Abstract:
A tree harvesting system includes a loader and a delimber. A camera system mounted on the delimber permits an operator to view an interaction area between a delimbing saw or toping saw and the tree being cut while the operator remains safely in a cab of the loader. The camera system provides image data to a display system located in the cab of the loader, and the image data may be viewed and/or processed to provide information about the interaction area, physical data about the tree, or some combination thereof. Advantageously, the tree harvesting system may allow for more accurate saw cuts at a preferred location of the tree, which in turn may result in a higher dollar amount and more efficient distribution of sticks to the mills.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for delimbing timber, and more specifically to systems and methods for delimbing timber in a field (i.e., logging) environment. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    A tree delimbing process involves removing the limbs (i.e., sticks or branches) of a tree (i.e., stick) from its stem. Generally, three conventional methods for delimbing are presently used in the logging industry. The conventional methods are (1) chainsaw delimbing, (2) pull-through delimbing, and (3) gate delimbing. Cutting branches during the delimbing process often results in a sudden release of stored energy, which may cause the branch and/or the entire tree to jump dangerously as the cut is underway or nearly complete. Moreover, one or more branches undergoing the delimbing process may be supporting the tree, and the tree can fall or roll when the branch is cut. For these reasons, delimbing is a skilled operation requiring careful safety considerations. The delimbing process includes at least one saw cut to top off an upper portion of the tree. For purposes of the present description herein, the terms “stick” and “tree” may be synonymous, but preferably the convention that will generally be applied below will be that a “tree” is not-yet-delimbed (field pre-processed) while a “stick” has been topped and delimbed (field post-processed). 
         [0003]    After the delimbing process, the sticks are sent to a mill for further processing. To improve the overall efficiency of the logging process, many mills have strict specifications of what type of timber will be accepted for further processing. All mills have a specific minimum top size that is acceptable for customers. Mills that produce lumber have specifications that limit the amount of defects in trees and may also require a minimum top size. Some examples of defects include: knots, rot, crook, and sweep. Currently, a loader operator is approximately thirty (30) feet away from the delimber/saw and their vision is limited by the delimber/saw itself. When you combine the distance from the delimber/saw and the fact that the delimber/saw blocks the operator&#39;s vision in most cases, this makes it difficult for the operator to accurately determine where the tree should be cut to eliminate defects and meet the minimum top size. 
         [0004]    In most cases, there is more than one minimum top size needed to process trees in a timber operation. A timber operation usually has several different products that require sorting. Each product may require a different minimum top size. Accordingly, accurate delimbing can result in greater mill acceptance, less waste, and more efficient mill processing. 
         [0005]    Chainsaw delimbing is a manual process performed by one or more lumberjacks with a chainsaw. While the lumberjack has a close-up view of the branches and the tree top to line up the respective saw cuts, it must be appreciated that the terrain, weather, tree orientation and various other factors may minimize the likelihood that even a skilled lumberjack may achieve an ideal cut or at least do so repeatedly. Further, chain saws are inherently dangerous, thus the cost of a skilled lumberjack and potential injury implications of chainsaw delimbing make it a less-than-preferred process. 
         [0006]    Pull-through delimbing involves either a stand-alone delimber or a trailer-mounted pull-through delimber. These delimbers have a set of pressure sensitive knives that close around the tree at which point a skidder or loader, respectively, pulls the tree through and the branches are cut off. In addition, these delimbers have a saw that can be selectively lowered to top off the tree. 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  shows a conventional tree harvesting system  10  having a loader  12  and a delimber  14 . The loader  12  includes a cab  16 , a boom  18  and grapples  20  for lifting and holding large loads or single logs  22  while they are pulled or pushed through the delimber  14 . The cab  16  houses an operator (not shown). Sticks may be placed on a rack  24 . The configuration of the boom  18  permits the operator to be remotely and safely located in the cab  16  and away from the cutting areas during the delimbing process. 
         [0008]      FIG. 2A  shows the delimber  14  having a cradle structure or cradle frame  26  configured with a throat opening  28  that receives the log  22  (not shown). A plurality of knives  30  for cutting the branches are located proximate the throat opening  28 .  FIG. 2B  shows the delimber  14  having a deployable saw  32  that pivots relative to the cradle frame  26  to cut the log  22 . When not in use, the saw  32  may be rotated into a cavity formed in the cradle frame  26  so that the saw  32  will be protected from the elements. 
