Wear part monitoring

The present invention pertains to a system and a tool for controlling the condition, wear and performance of wear parts used in various types of floor work equipment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In mining and construction, wear parts (e.g. teeth, shrouds and flanges) are commonly provided along the edges of the excavation equipment to protect the base equipment from undue wear and, in some cases, also perform Other functions such as ground breaking in front of the digging edge. For example, buckets for trawler machines, cable shovels, front shovels, hydraulic excavators, and the like 15 are typically provided with multiple wear components such as digging teeth and shrouds that are attached to a bucket flange. A tooth typically includes an adapter secured to the edge of a bucket and a wear member attached to the adapter to initiate contact with the ground and break the ground in front of the bucket's digging edge.

During use, wear parts typically find a heavy load and highly abrasive conditions that sometimes cause wear parts to disengage and be lost from the excavator. For example, when a bucket fits into the ground, a wear member, such as a tip, will occasionally be lost from the adapter. The operators of the excavator machines are not always able to see when a piece of wear is lost. It is well known that a piece of lost wear can cause damage to the excavation equipment downstream. For example, a member

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Lost wear can cause damage that leads to additional downtime for conveyors, sieves, pumps and crushers. If a wear part is caught in a shredder, the wear part may be ejected and cause a danger to workers or it may become stuck and require an operator to detach the part that can sometimes be a difficult process, danger and / or that can take time. Additionally, the continuation of operation of the excavation equipment with missing wear parts can lead to reduced production and excessive wear on other components in the excavation equipment.

The abrasive environment causes wear parts to eventually wear out. If the wear parts are not replaced at the appropriate time, an excessively worn wear part may be lost, production may be lowered and other excavation equipment components may experience unnecessary wear.

Systems with varying degrees of success were used to control when a wear member was worn or damaged and needs a replacement. For example, the tooth wear control system and the missing teeth detection system sold by Motion Metrics use an optical camera mounted on a shovel arm of the excavation equipment. In addition, the US patent

8,411,930 refers to a system and method for detecting damaged or missing wear members. The system has a vibration-resistant video camera that is preferably mounted on a shovel arm. As the previous systems are located on the shovel arm, the systems only have a clear view of the wear members during a part of the excavation and dump operation. As a result, there is a potential for systems not to immediately record that a wear member was lost or needs replacement. In addition, systems should incorrectly record that a

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wear member was lost, the systems may have to wait until the next excavation and dump cycle confirms that the wear member really got lost and that an object did not obstruct the view of the systems and recorded a false alarm.

Other systems with varying degrees of success were used to control whether a wear member is secured with the base in an excavator. For example, mechanical systems have been fixed between the wear member and the base to detect the absence and presence of the wear member. In US Patent 6,870,485, the system contains a spring switch between the 10 wear parts. When the wear parts separate, an electrical switch activates a radio transmitter that alerts the operator that a wear part was lost. In US 5,743,031, the system comprises an indicator attached to the tooth and an actuator secured to the pincer mouth. In one example, the actuator drives a container with smoke to provide a visual signal that the tooth fell or is about to fall. These systems do not determine when a wear member reached the end of its useful life and needs to be replaced and these mechanical systems can be expensive and inconvenient to install when a wear member wears out and needs replacement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to a system and a tool for controlling wear parts for a floor work team. The control tool is particularly well suited for controlling the presence and wear (ie, the current wear profile) of wear parts used with buckets used for excavation in mining and construction environments.

In one aspect of the invention, electronic sensors are used together with programmable logic to determine if wear parts are present in the

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ground work team. If a wear part is not present, programmable logic triggers an alert. The alert notifies the operator when a wear part was released from the excavation equipment. This allows the operator to take necessary actions to ensure that the missing wear part is replaced and that the missing wear part does not damage the excavation equipment downstream. As examples, the electronic sensor may be a camera, a laser rangefinder, an ultrasonic sensor or another distance measuring sensor. In a preferred construction, the camera is chosen from a group consisting of 2 D cameras, 3 D cameras and infrared cameras.

In another aspect of the invention, electronic sensors are used together with programmable logic to determine the degree to which a wear part was worn on the ground work equipment. If the wear part wears a predetermined amount, the programmable logic triggers an alert. The alert notifies the operator when a worn wear part must be replaced. This allows the operator to take the necessary actions to replace the worn out wear part so that other components of the ground work equipment do not experience unnecessary wear. As examples, the electronic sensor may be a camera, a laser rangefinder, an ultrasonic sensor or another distance measuring sensor. In a preferred construction 20, the camera is chosen from a group consisting of 2 D cameras, cameras

D and infrared cameras.

