Monitoring ground engaging products

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2024060823-A1
Application number	US-202318380375-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Oct 16, 2023
Priority date	Jun 17, 2019
Publication date	Feb 22, 2024
Grant date	—

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for detecting a characteristic of a ground engaging product on earth working equipment are described. The apparatus is operable to: measure a temperature profile at a ground engaging product location; compare the measured temperature profile with an expected temperature profile for that ground engaging product; and indicate a characteristic of the ground engaging product based on the comparison. Thermal inserts for use with ground engaging products on earth working equipment are also described.

First claim

1 - 23 . (canceled)

24 . A ground engaging product comprising an exterior surface and a thermal insert partly located within the exterior surface, and providing an externally visible outer surface, where the outer surface has a thermal conductivity differing from a thermal conductivity of the exterior surface.

25 . A ground engaging product according to claim 24 , wherein the thermal insert includes a thermally insulated layer surrounding a side and a lower surface of the outer surface thereby reducing thermal transfer between the outer surface and other parts of the thermal insert and surrounding areas of the ground engaging product.

26 - 43 . (canceled)

44 . A ground engaging product according to claim 24 , wherein the thermal insert includes a target area and having first thermal properties, and a mount extending from a lower part of the target area for insertion into the ground engaging product.

45 . A ground engaging product according to claim 44 , wherein the target area includes an outer surface, and the thermal insert comprises an insulating layer surrounding an edge of the target area or an edge of the mount.

46 . A ground engaging product according to claim 44 , wherein the thermal insert further comprises a power source and a controller.

47 . A ground engaging product according to claim 46 , wherein the thermal insert further comprises a thermal unit for heating or cooling part or all of the thermal insert.

48 . A ground engaging product according to claim 46 , wherein the thermal insert further comprises a thermal emitter for emitting a known signal for use in locating or calibrating the thermal insert.

49 . A ground engaging product according to claim 46 , wherein the thermal insert further comprises an accelerometer operable to detect movement of the ground engaging product.

50 . A ground engaging product according to claim 46 , wherein the thermal insert further comprises a transceiver for supporting wireless communications with remote devices.

51 . A ground engaging product according to claim 46 , wherein the thermal insert further comprises a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature at or near the thermal insert.

52 . A ground engaging product according to claim 46 , wherein the power source is rechargeable and the thermal insert further comprises a charging unit.

53 . A ground engaging product according to claim 44 including cavity for mounting on a base of an earth working equipment.

54 . A ground engaging product according to claim 44 including a wear member having a cavity for mounting the wear member on a base of an earth working equipment and a hole, and a lock received in the hole to secure the ground engaging product to the base.

55 . A ground engaging product according to claim 54 , wherein the exterior surface is on the wear member.

56 . A ground engaging product according to claim 54 , wherein the exterior surface is on the lock.

Assignees

• Esco Group Llc
• ESCO Group LLLC

Inventors

• Betournay Jason W
• Cowgill Noah D
• Hyde Steven D
• Carpenter Christopher M
• Anderton John M

Classifications

• B64U2201/202

  using tethers for connecting to ground station · CPC title

• B60Y2200/412

  Excavators · CPC title

• E02F9/267

  Diagnosing or detecting failure of vehicles · CPC title

• B64C39/024

  of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV · CPC title

• B64C39/022

  Tethered aircraft · CPC title