System and method for controlling position of endgate

Abstract

A system for controlling a position of an endgate includes a first sensor that generates an input signal indicative of a current position of the endgate relative to a frame of a screed assembly. The system also includes one or more processors that receive the input signal from the first sensor and receive information of a target position of the endgate relative to the frame. The target position is based on a paving parameter associated with a paving operation that is to be performed by a paving machine and/or a preceding position of the endgate relative to the frame. The one or more processors are also configured to compare the current position with the target position and generate an output signal if the current position does not correspond to the target position. The position of the endgate is adjusted so that the current position corresponds to the target position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for controlling a position of an endgate of a screed assembly of a paving machine, the system comprising:
 at least one first sensor configured to generate an input signal indicative of a current position of the endgate relative to a frame of the screed assembly, wherein the at least one first sensor is disposed proximate to the endgate; and   a controller including one or more memories and one or more processors, wherein the one or more processors are communicably coupled with the one or more memories and the at least one first sensor, and wherein the one or more processors are configured to:
 receive, from the at least one first sensor, the input signal indicative of the current position of the endgate relative to the frame; 
 receive information of a target position of the endgate relative to the frame, and wherein the target position of the endgate is based on at least one of:
 a paving parameter associated with a paving operation that is to be performed by the paving machine; and 
 a preceding position of the endgate relative to the frame; 
 
 compare the current position of the endgate with the target position of the endgate; and 
 generate an output signal if the current position of the endgate does not correspond to the target position of the endgate, wherein the position of the endgate is adjusted based on the output signal so that the current position corresponds to the target position. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the screed assembly includes an actuation system adapted to adjust the position of the endgate relative to the frame, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to transmit the output signal to the actuation system, and wherein, based on receipt of the Caterpillar: Conf Ye w output signal from the one or more processors, the actuation system is adapted to dispose the endgate at the target position. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a user interface, wherein the screed assembly includes an actuation system adapted to adjust the position of the endgate relative to the frame, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to transmit the output signal to the user interface to notify an operator of the paving machine regarding a variation between the current position of the endgate and the target position of the endgate, wherein the operator of the paving machine provides an input to the actuation system to dispose the endgate at the target position, and wherein, based on receipt of the input from the operator, the actuation system is adapted to dispose the endgate at the target position. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one first sensor includes at least one of an imaging sensor, a linear position sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a laser sensor, a radio detection and ranging (RADAR) sensor, and a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the paving machine includes a spring coupled to the endgate, and wherein the spring is movable to adjust the position of the endgate relative to the frame. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , further comprising a second sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of an actual position of the spring, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:
 receive the signal indicative of the actual position of the spring from the second sensor;   compare the actual position of the spring with a target position of the spring, wherein the target position of the spring is based on at least one of:
 the paving parameter associated with the paving operation that is to be performed by the paving machine; and 
 a preceding position of the spring; and 
   confirm that the current position of the endgate does not correspond to the target position of the endgate based on a variation between the actual position of the spring and the target position of the spring.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the second sensor includes at least one of a linear variable differential transducer, a pressure sensor, a load cell, and a sonic sensor. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors are configured to generate the output signal at least one of before starting an upcoming paving operation and before resuming an ongoing paving operation. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the paving parameter includes, at least in part, a thickness of a paving mat. 
     
     
         10 . A paving machine comprising:
 a screed assembly including:
 a frame; 
 an endgate; and 
 an actuation system to adjust a position of the endgate relative to the frame; and 
   a system for controlling the position of the endgate of the screed assembly, the system comprising:
 at least one first sensor configured to generate an input signal indicative of a current position of the endgate relative to the frame of the screed assembly, wherein the at least one first sensor is disposed proximate to the endgate; and 
 a controller including one or more memories and one or more processors, wherein the one or more processors are communicably coupled with the one or more memories and the at least one first sensor, and wherein the one or more processors are configured to:
 receive, from the at least one first sensor, the input signal indicative of the current position of the endgate relative to the frame; 
 receive information of a target position of the endgate relative to the frame, wherein the target position of the endgate is based on at least one of:
 a paving parameter associated with a paving operation that is to be performed by the paving machine; and 
 a preceding position of the endgate relative to the frame; 
 
 compare the current position of the endgate with the target position of the endgate; and 
 generate an output signal if the current position of the endgate does not correspond to the target position of the endgate, wherein the position of the endgate is adjusted based on the output signal so that the current position corresponds to the target position. 
 
