US-20260125879-A1 - SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR EXCAVATION

US20260125879A1US 20260125879 A1US20260125879 A1US 20260125879A1US-20260125879-A1

Abstract

A construction equipment including an implement is disclosed. The construction equipment includes a laser reading unit removably mounted on a construction equipment body. The laser reading unit may read a laser signal projected by a laser projecting unit and establish a reference point. The reference point may be a point at which the laser reading unit reads the laser signal projected by the laser projecting unit. The construction equipment further includes an altimeter that may measure a height of the implement relative to the reference point. The altimeter may be a non-pressurized system that includes a fluid to measure the height of the implement relative to the reference point.

Inventors

Richard Strickland, JR.

Assignees

AzerGrade Innovations Inc

Dates

Publication Date: 20260507
Application Date: 20241107

Claims (20)

1 . A construction equipment comprising: an implement; a laser reading unit removably mounted on a construction equipment body, wherein the laser reading unit is configured to read a laser signal projected by a laser projecting unit to establish a reference point, and wherein the reference point is a point at which the laser reading unit reads the laser signal projected by the laser projecting unit; and an altimeter configured to measure a height of the implement relative to the reference point, wherein the altimeter is a non-pressurized system that comprises a fluid to measure the height of the implement relative to the reference point.
2 . The construction equipment of claim 1 , wherein the laser projecting unit is configured to project the laser signal over a 360 degrees range along a horizontal axis of the laser projecting unit, and wherein the horizontal axis is parallel to ground.
3 . The construction equipment of claim 1 , wherein the laser projecting unit is positioned on ground in proximity to the construction equipment.
4 . The construction equipment of claim 1 , wherein the laser reading unit is mounted on an arm of the construction equipment, wherein the arm is connected to the implement.
5 . The construction equipment of claim 1 , wherein the laser reading unit is removably mounted on the construction equipment via a first magnet.
6 . The construction equipment of claim 1 , wherein the laser reading unit is configured to generate an indication when the laser reading unit reads the laser signal.
7 . The construction equipment of claim 1 , wherein the altimeter is configured to measure a fluid weight to measure the height of the implement relative to the reference point.
8 . The construction equipment of claim 1 , wherein the fluid is oil.
9 . The construction equipment of claim 1 , wherein the altimeter comprises a resealable receptacle configured to store the fluid.
10 . The construction equipment of claim 1 , wherein the altimeter comprises a first altimeter part and a second altimeter part, and wherein first altimeter part and the second altimeter part are connected via a tube.
11 . The construction equipment of claim 10 , wherein the first altimeter part is mounted at a first position in the construction equipment and the second altimeter part is mounted at a second position in the construction equipment.
12 . The construction equipment of claim 11 , wherein the first altimeter part is mounted on the implement.
13 . The construction equipment of claim 12 , wherein the first altimeter part is mounted on the implement via a second magnet.
14 . The construction equipment of claim 11 , wherein the second altimeter part is mounted on a rotating cabin of the construction equipment.
15 . The construction equipment of claim 14 , wherein the second altimeter part is mounted on the rotating cabin via a third magnet.
16 . The construction equipment of claim 14 , wherein the second altimeter part comprises a display device.
17 . The construction equipment of claim 1 , wherein the construction equipment further comprises a controller configured to calibrate the altimeter when the laser reading unit reads the laser signal projected by the laser projecting unit.
18 . The construction equipment of claim 1 , wherein the implement comprises a bucket or a blade.
19 . A system comprising: a laser projecting unit configured to project a laser signal; a laser reading unit removably mounted on a construction equipment body, wherein the laser reading unit is configured to read the laser signal projected by the laser projecting unit to establish a reference point, and wherein the reference point is a point at which the laser reading unit reads the laser signal projected by the laser projecting unit; and an altimeter configured to measure a height of an implement of a construction equipment relative to the reference point, wherein the altimeter is a non-pressurized system that comprises a fluid to measure the height of the implement relative to the reference point.