         [0009]    When harvesting trees using the pull-through delimbing process, the operator, who is located in the cab of the loader, cannot see the point where the saw contacts the tree for the topping off process, which may result in sticks and/or tops that are poorly or incorrectly cut. The operator is removed from an interaction point of the saw and the tree by the nature of the equipment (e.g., the length of the boom). Most pull-through delimbers have a device for measuring the length of the tree after delimbing. 
         [0010]    Gate delimbing involves a steel frame that is normally placed just before a landing. A grapple skidder pushes the tree backward through the gate to break off the majority of the limbs. While this may be a fast process and may avoid slush piling up at the landing, gate delimbing may result in unwanted breakage as well as poor quality delimbing. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    A tree harvesting system includes a loader and a delimber. A camera system mounted on the delimber permits an operator to view an interaction area between a delimbing saw or topping saw and the tree being cut while the operator remains safely in a cab of the loader. The camera system provides image data to a display system located in the cab of the loader, and the image data may be viewed and/or processed to provide information about the interaction area, physical data about the tree, or some combination thereof. Advantageously, the tree harvesting system may allow for more accurate saw cuts at a preferred location of the tree, which in turn may result in a higher dollar amount for the timber and more efficient distribution to the mills. 
         [0012]    At least one embodiment of the tree harvesting system allows the operator to view a live feed from the camera mounted on the delimber/saw approximately three feet away directly above the point at which the saw cuts the tree from a monitor (LCD screen) in the loader. This allows the loader operator to accurately saw the tree at the most efficient point to remove any defect from the tree. The monitor itself may have adjustable lines built in the screen that allows for determining minimum top size. The adjustable lines may allow up to four different individual settings for top size. By way of example, a certain mill may require an eight inch minimum top to meet their specification. The monitor allows a loader operator to adjust the lines on the screen so the corresponding cut achieves an eight inch top or at least fairly close to an eight inch top. Once the operator makes the adjustment, he can efficiently cut trees by pulling the tree through the delimber/saw until the stem fits between the lines on the screen. 
         [0013]    In one aspect of the present invention, a pull-through delimbing system for a tree harvester includes a saw, a camera, a display system, and a processor. The camera may be arranged to capture an interaction point between the saw and a portion of the tree. The display system receives image data from the camera. And, the processor receives the image data to determine at least one physical parameter related to the portion of the tree that allows an operator of the delimbing system to choose where to cut the portion of the tree. 
         [0014]    In another aspect of the invention, a method for delimbing a tree with a tree harvester includes the steps of (1) viewing, with a camera, an interaction point between a saw of the tree harvester and a portion of the tree to be harvested; (2) transmitting image data of the interaction point from the camera to a processor; (3) interpreting the image data with a processor; (4) displaying, on a display system that is remotely located from the camera, the processed image data; (5) determining, with the processor, at least one physical parameter of the tree to be harvested; (6) displaying data indicative of the at least one physical parameter of the portion of the tree to be harvested; and (7) based on the displayed interaction point and the displayed data, cutting the portion of the tree to be harvested at a selected location. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    Preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a prior-art tree harvesting system having a loader and pull-through delimber; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a prior-all delimber; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of the prior-art delimber with a chain saw rotated into a cutting configuration; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a schematic, side elevational view of a tree harvesting system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4A  is a delimber with an opening for a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of the delimber of  FIG. 4B  showing the opening according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of a camera arranged in a camera mount according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 5B  is a top plan view of the camera of  FIG. 5A  showing various degrees of freedom for maneuvering the camera according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 5C  is a side elevational view of the camera of  FIG. 5A  showing various degrees of freedom for maneuvering the camera according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 6A  is a schematic view of the camera of  FIG. 5A  mounted to a delimber with a desired field-of-view according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 6B  is a schematic, overhead view of the camera of  FIG. 5A  having the desired field-of-view generally directed at an interaction point between the saw and the tree according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is a schematic, perspective view of an electronic data box according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  is perspective view of an external energy source according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a display system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 10  is a close-up, perspective view of the display system of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 11  is a schematic view of a graphical user interface for the display system of  FIG. 9  according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 12  shows a monitor with gauge lines according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 13  shows a monitor with gauge lines according to another embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0034]      FIG. 14  shows a schematic overview diagram of a tree harvesting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0035]    In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the invention. However, one skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practiced without these details. In other instances, well-known structures associated with tree harvesters and delimbing units to include the operating components used therein or therewith such as, but not limited to, delimbing heads, grappling arms, saws, knives, skids, loaders, platforms, booms, cabs, etc., various computing and/or processing systems to control various machine operations, and delimbing processes may not necessarily be shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of the embodiments of the invention. 
