IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,539,570
Granted Patent B2
US 7,539,570 · App. 10/872,555 · Granted May 26, 2009

Machine operating system and method

Assignee: Caterpillar S.A.R.L.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,539,570
App. No.
10/872,555
Granted
May 26, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method is provided of operating a work machine having at least one work tool. The method includes sensing at least one operational characteristic of the work machine indicative of an application of the work tool. The operation of the work machine is altered in response to a new application of the work tool.

Claims (56)

1. A method of operating a machine having a work tool, comprising:

sensing at least one operational characteristic of the machine indicative of a first application of the work tool of the machine; and

altering the operation of the machine in response to sensing at least one operational characteristic of the machine indicative of a second application of the work tool.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the altering of the operation of the machine requires operator approval.

3. The method of claim 1 , further including performing at least one operation step of the second application automatically, without operator input.

4. The method of claim 1 , further including sensing at least one operational characteristic of the machine indicative of an operator experience level.

5. The method of claim 4 , further including altering the operation of the machine in response to an operator experience level.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one operational characteristic of the machine indicative of the first application or the second application is measured by at least one of a fluid pressure sensor, a work tool position sensor, or a fluid flow sensor of the machine.

7. The method of claim 1 , further including altering the operation of the work tool in response to a new application of the work tool.

8. A method of operating a machine having at least one work tool, comprising:

sensing at least one operational characteristic of the machine;

altering the operation of the machine in a manner specific to an application being performed by the at least one work tool of the machine, the altering of the operation being based on the sensing of the at least one operational characteristic of the machines;

creating an application signature indicative of the application being performed by the at least one work tool; and

comparing the application signature to a known application signature.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the at least one operational characteristic is indicative of an application of the at least one work tool being performed by the machine.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the at least one operational characteristic is indicative of an operator experience level.

11. The method of claim 10 , further including altering the operation of the machine in a manner specific to the operator experience level.

12. The method of claim 8 , wherein the at least one operational characteristic is measured by at least one of a fluid pressure sensor, a work tool position sensor, or a fluid flow sensor of the machine.

13. The method of claim 8 , wherein the altering requires operator approval.

14. The method of claim 8 , further including performing at least one aspect of the application being performed by the machine automatically, without operator input.

15. The method of claim 8 , further including altering the operation of the at least one work tool in response to the sensing of the at least one operational characteristic of the machine.

16. A method of operating a machine having a work tool, comprising:

operating the machine for a first application of the work tool;

operating the machine for a second application of the work tool, different than the first application;

sensing at least one operational characteristic of the machine indicative of the second application; and

automatically performing at least one operational step of the second application in a manner specific to the second application.

17. The method of claim 16 , further including:

sensing a plurality of operational characteristics of the machine during the second application;

creating an application signature indicative of the second application; and

comparing the application signature to a known application signature.

18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the performing of the at least one operational step requires operator approval.

19. The method of claim 16 , wherein the at least one operational characteristic is indicative of the second application.

20. The method of claim 16 , wherein the at least one operational characteristic is indicative of an operator experience level.

21. The method of claim 16 , wherein the at least one operational characteristic is measured by at least one of a fluid pressure sensor, a work tool position sensor, or a fluid flow sensor of the machine.

22. The method of claim 16 , further including altering the operation of the work tool in response to the sensing of the at least one operational characteristic.

23. A method of operating a machine having a work tool, comprising:

operating the machine for a first application of the work tool;

operating the machine for a second application of the work tool, different than the first application;

sensing at least one operational characteristic of the machine during the second application;

requiring operator approval to automatically alter the operation of the machine; and

automatically performing at least one aspect of the second application based on the sensing of the at least one operational characteristic of the machine.

24. The method of claim 23 , further including:

sensing a plurality of operational characteristics of the machine during the second application;

creating an application signature indicative of the second application; and

comparing the application signature to a known application signature.

25. The method of claim 24 , wherein the at least one operational characteristic is indicative of the second application.

26. The method of claim 24 , wherein the at least one operational characteristic is indicative of an operator experience level.

27. The method of claim 23 , wherein the at least one operational characteristic is measured by at least one of a fluid pressure sensor, a work tool position sensor, or a fluid flow sensor of the machine.

28. The method of claim 23 , further including altering the operation of the work tool in response to the sensing of the plurality of operational characteristics.

29. A machine, comprising:

at least one work tool;

at least one sensor configured to sense at least one operational characteristic of the machine indicative of an application of the work tool; and

a control unit configured to alter the operation of the machine in response to a new application of the work tool, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to sense at least one operational characteristic of the machine indicative of an operator experience level.

30. The machine of claim 29 , wherein the control unit is configured to alter the operation of the machine in response to an operator experience level.

31. The machine of claim 29 , wherein the at least one sensor is a fluid pressure sensor, a work tool position sensor, or a fluid flow sensor.

32. The machine of claim 29 , further including an electric control configured to alter the operation of the work tool in response to the new application of the work tool.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 22, 2004
From: NORMANN, JAMES BRIAN
To: CATERPILLAR S.A.R.L.
Reel/Frame 015499/0797 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20050283295A1 · Dec 22, 2005