System and method for controlling fluid dispensing operation

Abstract

A system 204 for controlling a fluid dispensing operation, the system comprising: a moisture detection sensor 206 configured to generate an input signal indicative of a current moisture level of a ground surface; and a controller 212 including one or more memories 214 and one or more processors 216 communicably coupled with the one or more memories and the moisture detection sensor, wherein the one or more processors are configured to: receive the input signal indicative of the current moisture level of the ground surface from the moisture detection sensor; compare the current moisture level of the ground surface with a target moisture level of the ground surface, wherein the target moisture level is stored in the one or more memories; determine an amount of fluid required to maintain the target moisture level of the ground surface based on the comparison between the current moisture level and the target moisture level; and transmit a control signal to dispense the required amount of fluid on the ground surface to achieve the target moisture level, wherein the control signal is at least transmitted to a fluid dispensing machine that dispenses the required amount of fluid on the ground surface. A fluid dispensing system and a method of controlling a fluid dispenser are also claimed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a system for controlling a fluid dispensing operation, a fluid dispensing system, and a method for controlling the fluid dispensing operation. Background

[0002] A worksite, such as a haul road or a mining site, may be subjected to fugitive dust from a ground surface due to various tasks being performed by machines at the worksite. The dust may also be generated due to environmental conditions, among other examples. The dust generated at the worksite may reduce visibility, may impact health of personnel / operators and as well as pollution levels in the environment, may complicate operations of the machines at the worksite, and may require increased equipment maintenance and cleaning. In some situations, the dust may be suppressed by dispensing water on the ground surface. Dispensing water may also prevent degradation of the ground surface.

[0003] Unless an appropriate amount of water is dispensed, the dust may remain and / or the ground surface may remain subject to degradation. For example, providing an insufficient amount of water on the ground surface may not sufficiently reduce the dust. Conversely, providing an excessive amount of water may cause degradation of the ground surface and make the surface prone to loss of traction. Moreover, water resources are limited at many worksites, and thus a controlled distribution of water is important to prevent water wastage and to assure social license to operate via optimal stewardship of a finite resource on which local communities may rely.

[0004] Conventionally, dust detection sensors are used for detecting the dust at worksites. Such dust detection sensors can be used for mapping dust levels around the worksite, and with particular interest for haul roads or other areas of machine operation. Inputs from the dust detection sensors may be used to determine an amount of water that is to be dispensed at the worksite. Such dust detection sensors and the associated method of determining the amount of water to be dispensed at the worksite does not take into consideration factors, such as an oversaturation or an undersaturation of the ground surface, due to which the ground surface may either be subjected to lesser or excessive amount of water. Further, such conventional systems and methods are aimed at reducing the dust generated at the worksite, and do not provide a means to prevent a generation of the dust at the worksite.

[0005] U.S. Published Application 2024 / 0018870, hereinafter referred to as '870 application, describes a device that may determine a current level of moisture of a section of a ground surface. The device may determine a moisture removal rate of the section of the ground surface. The device may predict an expected level of moisture of the section of the ground surface at an estimated time of arrival of an autonomous machine with a water dispensing unit and determine an amount of water to be dispensed by the autonomous machine at the section of the ground surface. The expected level of moisture may be predicted based on the current level of moisture and the moisture removal rate. The amount of water may be determined based on the expected level of moisture and a desired level of moisture. The device may provide a command, to the autonomous machine, to cause the autonomous machine to dispense the amount of water to the section of the ground surface. The techniques described in the '870 application to determine the current level of moisture of the section of the ground surface is based on indirect estimate or assumption of a moisture level based on how much water was delivered. In other words, the current level of moisture is not directly measured. Summary of the Disclosure

[0006] In an aspect of the present disclosure, a system for controlling a fluid dispensing operation is provided. The system includes a moisture detection sensor configured to generate an input signal indicative of a current moisture level of a ground surface. The system also includes a controller including one or more memories and one or more processors communicably coupled with the one or more memories and the moisture detection sensor. The one or more processors are configured to receive the input signal indicative of the current moisture level of the ground surface from the moisture detection sensor. The one or more processors are also configured to compare the current moisture level of the ground surface with a target moisture level of the ground surface. The target moisture level is stored in the one or more memories. The one or more processors are further configured to determine an amount of fluid required to maintain the target moisture level of the ground surface based on the comparison between the current moisture level and the target moisture level. The one or more processors are configured to transmit a control signal to dispense the required amount of fluid on the ground surface to achieve the target moisture level. The control signal is at least transmitted to a fluid dispensing machine that dispenses the required amount of fluid on the ground surface.

