground engaging tool, and edge markers overlying the image of the ground engaging tool. The processor(s) and computer-executable instructions can calculate an extent of wear of the ground engaging tool and/or an estimate of a fully worn condition of the ground engaging tool based in part on the received information. The extent of wear and/or the estimate of the fully worn condition of the ground engaging tool can be provided to the mobile device via the communication interface. A user interface can show at least one of a portion of the received information, the calculated extent of wear, and/or the estimated fully worn condition of the ground engaging tool.
In another embodiment, use of a mobile device may allow user input (machine, position, etc.), utilize device data (time stamp, location, etc.) and/or capture data (e.g., images, video, etc.) related to one or more ground engaging tools, analyze the tools at one or more work sites, and/or manage the replacement of those tools to maximize operational efficiency and minimize downtime.
In another embodiment, a mobile device for monitoring a ground engaging tool is provided to capture images of one or more ground engaging tools secured to earth working equipment. Each image may optionally include an image of a calibration device to assist in determining the current length of the ground engaging tool. The device may also optionally permit input of data and/or may overlay on the image one or more adjustable edge markers to indicate a dimension of the ground engaging tool. Based on the information from the image, inputted information and/or edge markers, the system can calculate an extent of wear and/or an estimated end-of-life of the ground engaging tool. The system may optionally provide an alert(s) when an end-of-life of a ground engaging tool is at hand or approaching.
In another embodiment, a mobile device for monitoring a ground engaging tool secured to earth working equipment includes at least one processor, a user interface, an imaging device (e.g., a camera), and memory storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor(s), causes the mobile device to capture an image of the ground engaging tool secured to the earth working equipment and, optionally, a calibration device, determine opposite edges of the ground engaging tool in the image and the distance between the opposite edges, and calculate an extent of wear present in the ground engaging tool and/or an estimate of the remaining useful life using at least the distance between the opposite edges.
In another embodiment, an application stored on a mobile device may be used to capture pertinent data related to ground engaging tool products at a site. A ground engaging tool management server may capture pertinent ground engaging tool data across a job site and manage ground engaging tool replacement.
Further embodiments of the disclosure may be provided in a computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions that, when executed, cause a computer, user terminal, or other apparatus to at least perform one or more of the processes described herein.
All descriptions are exemplary and explanatory only and are not intended to restrict the disclosure, as claimed. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. In the drawings:
In accordance with various embodiments of the disclosure, apparatus, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed to document use, predict and/or monitor wear life of ground engaging tools to lessen unplanned downtime and/or improve supply chain accuracy. In certain embodiments, a mobile device may capture an image of a ground engaging tool product, measure wear, calculate the remaining life of the product, and/or convey information associated with the remaining life of the product to a customer and/or a ground engaging tool provider, and generate and/or send one or more notifications to the customer and/or the ground engaging tool provider of approaching end-of-life target conditions of a ground engaging tool.
It is noted that various connections between elements are discussed in the following description. It is noted that these connections are general and, unless specified otherwise, may be direct or indirect, wired or wireless, and that the specification is not intended to be limiting in this respect.
The processes disclosed herein may utilize various hardware components (e.g., processors, communication servers, memory devices, sensors, etc.) and related computer algorithms to predict and/or monitor wear life and/or usage of ground engaging tool products.
I/O 109 may include a microphone, keypad, touch screen, and/or stylus through which a user of ground engaging tool management server 101 may provide input, and may also include one or more of a speaker for providing audio output and a video display device for providing textual, audiovisual, and/or graphical output. Software may be stored within memory 115 to provide instructions to processor 103 for enabling ground engaging tool management server 101 to perform various functions. For example, memory 115 may store software used by the ground engaging tool management server 101, such as an operating system 117, application programs 119, and an associated database 121. Processor 103 and its associated components may allow the ground engaging tool management server 101 to run a series of computer-readable instructions to analyze image data depicting one or more ground engaging tools. Processor 103 or a similar processor in mobile device 141 may utilize the data to assess the wear of the ground engaging tool and/or predict the end-of-life of the ground engaging tools to lessen unplanned downtime and/or improve supply chain accuracy.