         [0036]    To address at least some of the aforementioned drawbacks of conventional tree harvesting systems and processes, and in particular pull-through delimbers and processes, at least one aspect of the present invention involves a closer involvement between the operator inside the loader and the delimber in order to achieve improved control over an interaction area between the topping saw and the tree. In one embodiment, the delimber may be fitted with a camera imaging and transmission system. The camera provides real-time images of the interaction area (i.e., where the saw is about to cut off a top portion of the tree) to the operator. The images are visible on a display system located in the loader, and thus the interaction area is remotely viewable on the display system by the operator in the cab. Accordingly, the operator may make real-time decisions as to where to cut the tree so as to achieve a desired length and/or diameter for the stick and/or the top portion of the tree. 
         [0037]      FIG. 3  shows a tree harvesting system  100  having a loader  102  and a delimber  104  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The loader  102  includes a cab  106 , a boom  108  and a grapple  110 . The boom  108  is power-operated for extension and retraction. In one embodiment, the boom  108  is operable with a chain and sprocket system (not shown) powered by an electric or a hydraulic motor (not shown). The grapple  110  may be electrically or hydraulically powered, for example using coaxial cables or hydraulic hoses, respectively. Additional hydraulic hoses may be provided to supply hydraulic fluid to other components of the delimber  104 . 
         [0038]    The loader  102  further includes a display system  112  that may optionally have or be coupled to a receiver or transceiver  114 . In one embodiment, the receiver  114  may take the form of a radio antenna for receiving encoded image data either directly from a remotely located camera or from a transmitter in communication with the camera. The display system  112  will be described in greater detail below. 
         [0039]    The delimber  104  includes a delimber structure or cradle frame  116  with an opening or trough  118 . A camera system  120  is coupled to the delimber  104  proximate an opening  121  formed in the delimber  104 . An orientation of the camera system  120  with respect to the opening  121  allows the camera to have a desired field of view  123  into the trough  118 . An electronic data box  122  may be coupled to the cradle frame  116  and be in electronic communication with the camera system  120 . In one embodiment, the electronic data box  122  wirelessly provides radio signals  126  by way of a radio antenna  124  to the wireless receiver  114 . As with the display system  112  in the loader  102 , the camera system  120  and electronic data box  122  will be described in greater detail below. 
         [0040]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  show the delimber  104  having a saw  128  coupled to the cradle frame  116 . When the saw  128  is rotated into a deployed or cutting position then an opening  130  provided in the cradle frame  116  permits the camera system  120  ( FIG. 3 ) to have the desired field of view  123  ( FIG. 3 ). A configuration of the opening  130  may be adjusted to be larger or at a desired angle to achieve the desired field of view  123 . 
         [0041]    For purposes of clarity and logical operational flow, the components of the delimber  104  will be described in detail before the components of the loader  102 .  FIG. 5A  shows the camera system  120  having a mounting bracket  132  attachable to a delimber wall (not shown, but is part of the cradle frame  116  described above) of the delimber  104 . The mounting bracket  132  may include a mounting wall  134 , a lower flange  135  and an upper flange  136 . The flanges  135 ,  136  cooperate to closely receive a camera mount  138 . In one embodiment, the camera mount  138  may generally take the form of an elastomeric ring or ball having properties (e.g., density, shape, etc.) that may be selected to provide vibration damping for a camera  140  received by the camera mount  138 . An opening  139  in the mounting wall  134  permits the camera to have a field of view of the interaction point between the saw and the tree. The opening  139  is preferably aligned with the opening  130  ( FIGS. 4A and 4B ) in the delimber. 
         [0042]      FIG. 5B  shows a top plan view of the camera system  120  without the mounting bracket  132 . The camera  140  may be closely received in the camera mount  138  and be rotatable as indicated by the double-arrowed line  142  about a camera axis  144 . Likewise, the camera mount  138  may be rotatable out-of-plane as indicated by an out-of-plane rotational arrow  146 . For purposes of the illustrated embodiment, out-of-plane refers to a direction toward or away from the mounting wall  134  ( FIG. 5A ) of the mounting bracket  132 . In addition, the camera mount  138  may be translated (e.g., slid relative to the mounting wall  134 ) as indicated by translation arrow  148 .  FIG. 5C  is a side elevational view of the camera system  120 , again without the mounting bracket  132 . In the illustrated embodiment, an in-plane rotation of the camera mount  138  is depicted by an in-plane rotational arrow  150 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 6A  schematically shows the camera system  120  mounted to a delimber wall  152  and offset therefrom with an offset mounting bracket  154 . The offset mounting bracket  154  may take the form of mounting bracket  134  ( FIG. 5A ). The camera system  120  may be positionable relative to the delimber wall  152  either manually or remotely to achieve the desired field-of-view  123  through the opening  121  in the delimber wall  152 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 6B  shows the offset mounting bracket  154  ( FIG. 6A ) arranged relative to the delimber wall (not shown) to provide the desired field-of-view  123  of a tree  156  while maintaining the camera  140  sufficiently offset and away from the delimber saw  123 . Such an arrangement may advantageously keep wood chips, debris and oil from adversely impacting a lens or a face  162  of the camera  140  while still providing the desired field-of-view  123  into the trough  118  of the delimber. 
