U.S. patent application number 15/246967 was filed with the patent office on 2017-03-02 for system for communication between plant and machine.
This patent application is currently assigned to Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.. Invention is credited to John L. Marsolek.
Application Number | 20170058466 15/246967 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57189341 |
Filed Date | 2017-03-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170058466 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Marsolek; John L. |
March 2, 2017 |
SYSTEM FOR COMMUNICATION BETWEEN PLANT AND MACHINE
Abstract
A system for controlling a paving system includes a plurality of
supply machines, a paving machine, and a plant. A first controller
determines the position of each supply machine. A second controller
determines the rate at which paving material is being applied to a
work surface and transmits the rate at which the paving material is
being applied. A temperature sensor is associated with one of the
plurality of supply machines and the paving machine for determining
a temperature of paving material at the paving machine. The plant
is configured to produce a batch of paving material and a third
controller determines a batch temperature, and generates
instructions indicative of a desired route for each supply machine
between the plant and the paving machine based upon the position of
each supply machine, traffic information data, the batch
temperature, and the temperature of paving material at the paving
machine.
Inventors: |
Marsolek; John L.;
(Watertonw, MN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Caterpillar Paving Products Inc. |
Brooklyn Park |
MN |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Caterpillar Paving Products
Inc.
Brooklyn Park
MN
|
Family ID: |
57189341 |
Appl. No.: |
15/246967 |
Filed: |
August 25, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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14835081 |
Aug 25, 2015 |
9481964 |
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15246967 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01C 21/3492 20130101;
E01C 19/08 20130101; E01C 19/00 20130101; G01S 19/14 20130101; G08G
1/20 20130101; E01C 19/004 20130101; G06Q 10/06313 20130101; E01C
19/002 20130101; G01C 21/3438 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E01C 19/00 20060101
E01C019/00; G01C 21/34 20060101 G01C021/34; E01C 19/08 20060101
E01C019/08 |
Claims
1. A system for controlling a paving system, comprising: a
plurality of supply machines, each of the supply machines
including: a first ground engaging drive mechanism for propulsion;
a material transport unit in which a load of paving material may be
transported; and a first position sensor for determining a position
of the supply machine; and a paving machine including: a second
ground engaging drive mechanism for propulsion; a material
receiving unit for receiving paving material from the supply
machines; and a material application system for applying the paving
material to a work surface; a temperature sensor for determining a
temperature of paving material at the paving machine; and a plant
for producing a batch of paving material; a wireless communications
system allowing the supply machines, the paving machine, the plant,
and a controller to communicate; and the controller configured to:
receive the position of each of the supply machines; receive
traffic information data indicative of traffic conditions between
the plant and the paving machine; receive the temperature of paving
material at the paving machine; and generate instructions
indicative of a desired route for each of the supply machines
between the plant and the paving machine based upon the position of
each of the supply machines, the traffic information data, and the
temperature of paving material at the paving machine.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the supply machines
further includes a ground speed sensor for determining a ground
speed and heading for the supply machine, the controller is further
configured to receive the ground speed and heading signals
indicative of a ground speed and heading of each of the supply
machines, and to generate the instructions indicative of the
desired route for each of the supply machines between the plant and
the paving machine based further upon the ground speed and heading
of each of the supply machines.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the paving machine further
includes a second position sensor for determining a position of the
paving machine, and the controller is configured to generate the
instructions indicative of the desired route for each of the supply
machines between the plant and the paving machine based further
upon the position of the paving machine.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further
configured to generate instructions indicative of a timing plan for
loading each of the supply machines at the plant based upon the
position of each supply machine, the traffic information data, and
the temperature of paving material at the paving machine.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the controller is further
configured to determine an amount of paving material remaining from
the batch of paving material and the timing plan is further based
upon the amount of paving material remaining.
6. The system of claim 4, wherein the controller is further
configured to generate instructions indicative of an arrival timing
plan for each of the supply machines at the plant based upon the
position of each supply machine, the traffic information data, and
the temperature of paving material at the paving machine.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further
configured to generate instructions indicative of a speed for each
of the supply machines between the plant and the paving machine
based upon the position of each supply machine, the traffic
information data, and the temperature of paving material at the
paving machine.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the plant includes a batch
temperature sensor for determining a batch temperature of the batch
of paving material, the controller is further configured to
generate the instructions indicative of the desired route for each
of the supply machines between the plant and the paving machine
based further upon the batch temperature.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein the paving machine further
includes a second sensor for determining a rate at which the paving
material is being applied to the work surface, the controller is
further configured to generate the instructions indicative of the
desired route for each of the supply machines between the plant and
the paving machine based on the rate at which the paving material
is being applied to the work surface.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the supply machines
further includes a load monitoring system for determining an amount
of material within each supply machine, the controller is further
configured to determine the amount of material within the supply
machine and to generate the instructions indicative of the desired
route for each of the supply machines between the plant and the
paving machine based further upon the amount of material within
each supply machine.
11. A paving machine, comprising: a ground engaging drive mechanism
mover to propel the paving machine; a material receiving unit for
receiving paving material from a plurality of supply machines; a
material application system for applying the paving material to a
work surface; a temperature sensor for determining a temperature of
paving material at the paving machine; a wireless communications
system allowing the paving machine, the supply machines, and a
plant to communicate; and a controller configured to: receive
signals indicative of a position of each of the supply machines;
receive traffic information data indicative of traffic conditions
between the plant and the paving machine; receive signals
indicative of the temperature of paving material at the paving
machine; and generate instructions indicative of a desired route
for each of the supply machines between the plant and the paving
machine based upon the position of each supply machine, the traffic
information data, and the temperature of paving material at the
paving machine.
12. The paving machine of claim 11, wherein the controller is
further configured to receive from each of the supply machines a
ground speed and heading signal indicative of a ground speed and
heading of the supply machine, and to generate the instructions
indicative of the desired route for each supply machine between the
plant and the paving machine based further upon the ground speed
and heading of each of the supply machines.
13. The paving machine of claim 11, wherein the paving machine
further includes a position sensor for determining a position of
the paving machine, and the controller is configured to generate
the instructions indicative of the desired route for each of the
supply machines between the plant and the paving machine based
further upon the position of the paving machine.
14. The paving machine of claim 11, wherein the controller is
further configured to generate instructions indicative of a timing
plan for loading each of the supply machines at the plant based
upon the position of each supply machine, the traffic information
data, and the temperature of paving material at the paving
machine.
15. The paving machine of claim 14, wherein the controller is
further configured to generate instructions indicative of an
arrival timing plan for each of the supply machines at the plant
based upon the position of each supply machine, the traffic
information data, and the temperature of paving material at the
paving machine.
16. The paving machine of claim 11, wherein the controller is
further configured to generate instructions indicative of a speed
for each of the supply machines between the plant and the paving
machine based upon the position of each supply machine, the traffic
information data, and the temperature of paving material at the
paving machine.
17. The paving machine of claim 11, wherein the controller is
further configured to receive from the supply machines an amount of
material within each supply machine and to generate the
instructions indicative of the desired route for each supply
machine between the plant and the paving machine based further upon
the amount of material within each supply machine.
