Rotational machines and hazard warning methods therefor

Abstract

A rotational machine includes a base operable to move the rotational machine, a body rotationally mounted on the base, one or more sensors coupled to the body, and a controller communicably coupled to the one or more sensors. The one or more sensors detect movement data of the rotational machine and location data of an object near the rotational machine. The controller is operable to perform a hazard warning method. The method includes applying a detection zone filter to the location data of the object based on the movement data of the rotational machine and annunciating an alert if the location data passes the detection zone filter.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A rotational machine comprising:
 a base operable to move the rotational machine;   a body rotationally mounted on the base;   one or more sensors coupled to the body, wherein the one or more sensors detect movement data of the rotational machine and location data of an object near the rotational machine; and   a controller communicably coupled to the one or more sensors, the controller operable to perform a hazard warning method, the method comprising:   applying a detection zone filter to the location data of the object based on the movement data of the rotational machine; and   providing an alert if the location data passes the detection zone filter.   
     
     
         2 . The rotational machine of  claim 1 , wherein applying a detection zone filter includes selecting a subset of zones surrounding the rotational machine based on the movement data. 
     
     
         3 . The rotational machine of  claim 2 , wherein applying a detection zone filter further comprises identifying relevant object location data corresponding to the selected subset of zones. 
     
     
         4 . The rotational machine of  claim 3 , wherein the method further comprises categorizing whether the relevant object location data is within a critical zone. 
     
     
         5 . The rotational machine of  claim 4 , wherein annunciating an alert includes at least one of providing an audio warning; or displaying object detection zone data if the relevant object location data is within the critical zone. 
     
     
         6 . The rotational machine of  claim 3 , wherein the method further comprises categorizing whether the relevant object location data is within a caution zone surrounding a critical zone. 
     
     
         7 . The rotational machine of  claim 6 , wherein annunciating an alert includes only displaying object detection zone data if the relevant object location data is within the caution zone. 
     
     
         8 . The rotational machine of  claim 2 , wherein selecting a subset of zones based on the movement data comprises selecting a first subset of zones positioned backward of the rotational machine when the movement data is indicative of a backward motion of the rotational machine. 
     
     
         9 . The rotational machine of  claim 2 , selecting a subset of zones based on the movement data comprises selecting the subset based on at least one of forward movement data, backward movement data, left rotational movement data, right rotational movement data, or speed data. 
     
     
         10 . The rotational machine of  claim 1 , wherein annunciating an alert comprises displaying object detection zone data. 
     
     
         11 . A method of providing a hazard warning to an operator of a rotational machine, the method comprising:
 sensing object location data with one or more sensors coupled to the rotational machine;   sensing machine movement data with the one or more sensors coupled to the rotational machine;   applying a detection zone filter to the object location data based on the machine movement data; and   providing an alert if the object location data passes the detection zone filter.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein applying a detection zone filter includes selecting a subset of zones surrounding the rotational machine based on the movement data. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein applying a detection zone filter further comprises identifying object location data corresponding to the selected subset of zones. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the method further includes sorting the object location data into a critical zone or a caution zone surrounding the critical zone if the location data passes the detection zone filter. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein providing the alert comprises one of preventing, slowing, or stopping movement of the rotational machine if the location data is within the critical zone. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein providing an alert comprises only providing a visual alert if the location data is within the caution zone. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein providing an alert comprises providing an audio alert and a visual alert if the location data is within the critical zone. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising altering the movement of the machine if the object location data passes the detection zone filter. 
     
     
         19 . A method of providing a hazard warning to an operator of a rotational machine, the method comprising:
 sensing object location data with one or more sensors coupled to the rotational machine;   sensing machine rotational and speed data with the one or more sensors coupled to the rotational machine;   applying a detection zone filter to the object location data based on the machine rotational and speed data; and   alerting the operator if the object location data passes the detection zone filter.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein applying a detection zone filter includes selecting a subset of zones surrounding the rotational machine based on the machine rotational and speed data.