U.S. patent application number 14/704973 was filed with the patent office on 2015-08-20 for automatic watering of worksite.
This patent application is currently assigned to Caterpillar Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Caterpillar Inc.. Invention is credited to Hong Liu, Mark Sheehan, Kenneth L. Stratton.
Application Number | 20150233245 14/704973 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53797674 |
Filed Date | 2015-08-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150233245 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sheehan; Mark ; et
al. |
August 20, 2015 |
AUTOMATIC WATERING OF WORKSITE
Abstract
A method for automatic watering of a zone on a worksite by a
watering truck is provided. The method includes identifying a
boundary of the zone on the worksite. The method further includes
determining a position and heading of the watering truck on the
worksite. The method further includes detecting if the position and
the heading of the watering truck on the worksite is such that the
watering truck is within the identified boundary of the zone. The
method also includes selectively triggering one or more spray heads
of the watering truck based, at least in part, on the
detection.
Inventors: |
Sheehan; Mark; (Germantown
Hills, IL) ; Stratton; Kenneth L.; (Dunlap, IL)
; Liu; Hong; (Orland Park, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Caterpillar Inc. |
Peoria |
IL |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Caterpillar Inc.
Peoria
IL
|
Family ID: |
53797674 |
Appl. No.: |
14/704973 |
Filed: |
May 6, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
700/283 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21F 5/00 20130101; E21F
5/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E21F 5/00 20060101
E21F005/00 |
Claims
1. A method for automatic watering of a zone on a worksite by a
watering truck, the method comprising: identifying a boundary of
the zone on the worksite; determining a position and a heading of
the watering truck on the worksite; detecting if the position and
the heading of the watering truck on the worksite is such that the
watering truck is within the identified boundary of the zone; and
selectively triggering one or more spray heads of the watering
truck based, at least in part, on the detection.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a worksite management
system, and more particularly to a system and method for control of
watering of a worksite.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Watering of a worksite may be done using a watering truck to
spray water generally about the worksite. These watering trucks may
be manned, autonomous or semi-autonomous machines that distribute
water to different areas of the worksite on which the watering
truck operates. The watering truck traverses the worksite from one
work location to another, sometimes over or under watering specific
areas on the worksite. For example, the worksite may be divided
into zones requiring watering, such that that the operator drives
the watering truck to distribute water to a certain subset of the
zones. Accordingly, these zones are appropriately watered via the
manipulation of watering characteristics of equipment on the
watering truck.
[0003] However, the zones may be non-sequential, larger, and
include complex geometric areas; due to which proper water
distribution among some portions of the zones may not be achieved.
Thus, in such situations, manual intervention of the operator of
the watering truck is required to control the water
distribution.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 6,954,719, hereinafter referred to as the '719
patent, relates to method and system for controlling work site dust
conditions. The '719 patent describes a mobile dust control machine
configured to treat a dust condition within a work location. The
'719 patent also describes monitoring a dust condition of the work
location, and employing the mobile dust control machine based on
the monitoring. However, the '719 patent does not describe
automatic watering of specific portions of the worksite.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0005] In one aspect of the present disclosure, method for
automatic watering of a zone on a worksite by a watering truck is
provided. The method includes identifying a boundary of the zone on
the worksite. The method further includes determining a position
and a heading of the watering truck on the worksite. The method
further includes detecting if the position and the heading of the
watering truck on the worksite are such that the watering truck is
within the identified boundary of the zone. The method also
includes selectively triggering one or more spray heads of the
watering truck based, at least in part, on the detection.
[0006] Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be
apparent from the following description and the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of an exemplary watering
truck, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary watering system of
the watering truck of FIG. 1, according to one embodiment of the
present disclosure;
[0009] FIGS. 3 to 6 are schematic views of a worksite and the
watering truck in operation thereon, according to various
embodiments of the present disclosure; and
[0010] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method for automatic watering by
the watering truck, according to one embodiment of the present
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] Reference will now be made in detail to specific aspects or
features, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying
drawings. Wherever possible, corresponding or similar reference
numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same
or corresponding parts.
[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a rear view of an exemplary watering
truck 100, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
The watering truck 100 may be configured to dispense a fluid. The
watering truck 100 of FIG. 1 is shown as a truck, typically used in
off-highway applications, capable of dispensing the fluid. However,
other types of mobile machines may be employed, for example,
articulated trucks, on-highway trucks, tractor-scrapers, tractors
in combination with trailers, and the like.
