US 11,987,949 B2
Method and apparatus for machine operator command attenuation
Vernon Joseph Brabec, Livermore, CA (US)
Assigned to Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc.
Filed by Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc., Livermore, CA (US)
Filed on Aug. 27, 2018, as Appl. No. 16/113,060.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/552,058, filed on Aug. 30, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2019/0063034 A1, Feb. 28, 2019
Int. Cl. E02F 3/43 (2006.01); E02F 3/32 (2006.01); E02F 9/20 (2006.01); E02F 9/26 (2006.01)
CPC E02F 3/435 (2013.01) [E02F 3/32 (2013.01); E02F 3/437 (2013.01); E02F 9/2033 (2013.01); E02F 9/262 (2013.01); E02F 9/265 (2013.01)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for operating an excavator controller, the method comprising:
determining a position of a bucket of an excavator;
receiving input requesting movement of a stick of the excavator;
determining whether the requested movement of the stick will cause the bucket to move below a desired grade based on an arc the stick will sweep in response to the input requesting the movement of the stick; and
in response to determining that the requested movement of the stick will cause the bucket to move below the desired grade:
determining an amount to raise a boom of the excavator to prevent the bucket from moving below the desired grade in response to movement of the stick;
preventing movement of the stick prior to raising the boom by applying opposing hydraulic pressures to a hydraulic cylinder connected to the stick at a value greater than a hydraulic pressure applied to the hydraulic cylinder caused by the input requesting movement of the stick;
raising the boom of the excavator the determined amount; and
actuating the stick of the excavator in response to the requested movement of the stick after the raising of the boom.