[0007] In another aspect of the present disclosure, a fluid dispensing system is provided. The fluid dispensing system includes a fluid dispensing machine that dispenses fluid on a ground surface. The fluid dispensing system includes a system for controlling a fluid dispensing operation. The system includes a moisture detection sensor configured to generate an input signal indicative of a current moisture level of the ground surface. The system also includes a controller including one or more memories and one or more processors communicably coupled with the one or more memories and the moisture detection sensor. The one or more processors are configured to receive the input signal indicative of the current moisture level of the ground surface from the moisture detection sensor. The one or more processors are also configured to compare the current moisture level of the ground surface with a target moisture level of the ground surface. The target moisture level is stored in the one or more memories. The one or more processors are further configured to determine an amount of fluid required to maintain the target moisture level of the ground surface based on the comparison between the current moisture level and the target moisture level. The one or more processors are configured to transmit a control signal to dispense the required amount of fluid on the ground surface to achieve the target moisture level. The control signal is at least transmitted to the fluid dispensing machine that dispenses the required amount of fluid on the ground surface.

[0008] In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for controlling a fluid dispensing operation is provided. The method includes generating, by a moisture detection sensor, an input signal indicative of a current moisture level of a ground surface. The method also includes receiving, by one or more processors of a controller, the input signal indicative of the current moisture level of the ground surface from the moisture detection sensor. The one or more processors are communicably coupled with the one or more memories of the controller and the moisture detection sensor. The method further includes comparing, by the one or more processors, the current moisture level of the ground surface with a target moisture level of the ground surface. The target moisture level is stored in the one or more memories. The method includes determining, by the one or more processors, an amount of fluid required to maintain the target moisture level of the ground surface based on the comparison between the current moisture level and the target moisture level. The method also includes transmitting, by the one or more processors, a control signal to dispense the required amount of fluid on the ground surface to achieve the target moisture level. The control signal is at least transmitted to a fluid dispensing machine that dispenses the required amount of fluid on the ground surface.

[0009] Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings. Brief Description of Drawings ...........................................................................................................................*...........................................................................................................................................................w'1..........

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a worksite including a haul road and a work machine operating on the haul road, according to an example of the present disclosure;

[0011] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a fluid dispensing system including a fluid dispensing machine and a system for controlling a fluid dispensing operation, according to an example of the present disclosure; and

[0012] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method for controlling the fluid dispensing operation, according to an example of the present disclosure. Detailed Description

[0013] Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to same or like parts.

[0014] Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary worksite 100 is illustrated. The worksite 100 may be associated with mining, excavation, construction, landfills, and material stockpiles. One or more work machines 102 may operate at the worksite 100. As an example, a single work machine 102 is illustrated herein. However, multiple work machines 102 may operate at the worksite 100. The work machine 102 may be an operator-controlled machine, an autonomous machine, or a semi-autonomous machine. The work machine 102 may include a mining machine, an off-highway haul truck, an articulated truck, an excavator, a loader, a dozer, a scraper, or other types of earthworking machine for performing work operations at the worksite 100, or a light vehicle operated by site supervisors. In an example, the work machine 102 may be a transportation machine, for transporting excavated material to another location.

[0015] In connection with various work operations, the work machine 102 may travel along various haul roads 104 of the worksite 100 between excavation locations, dumping areas, and other locations on the worksite 100. One or more of the haul roads 104 may be sloped, and one or more of the haul roads 104 may act as an entrance ramp into the worksite 100 and an exit ramp out of worksite 100 or may be the entire surface of the worksite 100. The worksite 100 may be particularly susceptible to dust, also known as fugitive dust, due to the nature of the work operations being performed the worksite 100. Further, the haul road 104 may have coal, shale, stone, iron, or other base minerals, etc., disposed on its ground surface 106, which may erode and generate significant amount of fugitive dust. Moreover, work operations such as cutting, digging, loading, and scraping may also increase the dust at the worksite 100. In addition, the work machines 102 traveling at the worksite 100 may disturb settled dust, thereby increasing dust levels at the worksite 100.