In another aspect of the invention, electronic sensors are used together with programmable logic to determine how much a bucket was loaded during an excavation operation. In a preferred construction, the programmable logic can be programmed to communicate current and past loads for each excavation cycle to an operator or a wireless device. This allows the operator to adjust the excavation operation to optimally fill the bucket

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to the desired capacity. This system could be an autonomous system or it could be integrated with another system as a control system to control the presence and / or wear of wear parts installed in the bucket. As an example, the electronic sensor can be a camera, a laser rangefinder , an ultrasonic sensor or another distance measuring sensor. In a preferred construction, the camera is chosen from a group consisting of 2 D cameras, 3 D cameras and infrared cameras.

In another aspect of the invention, electronic sensors and programmable logic are used to determine a percentage at which the bucket was filled. The 10 percent can be determined by measuring the current bucket fill and comparing the current fill to the estimated capacity of the bucket. The electronic sensor can be, for example, a camera, a laser rangefinder, an ultrasonic sensor or another distance measuring sensor. In a preferred construction, the camera is chosen from a group consisting of 2 D cameras, 15 3 D cameras and infrared cameras. This system could be an autonomous system or it could be integrated with another system such as a bucket filling control system.

In another aspect of the invention, electronic sensors are used to determine the excavation cycle time. In a preferred construction, the programmable logic can be programmed to communicate the current cycle time and the cycle times passed for each bucket excavation cycle to an operator or wireless device. This allows the operator to adjust the excavation operation for optimum performance. As an example, an accelerometer and / or an inclinometer can be used to determine the beginning of an excavation cycle. This system can be an autonomous system or can be integrated with another system such as a control system to control the presence and / or wear of wear parts installed in the bucket.

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In another aspect of the invention, electronic sensors are used to determine high impact events at a bucket excavation edge (ie, greater than that experienced during normal excavation operation). In a preferred construction, the programmable logic can record the high impact event time. Programmable logic can be programmed to communicate high impact events to an operator or wireless device. As an example, an accelerometer can be used to determine when a high impact event occurs. This system can be an autonomous system but can be integrated with another system as a control system to control the presence and / or wear of wear parts installed in the bucket. This allows an operator or maintenance staff to better determine what may have caused the current state of the wear parts (for example, the wear member is present, the wear member is lost and the wear member is worn).

In another aspect of the invention, a tool is installed in a wear part that fits and moves the earth by digging. In a preferred construction, the tool is installed in a bucket used for digging, so that the control system has a clear line of sight to the edge of the bucket's excavation during the entire excavation and dump operation. The tool can be secured with an inner surface of the bucket or the tool can be secured with an outer surface of the bucket. As an example, the control system can be integrated with the bucket housing, integrated between two inner plates of a bucket that have double-walled housing or installed on the bridge or the top of the bucket.

In another aspect of the invention, features are incorporated into the wear part to aid in the detection of absence and presence. In a preferred construction, the features are incorporated into a mode adapter

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that if the control system is able to detect the characteristic, the control system is programmed to send an alert that the wear member was lost. In another preferred construction, the features are incorporated into the wear member so that, if the control system is able to detect the feature, the control system is programmed to indicate that the wear member was not lost from the equipment excavation.

In another aspect of the invention, features are incorporated into the wear part to help determine the extent to which a wear part in the excavation equipment was worn. In a preferred construction, a wear part contains multiple features along the expected wear profile, so that the wear part worn by the control system is able to detect the amount of features left in the wear part. .

In another aspect of the invention, the control system provides alerts to the operators of the equipment, databases and remote devices when the wear parts in the excavation equipment need maintenance. In a preferred construction, the control system communicates wirelessly.

In another aspect of the invention, the control system is provided with a device to show or indicate the status, wear and performance of the 20 wear parts. In a preferred construction, the control system is provided with a monitor. In another preferred construction, the control system is integrated with a visualization system that is a part of the excavation equipment that is controlled or a visualization that is remote from the control system.

In another aspect of the invention, the control system stores the history of the condition, wear and performance of the wear parts.

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In another aspect of the invention, the control system uses lights to illuminate the wear parts to control, so that the electronic sensors provide safe readings regarding the condition, wear and performance of the wear parts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a side view of a prior art mine excavator.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a hoe bucket excavator of the prior art.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a flange of a hoe bucket excavator of the prior art.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a set of teeth of the prior art.

Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the set of teeth 15 shown in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a partially exploded perspective view of a set of prior art teeth having only one tip and one adapter.

Figures 7A and 7B highlight the general process steps to control the condition and wear of the wear parts according to the present invention.

Figure 8 is a cross section of a control system of the present invention.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a bucket with a control system installed on the bridge bridge of the bucket according to the present invention.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of an upper part of a hydraulic front shovel bucket with a control system integrated with the

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Bucket housing according to the present invention. The flange, the bottom wall, the side walls and other details of the bucket are omitted to simplify the drawing.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of a box for a control system according to the present invention.

