Control and method for positioning a tool of a construction apparatus
US6364028B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 22, 2000 |
| Grant date | Apr 2, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 22, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S2007/52014
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A control system for establishing grade and elevation control for a tool of a construction apparatus for maintaining the vertical position of the tool relative to a reference includes a first ultrasonic transducer configured to be carried by the construction apparatus, with the first transducer transmitting and receiving acoustic waves, at least one reflector, a second ultrasonic transducer configured to be carried by the construction apparatus, with the second transducer receiving acoustic waves, and a controller coupled to the first and second ultrasonic transducers which drive the transducers to produce an acoustic wave and monitors the time reflections of the acoustic wave are respectively received by the first and second transducers. The controller determines the local speed of sound based on a first in time reflection received by the second ultrasonic transducer and determines the distance from the construction tool to a reference based on the local speed of sound and a second in time reflection received by both the first and second ultrasonic transducers. The controller produces at least one electrical signal as a function of the distance of the ultrasonic transducers from t…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.