US 12,252,849 B2
Active path monitoring control system and method for compactor
Joshua David Keyes, Saint Michael, MN (US); David Edwin Gerding, Maple Grove, MN (US); John L. Marsolek, Watertown, MN (US); and Nathaniel S. Doy, Maple Grove, MN (US)
Assigned to Caterpillar Paving Products Inc., Brooklyn Park, MN (US)
Filed by Caterpillar Paving Products Inc., Brooklyn Park, MN (US)
Filed on Apr. 8, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/716,458.
Prior Publication US 2023/0323612 A1, Oct. 12, 2023
Int. Cl. E01C 19/00 (2006.01); G05D 1/00 (2006.01); G05D 1/02 (2020.01); E01C 19/28 (2006.01)
CPC E01C 19/004 (2013.01) [G05D 1/0214 (2013.01); G05D 1/0219 (2013.01); E01C 19/282 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A control system for a compactor comprising:
a position sensor sensing a position of the compactor;
a steering system configured for both operator implemented steering and autonomous steering of the compactor;
a controller in communication with at least the steering system and the position sensor, wherein the controller is configured to:
receive position data from the position sensor including during the operator implemented steering of the compactor;
save the position data to a memory;
determine from the position data saved in the memory a possible intent by an operator to create a compaction area;
generate a prompt on an operator interface to confirm an actual intent of the operator;
generate a compaction plan for autonomously steering the compactor to compact in the compaction area, wherein the compaction plan is based at least partially upon the operator implemented steering of the compactor; and
implement the autonomous steering of the compactor within the compaction area according to the compaction plan;
wherein the possible intent by the operator to create the compaction area is determined from the position data that is one or more of: a return of the compactor to a path previously compacted, a movement of the compactor in a first direction along a first travel path followed by a stop of the compactor, a turn of the compactor of less than a predefined radius, a turn with vibration turned off and an operation of the compactor in reverse along a path that coincides substantially with a path the compactor had previously traveled.