Figure 12 is a perspective view of a nozzle and / or cleaning tool for keeping a transparent wall clean in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 13 is a front perspective view of a device for keeping a transparent material in accordance with the present invention clean.

Figure 14 is a perspective view of a wear member with an exclusive feature and / or pattern along the wear profile of the expected wear member according to the present invention.

Figure 15 is a partial side view taken along lines 1515 15 of the wear member shown in Figure 14.

Figure 16 is a perspective view of a base with an exclusive feature and / or pattern on the top surface of the base, so that the exclusive feature and / or pattern can only be seen when the wear member is not present. according to the present invention.

Figure 17 is a front view of a Human Machine Interface (HMI) for use with a control system according to the present invention.

Figure 18 is a front view of a mobile HMI for use with a control system in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 19 is a side view of an electronic sensor for determining the filling of a bucket according to the present invention.

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Figure 20 is a side view of an electronic sensor for determining the filling of a truck body according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FORMS OF EMBODIMENT

FAVORITE

The present invention pertains to a system for controlling the condition, wear and performance of wear parts used in various types of soil work equipment including, for example, excavation equipment and soil transport equipment. Excavation equipment is intended as a general term 10 to refer to any of a variety of excavating machines used in mining, construction and other activities and which, for example, include bulldozers, loaders, trawling machines, cable shovels, front shovels and hydraulic excavators. Excavation equipment also refers to the components that fit on the ground of these machines, such as the bucket, the shovel or the cutting head. Ground transport equipment is also intended as a general term to refer to a variety of equipment that is used to transport ground material and, for example, includes hoppers and platforms or bodies of mining trucks. The present invention is suitable for controlling the condition, wear and performance of wear parts used in the excavation equipment in the form of, for example, excavation buckets, shovels, flanges, teeth and shrouds. In addition, certain aspects of the present invention are also suitable for controlling the condition and wear of a wear surface in the form of, for example, wheels and platforms or truck bodies. For convenience of discussion, the control process of the wear parts is treated in terms of a control system that controls at a point in a mining excavator, however, the

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Control process can be used with other wear parts used with many types of floor work equipment.

Relative terms such as front, back, top, bottom, and the like are used for convenience of discussion. The terms frontal or direct 5 are generally used to indicate the usual direction of movement of the ground material with respect to the wear part during use (for example, while digging) and upper or upper part are generally used as a reference to the surface on which the material passes when, for example, it meets in the bucket. However, it is recognized that in the operation of various machines working on floors, wear assemblies can be oriented in various ways and move in all types of directions during use.

A mining excavator 1 is equipped with a bucket 3 to gather ground material while digging (Figure 1). Bucket 3 includes a frame or housing 4 that defines a cavity 16 for collecting material during the excavation operation (Figure 2). The housing 4 may include an upper wall 6 having connecting brackets 8 for attaching the bucket 3 to the earth moving equipment 1, a lower wall 10 opposite the upper wall 6, a rear end with a rear wall 12 and a pair of opposite side walls 14 each located between the upper wall 6, the lower wall 10 and the rear wall 12. The housing 4 can be constructed with walls that have a single plate or can be constructed or with portions of the bucket that have double plates as is well known. Multiple bucket configurations are known and there are variations in the geometry of the bucket, for example, the bucket may not have an upper wall as in a dragline bucket, the rear wall can pivot as in a bucket bucket or a portion of the buckets. Side walls can be pivoted as in a hydraulic front shovel bucket. The specific geometry of the bucket is not intended to be limiting since the present invention

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It can be used with various types of buckets and with various types of wear parts used in the floor work equipment. Bucket 3 has a flange 5 that extends towards the bottom wall 10 and is the digging edge of bucket 3 (Figures 2 and 3). The digging edge is that portion of the equipment that leads to contact with the ground. The sets of teeth and shrouds are often secured with the digging edge to protect the edge and break the ground in front of the flange 5. Multiple sets of teeth 7 and shrouds 9 can be joined, as disclosed in the patent application publication US-2013/0174453 which is incorporated herein by reference, to the flange 10 5 of bucket 3 (Figures 2-5). The polished tooth 7 includes an adapter 11 welded to the flange 5, an intermediate adapter 13 mounted on the adapter 11 and a tip 15 mounted on the base 13. The tip 15 includes a cavity that opens back to accommodate the pincer mouth 17 base 13 and a front end to penetrate the ground (Figure 5). The securing mechanisms or locks 21 are used to secure the wear member 15 with the base 13 and the base 13 with the pincer mouth 23 (Figure 5). Other arrangements of teeth are possible, for example, the set of teeth 7a can be defined only with an adapter 11a secured to the flange and a tip 15a (Figure 6), as disclosed in US Patent 7,882,649 which is incorporated in Present by reference.

