Automatic liquid spray system for dust mitigation

Abstract

A method for operating an automatic liquid spray system for dust mitigation on a work machine can include receiving, with a controller, a signal from a sensor attached to a frame of the work machine. The signal can be indicative of dust around the work machine. The controller can include a location of the sensor on the frame. The method can also include sending a signal to a dust mitigation system. The signal can be indicative of the location of the sensor such that the dust mitigation system can control a liquid control module to provide liquid to a dust mitigation valve around the location of the sensor on the frame. The method can also include opening, with the dust mitigation system, the dust mitigation valve around the location of the frame around the sensor to provide liquid around the location of the sensor.

1 . A work machine for roadwork, the work machine comprising:
 a frame;   a power source;   a milling rotor operatively connected to the power source and the frame;   a sensor configured to detect dust; and   a controller configured to, in response to a signal received from the sensor, activate a dust mitigation system to:
 send a control signal to a control valve to supply a liquid to the dust mitigation system; and 
 control an amount of the liquid supplied to the dust mitigation system based on the signal from the sensor. 
   
     
     
         2 . The work machine of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a pair of side plates, the milling rotor located between the pair of side plates, and the pair of side plates and the frame define a milling chamber;   wherein the sensor is attached to the frame, and wherein the sensor is configured to detect dust outside of the milling chamber.   
     
     
         3 . The work machine of  claim 2 , wherein the controller, in response to the signal indicative of dust outside of the milling chamber, sends a first signal to the dust mitigation system, the dust mitigation system in response to the signal from the controller:
 sends a second signal to the control valve to fluidically connect a fluid tank to a liquid control manifold to supply liquid to the dust mitigation system, and   controls the control valve based on the amount of dust detected by the sensor.   
     
     
         4 . The work machine of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a conveyor system configured to direct milled material from within the milling chamber toward a periphery of the work machine, the conveyor system including:
 a first segment; and 
 a second segment; 
 wherein the first segment is located between the milling chamber and the second segment. 
   
     
     
         5 . The work machine of  claim 4 , wherein the sensor is attached to the frame, and wherein the sensor is configured to detect dust around the first segment of the conveyor system. 
     
     
         6 . The work machine of  claim 5 , wherein the controller, in response to the signal indicative of dust around the first segment of the conveyor system, sends a first signal to the dust mitigation system, the dust mitigation system in response to the signal from the controller:
 sends a second signal to the control valve to fluidically connect a liquid control manifold to a fluid tank;   sends a third signal to an outlet valve located around the first segment of the conveyor system to supply liquid from the liquid control manifold to the dust mitigation system around the first segment of the conveyor system; and   controls the outlet valve based on an amount of dust detected by the sensor.   
     
     
         7 . The work machine of  claim 4 , wherein the sensor is attached to the frame, and wherein the sensor is configured to detect dust around the second segment of the conveyor system. 
     
     
         8 . The work machine of  claim 7 , wherein the controller, in response to the signal indicative of dust around the second segment of the conveyor system, sends a first signal to the dust mitigation system, the dust mitigation system in response to the signal from the controller:
 sends a second signal to the control valve to fluidically connect a liquid control manifold to a fluid tank;   sends a third signal to a dust mitigation valve located around the second segment of the conveyor system to supply liquid from the liquid control manifold to the dust mitigation system around the second segment of the conveyor system; and   controls the dust mitigation valve based on an amount of dust detected by the sensor.   
     
     
         9 . The work machine of  claim 4 , wherein the sensor comprises:
 a first sensor attached to the frame and configured to detect dust outside the milling chamber;   a second sensor attached to the frame and configured to detect dust around the first segment of the conveyor system; and   a third sensor attached to the frame and configured to detect dust around the second segment of the conveyor system.   
     
     
         10 . The work machine of  claim 9 , wherein the controller, in response to a signal indicative of dust around the milling chamber, the first segment of the conveyor system, or the second segment of the conveyor system, sends a signal to the dust mitigation system, the dust mitigation system in response to the signal from the controller:
 sends a first signal to the control valve to fluidically connect a fluid tank and a liquid control manifold;   sends a second signal to an outlet valve located around the milling chamber, the first segment of the conveyor system, or the second segment of the conveyor system to supply liquid to the dust mitigation system around the milling chamber, the first segment of the conveyor system, or the second segment of the conveyor system; and   controls the outlet valve based on an amount of dust detected by the sensor.   
     
     
         11 . A system for automatic dust mitigation on a work machine, the system comprising:
 a sensor configured to detect dust; and   a controller configured to, in response to a signal received from the sensor, activate a dust mitigation system, the dust mitigation system:
 sends a signal to a control valve to supply a liquid to the dust mitigation system; and 
 controls an amount of the liquid supplied to the dust mitigation system based on the signal from the sensor. 
   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the control valve is in communication with the dust mitigation system such that the dust mitigation system can control the control valve, the system further comprising:
 a liquid tank configured to provide liquid to the dust mitigation system; and   a liquid control manifold, the control valve selectively fluidically connects the liquid control manifold to the liquid tank based on signals from the dust mitigation system.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the liquid from the liquid tank comprises a detergent. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a dust mitigation valve fluidically connected to the liquid control manifold, and fluidically and electronically connected to the dust mitigation system such that the dust mitigation system can send a signal to the dust mitigation valve to control an amount of liquid flowing through the dust mitigation valve.   
     
     
         15 . A method for operating an automatic liquid system for dust mitigation on a work machine, the method comprising:
 receiving, with a controller, a first signal from a sensor attached to the work machine, the first signal indicative of dust around the work machine, the controller including a location of the sensor on the work machine;   sending a second signal to a dust mitigation system, the second signal indicative of dust around the location of the sensor, the second signal opens a control valve of the dust mitigation system to fluidically connect a liquid control manifold and a tank to supply water to the dust mitigation system; and   sending a third signal to the dust mitigation system to open a dust mitigation valve, the dust mitigation valve controls liquid directed at the location of the sensor on the work machine to provide liquid at the location of the sensor.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 activating the dust mitigation system on condition that an operator turns on a ventilation system of the work machine via a user interface; and   receiving the first signal from the sensor signifying a presence of dust around the work machine.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 activating the dust mitigation system on condition that the work machines begins a milling operation.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 deactivating the dust mitigation system on condition that the work machines begins a milling operation.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , comprising:
 receiving a fourth signal from a second sensor, the fourth signal indicative of dust around a first segment of a conveyor system; and   transmitting a fifth signal to open a second dust mitigation valve, the second dust mitigation valve configured to provide water around the first segment of the conveyor system.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , comprising:
 receiving a sixth signal from a third sensor, the sixth signal indicative of dust around a second segment of the conveyor system; and   transmitting a seventh signal to open a third dust mitigation valve, the third dust mitigation valve configured to provide water around the second segment of the conveyor system.