Patent Publication Number: US-10323516-B2

Title: System and method for the tracking of milling material

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims benefit of German Patent Application No. 10 2016 222 145.0, filed Nov. 11, 2017, and which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The invention relates to a system and a method for the tracking of milling material in accordance with claims as submitted herewith. 
     Milling machines are known which can be used to mill sections of a ground pavement in a milling operation. Furthermore, the milling material removed during milling of the section of the ground pavement is loaded onto a truck and transported away. The milling material transported away on the truck is deposited on a deposition site. It is known to detect data signals relating to the milling material by means of a first detection device. The milling depth and the removed milling volume, for example, are detected in the process. 
     There is, however, a growing requirement to recycle the removed milling material. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to create a system and a method by means of which the recycling possibilities of the milling material can be improved. 
     The above mentioned object is achieved by the features of claims as submitted herewith. 
     The invention advantageously specifies for a second detection device to detect position data of the deposition site of the milling material, wherein the first and the second detection device transmit the data signals relating to the milling material and the position data of the deposition site to a documentation device which links the position data with the data signals relating to the milling material. 
     The material properties of the milling material and the associated deposition site are thus known. This offers the advantage that the material proper-ties/milling material properties of the milling material to be recycled are known prior to recycling without having to be determined once again at the deposition site. 
     The first detection device detects the data signals relating to the milling material. 
     The first detection device may detect the data signals relating to the milling material from the control device of the milling machine. 
     The first detection device may be arranged at the milling machine, and preferably is part of the control device of the milling machine. 
     The second detection device may be a mobile telephone or a transponder, specifically, RFID chip or a device comprising a GPS receiver and preferably transmitter for the transmission of GPS data. The second detection device may also be a reading device, for example, for reading out data of a signal-transmitting device or a transponder. 
     Position data signals may be detected at the deposition site, which represent the position data of the deposition site. Position data signals are thus signals for position determination. Position data serve to identify the deposition site. Position data signals may, for example, be GPS signals which indicate the precise location of the deposition site. Position data may be coordinates or, for example, also the name of a landfill site which is determined by means of the GPS signals. 
     The second detection device may also detect the position data, for example, at the deposition site, for example, in that, for example, a transponder, for example, an RFID chip, is positioned at the deposition site. An identification code for the deposition site is stored in said transponder. This may be the name of the place, the coordinates, the name of the deposition site, or any other identification of the deposition site, where the deposition site may be a landfill site. The second detection device may detect the identification code of the transponder. The transponder may be arranged, for example, at the entrance gate of a landfill site. Alternatively, the position data may also be entered into the second detection device manually, for example, the name of a landfill site. 
     In the process, detection of the position data may be effected automatically, for example, when the truck is unloaded. The second detection device may, for example, register “dumping”—for example, because the second detection device may be connected to the controller of the truck or because vibrations are registered when dumping. Dumping may also be determined based on the motion profile of the truck, for example, based on the idle time or on the basis of different acceleration profiles when the truck is loaded or unloaded. Alternatively, detection may be triggered by the driver. 
     The documentation device may be part of the first detection device or part of the second detection device. 
     Alternatively, the documentation device may be arranged outside of the first detection device and outside of the second detection device and also outside of the milling machine. 
     The first detection device may preferably be arranged at the milling machine. 
     The second detection device may preferably be arranged at the truck or may be carried along on the truck. Alternatively, the second detection device may also be arranged near or at the milling material itself. 
     Transmission of the data and/or position signals between the first detection device and the documentation device and/or between the second detection device and the documentation device may be effected via, at least in part, a wireless connection, specifically, radio connection such as, for example, a WLAN or Bluetooth connection. 
     The data signals relating to the milling material may be data signals relating to the material properties of the milling material, specifically, the material of the milling material and/or location data of the milled section of the ground pavement. 
     Regarding the data signals relating to the material properties of the milling material, these may be data signals which directly describe the material properties of the material, or may be data signals which enable conclusions to be drawn about the material. For the purposes of the invention, the location data of the milled section of the ground pavement may therefore also be data signals relating to the material properties of the milling material. It may be determined, for example, which motorway section is being milled. It may be known which material has been used in the construction of the motorway section so that it can be determined based on the motorway section which material has been used in its construction. 
