US 12,351,995 B2
Auto scratch height for work machines
Paul J. Koenen, Andover, 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. 28, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/731,634.
Prior Publication US 2023/0349111 A1, Nov. 2, 2023
Int. Cl. E01C 23/088 (2006.01)
CPC E01C 23/088 (2013.01) 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A machine for roadwork, the machine comprising:
a frame;
a power source;
a milling rotor operatively connected to the power source and the frame;
at least one camera, the at least one camera configured to capture one or more images of the milling rotor; and
an image processor in communication with the at least one camera, the image processor configured to:
analyze the one or more images of the milling rotor captured by the at least one camera; and
determine a scratch height of the milling rotor based on the one or more images, wherein the scratch height defines a height of the milling rotor on condition that the milling rotor is in contact with a surface of a roadway.
 
10. A method of detecting auto scratch height on a work machine, the work machine including a frame, a power source, a milling rotor operatively connected to the power source and the frame, a camera configured to capture one or more images of the milling rotor, and an image processor in communication with the camera, the method comprising:
receiving, with the image processor, one or more images of the milling rotor captured by the camera;
analyzing, with the image processor, the one or more images captured by the camera;
determining, with the image processor, a scratch height of the milling rotor based on the one or more images, wherein the scratch height defines a height of the milling rotor on condition that the milling rotor is in contact with a surface of a roadway; and
communicating the scratch height to a system of the work machine having a controller to enable the work machine to more accurately measure a milling depth of the milling rotor.