An aspect of the present invention pertains to the control of the presence and / or wear of the wear member on a base. For ease of discussion, the application generally addresses the control of the presence and / or wear of a wear member on a base secured to an excavation bucket. However, the invention could be used to control the presence and / or wear of a wear member on a basis in various types of floor work equipment and can control a tip in an adapter, a tip in an intermediate adapter , an intermediate adapter in an adapter, an adapter,

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a pincer mouth of a molten flange, a shroud, a flange, a shovel, a wear wheel, a truck liner or other wear member of other types of ground work equipment. During the life of the bucket or other equipment, the wear member wears out and needs to be replaced 5 times.

When a wear member reaches a recommended minimum wear profile (i.e., the wear member is considered completely worn out), the wear member is replaced so that production is not reduced and the base, on which the member rests of wear, no 10 experience unnecessary wear. Figures 7A and 7B illustrate the stages of a control system that controls the condition and wear of the wear members in an excavation bucket. The process shows three different supervisions of the wear members that are carried out in parallel and the results of the three supervisions result in a process performance (for example, wear member in good condition to continue the operation, wear member is worn and wear member missing). There are variations in the process, for example, it may be desirable only to control whether the wear members are present or only to control when the wear members wear out so that they must be replaced. In another example, it may be desirable to perform more than 3 different supervisions of the wear members or perform less than 3 supervisions of the wear members or only use parts of the process. In another example, the process can be carried out in series (ie, it performs a first supervision of the wear member and proceeds with the following supervision of the wear member, if necessary). It is also possible for the system to estimate the remaining life of the wear part based on the amount of the wear part

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remaining and wear rate to help the operator determine when to replace the wear parts.

Since each type of wear member has a determined recommended or minimum wear profile, one of the supervisions of the wear members 5 may be to determine the current length of each wear member in the bucket. The control system 25 can use an electronic sensor 27 to determine the current length of each wear member in the bucket (Figure 8). The length of the wear members can be determined, for example, by a camera, an ultrasonic sensor, a laser interferometer or other distance measuring sensor. In some embodiments, the camera can be an optical camera or the camera can be a thermal imaging camera. In some embodiments, the control system can be equipped with lights to illuminate the part or the wear parts that are controlled, so that the electronic sensors can provide accurate readings. Lights 15 that illuminate the part or the wear parts may alternatively be a part of the work equipment on floors or it may not be necessary to illuminate the wear parts. If the control system uses a camera to determine the lengths of the wear members in the bucket, the camera can first acquire an image of the flange 5 and the assembled tooth assemblies 7 (Figure 3). The following programmable logic in the central processing unit (CPU), controller, PC or programmable logic controller (PLC) (all of which will generally be mentioned as a controller) can apply a reference line to the image of the bucket flange (not shown). The reference line may define, for example, the allowable wear limit for each one of the wear members, may represent the bucket flange or the reference line may be an arbitrary line to establish a "trailing edge" or tip Final for programmable logic. The reference line can

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be, for example, linear or non-linear depending on the type of flange and / or wear members. The reference line (not shown) will preferably be located backwards from the leading edge of flange 5 (Figure 5). Programmable logic can have integrated vision recognition software to determine the guide edge 5 of each wear member in the bucket flange. The vision recognition software can be, for example, In-Sight marketed by Cognex. Programmable logic is programmed to count the number of pixels between the reference line and the leading edge of each wear member. Based on the pixel count, the programmable logic is programmed to determine the current length of each wear member. Once the current length of each wear member has been determined, the programmable logic compares the current length to the minimum wear profile established for the type of wear members installed in the bucket. Programmable logic can refer to a database with the type of wear members currently installed in the bucket or can determine the type of wear members installed in the bucket using vision recognition software. Programmable logic can also refer to a bucket database and wear part geometry to help vision recognition software determine the type and amount of wear members installed in the bucket. If the length 20 of each wear member in the bucket is greater than the established minimum wear profile (i.e., within a set range) and the results of the other parallel monitoring of the wear members are acceptable (for example, the wear member is on the base and the amount of edges that extend from the base coincide with the expected amount of edges 25 that extend from the base), Programmable logic can be programmed to return to the beginning of the process and determine the length of each wear member again (Figures 7A and 7B). The programmable logic can return continuously throughout the process or there may be a delay formed in the process so that the process runs once during a set time limit. If the current length of at least one wear member was close to the minimum wear profile (i.e., within a set range) and the results of the other parallel monitoring of the wear members are acceptable (for example, the member of wear is on the base and the amount of edges that extend from the base match the expected amount of edges that extend from the base), Programmable logic can be programmed to produce a caution alert that a specific wear member is close to needing a replacement. The alert can be, for example, a visual alert, haptic feedback and / or an audio alert. The control system can wirelessly provide alerts to operators of wireless equipment and / or devices to be accessed by the operator or others such as maintenance personnel, mining site administrators, or the like.