18. A method of controlling a paving system, comprising: propelling
a plurality of supply machines, each of the supply machines having
a material transport unit in which a load of paving material may be
transported; determining a position of each of the plurality of
supply machines; propelling a paving machine, the paving machine
including a material receiving unit for receiving paving material
from the supply machines and a material application system for
applying a paving material to a work surface; determining a rate at
which the paving material is being applied to the work surface by
the material application system; determining a temperature of
paving material at the paving machine; producing a batch of paving
material at a plant and holding the batch of paving material at a
holding location; receiving traffic information data indicative of
traffic conditions between the plant and the paving machine; and
generating instructions indicative of a desired route for each
supply machine between the plant and the paving machine based upon
the position of each supply machine, the traffic information data,
and the temperature of paving material at the paving machine.
19. The method of claim 18, further including determining a ground
speed and heading of each of the supply machines, and generating
the instructions indicative of the desired route for each supply
machine between the plant and the paving machine based further upon
the ground speed and heading of each of the plurality of supply
machines.
20. The method of claim 19, further including determining an amount
of material within each supply machine, and generating the
instructions indicative of the desired route for each supply
machine between the plant and the paving machine based further upon
the amount of material within each supply machine.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present disclosure claims the right to priority based
on, and is a continuation of, U.S. patent application Ser. No.
14/835,081 filed Aug. 25, 2015, which is fully incorporated
herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This disclosure relates generally to a system for
communicating between a plant and machines and, more particularly,
to a system and method for communicating between a plant, a paving
machine, and a supply machine by utilizing a wireless
communications system.
BACKGROUND
[0003] When performing paving operations, paving machines, haul
trucks, and remixing transfer vehicles are typically used to
perform a variety of tasks, and move about a work site. The
operation of these machines must be coordinated to perform a paving
operation in an efficient manner. Communication between the
operators of the machines may be difficult and is sometimes
coordinated by personnel or systems at a remote location such as at
a material supply plant.
[0004] U.S. Patent Publication No. 2013/0290062 discloses a system
for coordinating activities of a paving operation. Communications
between a paving machine and a transport truck is accomplished
through a server. Information regarding the work site and the
machines at the work site is routed through the server.
[0005] The foregoing background discussion is intended solely to
aid the reader. It is not intended to limit the innovations
described herein, nor to limit or expand the prior art discussed.
Thus, the foregoing discussion should not be taken to indicate that
any particular element of a prior system is unsuitable for use with
the innovations described herein, nor is it intended to indicate
that any element is essential in implementing the innovations
described herein. The implementations and application of the
innovations described herein are defined by the appended
claims.
SUMMARY
[0006] In one aspect, a system for controlling a paving system
includes a plurality of supply machines, a paving machine, and a
plant. Each supply machine includes a first ground engaging drive
mechanism to propel the supply machine, a material transport unit
in which a load of paving material may be transported, a first
position sensor for determining a position of the supply machine,
and a first wireless communications system on the supply machine. A
first controller is configured to determine the position of the
supply machine and transmit supply machine position signals
indicative of the position of the supply machine. The paving
machine includes a second ground engaging drive mechanism mover to
propel the paving machine, a material receiving unit for receiving
paving material from the supply machine, a material application
system for applying the paving material to a work surface, a second
sensor for determining a rate at which the paving material is being
applied to the work surface, and a second wireless communications
system on the paving machine. A second controller is configured to
determine the rate at which the paving material is being applied to
the work surface and transmit the rate at which the paving material
is being applied. A temperature sensor is associated with one of
the plurality of supply machines and the paving machine for
determining a temperature of paving material at the paving machine.
The plant is configured to produce a batch of paving material and
includes a holding location at which the batch of paving material
is held, a batch temperature sensor for determining a batch
temperature of the batch of paving material, and a third wireless
communications system at the plant. A third controller is
configured to determine the batch temperature, receive signals
indicative of the position of each supply machine, receive traffic
information data indicative of traffic conditions between the plant
and the paving machine, receive signals indicative of the
temperature of paving material at the paving machine, and generate
instructions indicative of a desired route for each supply machine
between the plant and the paving machine based upon the position of
each supply machine, the traffic information data, the batch
temperature, and the temperature of paving material at the paving
machine.
[0007] In another aspect, a method of controlling a paving system
includes propelling a plurality of supply machines with each of the
plurality of supply machines having a material transport unit in
which a load of paving material may be transported and at least
some of the plurality of supply machines transporting paving
material, determining a position of each of the plurality of supply
machines, and transmitting via a first controller supply machine
position signals indicative of the position of each supply machine.
The method further includes propelling a paving machine with the
paving machine including a material receiving unit for receiving
paving material from one of the plurality of supply machines and a
material application system for applying a paving material to a
work surface, determining a rate at which the paving material is
being applied to the work surface by the material application
system, transmitting via a second controller the rate at which the
paving material is being applied. A temperature of paving material
at the paving machine is determined. Still further, the method
includes producing a batch of paving material at a plant and
holding the batch of paving material at a holding location,
determining a batch temperature of the batch of paving material,
receiving at a third controller signals indicative of the position
of each supply machine, receiving at the third controller traffic
information data indicative of traffic conditions between the plant
and the paving machine, receiving at the third controller signals
indicative of the temperature of paving material at the paving
machine, and generating at the third controller instructions
indicative of a desired route for each supply machine between the
plant and the paving machine based upon the position of each supply
machine, the traffic information data, the batch temperature, and
the temperature of paving material at the paving machine.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 depicts a schematic illustration of a paving system
according to the disclosure;
[0009] FIG. 2 depicts a schematic illustration of a work site at
which a paving machine and a haul truck are performing a paving
operation;
[0010] FIG. 3 depicts a schematic illustration of a wireless
communications system;
[0011] FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart illustrating operation of the
paving system;
[0012] FIG. 5 depicts a flowchart illustrating a paving operation;
and
[0013] FIG. 6 depicts a schematic illustration similar to FIG. 2
but further including a remixing transfer vehicle between the
paving machine and the haul truck.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] Referring to FIG. 1, a paving system is generally depicted
at 10. The paving system 10 includes one or more plants 20 for
producing a paving material such as asphalt, and a plurality of
machines such as one or more supply machines (e.g., haul trucks 30)
for transporting paving material, and one or more paving machines
50 for applying a layer 102 of paving material such as asphalt to a
work surface 101 at a paving site 100. Other machines, such as
compactors (not shown) and remixing transfer vehicles (not shown)
may also form a portion of the paving system 10. Paving site 100
may include, for example, a construction site, a roadwork site, a
parking lot, or any other type of work site.
[0015] A control system generally indicated at 12 associated with
the paving system 10 may operate to control certain aspects of the
paving system and also communicate information between the machines
and between the machines and the plant 20. The control system 12
may include control systems of the plant 20 and each of the
machines.
[0016] The control system 12 may include an electronic control
module or controller 13. The controller 13 may receive input
signals from the plant 20 and each of the machines associated with
the paving system 10. The controller 13 may also receive input
signals from systems outside of the paving system such as GPS
signals and signals indicative of traffic and weather that may
affect the operation of the paving system 10 or the paving process.
