METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR A LEAST PARTIAL AUTOMATIC CONTROL OF THE OPERATING CYCLE OF A HYDRAULIC EXCAVATOR

摘要

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for at least partial automatic control of the operating cycle of a hydraulic excavator, more particularly an excavator having a flapped shovel or dipper, for loading bulk material onto heavy trucks. The concept of the invention is to store data relating to a manually executed operating cycle and then to repeat the cycle automatically upon call-up. To this end it is proposed to fit angle potentiometers at all pivot points in the excavator elements, the measurements obtained from the said potentiometers being passed, through an amplifier if necessary, to an electrical calculator comprising a memory from which the stored values converted into signals may be fed in a specific sequence, to electro-hydraulic valves for the purpose of controlling the cycle. The invention makes it possible to achieve substantially greater productivity from an excavator in that a plurality of automated movements may be carried out simultaneously. At the same time, the pressure on the excavator operator is relieved which also increases productivity.