[0013] The watering truck 100 may include a variety of piping,
hoses, pumps and valves for fluid transmission and/or distribution
purposes. In particular, the watering truck 100 is configured to
spray water at a worksite 300 (see FIG. 3). However, the present
disclosure may also apply to other types of mobile machines
configured to distribute water or other types of fluids in a wide
variety of applications. For example, a tractor pulling a trailer
may be used to distribute chemicals in agricultural settings, an
on-highway truck may be configured to spray a saline solution on
roads, runways, or parking lots to melt snow and ice, or other
varieties of applications and setups may be used.
[0014] The watering truck 100 includes an engine (not shown), for
example, an internal combustion engine or any other power source,
which may be supported on a frame 102 of the watering truck 100.
Although different arrangements and setups are contemplated, as
shown in FIG. 1, the watering truck 100 includes among other
systems, a fluid dispensing arrangement 104 disposed on the frame
102. The fluid dispensing arrangement 104 may be powered by the
engine. Further, the engine is configured to provide power to a
number of other systems and devices (not shown) in addition to the
fluid dispensing arrangement 104. The fluid dispensing arrangement
104 includes a fluid source 106 and one or more spray heads 108-1,
108-2, 108-3, 108-4 fluidly connected thereto. The fluid dispensing
arrangement 104 further includes a delivery pump 110 mechanically
coupled to a motor 118 and fluidly connected to the fluid source
106. The delivery pump 110 is configured to deliver the pressurized
fluid.
[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the fluid dispensing arrangement 104
further includes a fluid manifold 112, and the spray heads 108-1,
108-2, 108-3, 108-4 (four in number shown in FIGS. 1, 3-6) mounted
onto the fluid manifold 112. The fluid manifold 112 is fluidly
coupled to the delivery pump 110 and configured to receive the
pressurized fluid from the delivery pump 110. The spray heads
108-1, 108-2, 108-3, 108-4 are configured to dispense the
pressurized fluid. Although four spray heads 108-1, 108-2, 108-3,
108-4 are shown in accompanying figures, it is to be noted that
number of spray heads mounted onto the fluid manifold 112 is merely
exemplary in nature and hence, non-limiting of this disclosure. Any
number of the spray heads 108-1, 108-2, 108-3, 108-4 may be
employed in the fluid dispensing arrangement 104 depending on
specific requirements of the application. Moreover, the spray heads
108-1, 108-2, 108-3, 108-4 may be mounted on the watering truck 100
at any desired location or orientation to provide suitable coverage
of the worksite 300. In one embodiment, the spray heads 108-1,
108-2, 108-3, 108-4 are positioned as to provide a desired spray
pattern having a width suitable to cover a predetermined surface
area of the worksite 300, such as a portion of a typical mine haul
road, without having the various sprays overlap.
[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the fluid dispensing arrangement 104
further includes an electronic control module (ECM) 114
electrically connected to the motor 118. The ECM 114 controls one
or more actuators (not shown) associated with the motor 118 of the
fluid dispensing arrangement 104. Further, the ECM 114 is
electrically connected to a pressure sensor (not shown) located at
the fluid manifold 112 and the spray heads 108-1, 108-2, 108-3,
108-4 via one or more solenoids 116.
[0017] The ECM 114 is configured to modulate a speed of the motor
118 such that a fluid output from the delivery pump 110 is varied,
i.e., a flow rate and/or pressure of the fluid from the delivery
pump 110 are varied. Varying the fluid output from the delivery
pump 110 may increase or decrease a pressure of the fluid. In an
embodiment, the dispensing of the fluid from the watering truck 100
is based on an automated command. Based on the automated command,
the ECM 114 transmits corresponding control signals for controlling
an operation of the spray heads 108-1, 108-2, 108-3, 108-4 of the
fluid dispensing arrangement 104. Alternatively, the dispensing of
the fluid from the watering truck 100 may involve a manual manifold
112 such that the spray heads 108-1, 108-2, 108-3, 108-4 may be
manually controlled by an operator to dispense the fluid at an
increased or decreased flow rate and/or pressure or operator
command.
[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary automatic watering system
200, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The
automatic watering system 200 includes a position detection module
202. The position detection module 202 is configured to generate a
signal based on a current position and a heading of the watering
truck 100 on the worksite 300. The heading is indicative of an
orientation of the watering truck 100 on the worksite 300. The
position detection module 202 may be any one or a combination of a
Global Positioning System, a Global Navigation Satellite System, a
Pseudolite/Pseudo-Satellite, and any other Satellite Navigation
System, an Inertial Navigation System or any other known position
detection system known in the art. The position detection module
202 may be provided on the watering truck 100.
