Automatic excavation or excavator teaching control system and method

摘要

According to one aspect of the present invention, a control system for automatically controlling a work implement of an excavating machine through an excavation work cycle is provided. The work implement includes a boom, stick and bucket, each being controllably actuated by at least one respective hydraulic cylinder, the hydraulic cylinders containing pressurized hydraulic fluid. The control system includes an operator control element adapted to produce an operator control signal indicative of a desired velocity of one of the hydraulic cylinders. An electrohydraulic valve actuates predetermined ones of the hydraulic cylinders to perform an excavation work cycle in response to the control signal. A sensor produces signals indicative of the forces associated with at least one of the hydraulic cylinders. A logic device receives the operator control signals, compares the control signal magnitudes to predetermined control signal magnitudes, and determines operating parameters associated with predetermined portions of the work cycle. Finally, the logic device receives the operator control signals and force signals, and responsively produces command signals to the electrohydraulic valve to automatically perform subsequent work cycles in accordance with the determined operating parameters.