     It may be known, for example, which asphalt has been used in the construction, or the composition of the material used in the construction may be known. It may also be known which material has been used in the construction of different layers of the ground pavement. As a rule, the ground pavement comprises a surface layer, a binder layer and a base layer. The known information regarding the material may be stored in a data base (for example, locally on the milling machine or outside of the milling machine), or said information may be entered by an operator of the milling machine. The location data may also be determined based on GPS coordinates. Said data signals relating to the material properties of the milling material may then be detected by the first detection device. 
     Samples of the milled-off material may also be taken, for example, and evaluated immediately or at a later date. For the purposes of the invention, the data signals relating to the material properties of the milling material may also be data signals which relate to the number or the name of such sample. 
     Material properties of the milling material may be of interest for disposal and recycling. It may be important, for example, that it is known as to whether tar is contained in the milling material, since tar requires separate disposal. Furthermore, knowledge regarding the bitumen proportions in the milling material may be relevant for recycling. 
     The information from which layer of the road pavement structure the milling material originates may already be of importance as a material property. In the course of a reuse, material from a base layer must, for example, not be used for the production of an asphalt mixture which is to be used as the surface layer in a new road pavement structure. The milling material originating from a surface layer, on the other hand, may be recycled into an asphalt mixture which is used as the base layer in a new road pavement structure. 
     The data signals relating to the milling material may be operating parameters of the milling machine, or data or data signals, respectively, which are determined by means of the operating parameters, location data or information entered. As a result, any one or more of the directly determined or entered data or data signals, respectively, as well as data derived therefrom, may be detected as data signals relating to the milling material. 
     Operating parameters may specifically be the milling depth, the milling volume removed, the advance speed, the milling drum speed of revolution, the relation between advance speed and milling drum speed of revolution, the milling drum used, the torque/output emitted by the drive engine of the milling machine, or the amount of water fed during the milling process to cool the milling tools. Furthermore, it may be detected as to whether the milling machine is operating in down-milling or in up-milling mode (milling drum rotating in the same direction/in the opposite direction as the ground-engaging units). The data signals relating to the milling material may also be the mass and/or volume of the milling material loaded onto the truck. 
     Data or data signals may be determined by means of said operating parameters. These may be material properties of the milling material such as, for example, the grain size distribution in the milling material, fine fractions/coarse fractions. The physical properties may be derived from, for example, the relation between the advance rate and the milling drum speed of revolution, or the milling drum used. 
     Furthermore, it may be determined from the operating parameters, for example, from the milling depth, which layer of the ground pavement has been milled. The ground pavement comprises, for example, a surface layer, a binder layer and a base layer which, as a rule, feature different layer thicknesses. In addition to the milling depth, location data detected by the milling machine may also be taken into account, for example, to determine as to whether milling has already been performed in a specific position. This information can be correlated to allow for more accurate conclusions to be drawn about the layer just milled. 
     According to the present invention, a method for the tracking of milling material may be specified which comprises the following steps:
         milling a section of a ground pavement with a milling machine in a milling operation,   depositing the milling material milled during the milling operation on a loading surface of a truck,   detecting data signals relating to the milling material in a first detection de-vice,   transporting the milling material deposited on the loading surface of the truck to a deposition site and depositing the milling material at the deposition site.       

     It is advantageously specified that position data of the deposition site are detected by means of a second detection device, and where the first and the second detection device transmit the data signals relating to the milling material and the position data to a documentation device which links the position data with the data signals relating to the milling material. 
     Linking means to store which milling material is assigned to which deposition site. This information may be retrievable. 
     The first detection device may be arranged at the milling machine, and preferably is part of a control device of the milling machine. 
     The second detection device may detect, as position data, GPS data signals at the deposition site. 
     Transmission of the data signals and/or position data between the first detection device and the documentation device and/or between the second detection device and the documentation device may be effected via a wireless connection, specifically, radio connection or internet connection. 
     The documentation device may be arranged outside of the milling machine and/or outside of the second detection device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention are illustrated in more detail with reference to the drawings. 