[0019] In one embodiment, the watering truck 100 may additionally
include an orientation sensor (not shown) configured to generate a
signal indicative of the heading of the watering truck 100 on the
surface of the worksite 300. For example, the orientation sensor
may include, but not limited to, a laser-level sensor, a tilt
sensor, inclinometer, a radio direction finder, a gyrocompass, a
fluxgate compass, or another known device operable to determine a
relative pitch, yaw, and/or roll of the watering truck 100 as the
watering truck 100 operates at the worksite 300.
[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, the position detection module 202 may be
communicably coupled to a watering controller 204. The watering
controller 204 is further communicably coupled to a database 206.
The database 206 may include any known data repository containing
data that can be queried, stored, or retrieved by the watering
controller 204. The watering controller 204 is located on-board the
watering truck 100. Alternatively, the watering controller 204 may
be located at a remote location. The watering controller 204 is
configured to receive the position signal and the heading from the
position detection module 202. The watering controller 204 is
further communicably coupled to the spray heads 108-1, 108-2,
108-3, 108-4. Accordingly, the watering controller 204 is
configured to operate the spray heads 108-1, 108-2, 108-3, 108-4 to
deliver the pressurized fluid on the worksite 300.
[0021] The watering controller 204 is configured to determine the
position and the heading of the watering truck 100 relative to the
worksite 300, and operation of the watering truck 100 on the
worksite 300 based on the signal from the position detection module
202. The watering controller 204 defines boundary conditions for
the zone 302 on the worksite 300. The boundary conditions
identifies a boundary 304 (see FIG. 3) of the zone 302 on the
worksite 300. The boundary 304 is representative of a virtual
demarcation of the zone 302 on the worksite 300. The boundary 304
may include any regular or irregular geometrical shape.
Alternatively, the watering controller 204 may retrieve the
boundary 304 from the database 206.
[0022] In operation, referring to FIG. 3, as the watering truck 100
approaches the worksite 300 to perform the watering event and
receives input from the position detection module 202. The watering
truck 100 may be an autonomous or semi-autonomous truck configured
to traverse the worksite 300 about a path of traversal, shown as
"POT". The path of traversal "POT" may be a pre-defined or an
extempore path provided to the watering truck 100. Alternatively
the path of traversal "POT" may be determined by the watering
controller 204 in real time. The path of traversal "POT" associated
with the watering truck 100 includes multiple passes on the
worksite 300. An exemplary portion of the path of traversal "POT"
is shown in the accompanying figures using a dashed line.
[0023] Based on the signals received from the position detection
module 202, the watering controller 204 detects if the position and
the heading of the watering truck 100 on the worksite 300 is such
that the watering truck 100 is located within the identified
boundary 304 of the zone 302. More particularly, the watering
controller 204 selectively triggers the respective spray heads
108-1, 108-2, 108-3, 108-4 that lie within the boundary 304 of the
zone 302. In one embodiment, when the watering controller 204
detects that the watering truck 100 is within the boundary 304 of
the zone 302, the watering controller 204 further identifies if an
area of the zone 302 lying in the path of traversal "POT" of the
watering truck 100 requires watering. This watering information may
be retrieved from the database 206.
[0024] As mentioned earlier, the watering controller 204 is in
communication with the spray heads 108-1, 108-2, 108-3, 108-4
disposed on the watering truck 100. As shown in FIG. 3, the
watering controller 204 selectively triggers the spray heads 108-1,
108-2 to start the watering event based on the position and the
heading of the watering truck 100 and the watering requirement of
the area. The watering controller 204 however does not actuate the
spray heads 108-3, 108-4, since the region of watering of the spray
heads 108-3, 108-4 does not lie within the boundary 304.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 4, as the watering truck 100 moves along
the path of traversal "POT" all of the spray heads 108-1, 108-2,
108-3, 108-4 are triggered by the watering controller 204, thereby
watering the area "A1" (shown using hatch lines). In this scenario,
the watering truck 100 is within the boundary 304 of the zone 302,
the region of watering of all of the spray heads 108-1, 108-2,
108-3, 108-4 is within the boundary 304.
[0026] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, once the watering truck 100
reaches the boundary 304 of the zone 302, the watering truck 100 is
repositioned about the path of traversal "POT" to achieve watering
of another area, lying adjacent to the area "A1" on the zone 302
that is defined within the boundary 304. As shown in FIG. 5, during
the repositioning of the watering truck 100, the spray heads 108-1,
108-2, 108-3, 108-4 are switched off or in non-operational state,
since the watering truck 100 is no longer within the boundary 304,
as identified by the watering controller 204.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 6, the watering truck 100 further moves
along the path of traversal "POT" for watering the area adjacent to
the area "A1". Since the region of watering of the spray heads
108-1, 108-2 is such that the said area "A1" is already watered,
the watering controller 204 switches off the spray heads 108-1,
108-2. Accordingly, as is clearly seen, the watering event of the
area adjacent to the area "A1" is achieved on operation of the
spray heads 108-3, 108-4 by the watering controller 204. This
watered area is shown as A2 in FIG. 6 using hatch lines.
