At least one specification heading is required. Please delete this heading section if it is not applicable to your application. For more information regarding the headings of the specification, please see MPEP 608.01(a). Earthmoving and construction industries often suffer from inefficiencies in operation, and difficulties in accurately tracking the progress of machinery operators at work sites. For example, it is difficult for operators to determine the amount of digging soil removed by equipment at worksites, which can lead to inefficient utilization of hauling equipment, leading to increased cost and time required to complete an excavation.
In addition, there are numerous safety hazards present at work sites in which earth moving activity occurs, and the dynamic environment of the site means that hazards must be continually monitored to ensure compliance with workplace safety regulations. For instance, a crew at a work site is required to maintain certain trench geometries to reduce the risk of trench collapse and injury to persons at the work site. These geometries must be maintained while a trench is excavated.
Therefore, there is a need for systems and improved methods that can track the performance and progress of earthmoving activities to improve efficiency and safety of these operations.
In general terms, the present disclosure is directed toward an integrated sensing device that can be adapted to be used in conjunction with earth-moving equipment at a work site where excavation activity may be taking place. Such a sensing device uses a variety of sensor inputs in conjunction with processing and memory circuits to determine and store information about the work site towards the goal of improving the productivity and safety of the work site.
In an aspect of the present disclosure, an integrated sensing device is disclosed that includes an imaging sensor, a networking interface, a digital variable range detection system, a processing circuit, and a memory circuit.
In some examples the device uses a stereoscopic camera as an imaging device, a light ranging and detection system (LIDAR) as the range detection system, and a cellular modem as a networking interface.
In some examples, the sensing device can also include a positioning device, such as a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver.
In some examples, the sensing device includes a housing with which all components are installed, which enables placement on an earthmoving machine.
A method for operating a sensing device includes directing the sensing device, which includes imaging and digital range detection toward an excavator bucket. A processing circuit and memory circuit receive data outputs from the imaging and range detection sensors, then determines the position of excavator arms and the bucket and creates a surface model of the bucket. The processing circuit and memory circuit can then determine the contents of the bucket by comparing the surface model against previous data.
In some examples the method can include determination of the material composition of the bucket contents.
In some examples the method includes transmitting data from the processing circuit and memory circuit through the networking interface to a cloud database through an event handler.
Another method includes using the integrated sensing device Including an imaging sensor, variable range detection system, processing circuit, and networking interface, to create a surface model of a work sit
In some examples, the method includes determining the critical dimensions of a trench present within the model and determining whether these dimensions comply with previously established limits.
In some examples, the method includes determining whether electrical power transmission lines or suspended loads are present within the surface model and determines their location relative to the sensing device.
In some examples, the method includes determining if a pipe segment is present with the surface model, and includes determination of the composition, length, and width of the pipe segment.
In some examples, the method includes transmitting data from the processing circuit and memory circuit to a cloud database using a networking interface and a data handler.
Note that the specific embodiments given in the drawings and following description do not limit the disclosure. On the contrary, they provide the foundation for one of ordinary skill to discern the alternative forms, equivalents, and modifications that are contemplated by the inventors and encompassed in the claim scope.
If the sensor system detects the bucket 30 is loaded with contents 12, the system creates a volumetric model of the loaded bucket 13 (
Numerous alternative forms, equivalents, and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated. It is intended that the claims be interpreted to embrace all such alternative forms, equivalents, and modifications where applicable.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63281813 | Nov 2021 | US |