Monitoring system for paving machine conveyor system

Abstract

A monitoring system for a paving machine having a conveyor system is disclosed. The monitoring system may include an input device configured to receive a first input indicative of a paving material efficiency factor, and a first sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of a conveyor speed. The monitoring system may further include a controller electronically connected to the input device and the first and configured to determine an amount of material deposited by the paving machine based on the paving material efficiency factor and the conveyor speed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A monitoring system for a paving machine having a conveyor system configured to convey paving material, the monitoring system comprising:
 an input device configured to receive a first input indicative of a paving material efficiency factor;   a first sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of a conveyor speed; and   a controller electronically connected to the input device and the first sensor and configured to determine an amount of material deposited by the paving machine based on the paving material efficiency factor and the conveyor speed.   
     
     
         2 . The monitoring system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the conveyor system includes a tunnel;   the monitoring system further includes a second sensor in electronic communication with the controller and configured to generate a second signal indicative of a fill level of the tunnel; and   wherein the controller is configured to determine the amount of material deposited by the paving machine based on the fill level of the tunnel.   
     
     
         3 . The monitoring system of  claim 2 , wherein the controller is configured to:
 determine a material area based on the fill level of the tunnel and an area of the tunnel; and   determine the amount of material deposited by the paving machine based on the material area.   
     
     
         4 . The monitoring system of  claim 3 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
 receive a second input indicative of a material density via the input device; and   determine the amount of material deposited by the paving machine based on the material density.   
     
     
         5 . The monitoring system of  claim 4 , wherein the controller is configured to:
 receive a third input indicative of an amount of a material delivered to the paving machine via the input device; and   determine a correction factor based on the amount of the material deposited by the paving machine and the amount of material delivered to the paving machine.   
     
     
         6 . The monitoring system of  claim 5 , wherein the controller is further configured to determine a subsequent amount of material deposited by the paving machine based on the correction factor. 
     
     
         7 . The monitoring system of  claim 5 , wherein the controller is further configured to determine a rate of material deposition based on the correction factor. 
     
     
         8 . The monitoring system of  claim 7 , further including a display in electronic communication with the controller, wherein the controller is configured to show one or more of the amount of material deposited, the rate of material deposition, and the correction factor to an operator of the paving machine via the display. 
     
     
         9 . The monitoring system of  claim 5 , wherein the input device is an operator interface configured to receive one or more of the first, second, and third inputs from an operator of the paving machine. 
     
     
         10 . The monitoring system of  claim 5 , wherein the input device is a communication device configured to automatically receive one or more of the first, second, and third inputs from offboard the paving machine. 
     
     
         11 . A method of monitoring a paving machine having a conveyor system, the method comprising:
 conveying paving material through a tunnel associated with the conveyor system;   receiving a first input indicative of a paving material efficiency factor;   receiving a first signal indicative of a conveyor speed; and   determining an amount of material deposited by the paving machine based on the paving material efficiency factor and the conveyor speed.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the method further includes receiving a second signal indicative of a fill level of the tunnel associated with the conveyor system; and   the amount of material deposited by the paving machine is determined based on the fill level of the tunnel.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the method further includes determining a material area based on the fill level of the tunnel and an area of the tunnel; and   the amount of material deposited by the paving machine is determined based on the material area.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the method further includes receiving a second input indicative of a material density; and   determining the amount of material deposited by the paving machine based on the material density.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further including:
 receiving a third input indicative of an amount of a material delivered to the paving machine; and   determining a correction factor based on the amount of the material deposited by the paving machine and the amount of material delivered to the paving machine.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further including determining a subsequent amount of material deposited by the paving machine based on the correction factor. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further including determining a rate of material deposition based on the correction factor. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further including showing one or more of the amount of material deposited, the rate of material deposition, and the correction factor to an operator of the paving machine via a display. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein one or more of the first, second, and third inputs are received via at least one of an operator interface and a communication device configured to automatically receive the one or more of the first, second, and third inputs from offboard the paving machine. 
     
     
         20 . A paving machine comprising:
 a machine frame;   a plurality of traction devices configured to support the machine frame;   an engine mounted to the machine frame and configured to drive the plurality of traction devices;   a hopper mounted at a first end of the machine frame;   a conveyor system configured to transport material from the hopper to a second end of the machine frame via a tunnel associated with the conveyor system; and   a screed mounted at the second end of the machine frame; and   a monitoring system associated with the conveyor system and including:
 an input device configured to receive a first input indicative of a paving material efficiency factor; 
 a first sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of a conveyor speed; 
 a second sensor configured to generate a second signal indicative of a fill level of the tunnel; and 
 a controller electronically connected to the input device and the first and second sensors and configured to determine an amount of material deposited by the paving machine based on the paving material efficiency factor, the conveyor speed, and the fill level of the tunnel.