[0016] Referring to FIG. 2, a schematic diagram of a fluid dispensing system 200 is illustrated. The fluid dispensing system 200 is used to dispense fluids on the ground surface 106 (see FIG. 1) of the worksite 100 (see FIG. 1) to control dust levels and / or minimize generation of dust at the worksite 100. In an example, the fluids may be dispensed on the haul road 104 (see FIG. 1). The fluid may include, water, for example. The fluid dispensing system 200 includes a fluid dispensing machine 202 that dispenses fluid on the ground surface 106. The fluid dispensing machine 202 may include a fluid delivery truck or a fluid truck, that may include a fluid tank disposed thereon for holding fluid. It should be noted that multiple fluid dispensing machine 202 may be present at the worksite 100. The fluid dispensing machine 202 may travel on the haul road 104 to dispense fluid on the ground surface 106 to control dust levels and / or minimize generation of dust at the worksite 100. The fluid dispensing machine 202 may be an operator-controlled machine, an autonomous machine, or a semi-autonomous machine.

[0017] The fluid dispensing system 200 also includes a system 204 for controlling a fluid dispensing operation. The system 204 includes a moisture detection sensor 206 that generates an input signal II indicative of a current moisture level of the ground surface 106. Although a single moisture detection sensor 206 is illustrated herein, it should be noted that the system 204 may include any number of moisture detection sensors 206, as per application attributes. The moisture detection sensor 206 may include a hyperspectral sensor, a radiometric sensor, and / or a thermal sensor. In some examples, the system 204 may include each of the hyperspectral sensor, the radiometric sensor, and the thermal sensor. In other examples, the system 204 may include one or more of the hyperspectral sensor, the radiometric sensor, and the thermal sensor. In some examples, the moisture detection sensor 206 may determine a surface temperature of the ground surface 106 as a proxy for the current moisture level of soil on the ground surface 106. Further, data received from the moisture detection sensor 206 may be used to generate a heat map indicating the current moisture levels or saturation levels of the soil on the ground surface 106.

[0018] The moisture detection sensor 206 may be mounted on a utility aerial vehicle 208 (shown in FIG. 1), the one or more work machines 102 (see FIG. 1) operating on the ground surface 106, and / or one or more service vehicles 210 (shown in FIG. 1) deployed on the ground surface 106. The utility aerial vehicle 208 and the one or more service vehicles 210 may be a part of the system 204. It should be noted that the moisture detection sensor 206 may be mounted on multiple utility aerial vehicles that may operate at the worksite 100. The utility aerial vehicle 208 may include a drone, for example. Further, in some examples, the moisture detection sensor 206 may be disposed on all work machines 102 or on some of the work machines 102 that operate on the haul road 104, based on factors, such as, a length of the haul road 104, an operating distance of the work machines 102, and the like. Furthermore, it may be required to determine the current moisture level of the ground surface 106 at predetermined time intervals or continuously. Accordingly, a total number of the work machines 102 on which the moisture detection sensor 206 is to be mounted as well as a total number of the moisture detection sensor 206 needed may vary.

[0019] In some examples, the one or more service vehicles 210 may be additionally deployed on the haul road 104. The moisture detection sensor 206 may be disposed on such service vehicles 210. The service vehicles 210 may be operated at a predetermined speed for effective monitoring of the current moisture level of the ground surface 106 and may cover different areas of interest of the haul road 104. The service vehicles 210 may include, for example, road maintenance vehicles, or any other type of vehicle present at the worksite 100.

[0020] The system 204 also includes a controller 212 including one or more memories 214 and one or more processors 216 communicably coupled with the one or more memories 214 and the moisture detection sensor 206. The one or more memories 214 may include any means of storing information, including a hard disk, an optical disk, a floppy disk, ROM (read only memory), RAM (random access memory), PROM (programmable ROM), EEPROM (electrically erasable PROM), or other computer-readable memory media.

[0021] The one or more processors 216 may embody a single microprocessor or multiple microprocessors for receiving various input signals and generating output signals. Numerous commercially available microprocessors may perform the functions of the one or more processors 216. Each processor 216 may further include a general processor, a central processing unit, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a digital circuit, an analog circuit, a microcontroller, any other type of processor, or any combination thereof. Each processor 216 may include one or more components that may be operable to execute computer executable instructions or computer code that may be stored and retrieved from the one or more memories 214.

[0022] The one or more processors 216 receive the input signal II indicative of the current moisture level of the ground surface 106 from the moisture detection sensor 206. It should be noted that the input signal II indicates the current moisture level of the ground surface 106 in different sections / area of the haul road 104. In some examples, the processors 216 may analyze the input signal II to determine the current moisture level of the ground surface 106.

