| US 7,578,079 B2 | ||
| Method for an autonomous loading shovel | ||
| Ken Furem, Cumming, Ga. (US) | ||
| Assigned to Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc., Alpharetta, Ga. (US) | ||
| Filed on Sep. 01, 2005, as Appl. No. 11/217,176. | ||
| Claims priority of provisional application 60/606570, filed on Sep. 01, 2004. | ||
| Prior Publication US 2006/0090378 A1, May 04, 2006 | ||
| This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer. | ||
| Int. Cl. G05D 1/02 (2006.01) | ||
| U.S. Cl. 37—348 [37/414; 701/50; 172/2; 172/3; 172/4.5] | 22 Claims |
| 1. A method for controlling an electric mining shovel, the method comprising a plurality of activities comprising:
determining a profile of a digging surface responsive to a scan of the digging surface;
identifying a predetermined bank profile from a plurality of predetermined bank profiles, the identified predetermined bank
profile a closest match of the plurality of predetermined bank profiles to the profile of the digging surface;
automatically determining a first electric mining shovel digging procedure based upon the identified predetermined bank profile;
automatically executing an optimization routine to determine a second electric mining shovel digging procedure;
automatically comparing the first electric mining shovel digging procedure to the second electric mining shovel digging procedure
to determine a preferred electric mining shovel digging procedure;
executing a confusion routine responsive to a determination that a bank of said digging surface is unstable, said confusion
routine adapted to request at least partial operator control of said electric mining shovel; and
automatically executing the preferred electric mining shovel digging procedure via the electric mining shovel, the preferred
electric mining shovel digging procedure adapted to, responsive to an automatic relocation of the electric mining shovel,
automatically control a cable reel to change an extended length of an electrical cable utilized to provide power to the electric
mining shovel.
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