The server 101 may operate in a networked environment supporting connections to one or more remote devices, such as mobile device 141 and computing device 151. The devices 141 and 151 may be personal computers, mobile phones, or tablets that include many or all of the elements described above relative to the server 101. Devices 141 preferably includes a built-in imaging device (e.g., camera and/or camera attachments) for capturing image data associated with one or more ground engaging tools. The image may be a digital photographic image or an electronic representation of the ground engaging tool based on a scan or other way of capturing information related to at least a relevant dimension of the tool Also, mobile device 141 and/or 151 may include data stores for storing image data to be analyzed, by the ground engaging tool management server 101 and/or device 141 or 151.
The network connections depicted in
In some embodiments, mobile device 141, computing device 151, and/or ground engaging tool management server 101 may execute an application program. As depicted, application program 119 resides in ground engaging tool management server 101, however, the same or similar application program 119 may reside in mobile device 141 and/or computing device 151. The application program 119 may include instructions that, when executed, cause mobile device 141, computing device 151, and/or ground engaging tool management server 101 to document part change or analyze wear of one or more ground engaging tools based on images captured by one or more mobile devices and/or inputted data, calculate expected end-of-life dates and/or times for such ground engaging tools, and/or generate and/or send notifications to one or more other computing devices based on such calculations, where such notifications may direct and/or otherwise cause such devices to present information related to the end-of-life dates and/or times for such ground engaging tools and/or prompt the users of such devices to replace the ground engaging tools and/or take other responsive actions.
Ground engaging tool management server 101 and/or devices 141 or 151 may also be mobile terminals including various other components, such as a battery, speaker, camera, and antennas (not shown).
As illustrated above, aspects of the disclosure may be implemented using special purpose computing systems, environments, and/or configurations. In some instances, the computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be used in implementing one or more aspects of the disclosure may include one or more additional and/or alternative personal computers, server computers, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and distributed computing environments to perform certain aspects of the disclosure.
In some instances, aspects of the disclosure may be implemented using computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by a computer. Such program modules may include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, or the like that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Some aspects of the disclosure may also be implemented in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In such a distributed computing environment, one or more program modules may be located in both local and remote computer storage media including non-transitory memory storage devices, such as a hard disk, random access memory (RAM), and read only memory (ROM).
Referring to
Mobile devices 201 may be local or remote, and are connected by one or more communications links to computer network 203 that is linked via communications links to ground engaging tool management server 204. In certain embodiments, mobile devices 201 may run the same or different algorithms as used by server 204 for analyzing image data showing ground engaging tools associated with excavating equipment, and/or, mobile devices 201 may be data stores for storing reference image data of ground engaging tool items. In system 200, ground engaging tool management server 101 may be any suitable server, processor, computer, or data processing device, or combination of the same.
Computer network 203 may be any suitable computer network including the Internet, an intranet, a cloud environment, a wide-area network (WAN), a local-area network (LAN), a wireless network, a digital subscriber line (DSL) network, a frame relay network, an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network, a virtual private network (VPN), or any combination of any of the same. Communications links 211-213 may be any communications links suitable for communicating between network devices 201 and server 204, such as network links, dial-up links, wireless links, hard-wired links, etc.
Plant or office 214 may be a central or remote location for, e.g., a mine, which may also receive and house information from the mobile devices 201 and server 204.
Upon installation, the ground engaging tool management server 204 will send, communicate, and/or otherwise provide security keys to the mobile device 201 (step 305) and open appropriate data ports (step 310) for the intake of ground engaging tool data. Upon initial setup, the ground engaging tool management server 204 may send, communicate, and/or otherwise provide initial training materials to the mobile device 201 (step 315). Alternatively, the training materials may be part of the downloaded application.
