Monitoring tool, system and method for earth working equipment and operations

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2022194580-A1
Application number	US-202017611068-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 13, 2020
Priority date	May 14, 2019
Publication date	Jun 23, 2022
Grant date	—

Abstract

A system and monitoring tool for monitoring at least one characteristic of an earth working operation. The monitoring tool includes an unmanned vehicle and a tether connecting the unmanned vehicle to home device. The tether may provide a secure connection for transmission of information and/or power to the unmanned vehicle.

First claim

1 - 17 . (canceled)

18 . A monitoring tool comprising:
an unmanned vehicle including an electronic device to monitor at least one characteristic pertaining to an earth working operation, and to transmit information pertaining to the at least one characteristic; and a tether to connect the unmanned vehicle to a home device.

19 . The monitoring tool of claim 18 , wherein the tether provides power to the unmanned vehicle.

20 . The monitoring tool of claim 19 , wherein the tether transmits the information pertaining the at least one characteristic to the home device.

21 . The monitoring tool of claim 18 , wherein the tether transmits the information pertaining the at least one characteristic to the home device.

22 . The monitoring tool of claim 18 , wherein the at least one characteristic relates to wear and/or damage to an earth working equipment and/or wear parts secured to the equipment.

23 . The monitoring tool of claim 18 , wherein the at least one characteristic relates to whether wear parts remain secured to an earth working equipment.

24 . The monitoring tool of claim 18 , wherein the at least one characteristic relates to an amount of earthen material gathered in a cavity of the earth working equipment.

25 . The monitoring tool of claim 18 , wherein the at least one characteristic relates to a measure of performance by an earth working equipment.

26 . The monitoring tool of claim 18 , wherein the at least one characteristic relates to a usage by an earth working equipment.

27 . The monitoring tool of claim 18 , wherein the at least one characteristic relates to a concentration of at least one ore in earthen material associated with the earth working operation.

28 . The monitoring tool of claim 18 , wherein the unmanned vehicle is an aerial vehicle.

29 . The monitoring tool of claim 18 , wherein the unmanned vehicle is remotely and/or autonomously operated.

30 . The monitoring tool of claim 18 , wherein the unmanned vehicle is a ground-based robot.

31 . The monitoring tool of claim 18 , wherein the at least one characteristic relates to part identification, presence, condition, usage and/or performance of equipment and/or products associated with the earth working equipment.

32 . A monitoring tool comprising:
a home device; an unmanned vehicle including an electronic device to monitor at least one characteristic pertaining to an earth working operation, and to transmit information pertaining to the at least one characteristic; and a tether connecting the unmanned vehicle to the home device.

33 . The monitoring tool of claim 32 , wherein the tether provides power to the unmanned vehicle.

34 . The monitoring tool of claim 33 , wherein the home device includes a power source for powering the unmanned vehicle and/or the electronic device.

35 . The monitoring tool of claim 32 , wherein the tether transmits the information pertaining the at least one characteristic to the home device.

36 . The monitoring tool of claim 35 , wherein the home device includes a transmitter, receiver and/or transceiver to send and/or receive data through the tether.

37 . The monitoring tool of claim 32 , wherein the unmanned vehicle is an aerial vehicle.

38 . The monitoring tool of claim 32 , wherein the unmanned vehicle is remotely and/or autonomously operated.

39 . The monitoring tool of claim 32 , wherein the unmanned vehicle is a ground-based robot.

40 . A monitoring system comprising:
at least one earth working equipment; and a monitoring tool including:
a home device;
an unmanned vehicle including an electronic device to monitor at least one characteristic pertaining to an earth working operation, and to transmit information pertaining to the at least one characteristic; and
a tether connecting the unmanned vehicle to the home device.

41 . The monitoring system of claim 40 , wherein the earth working equipment is a bucket.

42 . The monitoring system of claim 40 , wherein the earth working equipment is for mineral processing.

43 . The monitoring system of claim 40 , wherein the earth working equipment is a haul truck.

44 . The monitoring system of claim 40 , wherein the tether provides power to the unmanned vehicle.

45 . The monitoring system of claim 40 , wherein the tether transmits the information pertaining the at least one characteristic to the home device.

46 . The monitoring tool of claim 40 , wherein the unmanned vehicle is an aerial vehicle.

47 . The monitoring tool of claim 40 , wherein the unmanned vehicle is a ground-based robot.

Assignees

• Esco Group Llc

Inventors

• Cowgill Noah D

Classifications

• B64U2201/202

  using tethers for connecting to ground station · CPC title

• E02F3/28

  with digging tools mounted on a dipper- or bucket-arm {, i.e. there is either one arm or a pair of arms}, e.g. dippers, buckets · CPC title

• E02F9/2825 Primary

  using adapters · CPC title

• B64U2101/17

  for detecting, disrupting or countering communications · CPC title

• B64U2201/20

  Remote controls · CPC title