US 12,104,359 B2
Monitoring ground-engaging products for earth working equipment
Christopher M. Carpenter, Tualatin, OR (US); Karsten D. Zuendel, Portland, OR (US); Noah D. Cowgill, Portland, OR (US); Joshua K. Hoyt, Portland, OR (US); and David J. Sayler, Portland, OR (US)
Assigned to ESCO GROUP LLC, Portland, OR (US)
Filed by ESCO Group LLC, Portland, OR (US)
Filed on Feb. 12, 2016, as Appl. No. 15/043,433.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/234,463, filed on Sep. 29, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/198,552, filed on Jul. 29, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/175,109, filed on Jun. 12, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/151,124, filed on Apr. 22, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/116,216, filed on Feb. 13, 2015.
Prior Publication US 2016/0237640 A1, Aug. 18, 2016
Int. Cl. E02F 9/26 (2006.01); E02F 9/28 (2006.01); B64C 39/02 (2023.01); B64U 101/30 (2023.01)
CPC E02F 9/26 (2013.01) [E02F 9/267 (2013.01); E02F 9/2825 (2013.01); E02F 9/2833 (2013.01); E02F 9/2841 (2013.01); B64C 39/024 (2013.01); B64U 2101/30 (2023.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A monitoring system comprising:
an excavating machine including a bucket having a plurality of wear parts; and
a monitoring tool separate from the excavating machine, wherein the monitoring tool includes an unmanned aerial vehicle that is movable independently of the excavating machine to different locations relative to the excavating machine, and an electronic surface characterization sensor secured to the vehicle to detect the absence of the wear parts on the bucket and/or the condition of the bucket and/or the wear parts.