         [0045]      FIG. 7  shows the electronic data box  122 , which may be attached to the delimber in a vicinity of or distally from the camera system  120  ( FIG. 5A ). In either mounting configuration, the electronic data box  122  is in data communication with the camera  140  ( FIG. 5A ) to receive images taken by the camera  140 . The transfer of the images and possibly other data from the camera  140  to the electronic data box  122  may be done using cables or wireless signals. One objective of the electronic data box  122  is to provide a communications link between the camera  140  and the display system  112  ( FIG. 3 ) in the loader. 
         [0046]    In the illustrated embodiment, the electronic data box  122  includes a port  166  for establishing data communication with the camera  140  via one or more cables (not shown). The electronic data box  122  of the illustrated embodiment further includes a transmitter  168 , a voltage detector  170 , a microprocessor  172 , a shake detection mechanism  174 , and an internal power source  176 —all of which are preferably located within a housing  178  of the electronic data box  122 . In one embodiment, the internal power source  176  may take the form of a battery, and preferably a rechargeable battery. Likewise, the transmitter  168  may take the form of a radio transmitter. 
         [0047]    In another embodiment, the electronic data box  122  and camera  140  may be additionally or solely powered by an external power source such as a solar panel array  180  as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . Further, the microprocessor  172  may be configured to communicate with the solar panel array  180 . By way of example, the solar panel array  180  may be attached to a portion of the delimber or may be set up far enough away from the delimber as to be out of an impact area for flying debris generated during the delimbing process. The power source for the electronic data box  122  and camera  140  may take other forms such as, but not limited to, solar panels, batteries, generators or any combination thereof. The camera system may be alternately powered by rechargeable storage batteries which are recharged or replaced when depleted. In some embodiments, wires may be connected to the delimber in such a fashion that the power created by the host machine is used to power the measurement system. When the remote camera is attached by wires for power, the function of the radio transmitter and receiver my be replaced by wires. The image is then carried into the cab by the wires. The capacity and/or output of such external power sources may vary depending on a variety of factors such as environment (e.g., cold vs. warm climate), anticipated length of use, delimber size, etc. 
         [0048]    The shake detection mechanism  174  may advantageously detect idle times of the delimber and thus limit or otherwise control electrical consumption of the camera and other components to preserve battery life. In one embodiment and still referring to  FIG. 7 , the shake detection mechanism  174  may take the form of one or more sensors such as, but not limited to, one or more accelerometers configured to detect motion in at least one direction. Activity or inactivity detected by the shake detection mechanism  174  may turn the camera  140  and the electronic data box  122  ON or OFF, respectively. The shake detection mechanism  174  and its circuitry may be located within the housing  178  of the electronic data box  122 . When the loader places one or more trees on the delimber, the sensor detects this contact and provides a signal to the microprocessor  172 , which in turn prompts the electronic data box  122  to fully awaken and also activates power to the camera  140 . The shake detection mechanism  174  may be activated by other means besides the tree loading or unloading. For example, the shake detection mechanism  174  may be activated by a switch either manually or remotely, by a motion or proximity sensor, or a weight bearing (e.g., pressure) sensor. 
         [0049]    Referring briefly back to  FIG. 3  and according to an embodiment of the present invention, the loader  102  includes the display system  112  configured to receive wireless signals from the electronic data box  122  or directly from the camera  140  ( FIG. 5A ). The display system  112  may optionally have or be coupled to the wireless receiver or transceiver  114 , which may take the form of a radio antenna as discussed above. 
         [0050]      FIG. 9  shows the display system  112  mounted in the cab of the loader. In one embodiment, the display system  112  includes a display screen  182 , a mounting bracket  184 , and the receiver  114 . The mounting bracket  184  may take the form of a pivoting mounting bracket similar to a wall mount for a television. The receiver  114  may take the form of a device capable of receiving wireless, electronic, or optical signals, which may be encoded signals, as well as any combinations thereof. 