The controller 13 may control the operation of various aspects of
the plant 20 and the operation of the machines of the paving system
10 as well as generate desired communications, as described in more
detail below.
[0017] The controller 13 may be an electronic controller that
operates in a logical fashion to perform operations, execute
control algorithms, store and retrieve data and other desired
operations. The controller 13 may include or access memory,
secondary storage devices, processors, and any other components for
running an application. The memory and secondary storage devices
may be in the form of read-only memory (ROM) or random access
memory (RAM) or integrated circuitry that is accessible by the
controller. Various other circuits may be associated with the
controller 13 such as power supply circuitry, signal conditioning
circuitry, driver circuitry, and other types of circuitry.
[0018] The controller 13 may be a single controller or may include
more than one controller (such as those associated with each of the
plant 20 and the machines of the paving system 10) disposed to
control various functions and/or features of the paving system 10.
The term "controller" is meant to be used in its broadest sense to
include one or more controllers and/or microprocessors that may be
associated with the paving system 10 and that may cooperate in
controlling various functions and operations of the plant 20 and
the machines of the paving system. The functionality of the
controller 13 may be implemented in hardware and/or software
without regard to the functionality. The controller 13 may rely on
one or more data maps relating to the operating conditions and the
operating environment of the paving system 10 that may be stored in
the memory of controller. Each of these data maps may include a
collection of data in the form of tables, graphs, and/or equations
to maximize the performance and efficiency of the paving system 10
and its operation.
[0019] Plant 20 may produce paving material such as asphalt from
bitumen, aggregate, and other materials or fillers. The paving
material is often produced in batches with each batch stored or
held in a separate storage or holding location such as a silo until
it is loaded into a haul truck 30 at a loading station. Each
holding location may be dedicated to storing or holding paving
material for a particular paving site 100 and paving material
within a particular holding location is periodically loaded into a
haul truck for transport to the paving site 100. The
characteristics of each batch stored within a holding location may
be set based upon the desired characteristics for a particular
paving job. For example, the amount of oil and the size of the
aggregate may be set based upon the desired characteristics of the
paving material and the requirements of each paving job.
[0020] Each batch may be periodically or continuously mixed at the
holding location and maintained at a desired temperature. The
temperature at which the paving material is maintained may be set
based upon a desired temperature at which the paving material will
be loaded into the haul trucks. Such loading temperature may be
based upon the desired temperature at which the load will be
delivered to the paving machine 50, the ambient temperature of the
air, the expected time required for the haul truck 30 to drive from
the plant 20 to the paving machine 50 as well as any expected or
anticipated waiting time for the truck at the paving site.
[0021] Plant 20 may include a plant control system 21 and a plant
controller 22 generally similar or identical to the control system
12 and the controller 13 of the paving system 10, respectively,
described above. The plant control system 21 and the plant
controller 22 may be located at the plant 20 and may also include
components located remotely from the plant such as on any of the
machines of the paving system 10 or at a command center (not
shown). The functionality of plant controller 22 may be distributed
so that certain functions are performed at plant 20 and other
functions are performed remotely.
[0022] Plant 20 may also include a plurality of plant sensors
indicated generally at 23 such as batch temperature sensors
indicated generally at 24 operative to monitor the temperature of
the batch of paving material within each holding location. The term
"sensor" is used herein in its broadest sense to include one or
more sensors and related components that may cooperate to sense
various functions, operations, and operating characteristics of a
machine or system and/or aspects of the environment in which the
machine or system is operating. Plant 20 may also include a volume
or weight sensing system 25 for determining an amount of material
remaining at the holding location. A loading sensor system 26 may
be provided to determine an amount of material being loaded onto a
haul truck 30 at the loading station.
[0023] Information regarding the plant 20 and the paving material
may be stored or determined by plant controller 22 or any other
portion of controller 13. Some of the information may be relatively
static (i.e., static or fixed for each batch of paving material)
and other information may be dynamic or change. Examples of static
information include a unique identifier associated with the batch.
Dynamic information that may be stored or determined by the plant
controller 22 or controller 13 includes the amount and temperature
of the material within the holding location at the plant 20. In
many instances, the characteristics of each batch (e.g., amount of
oil and size of the aggregate) may be static information. However,
in some instances, the characteristics of each batch may change or
be modified based upon the feedback or requests from the paving
location or other personnel and thus may be considered dynamic
information.
[0024] Haul truck 30 may be operative to transport paving material
between plant 20 and a paving machine 50. More specifically, a haul
truck 30 may be positioned at plant 20 adjacent the holding
location and loaded with paving material at a desired temperature.
The haul truck 30 may then travel to the appropriate paving machine
50 or a remixing transfer vehicle (not shown) and subsequently
applied to the work surface 101 as a layer of paving material.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 2, each haul truck 30 may include a
chassis 31 that supports a prime mover such as an engine 32 and a
cab 33 in which an operator may be positioned to provide input
instructions to operate the truck. The engine 32 is operatively
connected to and drives a ground engaging drive mechanism such as
wheels 34. A material transport unit such as a dump body 35 is
pivotally mounted on the chassis 31 and receives a payload to be
hauled from one location to another.
[0026] Haul truck 30 may include a truck control system 36 and a
truck controller 37 generally similar or identical to the plant
control system 21 and the plant controller 22 of the plant 20,
respectively. The truck control system 36 and the truck controller
37 may be located on the haul truck 30 and may also include
components located remotely from the haul truck such as on any of
the other machines of the paving system 10, at the plant 20, or at
a command center (not shown). The functionality of truck controller
37 may be distributed so that certain functions are performed on
the haul truck 30 and other functions are performed remotely.
[0027] Haul truck 30 may be equipped with a plurality of truck
sensors 38, as shown generally by an arrow in FIG. 1 indicating
association with the haul truck, that provide data indicative
(directly or indirectly) of various operating parameters of the
truck, systems associated with the truck, and/or the operating
environment in which the truck is operating.
[0028] A position sensing system 39, as shown generally by an arrow
in FIG. 1 indicating association with the haul truck 30, may
include a position sensor 40, also shown generally by an arrow in
FIG. 1, to sense the position of the truck. The position sensor 40
may include a plurality of individual sensors that cooperate to
generate and provide position signals to truck controller 37
indicative of the position and orientation of the haul truck
30.
[0029] The position sensor 40 may include one or more sensors that
interact with a positioning system such as a global navigation
satellite system or a global positioning system to operate as a
position sensor. The truck controller 37 may use position signals
from the position sensor 40 to determine the position of the haul
truck 30 relative to an earth reference (e.g., GPS) or relative to
another machine such as paving machine 50 or relative to the plant
20.
[0030] A slope or inclination sensor such as pitch angle sensor 41
for measuring the slope or inclination of the haul truck 30
relative to a ground or earth reference may be provided as a
dedicated or standalone sensor or as part of position sensor 40. A
ground speed sensor 42 for determining the ground speed and heading
of the haul truck 30 may be provided as a dedicated or standalone
sensor or as part of position sensor 40. Alternatively, if desired,
the position sensing system 39 may also be used to determine the
ground speed and heading of the haul truck 30.