If, however, the length of each wear member is not greater than the minimum wear profile (i.e., less than an established range) and the results of the other parallel monitoring of the wear members are acceptable (for example, wear member is on the base and the amount of edges that extend from the base match the expected amount of edges 20 that extend from the base), Programmable logic can be programmed to produce an alert that the wear member has worn out. Programmable logic can be programmed to immediately produce the alert or to reduce false alarms; The programmable logic can be programmed, for example, to repeat the process a predetermined number of times or repeat the process 25 during a predetermined time frame to validate that process performance. This reduces the probability that the programmable logic does not register a

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object that obstructs the wear member or the electronic sensor as a worn or missing wear member.

Since each wear member and each base has a specific geometry, another monitoring of the wear member may be to determine the characteristics of each wear member and the base on the bucket to help know if the wear member is still attached to base. As will be disclosed in detail below, the exclusive features and / or patterns can also be included in the wear member or in the base to help know if the wear member is still attached to the base. If the key features 10, the exclusive features and / or the patterns are incorporated in the wear member and the control system is able to detect the characteristic and the results of the other parallel monitoring of the wear members are acceptable (for example , the wear profile is acceptable and the amount of edges that extend from the base match the expected amount of 15 edges that extend from the base), The control system is programmed so that the wear member has not been lost from the excavation equipment. In an alternative embodiment, the exclusive features and / or patterns are incorporated into a base so that the exclusive feature and / or the pattern can only be seen if the wear member is missing. If the control system 20 records the characteristics and / or the pattern and the results of the other parallel monitoring of the wear members are not acceptable (for example, the wear profile is not acceptable and the amount of edges extending from the base does not match the expected amount of edges that extend from the base), the control system is programmed to produce an alert that the wear member was lost.

As each base has a specific amount of edges that extend from it (that is, for each base there is a piece of wear that extends

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from the base), another monitoring of the wear member may be to determine how many edges extend from the base joined with the bucket flange to help know if the wear member is still attached to the base. This can be done by counting the number of edges that extend 5 from the base or flange (that is, the amount of edges that extend from the base or flange in a forward direction parallel to the movement of the bucket in a normal digging operation ) and comparing it with the expected amount of edges that extend from the base or flange. If, for example, the number of edges that extend from the base or flange does not match the expected amount of edges that extend from the base or flange and the results of the other parallel monitoring of the wear members are acceptable ( for example, the wear profile is acceptable and the wear part is on the base), Programmable logic is programmed to give a caution alert (not shown) and / or can be programmed to repeat the control process from the beginning. The control process can be repeated because there was an error in the process (for example, a stone or other item was misunderstood as a wear member). Similarly, if the wear member is on the base but the amount of edges extending from the base does not match the expected amount of edges extending from the base and the wear profile of the wear piece It is not acceptable, the programmable logic is programmed to repeat the control process from the beginning (not shown in Figures 7A and 7B). In an alternative embodiment, the programmable logic can be programmed to send a caution alert (for example, the wear member may wear out, but something can be housed between the wear members or the wear member can be lost and an object is misunderstood as a wear member). So the wear profile is acceptable and the amount of edges that extend from the base matches

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the expected amount of edges extending from the base but the wear member is not in the base (for example, exclusive feature in the base normally not visible when the wear member is present is currently visible), the programmable logic can be program to repeat the control process from the beginning as something that caused an error in the process (not shown in Figures 7A and 7B). If the wear profile is not acceptable and the wear member is not on the base but the amount of edges extending from the base coincides with the expected amount of edges extending from the base, the programmable logic can be programmed to Repeat the control process from the beginning as something that may have caused an error in the process (not shown in Figures 7A and 7B). If the wear profile is acceptable but the amount of edges that extend from the base does not match the expected amount of edges that extend from the base and the wear member is not on the base, the programmable logic can be programmed 15 to repeat the control process from the beginning as high that may have caused an error in the process (not shown in Figures 7A and 7B).

The results and alerts of the process can be sent to a human machine interface (HMI). The details of the HMI will be discussed in more detail below. The bucket wear control system can also communicate with other computer systems wirelessly or through a cable with specific wear members that need maintenance either because the wear member was lost or because the wear member It wears past the minimum wear profile. In addition, the control system can store all process results.