       The following is shown schematically: 
         FIG. 1  represents a system for the tracking of milling material, 
         FIG. 2  represents the embodiment according to  FIG. 1  with a truck at the deposition site, 
         FIG. 3  represents an alternative embodiment of a tracking system, 
         FIG. 4  represents the first and second detection device, as well as the documentation device, 
         FIG. 5  represents an alternative embodiment of  FIG. 4 , and 
         FIG. 6  represents an alternative embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A system for the tracking of milling material is depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
     The system  3  comprises a milling machine  1  for milling a section  28  of a ground pavement  29  in a milling operation. The ground pavement  29  is milled by means of the milling machine  1 , and the removed milling material  26  is loaded, via no less than one transport conveyor  8 , onto a truck  14 . As is depicted in  FIG. 2 , the milling material  26  loaded onto the truck may be deposited on a deposition site  24 . 
     The milling machine  1  may comprise, as a minimum, a machine frame  2 . Furthermore, the milling machine comprises a height-adjustable milling drum  10  for working the ground pavement  29  where, in a milling operation, the milling drum  10  works the ground pavement  29 . The milling drum  10  is driven by a drive unit. The drive unit is preferably a drive motor, specifically, a combustion engine. The milling machine  1  comprises front and rear travelling devices  4 ,  6  as seen in the direction of operation  12 . Said travelling devices  4 ,  6  may be wheels or tracked ground-engaging units. The travelling devices  4 ,  6  may be connected to the machine frame  2  via lifting columns. The milling machine  1  or the machine frame  2 , respectively, can be adjusted in height relative to the ground pavement  29  by means of the lifting columns. The machine frame  2  is adjusted in height by adjusting the lifting columns, and as a result, the milling drum  10  mounted in the machine frame  2  is adjusted in height as well. Alternatively or additionally, the milling drum  10  may be adjustable in height relative to the machine frame  2 . 
     A first detection device  18  is depicted by means of which data signals relating to the milling material can be detected. In the embodiment depicted, the first detection device  18  is arranged at the milling machine  1 . The first detection device  18  may detect data signals relating to the milling material. These may, for example, be operating parameters of the milling machine  1 , or data or data signals, respectively, which are determined by means of the operating parameters. 
     Operating parameters may be the milling depth, the milling volume removed, the milling depth, the advance speed, the milling drum speed of revolution, the relation between advance speed and milling drum speed of revolution, the milling drum used, the torque/output emitted by the drive engine of the milling machine, or the amount of water added. Furthermore, it may be detected as to whether the milling machine is operating in down-milling or up-milling mode. Based on said operating parameters, the quantity or the volume or mass, respectively, of the removed milling material can be determined, or conclusions can indirectly be drawn about the material properties of the milling material. Said material properties or data determined can be detected as data signals relating to the milling material. 
     Also, the first detection device  18  may detect further material properties of the milling material not determinable on the basis of the operating parameters as data signals relating to the milling material. The location data of the milled section  28  of the ground pavement  29  may, for example, be detected. It may be known which material has been used in the construction of said section  28  so that conclusions can be drawn about the material based on the location data. Additionally or alternatively, material properties of the milling material may be entered or stored, respectively, so that the first detection device  18  can detect said material properties of the milling material. 
     Information regarding the layer of the ground pavement  29  just milled may also be derived from the operating parameters of the milling machine  1  or entered. Said derived or entered information can be detected as data signals relating to the milling material. 
     The detection device  18  may detect the operating parameters via the control device  16  of the milling machine  1 . The first detection device  18  may also be arranged externally from the milling machine  1 . 
     The system  3  for the tracking of milling material furthermore comprises a second detection device  20  which detects position data of the deposition site of the milling material. For this purpose, the second detection device  20  may, for example, be arranged at the truck  14  as depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . When the truck is at the deposition site  24 , position data signals may, for example, be detected at the deposition site which may represent the position data of the deposition site. Said position data signals may, for example, be GPS signals. The second detection device may also be arranged at the milled-off milling material  26 . 
     In the process, detection of the position data may be effected automatically, for example, when the truck is unloaded. The second detection device may, for example, register “dumping”—for example, because the second detection device may be connected to the controller of the truck or because vibrations are registered when dumping. Dumping may also be determined based on the motion profile of the truck, for example, based on the idle time or different acceleration profiles when the truck is loaded or unloaded. Alternatively, detection may be triggered by the driver. 
     The second detection device  20  may, for example, be a transponder which receives GPS signals. The second detection device  20  may also be a mobile telephone which is, for example, carried along by the truck driver of the truck. An application may be installed in said mobile telephone which, by operating the mobile telephone, detects the GPS signals and stores them as position data. The mobile telephone may transmit the position data to the documentation  22  via an internet connection. Alternatively, the position data may, for example, be entered at deposition site. 