[0031] Haul truck 30 may also include a load monitoring system 43
for determining the load or amount of material within the dump body
35. A temperature sensor 44 and a pivot position sensor 45 may be
associated with the dump body 35. The temperature sensor 44 may be
used to monitor the temperature of the load (e.g., paving material)
within the dump body 35 and the pivot position sensor 45 may be
used to monitor the position of the dump body relative to the
chassis 31 to control the flow of material from the dump body.
[0032] Information regarding the haul truck 30 and its payload may
be stored or determined by truck controller 37 or any other portion
of controller 13. Some of the information may be relatively static
(i.e., static or fixed for each haul cycle) and other information
may be dynamic or change during a hauling operation. Examples of
static information include a unique identifier associated with the
haul truck, the plant, and/or the load and the type of load within
the dump body (e.g., asphalt, re-claimed asphalt). Dynamic
information that may be stored or determined by the truck
controller 37 or controller 13 and associated with the haul truck
30 and the payload includes position, slope, and ground speed of
the truck, the amount and temperature of the material within the
dump body 35, and the position of the dump body relative to the
chassis 31.
[0033] Paving machine 50 may be operative to apply a layer of
paving material to work surface 101. More specifically, paving
machine 50 is supplied with paving material by an aligned haul
truck 30 or a remixing transfer vehicle (not shown) and a layer of
paving material is applied to the work surface 101. In some
instances, the paving machine 50 may push the haul truck 30 while
the paving machine is simultaneously applying a layer of paving
material and the haul truck is loading paving material into the
paving machine.
[0034] Paving machine 50 may include a body 51, a material
receiving unit such as a hopper 52 for storing paving material
supplied via haul truck 30, and a material application system
including a screed 53 for working paving material in a conventional
manner. A conveyor system (not shown) transfers paving material
from the hopper 52 to the screed 53. A prime mover such as engine
54 may be operatively connected to a ground engaging drive
mechanism such as tracks 55. An operator station 56 may include a
plurality of input devices 57 for controlling the paving machine 50
and one or more display devices 58 for displaying information
relevant to the operation of the machine and a paving
operation.
[0035] Paving machine 50 may include a paver control system 60 and
a paver controller 61 generally similar or identical to the plant
control system 21 and the plant controller 22 of the plant 20,
respectively. The paver control system 60 and the paver controller
61 may be located on the paving machine 50 and may also include
components located remotely from the machine such as any of the
other machines of the paving system 10, at the plant 20, or at a
command center (not shown). The functionality of paver controller
61 may be distributed so that certain functions are performed on
the paving machine 50 and other functions are performed
remotely.
[0036] Paving machine 50 may be equipped with a plurality of paver
sensors 62 such as position sensing system 63 and a position sensor
64 generally similar to position sensing system 39 and position
sensor 40 of haul truck 30, respectively. Further, the paving
machine 50 may include a pitch angle sensor 65 for measuring the
slope or inclination of the paving machine and a ground speed
sensor 66 for determining the ground speed of the paving truck,
with each sensor being generally similar to their counterpart on
the haul truck 30.
[0037] Additional sensors may be provided such as a mix delivery or
feed rate sensor 62 that may be used to determine the rate at which
material from the hopper 52 is being fed by the conveyor to the
screed 53. A hopper level or load sensor 63 may be provided to
determine the height or amount of material within the hopper 52.
Temperature sensors 69 may be provided at the hopper 52 and/or the
screed 53 to monitor the temperature of the material within the
hopper and at the screed. In addition, the paving machine 50 may
include a push roller 70 with a push roller load sensor 71 where
the push roller operates by engaging the haul truck 30 and the push
roller load sensor operates to provide feedback to the paver
controller 61 as to the force being applied by the paving machine
while pushing the haul truck.
[0038] Information regarding the paving machine 50 and its payload
may be stored or determined by paver controller 61 or any other
portion of controller 13. Some of the information may be relatively
static (i.e., static or fixed for each load from the haul truck 30)
and other information may be dynamic or change during a paving
operation. Examples of static information include a unique
identifier associated with each load carried by a haul truck 30,
the plant at which the paving material was mixed, and certain fixed
characteristics of a load of paving material such as the amount of
oil and the size of the aggregate. Dynamic information that may be
stored or determined by the paver controller 61 or controller 13
and associated with the paving machine 50 and the material it is
applying includes position, slope, and ground speed of the paving
machine, and the thickness and temperature of the paving material
being applied to the work surface 101.
[0039] Each of the plant 20, haul trucks 30, and paving machines 50
may include a wireless communications system 75 to permit wireless
transmission of a plurality of instructions and information between
the plant 20, the haul trucks 30, and the paving machines 50 as
well as permit communication with other machines and systems remote
from the plant, haul trucks, and paving machines. In one embodiment
depicted in FIG. 3, each wireless communications system 75 may
include a transmitter 76 for transmitting signals from one wireless
communications system and a receiver 77 for receiving signals from
a transmitter system of another wireless communications system. In
some instances, the transmitter 76 and the receiver 77 may be
combined as a transceiver system. In some embodiments, a haul truck
30 may only include a transmitter system.
[0040] Wireless communications systems 75 may implement or utilize
any desired system or protocol including any of a plurality of
communications standards. The desired protocols will permit
communication between the plant 20, one or more haul trucks 30, one
or more paving machines 50, and any other desired machines or
systems. Examples of wireless communications systems or protocols
that may be used by the wireless communications systems 75 include
a wireless personal area network such as Bluetooth.RTM. (e.g., IEEE
802.15), a local area network such as IEEE 802.11b or 802.11g, a
cellular network, or any other system or protocol for data
transfer. Other wireless communications systems and configurations
are contemplated. In some instances, wireless communications may be
transmitted and received directly between the plant 20 and a
machine or between machines. In other instances, the communications
may be automatically routed without the need for re-transmission by
remote personnel.
[0041] The control system 12 may include components located at the
plant 20 as well as each of the machines of the paving system 10.
More specifically, the control system 12 may include the plant
control system 21 and the plant sensors 23, the truck control
system 36 and the truck sensors 38, and the paver control system 60
and the paver sensors 62. Further, the controller 13 may include
the plant controller 22, the truck controller 37, and the paver
controller 61.
[0042] During operation, the wireless communications systems 75 of
the plant 20, the haul truck 30, and the paving machines 50 may
transmit to each other signals indicative of characteristics
associated with each plant/machine, its operation, and its
associated paving material. Examples of information that the plant
20 may transmit to each haul truck 30 (i.e., to the truck
controller 37) include various aspects or characteristics of the
load being transported by the haul truck. The information may be
stored within the truck controller 37 for subsequent transmission
to the paving machine 50 receiving the material or for any other
purpose. As an example, the haul truck 30 may receive a unique
identifier regarding each load of paving material with the
identifier specifying the plant that produced the material,
characteristics of the material such as the amount of oil and size
of aggregate, the temperature during the loading process and the
time at which the material was loaded, as well as the amount of
material loaded.