In addition to checking the condition and wear of the wear members in the bucket, the control system can control the performance of the bucket or other wear members. For example, the control system may end

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how far the bucket is loaded during the excavation cycle. When the bucket is loaded, the material that is excavated has a tendency to fill the bucket with an established profile. Once the bucket 3a was filled by the operator, the electronic sensors 27 measure the distance D1 to the load 91 within 5 of the bucket 3a (Figure 19) and the programmable logic uses the distance and a database of established load profiles to determine the volume of the load inside the bucket. Electronic sensors 27 and programmable logic can also determine a percentage at which the bucket was filled. The percentage can be determined by comparing the current load of the bucket with the estimated capacity 10 of the bucket. In an alternative embodiment, the electronic sensors 27 can measure the distance D1 to the load 91 within a truck body 3b (Figure 20) and the programmable logic uses the distance and a database of established load profiles to determine the volume of the cargo inside the truck body. Similar to the bucket, electronic sensors can be used to determine the percentage at which the truck body was filled.

The electronic sensor can be a camera, a laser rangefinder, an ultrasonic sensor or another distance measuring sensor. Programmable logic can determine the percentage at which the bucket is filled based on the distance to the load inside the bucket. The results of the current excavation cycle and the past 20 excavation cycles can be communicated to the equipment operator or to other databases and computer systems. This allows the equipment operator to adapt how the operator excavates to optimally fill the bucket and the truck body. The control system may use, for example, the same electronic sensors used to control the condition and wear of the wear parts 25 or may use separate electronic sensors to control the bucket load. The electronic sensors can be, for example, a camera, a laser rangefinder or an ultrasonic sensor. The camera can be, for example, a 3 D camera capable of determining the depth or it can be a camera coupled with vision recognition software as highlighted above. It is also possible that the electronic sensors determine the bucket load to be separate components of the control system and not incorporated with the control system. The use of a control system to control the filling of a bucket could be used as an autonomous system, that is, without a system to control the presence and / or wear of the wear parts. This type of control system could also be used in non-bucket applications (for example, as truck trays) to control operator efficiency or optimization.

The control system can be equipped with electronic sensors that are capable of determining the cycle time of an excavation cycle. For example, the control system can be equipped with an accelerometer and an inclinometer (not shown). The inclinometer provides the orientation of the bucket and the accelerometer registers an increase in force when the bucket is in the proper excavation orientation and thus indicates that the excavation cycle began. Programmable logic can determine the time from the beginning of an excavation cycle to the beginning of the second excavation cycle (that is, the time between the peaks at which the inclinometer indicates that the bucket is in the appropriate excavation orientation 20). The results of the current cycle time and past cycle times can be communicated with the equipment operator or with a wireless device. This allows the operator to adjust the excavation operation for optimum performance. It is also possible for electronic sensors to determine the cycle time not incorporated in the control system. The control of the loading of a bucket or truck tray and / or cycle time can help mining operators (or similar) to better optimize their operations. In an alternative embodiment, a

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pressure sensor instead of an accelerometer to determine when the excavation cycle began. The pressure sensor can be a hydraulic pressure sensor integrated with the work equipment arm on floors. In another preferred embodiment, a tension meter or load cell is used to determine when the excavation cycle began. The tension meter or load cell can be located in the bucket or a wear member in the bucket. In an alternative embodiment, a GPS can be used to determine the orientation of the bucket.

The control system can be equipped with electronic sensors that are capable of determining high impact events at the edge of the bucket's excavation (that is, greater than those experienced during normal excavation operation). For example, the control system may use an accelerometer, voltage meter, load cell or pressure sensor to determine peak impacts (not shown). Programmable logic can record the high impact event time 15. The results of high impact events can be communicated with the equipment operator or with a wireless device. It is also possible that the electronic sensors determine the high impact event to be separate components of the electronic sensor to determine the time of the excavation cycle or not to be incorporated with the control system.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the control system 25 having at least one electronic sensor is incorporated with the bucket 3 so that the sensor always has a clear line of sight to the digging edge or flange 5 of the Bucket 3 regardless of how the operator guides Bucket 3 during the excavation and dump operation (Figures 9 and 10). The electronic sensor can be integrated, for example, with the bucket housing 4 (Figure 10), integrated between the inner plates of a bucket having a double-walled housing (not shown) or installed on the bridge 29 or part

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upper of the bucket (Figure 9). The electronic sensors can be, for example, a camera, an ultrasonic sensor or a laser interferometer. The camera can be, for example, a Cognex 7100 camera. However, the control system could be mounted or integrated, for example, with an arm or other support of the excavation equipment or the body of the excavation equipment. In a non-bucket application, the control system can preferably be mounted and / or integrated into a base member that supports the wear part. The base member may be, for example, a truck tray or a shovel. If the control system is fixed to the truck tray, the control system can control the presence and / or wear of the wheels in the truck tray. Similarly, if the control system is fixed to the shovel of a bulldozer or a bulldozer, the control system can control the presence and / or wear of the corners on the blade or the guide edge of the blade. Like mounting the control system on the bucket, mounting on the truck tray or shovel 15 will provide a clear line of sight to the part or parts that are controlled.