         [0051]      FIG. 10  shows the display screen  182  with a close-up view of the interaction area of the tree  159  before the saw  128  ( FIG. 4B ) is lowered into a cutting position. The display screen  182  includes a graphical user interface that shows a cut line  185  (i.e., the vertical line), an orientation line  186  (i.e., the line approx. parallel to the tree  159 ), and one or more markings  188  (e.g., tick marks) for approximately determining a diameter of the tree  159 . The cut line  184  indicates to the operator where the saw will cut the tree  159 . The orientation line  186  permits the operator to orient the saw cut by maneuvering the tree  159  so the cut will be approximately perpendicular to an axis  187  of the tree  159 . 
         [0052]    The markings  188  may be colored or differently sized. Such coloring or sizing may be indicative of different or desirable diameter sizes so the operator will know whether to horizontally adjust the tree  159  using the loader  102  ( FIG. 3 ). In addition, one or more characters  190 , which may take the form of alphanumeric characters, may be displayed adjacent or in proximity to the respective markings  188  as confirmation to the operator that a particular marking  188  indicates a particular diametric size. For example in the illustrated embodiment, the numerals “ 3 ” and “ 6 ” would represent a three-inch diameter and a six-inch diameter, respectively. 
         [0053]      FIG. 11  shows a display screen  200  having a different graphical user interface in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The display screen  200  shows a pattern of gauge markings  202  arranged both horizontally and vertically. In the illustrated embodiment, the gauge markings  202  may take the form of dots or short dashes. On a left side of the display screen  200 , the graphical user interface provides a plurality of circles  204  that are indicative of a particular tree diameter. Adjacent to the circles  204  are respective reference letters or numbers  206  that have corresponding reference letters or numbers  208  illustrated on a right side of the display screen  200 . 
         [0054]      FIG. 12  shows a schematic front view of a monitor  300  having adjustable gauge lines  302 ,  304  relative to a reference line  306 . In operation, the operator compares the image of the stick (not shown) in the delimber to the lines on the monitor  300  to gauge the relative diameter of the stick. 
         [0055]      FIG. 13  shows a schematic front view of another monitor  400  having adjustable gauge lines  402 ,  404 ,  406 , and  408  relative to a reference line  410 . In operation, the operator compares the image of the stick (not shown) in the delimber to the lines on the monitor  300  to gauge the relative diameter of the stick. In the illustrated embodiment, the operator has an option to select one of four different stick diameters as indicated by diameter markings D 1 , D 2 , D 3 , and D 4 , respectively. The plurality of lines may allow the operator the choice of topping the stick at an optimum diameter. 
         [0056]    Operators have considerable skill in the recognition of defects in the stick, and determination of the diameter. The operator uses the boom to center the stick in the field of view of the camera, by watching the image presented by the camera on the screen. Referring to both  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the gauge lines on the monitors may be set to represent actual inch measurements regardless of the monitor size. Thus the lines on the screen allow the operator to determine the diameter of the stick. For example, a ruler or an object of a know diameter may be placed in the field of view of the camera. This reference ruler or object allows the operator to adjust the lines and/or move the stick to achieve a desired diameter at the interaction point with the saw. The lines are used to determine the diameter relative to the picture on the display. The operator also uses the display to inspect the stick for defects, such as breaks or knots, and position the stick so the saw line leaves the defect on the scrap side of the stick. A line drawn on the display, either electronically or mechanically shows the interaction point at which the saw will cut the tree. So the operator is actually making a decision based on the diameter, as gauged against the lines on the monitor, and can quickly make a decision on where to saw the stick based on the observed information. 
         [0057]      FIG. 14  shows a schematic diagram of a tree harvesting system  500  having a delimbing system  502  and a remotely located loader  504 . The delimbing system  502  includes a camera  506  viewing a stick  508  with a representative image shown on a monitor  510 . The camera  506  communicates with an electronic data or control box  512 , which in turn receives image information from the camera  506  and then transmits the image information as radio signals  514  from a delimbing system antenna  516 . Both the camera  506  and control box  512  may be powered by a power source  518 . 
         [0058]    The loader  504  includes a loader antenna  520  configured to receive the radio signals  514 , which in turn may be sent to a receiver  522 . A loader data box  524  processes the data from the receiver  522  and utilizes a gauge line control circuit  526  to manage or control the gauge lines on the monitor  510 . 
         [0059]    While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of the preferred embodiment. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.