Patent ID: 9243381
Filing Date: 2016-01-26
CPC Classification: A01B,E02F,G01N

Claim Text:
1. An erosion monitoring system for a machine, comprising: an ultrasonic sensor embedded within a replaceable cutting edge of a ground engaging tool connectable to the machine, wherein the ultrasonic sensor is generally cylindrical and has an axis oriented at an angle of about 90° relative to a terminus of the cutting edge; a wireless communication element associated with the ultrasonic sensor; a battery associated with the ultrasonic sensor and the wireless communication element, wherein the ultrasonic sensor, the wireless communication element, and the battery are all mounted together within a bore formed inside the cutting edge; and a controller configured to be mounted onboard the machine in communication with the ultrasonic sensor via the wireless communication element, the controller being configured to monitor a wear rate of the cutting edge based on signals from the ultrasonic sensor, determine a length of the cutting edge, make a comparison of the length of the cutting edge to a threshold length, and selectively generate a notification based on the comparison.