The electronic sensor (s) 27 can be housed in one or several boxes 31 in one or more locations in the wear part that fits and moves the earth by digging to protect the sensor or electronic sensors 27 from the harsh mining environment and maintain the opening 33 of the electronic sensor housing free of fine products, dirt or other material that can negatively impact the electronic sensor 27 (Figures 8 and 11). The box 31 may have one or more mounting brackets 35 for mounting the box 31 on the first wear piece. The box 31 can accommodate additional electronic equipment (not shown) to control and process the data from the electronic sensor 27. In an alternative embodiment, some or all of the additional electronic equipment can be housed in the excavation equipment or in a location

<img file="AR110221A2_D0022.tif" />

remote (not shown). For example, one or more electronic sensors 27 can be located in one or several locations in / on the bucket and the electronic sensors 27 can communicate via a cable or wirelessly with other electronic sensors and / or additional electronic equipment 5 inside the excavation equipment cabin. In alternative embodiments, one or more electronic sensors 27 (shown in the phantom lines in Figure 9) can be placed on or in a second wear piece that joins with the first wear piece that fits and moves the earth for digging. The first wear piece can be, for example, a bucket, a shovel, a truck body, or the like and the second wear piece can be, for example, a tip, an intermediate adapter, an adapter, a shroud, a pincer mouth, a flange, a wear wheel, a truck liner, or the like. The electronic sensor (s) in the second wear part can communicate with the electronic sensor (s) 15 in the first wear piece, the second wear piece and / or with the additional electronic equipment that can be located in the first wear piece or locate away from the first wear piece. As with the electronic sensors in the first wear part, the electronic sensors in the second wear part can be communicated by cable or wirelessly. The additional electronic equipment may be, for example, a controller, a power source, a camera, and / or a wireless device. The controller can be, for example, an S7-1200 PLC marketed by Siemens. The power supply can just power the electronic sensor or it can also power the additional electronic equipment 25. In an alternative embodiment, two energy supplies are provided. A first power supply to power the electronic equipment and a second power supply to power the additional electronic equipment. The power supply can be, for example, a power supply sold by TDK-Lambda and / or an SDC- power supply

5. The camera can be, for example, a closed circuit television camera (CCTV). The CCTV camera can provide an HMI with a live 5 feed from the bucket flange. The details of the HMI will be discussed in more detail below. The wireless device can be, for example, a wireless serial device sold by B&amp;B Electronics (formerly Quatech).

The box can have at least one recess 37 on one side, so that the opening 33 of at least one electronic sensor 27 has a clear line of sight 10 to the flange 5 of the bucket 3 (Figures 8, 9 and 11). In an alternative embodiment, the bucket can have a recess 39, so that the opening of the electronic sensor has a clear line of sight to the flange (not shown) of the bucket (Figure 10). The recess 37 or 39 can be covered with a transparent wall 41, a translucent wall or a clear wall, so that the electronic sensor 15 is completely sealed inside the box (Figure 8, 10 and 11). In addition, a nozzle 43 may refer to spray air, water or other type of cleaning agent on the transparent wall 41, so that when dirt and fine products, air, water or cleaning agent accumulate clean the transparent wall 41 and hold the transparent wall 41 to see through it (Figure 12). In an alternative embodiment, the electronic sensor may have a transparent cover construction to protect the opening of the electronic sensor and the nozzle may be directed to spray the air, water or cleaning agent directly onto the transparent cover of the electronic sensor. (not shown). In an alternative embodiment, a cleaning tool 45 can be provided to clean the transparent cover of the opening or the transparent wall 41 (Figure 12). The cleaning tool can be integrated with a nozzle to spray the air, water or cleaning agent. In an alternative embodiment, the cleaning tool can be a separate tool from the nozzle. The cleaning tool can be, for example, a comb, a brush or a squeegee. In an alternative embodiment, the recess 37 in the box or the recess 5 within the bucket can be provided with a first reel 47 of transparent material 49 that is stretched through the recess to a second reel 51 (Figure 13). When the transparent material 49 becomes opaque, a motor (not shown) can rotate the second reel 51, so that the transparent material 49 moves from the first reel 47 to the second reel 51 and a new section of transparent material 49 covers The recess. In an alternative embodiment, the recess can be provided with multiple layers of transparent material so that, when the top layer needs to be replaced, the old top layer can be torn off to expose a new layer of transparent material (not shown). In another alternative embodiment, the electronic sensor opening may have a movable cover. The mobile cover can cover the electronic sensor when it is not in use and can be removed so that the electronic sensor can perform a measurement (not shown).