The user may periodically utilize the mobile device 201 to perform routine checks of the ground engaging tools associated with the excavating equipment. The ground engaging tool management server 204 may receive and/or collect, from the mobile device, information associated with the equipment checks, wear profiles of the excavating equipment at the site, and/or generate and/or send notifications regarding the end-of-life conditions of various ground engaging tools. In some instances, the mobile device 201 and/or the application executed on the mobile device 201 may be configured to determine end-of-life conditions and generate and/or present notifications regarding such end-of-life conditions to the user of the device. In response to the end-of-life notifications, the user may initiate removal and installation of the ground engaging tool.
The ground engaging tool management server 204 may store wear data it receives in database or memory 320 and update the wear profiles (step 325) of the various wear devices being monitored. Optionally, the ground engaging tool management server 204 will issue reports (step 330) of the wear profile information to the supplier so that the supplier and/or the ground engaging tool management server may actively monitor use and/or wear of specific parts and predict, forecast, and/or otherwise determine replacement parts needs at the mine site. Periodically, the ground engaging tool supplier may review performance (step 335) of the ground engaging tools based on the collected data. The ground engaging tool management server 204 may review the analytics on the wear rates for each machine and review whether the targets need to be changed.
Depending on the embodiment, the disclosed components of ground engaging tool management server 204 may be associated with a single location or may be distributed across different locations and entities. For example, the systems and modules providing security keys (305), providing training (315) and conducting review performance (335) may be aspects situated at the site of ground engaging tool use (e.g., a mine), a facility of the ground engaging tool supplier and/or other location. Similarly, the systems and modules opening data ports (310), storage of wear data (320), updating wear profiles (325) and reporting to the supplier (330) may be situated locally at the mine site or the mining company's back office.
In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, a user of a mobile device 201 (e.g., mobile phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), etc.) may be used to document installation or take one or more photos (or videos) associated with a ground engaging tool. The user may place a calibration device (discussed herein) (e.g.,
In one embodiment, once the user has captured an image, the application may display the image (e.g., of the ground engaging tool and calibration device) and may overlay edge markers over the image. The edge markers are indicative of a dimension of the ground engaging tool. The edge markers may, for example, indicate the overall length (or other dimension) of the ground engaging tool from distal end to proximal end. The application may allow the user to adjust one or both edge markers to more accurately represent the overall dimension being represented by the edge markers (e.g., overall length). The edge markers may be automatically set at the edges of the ground engaging tool image and optionally fine-tuned by the user, one edge marker may be automatically set and the other positioned by the user, or the edge markers may both be set at the edges of the ground engaging tool image by the user. In one embodiment, the user may adjust the one or more edge markers directly on the display using his/her finger or with the aid of a stylus to more accurately reflect the corresponding dimension of the ground engaging tool. The display may magnify the view of a portion of the image including one of the markers and one of the opposite edges for the user to more accurately adjust the marker to overlie the corresponding edge of the ground engaging product in the image on the display. The magnified image may be shown on the entire display or a part of the display. The magnification may be initiated by, for example, tapping the screen twice at the location for the desired magnification; of course, other means of initiating the magnification can be done. The magnification can be used to set one or both markers. Manual adjustment of the edge markers allows users to employ their independent judgment as to the actual positions for the opposite edges. In some operations (e.g., a mine), visibility of the edges may be obscured on account of debris, weather, lighting, etc. to make automatic setting of the edge markers by software potentially difficult and/or unreliable. Multiple pairs of edge markers can be provided to determine different dimensions, which may, for example, determine length and thickness of a ground engaging tool in a captured side view image. As discussed, this adjustment of the edge markers may take place at a later time when it may be more convenient for the user to make adjustments.