[0028] In one embodiment, the watering controller 204 may be
communicably coupled to a display unit (not shown) present within
an operator cabin of the watering truck 100. Accordingly, the
display unit may be configured to notify the operator of the
discharge of the fluid on the worksite 300. The display unit may
include any screen, monitor or display panel known in the art. An
exemplary display of the display unit includes providing an outline
or demarcation of the zone 302 on which fluid is discharged on a
map of the worksite 300.
[0029] In some embodiments of the disclosure, the watering
controller 204 may further be coupled to one or more sensors or
components of the fluid dispensing arrangement 104 in order to
determine a quantity of the fluid discharged by the watering truck
100. More particularly, based on one or more parameters associated
with a flow of the fluid from the fluid dispensing arrangement 104,
the watering controller 204 may determine the quantity of the fluid
discharged from the spray heads 108-1, 108-2, 108-3, 108-4. The one
or more parameters may include, but not limited to, an area of the
spray heads 108-1, 108-2, 108-3, 108-4, pressure of the fluid being
discharged from the spray heads 108-1, 108-2, 108-3, 108-4, speed
of the delivery pump 110 and so on.
[0030] Additionally or optionally, the watering controller 204 may
also be configured to determine if the area "A1", "A2" is receiving
a required amount of the fluid. The watering controller 204 may be
configured to receive signals indicative of a speed and/or the
heading of the watering truck 100 in order to determine if the
estimated quantity of the fluid is being discharged in a localized
area on the worksite 300. For example, in a situation wherein the
watering truck 100 is in a stationary position on the worksite 300
and a relatively large quantity of the fluid is being discharged in
the given area "A1", "A2" on the worksite 300, the watering
controller 204 may determine that the area "A1", "A2" is being
flooded.
[0031] The watering controller 204 may embody a single
microprocessor or multiple microprocessors that includes a means
for receiving signals from the position detection module 202.
Numerous commercially available microprocessors may be configured
to perform the functions of the watering controller 204. It should
be appreciated that the watering controller 204 may readily embody
a general machine microprocessor capable of controlling numerous
machine functions. A person of ordinary skill in the art will
appreciate that the watering controller 204 may additionally
include other components and may also perform other functionality
not described herein. It should be understood that the embodiments
and the configurations and connections explained herein are merely
on an exemplary basis and may not limit the scope and spirit of the
disclosure.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0032] The present disclosure is related to a method 700 for
automatic watering of the zone 302 on the worksite 300 by the
watering truck 100, industrial applicability of the method 700
described herein with reference to FIG. 7 will be readily
appreciated from the foregoing discussion.
[0033] At step 702, identification of the boundary 304 of the zone
302 on the worksite 300 is achieved by the watering controller 204.
At step 704, determination of the position and the heading of the
watering truck 100 on the worksite 300 is achieved by the watering
controller 204 based on the position signal received from the
position detection module 202. In an example, the position
detection module 202 determines the position and the heading of the
watering truck 100 relative to the boundary 304.
[0034] At step 706, the watering controller 204 detects if the
position and the heading of the watering truck 100 on the worksite
300 is such that the watering truck 100 is within the identified
boundary 304 of the zone 302. At step 708, the watering controller
204 selectively triggers the one or more spray heads 108-1, 108-2,
108-3, 108-4 for distributing water on the worksite 300 based on
the position and the heading of the watering truck relative to the
boundary 304 of the zone 302. More particularly, if the region of
watering of each of the spray heads 108-1, 108-2, 108-3, 108-4 lies
within the boundary 304 and the given region is not watered, the
appropriate spray head is activated.
[0035] The components disclosed in reference to the watering truck
100, i.e. the position detection module 202 and the watering
controller 204 assist the operator of the watering truck 100 in
achieving automatic watering of the zone 302. Further, the method
700 enables the autonomous or the semi-autonomous watering truck
100 to follow the set path of traversal "POT", while the watering
operation is controlled by the watering controller 204. Further,
selective operation of the spray heads 108-1, 108-2, 108-3, 108-4
avoids re-watering of an already watered portion on the worksite
300. Thereby reducing wastage, preventing overwatering, improving
overall efficiency, and productivity of the process.
[0036] While aspects of the present disclosure have been
particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments
above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that
various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the
modification of the disclosed machines, systems and methods without
departing from the spirit and scope of what is disclosed. Such
embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the
present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any
equivalents thereof.
* * * * *