Rock guard for GNSS signal avoidance
A haul truck can include a frame, a traction system for moving the frame, an access platform coupled to the frame, a truck bed having a canopy extending over the access platform, an antenna support structure arranged on the access platform, the antenna support structure extending upward to support a GNSS receiver positioned proximate a front of the canopy, and a non-metallic protective barrier coupled to the canopy and positioned towards the front of the canopy and positioned to deflect objects from striking the GNSS receiver.
1 . A haul truck, comprising:
a frame;
a traction system for moving the frame;
an access platform coupled to the frame;
a truck bed having a canopy extending over the access platform;
an antenna support structure arranged on the access platform, the antenna support structure extending upward to support a GNSS receiver positioned proximate a front of the canopy and positioned outside of a protective overhead coverage of the canopy when the canopy is in a lowered position; and
a non-metallic protective barrier separate from the canopy and coupled to the canopy at a front edge of the canopy so as to form a canopy extension and positioned to deflect objects from striking the GNSS receiver.
2 . The haul truck of claim 1 , wherein the non-metallic protective barrier extends beyond an outer edge of the canopy so as to be positioned over a top of the GNSS receiver.
3 . The haul truck of claim 1 , wherein the non-metallic protective barrier is coupled between first and second braces attached to the front of the canopy.
4 . The haul truck of claim 3 , further including first and second support members which are attached to an upper end of the first and second braces and attached to the canopy.
5 . The haul truck of claim 1 , wherein the non-metallic protective barrier includes a flexible mesh material.
6 . The haul truck of claim 5 , wherein the non-metallic protective barrier includes a cargo net.
7 . The haul truck of claim 1 , wherein the non-metallic protective barrier includes a polycarbonate panel.
8 . The haul truck of claim 1 , wherein the non-metallic protective barrier has an angle relative to the canopy of between 0 degrees to 90 degrees.
9 . The haul truck of claim 8 , wherein the non-metallic protective barrier has an angle relative to the canopy of about 45 degrees.
10 . A canopy extension for a haul truck, the canopy extension comprising:
a non-metallic protective barrier coupled to a canopy of the haul truck, wherein the protective barrier is separate from the canopy and positioned towards a front of the canopy as a canopy extension and positioned to deflect objects from striking a GNSS receiver, which is positioned outside of a coverage of the canopy.
11 . The canopy extension of claim 10 , wherein the non-metallic protective barrier extends beyond an edge of the canopy so as to be positioned over a top of the GNSS receiver.
12 . The canopy extension of claim 10 , wherein the protective barrier is coupled between first and second braces attached to the canopy.
13 . The canopy extension of claim 12 , further including first and second support members which are attached to an upper end of the first and second braces and attached to the canopy.
14 . The canopy extension of claim 10 , wherein the protective barrier includes a flexible mesh material.
15 . The canopy extension of claim 10 , wherein the protective barrier includes a polycarbonate panel.
16 . The canopy extension of claim 10 , wherein the non-metallic protective barrier has an angle relative to the canopy of between 0 degrees to 90 degrees.
17 . The canopy extension of claim 16 , wherein the non-metallic protective barrier has an angle relative to the canopy of about 45 degrees.
18 . A method of protecting a GNSS receiver mounted on a haul truck, the method comprising:
providing a non-metallic protective barrier; and
mounting the non-metallic protective barrier towards a front of a canopy of the haul truck, wherein the non-metallic protective barrier is separate from the canopy and is configured to provide a canopy extension positioned to deflect objects from striking a GNSS receiver which is positioned proximate the front of the canopy.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the non-metallic protective barrier is coupled to the canopy and extends beyond an edge of the canopy so as to be positioned over a top of the GNSS receiver.
20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the non-metallic protective barrier is coupled between first and second braces attached to the canopy.