In another embodiment, the user may measure one or more of the dimensions of interest (e.g., the length of the ground engaging tool) and input the dimensions into the system via the mobile device. The user may measure the ground engaging tool by tape measure, electronic device or other means. The dimension(s) can be inputted by the user, transmitted to the mobile device, or by internal processes in the mobile device if used to electronically measure the tool. The information may be inputted by speaking to the mobile device using speech recognition software or recording the speaking on the mobile device for later use. The inputted dimension(s) may be used in lieu of or in addition to the calibration device and/or edge markers. The measured dimension and/or calibration device can be used to provide the captured image with a scale usable to determine the dimension(s) of interest and/or calculate the extent of the wear and/or an estimate of when the fully worn condition will be reached. The edge markers may optionally identify the terminal locations of the inputted dimension(s) and/or the orientation of the dimensions being inputted (e.g., the length of the ground engaging tool). The inputted dimensions (with or without other information obtained by the mobile device, e.g., the calibration device and/or measurements made with the edge markers) may be used to monitor and assess the ground engaging tool including, for example, the ground engaging tool length, the level of wear, and remaining wear life. The measured dimension(s) may also or alternatively be used as the dimension by which the extent of the wear and/or the estimate of the fully worn condition are calculated with or without the edge markers and/or calibration device.
Optionally, once the user is satisfied that the appropriate images have been captured, the application on the mobile device may analyze the images to determine if they meet a predefined set of criteria (e.g., image focus, correct angles, etc.) for completeness, accuracy, etc. If the images do not meet the minimum criteria, the application may transmit a message (e.g., via a feedback loop), informing the mobile device that alternative and/or additional images must be captured.
The application may then analyze the images to generate an output, including information relating to an extent of wear and/or an estimated end-of-life. In an alternative embodiment, the user may transmit the images from the mobile device to the ground engaging tool management server (discussed above) and the ground engaging tool management server may perform the calculations.
Once the mobile device receives the setup information, at step 415, mobile device 201 (i.e., the application executing on mobile device 201 or elsewhere and communicating with the mobile device) may generate and send a notification to the ground engaging tool management server 204 indicating that the device has been configured. At step 420, the ground engaging tool management server 204 may establish a communication link between mobile device 201 and the wear database 320 for the particular site.
At step 515, using the imaging device (e.g., a camera) of mobile device 201 and based on input from the user of mobile device 201, mobile device 201 may capture an image of the ground engaging tool and optionally also the calibration device. The system may leverage the calibration device to determine the scale and pose of the ground engaging tool image. Alternatively, an actual measurement (such as of the ground engaging tool length) can be taken and entered into the mobile device, e.g., by the user. The measurement can be in lieu of the calibration device, or as an additional verification of the scale determined by the calibration device.
The mobile device may then display a user interface that includes the captured image of the ground engaging tool and, if included, the calibration device. In one embodiment, mobile device 201 may also capture GPS location information as part of the image data. Wear rates may vary depending on location that the ground engaging tool is being used. GPS data may also be provided by a sensor(s) in the ground engaging tools and/or associated earth working equipment. Location data may also be inputted by the user or obtained by other means. In certain geographic locations, excavating conditions may be more compact, harder or otherwise more abrasive resulting in greater wear rate of the ground engaging tool. Thus, by capturing “point of use” data, e.g., via GPS location of the part, the system may make more accurate wear rate determinations.
At step 527, mobile device 201 may optionally present a notification prompting the user as to whether or not mobile device 201 should mark one or more edges of the ground engaging tool. Mobile device 201 may perform edge marking to capture key dimensions of the ground engaging tool. Depending on the user's preference, this edge marking step may be performed by mobile device 201 upon capture of each image (i.e., contemporaneous with capturing the image), performed after multiple images are captured, or at a later time. In one embodiment, the user can confirm to mark one of more edges of the ground engaging tool such that mobile device 201 may display at least one set of edge marker that are overlaid over the image of the ground engaging tool. In any event, these edge markers serve to indicate a dimension of the ground engaging tool. In other words, the system may identify the calibration object within the image and, with reference to the scale and pose of, e.g., the calibration device, the system may determine the length between the edge markers. In one embodiment, the edges may reflect the overall length of the ground engaging tool (e.g.,
At step 530, mobile device 201 may receive user input adjusting the edge markers on the user interface presented by mobile device 201 (e.g., this may allow the user of mobile device 201 to ensure that the edge markers accurately reflect the edges of the ground engaging tool). For example, the user may adjust the edge markers using his/her finger or with the aid of a stylus to identify the edges of the part(s) being measured. Optionally, the mobile device may allow the image to be zoomed to provide better control and greater accuracy.