[0023] The one or more processors 216 compare the current moisture level of the ground surface 106 with a target moisture level LI of the ground surface 106. The target moisture level LI is stored in the one or more memories 214. The target moisture level LI may be predetermined and may correspond to a level of moisture that does not cause oversaturation or under saturation of the ground surface 106

[0024] The one or more processors 216 determine an amount of fluid required to maintain the target moisture level LI of the ground surface 106 based on the comparison between the current moisture level and the target moisture level LI. It should be noted that the processors 216 may determine the amount of fluid required to maintain the target moisture level LI of the ground surface 106 at different sections of the haul road 104. For example, the processors 216 may determine that a first section of the haul road 104 may require 50 liters of water to meet the target moisture level LI based on the data received from the moisture detection sensor 206 deployed in the first section, a second section of the haul road 104 may require 35 liters of water to meet the target moisture level LI based on the data received from the moisture detection sensor 206 deployed in the second section, and so on.

[0025] The one or more processors 216 transmit a control signal Cl to dispense the required amount of fluid on the ground surface 106 to achieve the target moisture level LI. The control signal Cl is at least transmitted to the fluid dispensing machine 202 that dispenses the required amount of fluid on the ground surface 106. In addition, the control signal Cl may also be transmitted to a back office, a site management controller, or any other device, without any limitations. Based on receipt of the control signal Cl by the fluid dispensing machine 202, the fluid dispensing machine 202 may be directed towards the haul road 104 to dispense the required amount of fluid on the ground surface 106. In an example, the control signal Cl may be directly sent to a controller (not shown) associated with the fluid dispensing machine 202, and the fluid dispensing machine 202 may autonomously deliver the amount of fluid on the desired section of the haul road 104. Alternatively, the control signal Cl may be displayed on a display unit (not shown) in the fluid dispensing machine 202, and an operator of the fluid dispensing machine 202 may operate the fluid dispensing machine 202 to deliver the amount of fluid on the desired section of the haul road 104.

[0026] Further, the one or more processors 216 assign one or more fluid dispensing machines 202 to one or more areas of the ground surface 106 at which the required amount of fluid is to be dispensed. In other words, the one or more processors 216 may automatically assign the one or more fluid dispensing machines 202 to areas needing fluid. In an example, the processors 216 may generate a work plan to dispense the amount of fluid on the haul road 104. The work plan may include, for example, a number of the fluid dispensing machines 202 needed to dispense the fluid, a route for each fluid dispensing machine 202, and the amount of fluid that is to be dispensed by each fluid dispensing machine 202.

[0027] In some examples, the system 204 also includes one or more dust level sensors 218 that generate a signal S2 indicative of an amount of dust generated from the ground surface 106. The dust level sensors 218 may include cameras, light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensors, radio detection and ranging (RADAR) sensors, other perception sensors, and / or any other type of sensors, known in the art. In such examples, the one or more processors 216 receive the signal S2 indicative of the amount of dust generated from the ground surface 106 from the one or more dust level sensors 218. If the dust levels are higher and the current moisture level is low, a higher amount of fluid may have to be dispensed on the ground surface 106. Accordingly, the one or more processors 216 determine the amount of fluid required to maintain the target moisture level LI of the ground surface 106 based on the comparison between the current moisture level and the target moisture level LI, and the signal S2 indicative of the amount of dust generated from the ground surface 106.

[0028] In an example, the system 204 may further include a traffic data structure 220. The traffic data structure 220 may include a database, a table, and / or a linked list that stores traffic data DI regarding the one or more work machines 102 traveling over the haul road 104. The traffic data DI may include information regarding a number of the one or more work machines 102 operating on the haul road 104, a frequency of the one or more work machines 102 traveling over the haul road 104, information identifying a temperature of ground engaging members of the one or more work machines 102 when traveling over the haul road 104, and / or information identifying an amount of dirt generated from the ground surface 106 as a result of the one or more work machines 102 traveling over the haul road 104, among other examples. The traffic data DI may also include anticipated traffic over the haul road 104. The processors 216 may be in communication with the traffic data structure 220. In some examples, the one or more processors 216 obtain information related to the traffic data DI regarding the one or more work machines 102 traveling over the ground surface 106. If the traffic on the haul road 104 is high and the current moisture level is low, a higher amount of fluid may have to be dispensed on the ground surface 106. Accordingly, the one or more processors 216 determine the amount of fluid required to maintain the target moisture level LI of the ground surface 106 based on the comparison between the current moisture level and the target moisture level LI, and the traffic data DI.

