초록 ▼

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 tran

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 the reference. In preferred form, the controller communicates the signal to a positioning device, which signal actuates the positioning device to adjust the position of the construction tool with respect to the reference.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A control system for establishing grade and elevation control for a tool of a construction apparatus and for maintaining the vertical position of the tool relative to a reference, the tool being carried by the construction apparatus, and the construction apparatus including at least one positioni

1. A control system for establishing grade and elevation control for a tool of a construction apparatus and for maintaining the vertical position of the tool relative to a reference, the tool being carried by the construction apparatus, and the construction apparatus including at least one positioning device that responds to signals from said control system to adjust the position of the tool, said control system comprising:a first ultrasonic transducer configured to be carried by the construction apparatus, said first transducer transmitting and receiving acoustic waves; at least one reflector; a second ultrasonic transducer configured to be carried by said construction apparatus and spaced a distance from said first ultrasonic transducer, said second transducer receiving acoustic waves, and said reflector spaced from said second transducer a distance less than said distance between said transducers whereby said reflector is at least in close proximity to said second transducer; a controller coupled to said first and second ultrasonic transducers, said controller driving said first and second transducers to produce an acoustic wave and monitoring the time reflections of the acoustic wave are respectively received by said first and second transducers; and said controller determining the local speed of sound based on a first in time reflection received by said second ultrasonic transducer from said reflector and determining 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 of said first and second ultrasonic transducers, said controller producing at least one electrical signal as a function of the distance of said ultrasonic transducers from the reference.