20 . A method comprising: reading, by a laser reading unit, a laser signal projected by a laser projecting unit, wherein the laser reading unit is removably mounted on a construction equipment body, wherein the laser reading unit is configured to read the laser signal to establish a reference point, and wherein the reference point is a point at which the laser reading unit reads the laser signal projected by the laser projecting unit; measuring, by an altimeter, a height of an implement of a construction equipment relative to the reference point, wherein the altimeter is a non-pressurized system that comprises a fluid to measure the height of the implement relative to the reference point; and displaying, by the altimeter, the height on a display screen of the altimeter.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to construction equipment, and more particularly to systems and methods for excavation. BACKGROUND In the construction industry, it is crucial to measure trench excavation accurately (including the trench depth). A precise measurement ensures proper planning, effective utilization of resources, and a high standard of safety. There exist different ways to measure trench depths. For instance, some operators use laser projectors and grade sticks (or grade rods) for establishing grades and reference points, which may enable the operator to measure the trench depth. The operator may position the laser projector and the grade stick in proximity to the excavator while performing the excavation operation. The laser projector may project a laser signal over a 360 degrees range along a horizontal axis of the laser projector. The grade stick may include a sliding laser reader that may read the laser signal projected by the laser projector to establish the reference point. The grade stick may include measuring scale markings along its length, which may enable the operator to measure the trench depth from the reference point. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings. The use of the same reference numerals may indicate similar or identical items. Various embodiments may utilize elements and/or components other than those illustrated in the drawings, and some elements and/or components may not be present in various embodiments. Elements and/or components in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. Throughout this disclosure, depending on the context, singular and plural terminology may be used interchangeably. FIG. 1 depicts an environment in which techniques and structures for providing the systems and methods disclosed herein may be implemented. FIG. 2 depicts a view of an arm having a laser reading unit, and a bucket of a construction equipment in accordance with the present disclosure. FIG. 3 depicts a view of a first altimeter part located at an implement in accordance with the present disclosure. FIG. 4 depicts a view of a second altimeter part in accordance with the present disclosure. FIG. 5 depicts a flow diagram of an example method to perform excavation measurements in accordance with the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Overview The present disclosure is directed to a system and method that may assist an operator to precisely perform excavation to a required depth. The system may include a combination of a laser level and an altimeter, which may assist the operator to precisely perform the excavation via a construction equipment (e.g., an excavator or a backhoe). The construction equipment may include a plurality of components including, but not limited to, an implement (e.g., a blade or a bucket that contacts the ground), an arm, a boom, an operator cabin, tracks, etc. The arm may be located between the implement and the boom, and the boom may be attached to the cabin. The operator may use a control panel located inside the cabin to move the arm vertically upwards or downwards (e.g., away from or towards the ground). The laser level may include a laser projecting unit or a laser transmitting unit that may project a laser signal (or a continuous laser beam) over a 360 degrees range along a horizontal axis of the laser projecting unit. The laser level may further include a laser reading unit that may read or pick up the laser signal projected by the laser projecting unit. The laser reading unit may be attached to a construction equipment body. In some aspects, the laser reading unit may be removably attached to the arm via a first magnet. The laser projecting unit may be positioned on the ground, in proximity to the construction equipment. In some aspects, when the laser projecting unit may be projecting the laser signal, the operator may use the control panel located inside the cabin to move the arm vertically upwards or downwards. The arm movement may cause the vertical movement of the laser reading unit, which may enable the laser reading unit to read the laser signal projected by the laser projecting unit. When the laser reading unit reads the laser signal, the laser level may establish a reference point, which may enable the operator to ensure accuracy in leveling and alignment. In addition, the reference point may enable the operator to set and maintain a required depth for excavation, thereby ensuring that the ground is excavated evenly. In further aspects, the laser reading unit may generate an indication (e.g., an indication signal) when the laser reading unit reads the laser signal or when the reference point is established. In some aspects, the laser reading unit may provide the indication (e.g., audio or visual indication) to the operator when the laser reading unit reads the laser signal. Alternatively, the laser reading unit may transmit the indication signal to