[0029] In an example, the system 204 may further include one or more environmental data sensors 222. The one or more environmental data sensors 222 may include one or more devices that sense environmental conditions D2 associated with the haul road 104 and generate information related to the environmental conditions D2. The environmental conditions D2 may impact the amount of fluid that is required to be dispensed on the ground surface 106. The environmental conditions D2 may include a temperature at a location of the haul road 104, a measure of humidity associated with the haul road 104, a wind speed associated with the haul road 104, and / or a measure of overcast or precipitation associated with the haul road 104, among other examples. Accordingly, the data from the one or more environmental data sensors 222 may indicate the temperature, the measure of humidity, the wind speed, and / or the measure of overcast, among other examples. The one or more environmental data sensors 222 may include temperature sensors, humidity sensors, a wind speed sensor, and the like.

[0030] The data from the one or more environmental data sensors 222 may be used to determine the current moisture level of the ground surface 106. The environmental data sensors 222 may be provided on the one or more work machines 102, and / or on one or more stand-alone devices located within a threshold distance from the haul road 104, among other examples. In some examples, the one or more processors 216 obtain the information related to the environmental conditions D2 around the ground surface 106. Further, the one or more processors 216 determine the amount of fluid required to maintain the target moisture level LI of the ground surface 106 based on the comparison between the current moisture level and the target moisture level LI, and the environmental conditions D2 around the ground surface 106.

[0031] In an example, the system 204 may further include a fluid dispensing data structure 224. The fluid dispensing data structure 224 may include a database, a table, and / or a linked list that stores data regarding fluid dispensing information D3 for the ground surface 106. The fluid dispensing information D3 may include an amount of fluid that was previously dispensed over the ground surface 106, a time stamp at which the fluid was previously dispensed over the ground surface 106, a scheduled fluid dispensing event, an amount of fluid that will be dispensed at the scheduled fluid dispensing event, and the like. In some examples, the one or more processors 216 obtain the fluid dispensing information D3 for the ground surface 106. The fluid dispensing information D3 at least in part indicates the amount of fluid that was previously dispensed over the ground surface 106. The fluid dispensing information D3 may govern the amount of fluid that will be required to maintain the target moisture level LI. Accordingly, the one or more processors 216 determine the amount of fluid required to maintain the target moisture level LI of the ground surface 106 based on the comparison between the current moisture level and the target moisture level LI, and the fluid dispensing information D3.

[0032] In some examples, the one or more processors 216 may also obtain information of a type of soil at the haul road 104 or underfoot conditions at the haul road 104, which may have an impact on the dust levels on the haul road 104. For example, the soil may have a higher clay mineral content that retains moisture. Further, the one or more processors 216 may determine the amount of fluid required to maintain the target moisture level LI of the ground surface 106 based on the comparison between the current moisture level and the target moisture level LI, as well as the type of soil at the haul road 104 and / or the underfoot conditions at the haul road 104.

[0033] In some examples, the one or more processors 216 may also be in communication with a wheel slip sensor 226 associated with the one or more of the work machines 102 and / or the one or more service vehicles 210. The wheel slip sensor 226 may measure a parameter related to wheel slip of the one or more of the work machines 102 and / or the one or more service vehicles 210. Wheel slip may indicate whether the ground surface 106 is slippery. For example, the ground surface 106 may be slippery when the soil is oversaturated or, in other words, if the moisture levels are high. The one or more processors 216 may obtain information related to the wheel slip of the one or more of the work machines 102 and / or the one or more service vehicles 210 that are operating on the ground surface 106. Further, the one or more processors 216 may determine the amount of fluid required to maintain the target moisture level LI of the ground surface 106 based on the comparison between the current moisture level and the target moisture level LI, and the information related to the wheel slip.

[0034] It is to be understood that individual features shown or described for one embodiment may be combined with individual features shown or described for another embodiment. The above-described implementation does not in any way limit the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, it is to be understood although some features are shown or described to illustrate the use of the present disclosure in the context of functional segments, such features may be omitted from the scope of the present disclosure without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure as defined in the appended claims. Industrial Applicability

[0035] The present disclosure relates to the fluid dispensing system 200, and more particularly, the system 204 for controlling the fluid dispensing operation. The system 204 dynamically tracks the current moisture levels of ground surfaces at work areas, such as the haul road 104, as a basis to identify where and when fluid delivery is required. The system 204 includes the moisture detection sensor 206 that indicates the current moisture levels on the ground surface 106 to optimize a delivery of the fluid at different sections of the haul road 104 to maintain the target moisture level LI, while also reducing the dust levels on the haul road 104. Further, the system 204 may minimize a likelihood of dust originating on the haul road 104 by maintaining the target moisture level LI of the ground surface 106, thereby providing a strategy to prevent a generation of the dust on the haul road 104.