[0043] Examples of information that the plant 20 may transmit to
each paving machine 50 (i.e., to the paver controller 61) include
information or characteristics of each batch of paving material,
the amount of paving material mixed for the batch, the amount of
material loaded onto haul trucks (i.e., the amount of material
used), and the amount of material remaining in the holding
location.
[0044] Examples of information that each haul truck 30 may transmit
to the plant 20 (i.e., to the plant controller 22) include the
location of the truck, its direction of travel, and the estimated
time of arrival either at the plant or at a paving machine 50. In
addition, the haul truck 30 may also communicate the type of truck
including its capacity and whether the truck is hauling re-claimed
or scrap material back to the plant 20.
[0045] Examples of information that each haul truck 30 may transmit
to a paving machine 50 include characteristics of the haul truck as
well as the paving material being hauled. Characteristics of the
truck may include the type of haul truck 30, dimensions of certain
aspects of the truck, the position of the truck, speed, and heading
of the truck (or the time until arrival at the paving site 100),
the slope or inclination of the work surface 101 on which the truck
is operating, and any other desired information. The haul truck 30
may also transmit information regarding the load carried by the
truck such as the type of material as well as the amount
temperature of the load. Characteristics of the load of paving
material may include specific identifiers or codes associated with
the load such as those indicating the batch and plant at which the
paving material was mixed, and the amount of paving material in the
haul truck 30 and its current temperature.
[0046] Examples of information that each paving machine 50 may
transmit to the plant 20 include the location of the paving machine
and its direction of travel, the production rate or amount of
paving material being applied per unit time (e.g., tons per hour),
the total amount of paving material applied, and the amount of
material that remains to be applied to complete the paving job. In
addition, the paving machine 50 may also communicate to the plant
20 the temperature of the paving material in the hopper 52 and/or
the temperature of the material or layer 102 being applied. Still
further, an operator at the paving machine 50 may inform or provide
notice to the plant 20 of the degree to which the paving material
delivered by the haul truck 30 has become segregated. In some
instances, the amount of segregation may exceed a desired threshold
and the load delivered by the haul truck 30 may be rejected. In
other instances, the operator may inform the plant 20 so that
personnel at the plant may change characteristics of the paving
material (e.g., the size or combination of sizes of the aggregate)
or the haul truck loading process to reduce the amount of
segregation at the load delivery site.
[0047] Examples of information that a paving machine 50 may
transmit to a haul truck 30 include the location of the paving
machine and its direction of travel, the speed at which it is
moving, and the grade on which it is moving. In addition, the paver
controller 61 may transmit the load on the push roller 70, the
level of hopper 52, the available capacity within the hopper, and
the time until the hopper is empty.
[0048] Control system 12 and components thereof may use information
from the plant 20, haul trucks 30, paving machines 50, and systems
outside the paving system 10 to improve the communication between
components of the paving system and the efficiency of the paving
process.
[0049] The controller 13 including plant controller 22 may utilize
information from the haul trucks 30 and the paving machines 50 to
generate plans for loading the haul trucks at the plant 20 and
directing the haul trucks to the desired paving machines in an
optimal or desired manner. More specifically, the controller 13 may
analyze the rate at which paving material is being laid or applied
at each paving machine 50 together with the temperature of the
paving material at the paving machines. The controller 13 may also
identify the location of each haul truck 30, its heading and speed
and determine the estimated arrival time at the plant 20 or a
paving machine 50 for each haul truck. The controller 13 may also
track the amount of material within each haul truck 30 that is
moving towards a paving machine 50. If the haul truck 30 includes a
temperature sensor 44, the controller 13 may also track the
temperature of the load within the haul truck. In some instances,
the controller 13 may also receive traffic information data that is
applicable to potential routes for the haul trucks 30 to travel
between the plant 20 and the paving site 100.
[0050] Using all or some of this information as an input, the
controller 13 may generate timing plans and/or schedules for the
arrival and/or loading of the haul trucks 30, suggested or desired
routes from the plant 20 to the paving site 100, and a suggested
rate of travel or speed. The controller 13 may thus utilize an
arrival timing plan to coordinate the arrival of the haul trucks 30
at the paving site 100 to minimize or reduce the amount of time
that the haul trucks remain waiting at the paving site.
[0051] Such operation may reduce the amount of energy used at the
plant 20 by allowing a reduction in the temperature of the paving
material at the time it is loaded into the haul trucks 30 at the
plant either because the temperature of the paving material is
being tracked or monitored as the paving material is being applied
to the work surface 101 or because the haul trucks are spending
less time waiting before the paving material is loaded into the
paving machines 50.
[0052] By communicating to the plant 20 that a haul truck 30 that
will be arriving at the plant includes re-claimed material, the
planning for the re-claimed material may be begun well before the
haul truck arrives and thus the desired location for dumping the
re-claimed material may be determined and communicated in an
efficient manner. In another aspect, by tracking the routes of the
haul trucks 30 in view of available traffic information data, the
fastest or most preferred routes may be stored or generated for
future use.
[0053] The controller 13 including plant controller 22 may utilize
information from the haul trucks 30 and the paving machines 50 to
generate plans for production and processing of paving material at
the plant 20 in an optimal or desired manner. More specifically,
the controller 13 may analyze the rate at which paving material is
being laid or applied at each paving machine 50 together with the
temperature of the paving material at the paving machines. The
controller 13 may also identify the location of each haul truck 30,
its heading and speed and determine the estimated arrival time at
the plant 20 or a paving machine 50 for each truck. The controller
13 may also track the amount of material within each haul truck 30
that is moving towards a paving machine 50. If the haul truck 30
includes a temperature sensor 44, the controller 13 may also track
the temperature of the load within the haul truck. In some
instances, the controller 13 may also receive traffic information
regarding potential routes for the haul trucks 30 to travel between
the plant 20 and the paving site 100.
[0054] Using all or some of this information as an input, the
controller 13 may generate plans and/or schedules for processing
the paving material at the plant 20. The plans and/or schedules may
include when to start processing the batch of paving material and
the temperature at which it is maintained in the holding location.
By monitoring the rate at which paving material is being laid, and
the location, speed, and load within each truck, the controller 13
may also determine when each haul truck 30 should be loaded and
directed to the paving site 100. The controller 13 may thus
coordinate the arrival of the haul trucks 30 at the paving site 100
to minimize or reduce the amount of time that the haul trucks
remain waiting at the paving site.
[0055] Such operation may increase the efficiency of the paving
system by optimizing the production of paving material and loading
the haul trucks 30 at a desired time in order to reduce idling time
while at the paving site 100 but still maintaining an adequate
supply of paving material so that the paving machines 50 remain
productive. Reducing idling time and loading the haul trucks 30
only shortly before a scheduled departure time may also allow a
reduction in the temperature of the paving material at the time it
is loaded into the haul trucks 30 at the plant 20.
[0056] The controller 13 including paver controller 61 may use the
information regarding each of the haul truck 30 and the paving
machine 50 to optimize the paving process. In doing so, the
controller 13 may determine or calculate information related to a
paving operation based upon the characteristics and operation of
each machine and its payload. For example, the controller 13 may
determine the time until the hopper 52 is empty based upon the feed
rate of the conveyor system as well as the time until a haul truck
30 supply material is empty based upon the angle of the dump body
35 relative to chassis 31, the type and amount of load in the dump
body, and the temperature of the load. The controller 13 may also
determine the distance between any haul truck 30 and the paving
machine 50 and the estimated time of arrival of any identified haul
trucks.