   
     
     
         11 . The paving machine of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to transmit the output signal to the actuation system, and wherein, based on receipt of the output signal from the one or more processors, the actuation system is adapted to dispose the endgate at the target position. 
     
     
         12 . The paving machine of  claim 10 , wherein the system further includes a user interface, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to transmit the output signal to the user interface to notify an operator of the paving machine regarding a variation between the current position of the endgate and the target position of the endgate, wherein the operator of the paving machine provides an input to the actuation system to dispose the endgate at the target position, and wherein, based on receipt of the input from the operator, the actuation system is adapted to dispose the endgate at the target position. 
     
     
         13 . The paving machine of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one first sensor includes at least one of an imaging sensor, a linear position sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a laser sensor, a radio detection and ranging (RADAR) sensor, and a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor. 
     
     
         14 . The paving machine of  claim 10  further comprising a spring coupled to the endgate, and wherein the spring is movable to adjust the position of the endgate relative to the frame. 
     
     
         15 . The paving machine of  claim 14 , wherein the system further includes a second sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of an actual position of the spring, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:
 receive the signal indicative of the actual position of the spring from the second sensor;   compare the actual position of the spring with a target position of the spring, wherein the target position of the spring is based on at least one of:
 the paving parameter associated with the paving operation that is to be performed by the paving machine; and 
 a preceding position of the spring; and 
   confirm that the current position of the endgate does not correspond to the target position of the endgate based on a variation between the actual position of the spring and the target position of the spring.   
     
     
         16 . The paving machine of  claim 15 , wherein the second sensor includes at least one of a linear variable differential transducer, a pressure sensor, a load cell, and a sonic sensor. 
     
     
         17 . A method for controlling a position of an endgate of a screed assembly of a paving machine, the method comprising:
 generating, by at least one first sensor, an input signal indicative of a current position of the endgate relative to a frame of the screed assembly;   receiving, by one or more processors of a controller, the input signal indicative of the current position of the endgate relative to the frame;   receiving, by the one or more processors, information of a target position of the endgate relative to the frame, and wherein the target position of the endgate is based on at least one of:
 a paving parameter associated with a paving operation that is to be performed by the paving machine; and 
 a preceding position of the endgate relative to the frame; 
   comparing, by the one or more processors, the current position of the endgate with the target position of the endgate;   generating, by the one or more processors, an output signal if the current position of the endgate does not correspond to the target position of the endgate; and   adjusting the position of the endgate based on the output signal so that the current position of the endgate corresponds to the target position of the endgate.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the screed assembly includes an actuation system adapted to adjust the position of the endgate relative to the frame, the method further comprising:
 transmitting, by the one or more processors, the output signal to the actuation system; and   disposing, by the actuation system, the endgate at the target position based on receipt of the output signal from the one or more processors.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the paving machine includes a user interface, wherein the screed assembly includes an actuation system adapted to adjust the position of the endgate relative to the frame, the method further comprising:
 transmitting, by the one or more processors, the output signal to the user interface to notify an operator of the paving machine regarding a variation between the current position of the endgate and the target position of the endgate; and   providing, by the operator, an input to the actuation system to dispose the endgate at the target position; and   disposing, by the actuation system, the endgate at the target position based on receipt of the input from the operator.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the paving machine includes a spring coupled to the endgate, and wherein the spring is movable to adjust the position of the endgate relative to the frame, the method further comprising:
 generating, by a second sensor, a signal indicative of an actual position of the spring;   receiving, by the one or more processors, the signal indicative of the actual position of the spring from the second sensor;   comparing, by the one or more processors, the actual position of the spring with a target position of the spring, wherein the target position of the spring is based on at least one of:
 the paving parameter associated with the paving operation that is to be performed by the paving machine; and 
 a preceding position of the spring; and 
   confirming, by the one or more processors, that the current position of the endgate does not correspond to the target position of the endgate based on a variation between the actual position of the spring and the target position of the spring.