In one embodiment, the user may take all desired images at the site and, at a later point, return to the application to review and adjust the edge markers. This may be desirable, for example, where sun glare makes it difficult to accurately define the edge markers at the site or if cellular or data connectivity is not available at the site. Cell networks are often intermittent at mining sites. Accordingly, the mobile device may capture information off-line and synchronize with the system when cell service or WiFi connectivity becomes available.
Once the user confirms the markings are complete, step 535, the mobile device 201 may calculate the relevant dimension(s) of the ground engaging tool using, in part, the imaged dimension(s) of the calibration device and the edge markers, step 540. Alternatively, the relevant dimension(s) may be measured and inputted by the user or otherwise in the mobile device. In one embodiment, a relevant dimension is the length of the ground engaging tool. In other embodiments, the relevant dimensions may also or in lieu of include the width and/or thickness (height) of the ground engaging tool. These dimensions can be indicative of the extent of wear of the ground engaging tool. The mobile device 201 then, at step, 550, may compare the relevant dimension(s) of the ground engaging tool with the corresponding dimension(s) of the ground engaging tool when it is new and/or at the end of its life. At step 552, a notification or alert can be generated if the detected level of wearing is at or beyond the fully worn condition such that the ground engaging tool should be immediately replaced, i.e., while the machine is currently down. At step 555, the mobile device 201 may calculate an estimated end-of-life date of the ground engaging tool, typically in the form of calendar days.
End-of-life determinations may be made in a number of ways depending on the application or the ground engaging tool. For example, in one embodiment, the calculation may be a regression or other analysis based on installation date and each of the lengths measured on multiple dates to the end of life. The end-of-life calculation at any given time may incorporate prior measurements or calculations made from one or more prior points in time. The analysis may include seasonal, location, and positional factors as inputs to the analysis. Another input may include machine run-time information for a more accurate end-of-life measure. The amount of time that a machine is being used may indicate that the ground engaging tools are being used and experiencing wear. During the period that a machine is down (e.g., for preventive maintenance) and not operating, that time may or may not be counted in the end-of-life calculation.
In another embodiment, the end-of-life calculation may be based on a look-up table that correlates a dimension (e.g., length) of a particular ground engaging tool to an extent of wear and an amount of days remaining to end-of-life for the ground engaging tool.
The system may refine and better predict the end-of-life date calculation as wear information is taken at multiple points in time. For example, the system may assume a default rate of wear but as more data points are gathered, the system may adjust the rate of wear for the particular site, particular machine, and/or particular tooth. Depending on the rate of wear determined by the multiple data points, the end-of-life date determination may be sooner or later than the original default date. In an embodiment, these calculations are made by the mobile device 201. However, in an alternative embodiment, the calculations could be made by the ground engaging tool management server 204 and communicated back to the mobile device 201. In all operations of this system, the calculations and/operations can be done by the mobile device 201 or the management server 204 and/or other means and communicated to the mobile device.
The system may display any of the information to the user on the user interface of the mobile device 201 including, for example, the calculated dimension of the ground engaging tool, the percentage of wear, the percentage of wear remaining, the estimated end-of-life date, etc. At step 560, this process may be repeated for each ground engaging tool that is to be monitored or checked. At step 525, the edge markers can be adjusted before or after beginning at step 510 for the next ground engaging tool. At step 565, the mobile device 201 may upload all or some of the information it gathered and its calculations during this process. The system may also use information gathered from sensors in the ground engaging tools and/or the earth working equipment.
The user may gather information relating to the ground engaging tools. Starting with the
With reference to the
In accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein, the information gathered by mobile device 201 may be uploaded to the ground engaging tool management server 204, which may be accessible by the plant/office 214. The plant/office and/or ground engaging tools supplier may thereby determine demand and predict potential need to replenish ground engaging tools to the site. With data from multiple sites and customers, the supplier may also better determine the best range of ground engaging tool lengths that correlate to optimum performance.
