Degradation Machine Accelerometer Drum Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machines used for degrading natural and man-made formations, such as road milling machines, experience wear due to uneven terrain and buried objects, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A machine equipped with picks connected to a drum and an accelerometer system that measures forces and sends signals to control the drum's location, rotational speed, and elevation, allowing for real-time adjustments to avoid buried objects and optimize operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the machine operates on uneven terrain with buried objects, then the machine can perform degradation tasks, but wear on attack tools increases
Solution Approach 1:
The accelerometer detects changes in vibration patterns caused by buried objects before the picks contact them. The system preliminarily identifies the presence of rocks or other objects and adjusts the drum elevation or rotational speed in advance, preventing direct impact and reducing wear on the attack tools while maintaining productivity.
2Productivity
If the drum operates at high rotational speed, then productivity increases, but wear and potential damage from buried objects increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the rotational speed of the drum based on real-time feedback from the accelerometer. When buried objects are detected through vibration analysis, the system reduces rotational speed to minimize impact forces and wear. When the formation is uniform and safe, the system maintains higher speeds for optimal productivity, creating a dynamic balance between efficiency and tool protection.
3Device complexity
If the drum elevation is fixed, then the machine structure is simpler, but the machine cannot adapt to buried objects or optimize for different formation conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The accelerometer provides continuous feedback on the vibration characteristics of the formation and detects anomalies indicating buried objects. This feedback loop enables the control system to automatically adjust drum elevation and rotational speed without complex manual intervention mechanisms. The feedback-based control achieves adaptability while keeping the mechanical structure relatively simple.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system reduces wear on the machine by detecting changes in formation hardness and buried objects, enabling precise control to minimize damage and enhance operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
at least one accelerometer mounted to the machine adapted to measure forces acting on the machine in a direction substantially vertical to a direction of travel of the machine
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect of the invention, a machine for degrading a natural and/or man-made formation has picks connected to a drum of the machine and at least one accelerometer mounted to the machine adapted to measure forces acting on the machine. Electronic equipment is in communication with the at least one accelerometer and the electronic equipment has a processor adapted to determine a change in the formation based off of input from the at least one accelerometer. The electronic equipment also is in communication with a mechanism adapted to control, at least in part, a location of the drum.