[0057] In addition, the paver control system 60 may operate to
control the operation of both of the haul truck 30 and the paving
machine 50, either simultaneously or independently. For example, in
some instances, it may be desirable to permit the paving machine 50
to control the brakes and/or the drivetrain of the haul truck 30.
In another example, it may be desirable to permit the paving
machine 50 to control the position of the dump body 35 relative to
the chassis 31 in order to control the flow of material into the
hopper 52. Still further, it may be desirable to permit the paving
machine 50 to control the steering of the haul truck 30 to maintain
the haul truck in a position centered relative to the hopper 52 of
the paving machine 50. In each of these instances, operation of the
haul truck 30 may be controlled automatically based upon operation
of the paving machine 50 or the paving machine operator may have
the ability to control aspects of the haul truck from the input
devices 57 of the paving machine.
[0058] Referring to FIG. 4, a flowchart of the operation of the
paving system 10 is depicted. At stage 110, a paving plan for a
desired time period (e.g., a day) may be determined or entered into
the controller 13. The paving plan may include the number of
available haul trucks 30 and paving machines 50 and establish an
amount of material to be laid including the distance and thickness
as well as the characteristics of the paving material such as the
amount of oil, the size of the aggregate, and any fillers.
[0059] An initial estimate of the desired temperature at which the
paving material is to be loaded into the haul trucks 30 may be made
based upon the number of available haul trucks 30 and paving
machines 50 together with the distance between the plant 20 and the
paving site 100. In addition, the ambient temperature of the route
or path of the haul trucks 30 together with traffic conditions
along the route between the plant 20 and the paving site 100 may
also be used to determine an initial estimate of the desired paving
material temperature. Based upon distance and thickness of the
paving material to be laid, the amount of material to be mixed at
the plant 20 may be determined.
[0060] At stage 111, the wireless communications systems 75 of the
plant 20, the haul trucks 30, and the paving machines 50 may
establish a communications channels or connections amongst or
between the systems to permit communications between each of the
machines as well as with the plant. In one example, a direct
communications channel may be established between two wireless
communications systems 75 through a cellular connection. In an
example utilizing a local area network (in which the wireless
communications systems 75 are relatively close together), the
connection channel may be established upon identifying and coupling
based upon unique identifiers associated with the wireless
communications systems. In an example using a Bluetooth.RTM.
system, one wireless communications system 75 may operate in a
"master" or "advertising" mode in which it is searching for one or
more other wireless communications systems that are in "slave" or
"scanner" mode. Upon the relative distance between wireless
communications systems 75 becoming sufficiently small (i.e., being
within the range of the wireless communications systems), the
wireless communications systems may automatically establish a
communications channel or connection or become "paired."
[0061] At stage 112, a batch of paving material having the desired
characteristics may be mixed at the plant 20 and stored at a
designated holding location at the plant. The paving material may
be stored at the initial estimate of the desired haul truck loading
temperature. At stage 113, a load of paving material may be
transferred or loaded into a haul truck 30.
[0062] A recommended plan or route for the haul truck 30 may be
generated at stage 114 by the controller 13 based upon an
electronic map of the position and speed of haul trucks 30,
together with the rate at which the paving machines 50 are apply
paving material to the work surface 101. The route may also be
based upon the current or anticipated traffic and weather
conditions received by the controller from traffic information data
and other available information. The plan may also include
information directed to the urgency for a haul truck 30 to arrive
at the paving site 100 at the designated time in order to avoid an
interruption in the paving process. In one example, if the amount
of material at the paving site 100 is relatively low, a haul truck
operator may be instructed or requested to postpone a break until
after delivering the load of paving material to the paving site
100. In another example, an operator who will likely be waiting at
the plant 20 before loading a haul truck or waiting at the paving
site 100 be informed of such a delay and may elect to take a break
before loading the haul truck 30.
[0063] At stage 115, the haul truck 30 may travel along a
recommended route from the plant 20 to the paving site 100. At
stage 116, the haul truck 30 may transmit its current position,
speed, and heading together with information regarding its load to
controller 13. The information regarding the load may include the
amount of material and its temperature. The controller 13 may
generate an electronic map of all of the haul trucks 30 and the
information provided by the haul truck may be used to update the
electronic map.
[0064] At stage 117, the haul truck 30 arrives at the paving site
100. The temperature of the paving material may be determined at
stage 118. In one example, the temperature as it is loaded into the
hopper 52 of the paving machine 50 may be determined based upon
temperature sensor 69 associated with the hopper. In another
example, the temperature may be determined based upon temperature
sensor 44 associated with the haul truck 30. The temperature of the
paving material may be communicated to the plant 20 at stage 119.
If the temperature is determined based upon the temperature sensor
44 of the haul truck 30, the temperature of the material may also
be communicated directly to the paving machine 50. In addition or
in the alternative, the temperature of the paving material as it is
being laid upon the work surface 101 as determined by the
temperature sensor 69 at the screed 53 may be communicated to the
plant 20.
[0065] At decision stage 120, the controller 13 may determine
whether the temperature of the paving material is within a
specified or desired range. More specifically, the controller 13
may determine whether the temperature exceeds an upper temperature
threshold or is less than a lower temperature threshold. If the
temperature exceeds the upper threshold, energy costs may be
reduced at the plant 20 by reducing the temperature of the paving
material at the holding location. If the temperature is less than
the lower threshold, it may be desirable to increase the
temperature of the paving material at the holding location to
reduce the likelihood that a load of paving material will be
rejected because it is too cold at delivery.
[0066] At stage 121, the controller 13 may generate command signals
or instructions to automatically or manually adjust the temperature
of the paving material at the holding location. In addition, if the
temperature is below an operational threshold, the entire load
within the haul truck 30 may be rejected and another haul truck may
be directed to approach the paving machine 50 and the process
re-started at stage 117.
[0067] At stage 122, the paving material supplied by the haul truck
30 may be inspected, visually or otherwise, to determine if the
amount of separation of the paving material exceeds a separation
threshold at decision stage 123. If the separation of the paving
material exceeds the separation threshold, the degree of separation
may be communicated at stage 124 to the plant 20 by the paving
machine 50. At stage 125, the controller 13 may generate
instructions to automatically or manually adjust the
characteristics of the paving material at the holding location or
the loading process to reduce the amount of separation as the
paving material is transported in haul truck 30 from the plant 20
to the paving site 100.
[0068] At stage 126, the haul truck 30 may be aligned with a paving
machine 50 and the paving operation begun as described in more
detail below. As the paving machine 50 lays the paving material, a
plurality of characteristics of the paving operation and the paving
material may be communicated to the plant 20 at stage 127. For
example, the rate at which the material is being laid including the
speed of the paving machine 50 and the thickness of the material
may be communicated to the plant 20 to inform the plant of the rate
at which material is being used. In addition, the temperature of
the paving material may also continue to be communicated to the
plant 20.