[0036] The system 204 ensures that the ground surface 106 is not oversaturated, which may in turn allow the work machines 102 operating on the haul road 104 to minimize use of speed restrictions where not needed. Further, the system 204 prevents undersaturation of the ground surface 106, which may in turn prevent degradation of the ground surface 106 and reduce a probability of dust generation. Moreover, the system 204 prevents wastage of water by dispensing only the desired amount of water on the ground surface 106.

[0037] The processors 216 of the system 204 calculates the amount of fluid required to maintain the target moisture level LI of the ground surface 106 and generates the control signal Cl. The processors 216 determine the amount of fluid to be dispensed based on the current moisture levels of the ground surface 106. Further, the system 204 also tracks the amount of fluid that was previously dispensed on the haul road 104, which may improve an accuracy of determining the amount of fluid that is required to maintain the target moisture level LI of the ground surface 106. Additionally, the processors 216 also take into consideration other factors that have an impact on the current moisture level of the ground surface 106, such as, the traffic data DI on the haul road 104, the dust levels on the haul road 104, the environmental conditions D2 on the haul road 104, the fluid dispensing information D3 for the ground surface 106, and the like, which may further increase the accuracy with which the processors 216 determine the amount of fluid that is required to be dispensed. The system 204 described herein may be implemented at existing worksites.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 3, a flowchart of a method 300 for controlling the fluid dispensing operation is illustrated. At the step 302, the moisture detection sensor 206 generates the input signal II indicative of the current moisture level of the ground surface 106. The moisture detection sensor 206 includes the hyperspectral sensor, the radiometric sensor, and / or the thermal sensor. Further, the moisture detection sensor 206 may be mounted on the utility aerial vehicle 208, the one or more work machines 102 operating on the ground surface 106, and / or the one or more service vehicles 210 deployed on the ground surface 106.

[0039] At the step 304, the one or more processors 216 of the controller 212 receive the input signal II indicative of the current moisture level of the ground surface 106 from the moisture detection sensor 206. The one or more processors 216 are communicably coupled with the one or more memories 214 of the controller 212 and the moisture detection sensor 206.

[0040] At the step 306, the one or more processors 216 compare the current moisture level of the ground surface 106 with the target moisture level LI of the ground surface 106. The target moisture level LI is stored in the one or more memories 214.

[0041] At the step 308, the one or more processors 216 determine the amount of fluid required to maintain the target moisture level LI of the ground surface 106 based on the comparison between the current moisture level and the target moisture level LI.

[0042] At the step 310, the one or more processors 216 transmit the control signal Cl to dispense the required amount of fluid on the ground surface 106 to achieve the target moisture level LI. The control signal Cl is at least transmitted to the fluid dispensing machine 202 that dispenses the required amount of fluid on the ground surface 106.

[0043] In some examples, the method 300 also includes a step at which the one or more dust level sensors 218 generate the signal S2 indicative of the amount of dust generated from the ground surface 106. The method 300 further includes a step at which the one or more processors 216 receive the signal S2 indicative of the amount of dust generated from the ground surface 106 from the one or more dust level sensors 218. The method 300 further includes a step at which the one or more processors 216 determine the amount of fluid required to maintain the target moisture level LI of the ground surface 106 based on the comparison between the current moisture level and the target moisture level LI, and the signal S2 indicative of the amount of dust generated from the ground surface 106.

[0044] In some examples, the method 300 also includes a step at which the one or more processors 216 obtain the information related to the traffic data DI regarding the one or more work machines 102 traveling over the ground surface 106. The method 300 further includes a step at which the one or more processors 216 determine the amount of fluid required to maintain the target moisture level LI of the ground surface 106 based on the comparison between the current moisture level and the target moisture level LI, and the traffic data DI

[0045] In some examples, the method 300 also includes a step at which the one or more processors 216 obtain the information related to the environmental conditions D2 around the ground surface 106. The method 300 further includes a step at which the one or more processors 216 determine the amount of fluid required to maintain the target moisture level LI of the ground surface 106 based on the comparison between the current moisture level and the target moisture level LI, and the environmental conditions D2 around the ground surface 106.