     A documentation device  22  is furthermore specified to which the first and the second detection device  18 ,  20  transmit the data signals relating to the milling material and the position data of the deposition site, where the documentation device  22  links the position data with the data signals relating to the milling material. It can thus be identified precisely which milled-off milling material has been deposited at which deposition site, with the position data of the deposition site being precisely known. 
     GPS data may, for example, be stored as position data. It may, however, also only be indicated on which landfill site the milling material has been deposited. Transmission of the data signals relating to the milling material and of the position data between the first and/or the second detection device  18 ,  20  and the documentation device  22  may be effected via a wireless connection, specifically, radio connection and/or internet connection. 
     It is depicted in  FIG. 3  that the documentation device  22  may also be arranged externally from the milling machine  1  and the truck  14 . 
     The first detection device  18  and/or the second detection device  20  may also be arranged externally from the milling machine and/or from the truck  14 . 
     The first detection device  18 , the second detection device  20  and the documentation device  22  are depicted in  FIG. 4 . 
     The first detection device  18 , the second detection device  20  and the documentation device  22  may be computer systems. Said computer systems may comprise processors  30 ,  32 ,  34  and/or computer-readable memories  36 ,  38 ,  40  and/or data bases  42 ,  44 ,  46  and/or an IO platform or module  48 ,  50 ,  52 , which typically comprises a user interface. 
     The first detection device  18  may detect data signals  60 . The data signals  60  may be detected from the control device  16  or may also be entered. Alternatively, the first detection device  18  may also directly receive the data signals  60  from sensors of the milling machine  1 . From the data signals  60 , the detection device  18  may determine the data signals relating to the milling material. If the data signals  60  include, for example, the milling drum speed of revolution and the advance speed of the milling machine, said data signals  60  can be correlated with a grain size distribution of the milling material by means of the processor  30  and/or the data base  42 . If the data signals  60  include GPS coordinates that are representative for the section  28  of the ground pavement just milled, the material properties of the material present in said section  28  may be stored in the data base  42 . The grain size distribution thus determined and/or the material properties may be transmitted to the documentation device  22  as data signals relating to the milling material. Alternatively or additionally, the data signals  60  may be directly transmitted to the documentation device  22  as data signals relating to the milling material. 
     The second detection device  20  may detect the position data of the deposition site. Said position data may be detected as position data signals  62  or be derived from the position data signals  62 . Alternatively, the position data may also be entered via an interface  50 . 
     The documentation device  22  receives the data signals relating to the milling material detected by the first detection device  18  and the position data detected by the second detection device. The transmission is depicted by means of the arrows  64 ,  68  and  70 . In the documentation device  22 , the data signals relating to the milling material are linked with the position data. Based on said linking, it can thus be traced which milling material was unloaded at which unloading site. This correlation can be stored in the data base  46  for later retrieval and/or for indication on a user interface of the IO module  52 . 
     It could also be that the documentation device  22  transmits data signals to the first and/or the second detection device  18 ,  20 . It can thus be ensured, for example, that the assignment of the data signals relating to the milling material to the position data of the deposition site can be queried both at the first and at the second detection device  18 ,  20  via a user interface of the IO module  48 ,  50 , that it can therefore be displayed in both detection devices  18 ,  20  as to which milling material was unloaded at which unloading site. For this purpose, data from the data base  46  of the documentation device  22  may, for example, be transmitted to the data bases  42 ,  44  of the first and second detection device  18 ,  20 . 
     An alternative embodiment is depicted in  FIG. 5 . 
     It is depicted in  FIG. 5  that the first detection device  18  and the documentation device  22  are integrated in a single system. Said integrated system may also be part of the control device  16  of the milling machine  1 . The integrated system may also comprise a processor  30  and/or a memory  36  and/or an interface  48  and/or a data base  42 . The second detection device  20  may transmit data to the integrated system comprising the first detection device  18  and the documentation device  22 . The transmission is depicted by means of the arrow  72 . The first detection device  18 , the second detection device  20  and the documentation device  22  may also be an integrated system so that a central storage of data is specified. The data signals relating to the milling material and the position data of the deposition site may be transmitted to such central system via wireless connections and each be detected at the same. 
       FIG. 6  shows an alternative embodiment of  FIG. 2 . It is different in that the second detection device  20  is arranged at the milling material  26  deposited on the deposition site.