The electronic sensor 27 and additional electronic equipment (not shown) can be mounted on anti-vibration devices 53 so that the vibrations of the excavation and dump operation do not adversely affect the electronic sensor 27 and the additional electronic equipment (Figure 8). Various anti-vibration devices 53 known in the industry can be used to dampen the vibrations experienced. The anti-vibration devices 53 can be mounted, for example, on the top and bottom of a mounting unit that holds the electronic sensor 27. The anti-vibration devices 53 can be, for example, elastomers or springs.

<img file="AR110221A2_D0023.tif" />

An exclusive feature and / or pattern 57 can be added along the expected wear profile of the wear member 15 to help the control system determine the current wear profile of the wear member 15 (Figure 14 and 15). The exclusive feature and / or pattern 57 may be added to the wear member 15 at the time of manufacture or after manufacture. The exclusive feature and / or pattern 57 may be, for example, grooves 59 and / or grooves cut, cast or forged on the upper outer surface 61 of the wear member 15. In an alternative embodiment, the exclusive feature and / or Pattern may be a hard coating material 10 applied to the upper outer surface of the wear member (not shown).

When the wear member 15 penetrates the ground and wears out, the exclusive features and / or pattern 57 also wear out. The electronic sensor may be able to detect how many of the exclusive features and / or pattern 57 are left (for example, how many slots 59 and / or grooves are left). Based on the current wear profile and the minimum wear profile established, the wear control unit may send an alert (which could be a visual, audible and / or haptic alarm) when the wear member 15 is about to wear out at the minimum wear profile. A separate alert can be sent when the wear member 15 was worn after the minimum wear profile 20.

Exclusive features and / or patterns may be incorporated into the wear member or base to aid in the detection of absence and presence. The exclusive feature and / or pattern can be added to the wear member or base at the time of manufacture or after manufacture. The exclusive feature and / or pattern 57 may be, for example, grooves 59 and / or grooves cut, cast or forged on the upper outer surface 61 of the wear member (Figure 14 and 15). In an alternative embodiment, the feature

<img file="AR110221A2_D0024.tif" />

Exclusive and / or pattern may be a hard coating material applied to the upper outer surface of the wear member (not shown). In an alternative embodiment, the exclusive feature and / or pattern 63 may be, for example, a cut, cast or forged shape on the upper surface 65 of the base 13 so that the exclusive feature and / or pattern 63 is Only visible if the wear member is no longer attached to the base 13 (Figure 9 and 16). In an alternative embodiment, hard coating can be used to apply a shape to the upper surface of the base (not shown). In an alternative embodiment, a shape 67 can be cut on the upper surface 65 10 of the base 13 and a medallion 69 can be pressed, glued or otherwise secured within the cut (Figure 16).

At least one HMI 71 can be provided to display the current status and wear of the wear members in the bucket (Figures 17 and 18). The HMI 71 can be wired to the control system or it can be a wireless device 81 (Figure 18). HMI 71 can be located in cabin 2 of excavation equipment 1 (Figure 1) or can be located in a remote location. In addition, the HMI can be integrated with a display system currently in the excavation equipment (for example, with the OEM display), it can be integrated with a new display system within the excavation equipment 20 or it can be integrated with a system Remote viewing The HMI 71 can be configured to provide a graphical display 73 of the current state of the wear members on the bucket flange (Figure 17 and 18). HMI 71 can provide, for example, visual alerts (e.g., text 75 and / or pictorial images), haptic feedback (e.g., 25 vibrations) and audio alerts regarding the status of each wear member (Figure 17). The visual alert can be, for example, a graphic image 77 that displays each wear member and the condition of each wear member

<img file="AR110221A2_D0025.tif" />

(i.e. absent / present, acceptable wear, need for maintenance). The HMI 71 can be designed to display a live image 79 of the bucket flange so that an operator can visually control that an alert is valid. The HMI can be designed to display a history graph (not shown) so that an operator can determine when an alert occurs so that an operator can take the necessary actions if a wear member is lost.

The various control systems and features can be used together or as a single autonomous system without the other capabilities. Although the previous discussion discussed the invention in connection with the teeth in a bucket, the system can be used to sense the presence and / or wear of other wear parts in a bucket such as shrouds, wings, and / or wheels Moreover, systems of the present invention can also be used to control the presence and / or wear of wear parts in other types of work equipment on floors such as wheels on ramps or truck trays or corners on blades.

The above disclosure describes specific examples for a bucket wear control system. The system includes different aspects or features of the invention. The features in one embodiment can be used with features of another embodiment. The examples given and the combination of revealed features are not intended to be limiting in the sense that they should be used together.