[0069] In some embodiments, information from the plant 20 regarding
the usage of paving material may be communicated to the paving
machine 50. For example, the plant 20 may inform the paving machine
50 of the rate at which the paving material is being used based
upon how much is leaving the plant. The amount of material that has
left the plant 20 (less the paving material in transit) may be used
to confirm that the thickness of the paving layer 102 as determined
by the paving machine 50 is correct. In addition, the plant 20 may
also provide information to the paving machine 50 as to how much
material of the batch of paving material for a particular job is
remaining at the holding location at the plant.
[0070] The amount of material remaining in the dump body 35 of the
haul truck 30 may be determined at stage 128 and communicated at
stage 129 to the plant 20 and/or to a haul truck 30 that is the
next scheduled truck to supply paving material to the paving
machine 50. At decision stage 130, the controller 13 may determine
whether the haul truck 30 is empty. If the haul truck 30 is not
empty, stages 126-130 may be repeated.
[0071] Once the haul truck 30 is empty, the next haul truck may be
moved at stage 131 into position to load the paving machine 50 and
the paving process continued by repeating stages 117-132. The empty
haul truck 30 may travel back at stage 132 to the plant 20 where it
is re-loaded with paving material and the process is continued by
repeating stages 113-132. The route utilized by the haul truck 30
between the paving site 100 and the plant 20 may be determined by
the controller 13.
[0072] In some instances, it may be desirable to generate a timing
plan to stagger the loading process so that the haul trucks 30
arrive at the paving site 100 shortly before additional paving
material is needed to minimize the amount of time that the trucks
spend idling. In addition, recommended routes for the haul trucks
30 to travel between the plant 20 and the paving site 100 may be
updated periodically or in real-time based upon updates to traffic
information data. As discussed above, the recommended route may be
generated by the controller 13 based upon or in view of current or
anticipated traffic conditions.
[0073] Referring to FIG. 5, a flowchart of an exemplary paving
operation utilizing a haul truck 30 and a paving machine 50 is
depicted. At stage 140, the wireless communications systems 75 of
the haul truck 30 and the paving machine 50 may establish a
communications channel or connection between the two systems to
permit communications between the two machines. In one example, a
direct communications channel may be established between the two
machines through a cellular connection. In an example utilizing a
local area network, the connection channel may be established upon
identifying and coupling between unique identifiers associated with
a pair of machines. In an example using a Bluetooth.RTM. system,
the paving machine 50 may operate in a "master" or "advertising"
mode in which it is searching for one or more machines that are in
"slave" or "scanner" mode. Upon the relative distance between haul
truck 30 and paving machine 50 becoming sufficiently small (i.e.,
being within the range of the wireless communications systems 75),
the wireless communications systems of the two machines will
establish a communications channel or connection or become
"paired."
[0074] At stage 141, the paver controller 61 may receive data or
signals from the sensors of the paving machine 50 and the truck
controller 37 may receive data or signals from the sensors of the
haul truck 30. At stage 142, each of the paver controller 61 and
the truck controller 37 may determine characteristics associated
with the respective machines. These characteristics may include
positional information and operating performance of each machine as
well as load characteristics or information related to the payload
of each machine.
[0075] The transmitter 76 of the wireless communications system 75
of the haul truck 30 may transmit at stage 143 one or more
characteristics associated with the operation of the haul truck to
the receiver 77 of the wireless communications system of the paving
machine 50. The characteristics may include the type of haul truck
30, dimensions of certain aspects of the truck, the position (e.g.,
GPS coordinates) of the truck (or the time until arrival at the
paving site), the slope or inclination of the work surface on which
the truck is operating, and any other desired information. The
wireless communications system 75 of the haul truck 30 may also
transmit load characteristic signals regarding the load carried by
the truck such as the type of material as well as the amount
temperature of the load. In addition, the wireless communications
system 75 may also transmit specific identifiers or codes
associated with the load such as those indicating the batch and
plant at which the paving material was mixed.
[0076] At stage 143, the transmitter 76 of the wireless
communications system 75 of the paving machine 50 may also transmit
operating signals indicative of one or more characteristics
associated with the operation of the paving machine to the receiver
77 of the wireless communications system of the haul truck 30. For
example, while the haul truck 30 is in transit, the paving machine
50 may transmit the status of its hopper 52 such as the time until
the hopper is empty. Based upon the distance between the haul truck
30 and the paving machine 50 and the time until the hopper 52 is
empty, the operator of the haul truck 30 may be able to estimate
the urgency required to reduce the likelihood that operation of the
paving machine 50 will be interrupted due to a lack of paving
material.
[0077] Once the haul truck 30 is in proximity to the paving machine
50, the paving machine may transmit its position and speed to the
haul truck to simplify positioning of the haul truck relative to
the paving machine.
[0078] At stage 144, all or some of the characteristics associated
with the haul truck 30 may be displayed on display device 58 at the
operator station 66 of paving machine 50 and all or some of the
characteristics associated with the paving machine 50 may be
displayed on a display device (not shown) within the cab 33 of haul
truck 30.
[0079] At stage 145, the haul truck 30 may be moved relative to the
paving machine 50 to position the end of the dump body 35 above the
hopper 52 of the paving machine. The haul truck 30 may, if desired,
use the GPS coordinates of the paving machine 50 together with its
own GPS coordinates to assist in positioning the haul truck
relative to the paving machine. In one example, the operator of the
haul truck 30 may use the GPS coordinates of the paving machine 50
together with the GPS coordinates of the haul truck to position the
haul truck in a desired position. In another example, the
controller 13 of the haul truck 30 may generate commands to move
the haul truck in a semi-autonomous manner to a desired position
relative to the paving machine 50.
[0080] In a further example, the operator of the paving machine 50
may use the GPS coordinates of the haul truck 30 together with the
GPS coordinates of the paving machine 50 to position the paving
machine relative to the haul truck. In another example, optical
sensors (not shown) may be used to coordinate the positions of the
machines. In still another example, the controller 13 of the paving
machine 50 may generate commands to relatively move in a
semi-autonomous manner the haul truck and paving machine to a
desired position relative to the paving machine 50.
[0081] Based upon the amount of material within the hopper 52 of
the paving machine and the rate at which the material is being
applied to the work surface 101, a determination may be made at
decision stage 146, either by the operator of the paving machine 50
or by paver controller 61, as to whether a change in the elevation
of the dump body 35 relative to chassis 31 of haul truck 30 is
desirable.
[0082] If an increase or decrease in the feed rate is desired, a
change in elevation of the dump body may be made at stage 147. In
one example, the paving machine operator may generate instructions
to change the elevation through the paver controller 61 and use the
transmitter 76 of the wireless communications system 75 of the
paving machine to transmit the instructions to the haul truck 30.
The instructions may be received by the receiver 77 of the wireless
communications system 75 of the haul truck 30. The truck controller
37 may use the instructions from the paving machine to
automatically change the elevation of the dump body 35 as desired.
In another example, the instructions may be received within the
haul truck 30 and an operator may operate input devices of the
truck to manually change the elevation of the dump body.