In another embodiment, end-of-life targets for ground engaging tools may be adjusted according to the customer or job site. For example, the end-of-life limits may be variable according to the geographic location of the site (where soil conditions may dictate when the ground engaging tools should be replaced), preferences of the customer, etc.
In another embodiment, the end-of-life of a ground engaging tool may be determined by date that the ground engaging tool was installed or replaced. The system may capture the date/time of each tooth change by each position on a machine. By leveraging a database (developed over time) of the wear rates by position, machine, operator, and/or GPS location, the system could calculate an end-of-life based on a certain number of days from initial installation. Many of the same screens discussed herein may be used for input, synchronizing, and alerts. Such an approach may not require images be captured by the user (or at least not as frequently). For example, the system may only need information when a ground engaging tool is changed. Moreover, this approach may not require the use of a calibration device and may allow for tracking of all ground engaging tools.
The foregoing descriptions of the disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not exhaustive and do not limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practicing of the disclosure. For example, the described implementation includes software but the present disclosure may be implemented as a combination of hardware and software or in hardware alone. Additionally, although aspects of the present disclosure are described as being stored in memory, one skilled in the art will appreciate that these aspects can also be stored on other types of computer-readable media, such as secondary storage devices, like hard disks, floppy disks, or CD-ROM; a carrier wave from the Internet or other propagation medium; or other forms of RAM or ROM.
One or more aspects of the disclosure may be embodied in computer-usable data or computer-executable instructions, such as in one or more modules, executed by one or more computers or other devices to perform the operations described herein. Generally, modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, and the like that perform particular operations or implement particular abstract data types when executed by one or more processors in a computer or other data processing device. The computer-executable instructions may be stored on a computer-readable medium such as a hard disk, optical disk, removable storage media, solid-state memory, RAM, and the like. The functionality of the modules may be combined or distributed as desired in various embodiments. In addition, the functionality may be embodied in whole or in part in firmware or hardware equivalents, such as integrated circuits, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), and the like. Particular data structures may be used to more effectively implement one or more aspects of the disclosure, and such data structures are contemplated to be within the scope of computer executable instructions and computer-usable data described herein.
Various aspects described herein may be embodied as a method, an apparatus, or as one or more computer-readable media storing computer-executable instructions. Accordingly, those aspects may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment, an entirely firmware embodiment, or an embodiment combining software, hardware, and firmware aspects in any combination. In addition, various signals representing data or events as described herein may be transferred between a source and a destination in the form of light or electromagnetic waves traveling through signal-conducting media such as metal wires, optical fibers, or wireless transmission media (e.g., air or space). In general, the one or more computer-readable media may comprise one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.
As described herein, the various methods and acts may be operative across one or more computing servers and one or more networks. The functionality may be distributed in any manner, or may be located in a single computing device (e.g., a server, a client computer, mobile device, and the like). For example, in alternative embodiments, one or more of the computing platforms discussed above may be combined into a single computing platform, and the various functions of each computing platform may be performed by the single computing platform. In such arrangements, any and/or all of the above-discussed communications between computing platforms may correspond to data being accessed, moved, modified, updated, and/or otherwise used by the single computing platform. Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the computing platforms discussed above may be implemented in one or more virtual machines that are provided by one or more physical computing devices. In such arrangements, the various functions of each computing platform may be performed by the one or more virtual machines, and any and/or all of the above-discussed communications between computing platforms may correspond to data being accessed, moved, modified, updated, and/or otherwise used by the one or more virtual machines.
Aspects of the disclosure have been described in terms of illustrative embodiments thereof. Numerous other embodiments, modifications, and variations within the scope and spirit of the appended claims will occur to persons of ordinary skill in the art from a review of this disclosure. For example, one or more of the steps depicted in the illustrative figures may be performed in other than the recited order, and one or more depicted steps may be optional in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/344,312, filed Jun. 1, 2016, entitled “Wear Part Management Utilizing a Mobile Device,” which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein and made a part hereof.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62344312 | Jun 2016 | US |