[0046] In some examples, the method 300 also includes a step at which the one or more processors 216 obtain the fluid dispensing information D3 for the ground surface 106. The fluid dispensing information D3 at least in part indicates the amount of fluid that was previously dispensed over the ground surface 106. The method 300 further includes a step at which the one or more processors 216 determine the amount of fluid required to maintain the target moisture level LI of the ground surface 106 based on the comparison between the current moisture level and the target moisture level LI, and the fluid dispensing information D3.

[0047] It should be noted that the steps of the method 300 may be performed in an order that is different from that illustrated and explained in reference to FIG. 3. Alternatively, various steps may be performed together.

[0048] While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed machines, systems and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of what is disclosed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof. LIST OF ELEMENTS TITLE: SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING FLUID DISPENSING OPERATION FILE: 24-0483US01 100 Worksite 102 Work Machine 104 Haul Road 106 Ground Surface 200 Fluid Dispensing System 202 Fluid Dispensing Machine 204 System 206 Moisture Detection Sensor 208 Utility Aerial Vehicle 210 Service Vehicle 212 Controller 214 One or More Memories 216 One or More Processors 218 Dust Level Sensor 220 Traffic Data Structure 222 Environmental Data Sensor 224 Fluid Dispensing Data Structure 226 Wheel Slip Sensor 300 Method 302 Step 304 Step 306 Step 308 Step 310 Step Il Input Signal LI Target Moisture Level Cl Control Signal S2 Signal DI Traffic Data D2 Environmental Conditions D3 Fluid Dispensing Information

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A system for controlling a fluid dispensing operation, the system comprising:a moisture detection sensor configured to generate an input signal indicative of a current moisture level of a ground surface; anda controller including one or more memories and one or more processors communicably coupled with the one or more memories and the moisture detection sensor, wherein the one or more processors are configured to:receive the input signal indicative of the current moisture level of the ground surface from the moisture detection sensor;compare the current moisture level of the ground surface with a target moisture level of the ground surface, wherein the target moisture level is stored in the one or more memories;determine an amount of fluid required to maintain the target moisture level of the ground surface based on the comparison between the current moisture level and the target moisture level; andtransmit a control signal to dispense the required amount of fluid on the ground surface to achieve the target moisture level, wherein the control signal is at least transmitted to a fluid dispensing machine that dispenses the required amount of fluid on the ground surface.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are configured to assign one or more fluid dispensing machines to one or more areas to one or more areas of the ground surface at which the required amount of fluid is to be dispensed.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the moisture detection sensor includes a hyperspectral sensor, a radiometric sensor, and / or a thermal sensor, and wherein the moisture detection sensor is mounted on a utility aerial vehicle, one or more work machines operating on the ground surface, and / or one or more service vehicles deployed on the ground surface.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising one or more dust level sensors configured to generate a signal indicative of an amount of dust generated from the ground surface, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:receive the signal indicative of the amount of dust generated from the ground surface from the one or more dust level sensors; anddetermine the amount of fluid required to maintain the target moisture level of the ground surface based on the comparison between the current moisture level and the target moisture level, and the signal indicative of the amount of dust generated from the ground surface.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:obtain information related to traffic data regarding one or more work machines traveling over the ground surface; anddetermine the amount of fluid required to maintain the target moisture level of the ground surface based on the comparison between the current moisture level and the target moisture level, and the traffic data.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:obtain information related to environmental conditions around the ground surface; anddetermine the amount of fluid required to maintain the target moisture level of the ground surface based on the comparison between the current moisture level and the target moisture level, and the environmental conditions around the ground surface.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:obtain fluid dispensing information for the ground surface, wherein the fluid dispensing information at least in part indicates the amount of fluid that was previously dispensed over the ground surface; anddetermine the amount of fluid required to maintain the target moisture level of the ground surface based on the comparison between the current moisture level and the target moisture level, and the fluid dispensing information.

8. A fluid dispensing system comprising:a fluid dispensing machine that dispenses fluid on a ground surface; anda system for controlling a fluid dispensing operation, the system comprising:a moisture detection sensor configured to generate an input signal indicative of a current moisture level of the ground surface; anda controller including one or more memories and one or more processors communicably coupled with the one or more memories and the moisture detection sensor, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: receive the input signal indicative of the current moisture level of the ground surface from the moisture detection sensor;compare the current moisture level of the ground surface with a target moisture level of the ground surface, wherein the target moisture level is stored in the one or more memories;determine an amount of fluid required to maintain the target moisture level of the ground surface based on the comparison between the current moisture level and the target moisture level; andtransmit a control signal to dispense the required amount of fluid on the ground surface to achieve the target moisture level, wherein the control signal is at least transmitted to the fluid dispensing machine that dispenses the required amount of fluid on the ground surface.

