US00568231 1A. United States Patent us 11) Patent Number: 5,682,311 Clark 145] Date of Patent: Oct, 28, 1997 [S54] APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR 4,866,641 9/1989 Nielsen et al. . 364/424.07 CONTROLLING A HYDRAULIC 4,884,939 12/1989 Nielsen 414/698 EXCAVATOR 44888850 121989 Sudebatcr a a 31348 Primary Examiner—Kevin J. Teska 176] Inventor: George J. Clark, 7100 Trumble La., ‘Assistant Examiner—Tan Nguyen Clair, Mich. 48079 Attorney, Agent, or Firm—NanOphem Mechan & VanOpiem, [21] Appl. No.: 560,537 67 ABSTRACT 22] Filed: Nov. 17, 1995 . [A depth measuring apparatus for an excavator which {51} Int. cLe GO6F 19/00; B02F 3/43 includes an inclination sensor assembly mounted along the [52] US. Ch. cee 364/424.07; 364/167.01; pivot axis between the stick arm boom and the bucket, a 31/348; 37/415; 1724.5; 414/699 depth sensor mouated along the same pivot axis as well a [58] Fleld of Search... 36442407, 167.01, laser receiver for receiving a radiation establishing a SouSS0, S778, 43, 44, 415; 172.5; reference level mounted coaxially with the pivot axis "S4/659, 698, 722; 3568575, 138 between the sick arm boom andthe bucket such tha after the reference level has been established. and the laser (501 References Cited receiver is impinged by radiation each imei pases through - the reference level, thereby zeroing out he, measuring ‘USS. PATENT DOCUMENTS apparatus, the actual depth of a trench may be measured with 420.09 ans Zeger ‘espect to the reference level by considering the incination on06 983 Warnecke ofthe bucket as well asthe depth displayed by the depth ‘neem 21088 Hams td Sensor when the bucket is loered into the wench duapale $7989 Nideen cea S866 97989 Raumoto 10 Claims, 2 Drawing Sheets5,682,311 Sheet 1 of 2 Oct. 28, 1997 US. Patent of sol OrUS. Patent Oct. 28, 1997 Sheet 2 of 2 5,682,311 [—l45,682, 1 APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A HYDRAULIC EXCAVATOR: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 5 1. Field of the Invention ‘The present invention relates generally to the use of a laser beam as a reference for controlling an excavation ‘machine and, more particularly, to the method and apparatus ‘wherein an inclinometer, depth sensor and laser beam inter- act to relate the depth of a trench below the plane of light generated by the laser to a preestablished bench mark. 2. Description of the Prior Art In the recent past, there has been an increased use of laser beam projection systems in the construction industry. A ‘desirable atribute for an excavator would be one that could casily and quickly dig exactly to a finished grade of a desired excavatorUNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO. : §,682,311 Page 2 of 2 DATED October 28, 1997 INVENTOR(S) : George J. Clark Itis certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent is hereby corrected as shown below: Column 10, line 28, kindly delete "height" and insert —~ level -—-. Column 10, line 38, kindly delete "apparatus" and insert ~~ machine —- Signed and Sealed this Eighteenth Day of May, 1999 @. TODD DICKINSON Attesting Officer Acting Commissioner of Patents avd Trademarks