Patent ID: 11964833
Assignee: DCL, INC.
Field: Audio-visual technology (Electrical engineering)
Classification: CPC B  G  H | IPC B  G  H

Claim 0:
1. A bulk loading system for delivering bulk material to a storage compartment of a bulk transport vehicle through a hatch opening, the bulk loading system comprising:
a movable spout support adapted to move in at least two horizontal directions of movement for centering said spout support over the hatch opening of the storage compartment;
a loading spout assembly supported by said spout support and adapted to move in two vertical directions of movement;
a camera coupled to said spout support for capturing and analyzing a plurality of images in real-time to: (i) locate the hatch opening, (ii) track the hatch opening into a reach zone of said spout support using a smaller target area, and (iii) track the hatch opening exiting the reach zone using a larger target area; and
a programmable logic controller (PLC) communicatively coupled to said spout support, loading spout assembly and camera, and configured to actuate (i) said spout support for centering over the hatch opening of the storage compartment based on the plurality of images, and (ii) said loading spout assembly for filling the storage compartment with the bulk material.