System and method for determining position of power rail of electric power supply system

The system uses sensors on work machines to determine power rail position efficiently, addressing errors and costs in existing methods, ensuring accurate site maps for autonomous operations.

WO2026135891A1PCT designated stage Publication Date: 2026-06-25CATERPILLAR INC
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
CATERPILLAR INC
Filing Date
2025-11-17
Publication Date
2026-06-25

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing methods for determining the position of a power rail in an electric power supply system are prone to errors, unreliable, require significant human effort, and incur additional costs due to the use of surveying means like light vehicles or drones, leading to inefficiencies in generating accurate site maps for autonomous work machines.

Method used

A system and method utilizing sensors on a work machine to generate input signals for geographical position and distance from the power rail, processed by a controller to determine the power rail's position accurately, eliminating the need for manual validation and additional surveying means.

Benefits of technology

Provides precise and cost-effective determination of the power rail's position, reducing human effort and operational costs while generating accurate site maps for autonomous operations.

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Abstract

　A system for determining a position of a power rail of an electric power supply system at a worksite includes a work machine, a first sensor that generates a first input signal corresponding to a geographical position of the work machine, a second sensor that generates a second input signal indicative of a distance between the work machine and the power rail, and a controller including one or more processors. The one or more processors determine the geographical position of the work machine based on the first input signal received from the first sensor, determine the distance between the work machine and the power rail based on the second input signal received from the second sensor, and determine a position of the power rail at the worksite based on the geographical position of the work machine at the worksite and the distance between the work machine and the power rail.
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