9. The fluid dispensing system of claim 8, wherein the one or more processors are configured to assign one or more fluid dispensing machines to one or more areas to one or more areas of the ground surface at which the required amount of fluid is to be dispensed.

10. The fluid dispensing system of claim 8, wherein the moisture detection sensor includes a hyperspectral sensor, a radiometric sensor, and / or a thermal sensor, and wherein the moisture detection sensor is mounted on a utility aerial vehicle, one or more work machines operating on the ground surface, and / or one or more service vehicles deployed on the ground surface.

11. The fluid dispensing system of claim 8, wherein the system further includes one or more dust level sensors configured to generate a signal indicative of an amount of dustgenerated from the ground surface, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:receive the signal indicative of the amount of dust generated from the ground surface from the one or more dust level sensors; anddetermine the amount of fluid required to maintain the target moisture level of the ground surface based on the comparison between the current moisture level and the target moisture level, and the signal indicative of the amount of dust generated from the ground surface.

12. The fluid dispensing system of claim 8, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:obtain information related to traffic data regarding one or more work machines traveling over the ground surface; anddetermine the amount of fluid required to maintain the target moisture level of the ground surface based on the comparison between the current moisture level and the target moisture level, and the traffic data.

13. The fluid dispensing system of claim 8, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:obtain information related to environmental conditions around the ground surface; anddetermine the amount of fluid required to maintain the target moisture level of the ground surface based on the comparison between the current moisture level and the target moisture level, and the environmental conditions around the ground surface.

14. The fluid dispensing system of claim 8, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:obtain fluid dispensing information for the ground surface, wherein the fluid dispensing information at least in part indicates the amount of fluid that was previously dispensed over the ground surface; anddetermine the amount of fluid required to maintain the target moisture level of the ground surface based on the comparison between the current moisture level and the target moisture level, and the fluid dispensing information.

15. A method for controlling a fluid dispensing operation, the method comprising: generating, by a moisture detection sensor, an input signal indicative of a current moisture level of a ground surface;receiving, by one or more processors of a controller, the input signal indicative of the current moisture level of the ground surface from the moisture detection sensor, wherein the one or more processors are communicably coupled with one or more memories of the controller and the moisture detection sensor;comparing, by the one or more processors, the current moisture level of the ground surface with a target moisture level of the ground surface, wherein the target moisture level is stored in the one or more memories;determining, by the one or more processors, an amount of fluid required to maintain the target moisture level of the ground surface based on the comparison between the current moisture level and the target moisture level; andtransmitting, by the one or more processors, a control signal to dispense the required amount of fluid on the ground surface to achieve the target moisture level, wherein the control signal is at least transmitted to a fluid dispensing machine that dispenses the required amount of fluid on the ground surface.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the moisture detection sensor includes a hyperspectral sensor, a radiometric sensor, and / or a thermal sensor, and wherein the moisture detection sensor is mounted on a utility aerial vehicle, one or more work machines operating on the ground surface, and / or one or more service vehicles deployed on the ground surface.

17. The method of claim 15 further comprising:generating, by one or more dust level sensors, a signal indicative of an amount of dust generated from the ground surface;receiving, by the one or more processors, the signal indicative of the amount of dust generated from the ground surface from the one or more dust level sensors; anddetermining, by the one or more processors, the amount of fluid required to maintain the target moisture level of the ground surface based on the comparison between the current moisture level and the target moisture level, and the signal indicative of the amount of dust generated from the ground surface.

18. The method of claim 15 further comprising:obtaining, by the one or more processors, information related to traffic data regarding one or more work machines traveling over the ground surface; anddetermining, by the one or more processors, the amount of fluid required to maintain the target moisture level of the ground surface based on the comparison between the current moisture level and the target moisture level, and the traffic data.

19. The method of claim 15 further comprising:obtaining, by the one or more processors, information related to environmental conditions around the ground surface; anddetermining, by the one or more processors, the amount of fluid required to maintain the target moisture level of the ground surface based on the comparison between the current moisture level and the target moisture level, and the environmental conditions around the ground surface.

20. The method of claim 15 further comprising:obtaining, by the one or more processors, fluid dispensing information for the ground surface, wherein the fluid dispensing information at least in part indicates the amount of fluid that was previously dispensed over the ground surface; anddetermining, by the one or more processors, the amount of fluid required to maintain the target moisture level of the ground surface based on the comparison between the current moisture level and the target moisture level, and the fluid dispensing information.

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