[0083] Either upon changing the elevation of the dump body at stage
147 or, if no change is desired, at decision stage 146, the haul
truck 30 and the paving machine 50 may move together at stage 148
to perform the desired paving operation. In one embodiment, the
paving machine 50 may engage and push the haul truck 30 so that the
drive system of the paving machine operates to propel both
machines. In another embodiment, the paving machine 50 may
determine the speed at which the pair of machines will operate and
the wireless communications system 75 of the paving machine may
transmit the desired speed to the wireless communications system 75
of the haul truck 30. In a manual operation, the operator of the
haul truck 30 may then operate the truck at the desired speed. In
an automatic operation, signals from the paver controller 61 of the
paving machine 50 may direct the truck controller 37 to operate the
machine at the desired speed.
[0084] In some instances, the work surface 101 upon which the haul
truck 30 and the paving machine 50 are operating may not be level.
If both the haul truck 30 and the paving machine 50 are traveling
uphill, gravity will force the haul truck against the paving
machine and the paving operation may continue as desired. However,
in any instance in which the haul truck 30 is traveling downhill
(i.e., when both the paving machine 50 and the haul truck are
traveling downhill or when the haul truck reaches a crest in a
hill), the haul truck may tend to roll ahead of the paving machine.
In such case, the paver controller 61 of the paving machine 50 may
be configured to monitor the position and speed of the haul truck
and direct the truck controller 37 to apply the brakes of the haul
truck as necessary to maintain the truck in the desired position
and/or at the desired speed relative to the paving machine and/or
maintain a desired push roller displacement or push roller
pressure.
[0085] Paver control system 60 may also be configured to maintain
the alignment between the haul truck 30 and the paving machine 50.
For example, the paver controller 61 or the truck controller 37 may
utilize data from their respective position sensing systems to
steer the haul truck 30 to maintain the centerline of the dump body
35 along the centerline of hopper 52 of the paving machine 50. In
another embodiment, the paving machine 50 and/or the haul truck 30
may include sensors (e.g., optical sensors) that provide feedback
to the controller 13 to maintain the two machines in alignment.
[0086] At stage 149, the paver controller 61 of the paving machine
50 may determine the available capacity within the hopper 52 based
upon signals from the hopper level sensor 31 and truck controller
37 of the haul truck 30 may determine the extent or amount of
material remaining in dump body 35 based upon signals from the load
monitoring system 89. At decision stage 150, the controller 13 may
determine whether all of the remaining material in the dump body 35
will fit within the hopper 52. If the remaining material will not
fit within the hopper 52, the paving operation may continue and
stages 141-150 repeated.
[0087] If the remaining material will fit within the hopper 52, the
dump body 35 may be elevated at stage 151 by the operator of the
paving machine 50, the operator of the haul truck 30, or
automatically by the truck controller 37 or the paver controller 61
to empty the haul truck. The haul truck 30 may be disengaged from
the paving machine 50 at stage 152 and a fully loaded haul truck
moved into position relative to the paving machine in order to
continue the paving operation in an efficient manner.
[0088] Referring to FIG. 6, a paving machine 50 is depicted in
operation with a remixing transfer vehicle 80 and a haul truck 30.
Remixing transfer vehicle 80 permits material that has been
segregated by size and/or temperature to be remixed before being
fed into hopper 52 of paving machine 50. Remixing transfer vehicle
80 includes a material transfer and remix system 81 and a prime
mover such as an engine 82 operatively connected to a ground
engaging drive mechanism such as wheels 83. An operator station 84
may include a plurality of input devices 85 for controlling the
remixing transfer vehicle 80.
[0089] The material transfer and remix system 81 may include a dump
hopper 86 into which paving material may be dumped, a conveyor 87
for conveying or transporting material from the dump hopper to a
remix hopper 88 in which the paving material may be remixed and
re-heated. The remixing transfer vehicle 80 may further include a
swingable or pivotable transfer conveyor 89 for conveying or
transporting material from the remix hopper 88 to an outlet 90. By
aligning outlet 90 with hopper 52 of paving machine 50, material
exiting from the outlet may be conveyed from the dump hopper 86 to
the hopper 52 of the paving machine after the remixing operation
has been completed.
[0090] Remixing transfer vehicle 80 may include a vehicle control
system 91 and a vehicle controller 92 generally similar or
identical to the truck control system 36 and the truck controller
37 of the haul truck 30, respectively. The remixing transfer
vehicle 80 may also include a plurality of vehicle sensors
generally indicated at 93 generally similar or identical to the
truck sensors 38 of the haul truck 30 and/or the paver sensors 62
of the paving machine 50. In addition, the remixing transfer
vehicle 80 may also include a wireless communications system
generally indicated at 75 generally similar or identical to the
wireless communications systems 75 of the haul trucks 30 and the
paving machines 50.
[0091] Operation of the paving machine 50 with remixing transfer
vehicle 80 may be substantially identical to the operation of the
paving machine with the haul truck 30 and the description thereof
is not repeated herein. In some instances, it may be desirable to
operate the paving machine 50 with an remixing transfer vehicle 80
and a haul truck 30 directly supplying or feeding paving material
to the remixing transfer vehicle so that the three machines are
moving together along the work surface. In such case, each of the
machines may be communicating with the others and the paver control
system 60 may be configured to permit the operator of the paving
machine 50 to control the operation of the haul truck 30 and the
remixing transfer vehicle 80 as well as the paving machine in a
manner similar to that described above with respect to controlling
the operation of the haul truck.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0092] The industrial applicability of the system described herein
will be readily appreciated from the forgoing discussion. The
foregoing discussion is applicable to paving systems 10, that may
include one or more plant 20, one or more supply machines such as
haul trucks 30, and one or more paving machines 50 that are
operated at a work site such as a paving site 100 to pave a work
surface 101. A paving operation may be used at a construction site,
a roadwork site, a parking lot, or any other area in which the
application of paving material to a work surface 101 is
desired.
[0093] The foregoing system provides improved communication through
the use of wireless communications system 75 to permit a more
efficient paving operation. Characteristics of the plant 20 and the
paving material thereat may be communicated to the supply machines
and the paving machines 50. Characteristics of the supply machines
and the paving material transported thereby may be communicated to
the plant 20 and the paving machines 50. Characteristics of the
paving machine 50 and the paving material being applied to the work
surface 101 may be communicated to the plant 20 and the haul truck
30. The improved sharing of information amongst the plant 20 and
the machines may improve the efficiency of a paving operation.
[0094] It will be appreciated that the foregoing description
provides examples of the disclosed system and technique. However,
it is contemplated that other implementations of the disclosure may
differ in detail from the foregoing examples. All references to the
disclosure or examples thereof are intended to reference the
particular example being discussed at that point and are not
intended to imply any limitation as to the scope of the disclosure
more generally. All language of distinction and disparagement with
respect to certain features is intended to indicate a lack of
preference for those features, but not to exclude such from the
scope of the disclosure entirely unless otherwise indicated.
[0095] Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to
serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each
separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated
herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the
specification as if it were individually recited herein. All
methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order
unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted
by context.
[0096] Accordingly, this disclosure includes all modifications and
equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended
hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of
the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is
encompassed by the disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or
otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
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