US 11,808,010 B2
Method and system for operating implement assemblies of machines
Pradeep Kumar P H, Chennai (IN)
Assigned to Caterpillar Underground Mining Pty. Ltd., Geneva (CH)
Filed by Caterpillar Underground Mining Pty, Ltd., South Burnie (AU)
Filed on Sep. 11, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/018,698.
Claims priority of application No. 2019240588 (AU), filed on Oct. 1, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0095442 A1, Apr. 1, 2021
Int. Cl. E02F 9/20 (2006.01); E02F 3/84 (2006.01)
CPC E02F 9/2045 (2013.01) [E02F 9/205 (2013.01); E02F 3/844 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for operating an implement assembly of a machine at a worksite, the implement assembly adapted to receive a load from a heap of materials, haul the load, and dump the load at a dump location, the method comprising:
detecting, by a controller, a movement of the machine towards the heap of materials;
moving, by the controller, the implement assembly from a first state to a second state while the machine is moving toward but not yet in contact with the heap of materials when at least one parameter associated with the machine relative to the heap of materials falls below a corresponding parameter threshold during the movement of the machine towards the heap of materials;
detecting, by the controller, an orientation of the machine during the movement of the machine towards the heap of materials, wherein the orientation of the machine is detected to determine that the machine is approaching towards the heap of materials with the implement assembly facing towards the heap of materials;
wherein the machine further includes a forward end and a rearward end, the implement assembly being couple to the forward end, and the method further includes:
detecting the orientation of the machine during the movement of the machine towards the heap of materials;
receiving, from a first sensor, data related to a first position of the forward end relative to the heap of materials;
receiving, from a second sensor, data related to a second position of the rearward end relative to the heap of materials;
computing, by the controller, a first distance between the first position and the heap of materials;
computing, by the controller, a second distance between the second position and the heap of materials;
determining, by the controller, the approach of the machine towards the heap of materials with the implement assembly facing towards the heap of materials when the first distance is less than the second distance; and
determining, by the controller, approach of the machine towards the heap of materials with the implement assembly facing away from the heap of materials when the second distance is less than the first distance.