Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW Document 409-7 Filed 06/11/24 Page 1 of 10 PageID #: 38222
`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW Document 409-7 Filed 06/11/24 Page 1 of 10 PagelD #: 38222
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`EXHIBIT 7
`EXHIBIT 7
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`

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`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW Document 409-7 Filed 06/11/24 Page 2 of 10 PageID #: 38223
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`11111111111111111111111141111)18111)!111111111111111111110111111
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Killion
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,888,194 B2
`Nov. 18, 2014
`
`(54)
`
`CONTROL MODULE FOR MILLING ROTOR
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Daniel H. Killion, Blaine, MN (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.,
`Minneapolis, MN (US)
`
`( ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 110 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 13/425,838
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Mar. 21, 2012
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2013/0249271 Al
`
`Sep. 26, 2013
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`E01C 23/088
`E01C 23/12
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`CPC
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`E01C 23/088 (2013.01); E01C 23/122
`(2013.01)
` 299/1.5; 299/39.4; 299/39.6
`USPC
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`USPC
` 299/1.05, 1.5, 36.1, 39.1, 39.4, 39.6
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`11/1971 Mooney et al.
`3,617,091 A
`5/1990 Lent et al.
`4,929,121 A *
`6/1994 Lent
`5,318,378 A
`5,879,056 A * 3/1999 Breidenbach
`7,530,641 B2 *
`5/2009 Berning et al.
`2009/0108663 Al * 4/2009 Berning et al.
`2010/0065290 Al
`3/2010 Hall et al.
`2012/0179339 Al *
`7/2012 Busley et al.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`404/84.05
`
`299/1.5
`299/1.5
`299/1.5
`
`701/50
`
`Primary Examiner — David Bagnell
`Assistant Examiner — Michael Goodwin
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Miller, Matthias & Hull
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A control module for a milling rotor of a machine is provided.
`The control module comprises a processor and a controller.
`The processor is configured to receive a first signal, indicative
`of a direction of motion of the machine, a second signal,
`indicative of a relative height of a pair of side plates with
`respect to the milling rotor, and a third signal, indicative of a
`relative height of a moldboard with respect to the milling
`rotor. The processor processes the first signal, the second
`signal, and the third signal to generate a control signal. The
`controller is configured to receive the control signal from the
`processor and selectively disengage the milling rotor of the
`machine based on the control signal.
`
`20 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`100
`
`104
`
`\"""•,i5,-1,:
`
`..foof x
`
`AL H
`
`110
`
`02
`
`120
`
`108
`
`6081.0001
`
`CAT-770 051307
`
`Wirtgen America v. Caterpillar
`
`6081
`
`No. 1:17-cv-00770-JDW
`
`

`

`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW Document 409-7 Filed 06/11/24 Page 3 of 10 PageID #: 38224
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 18, 2014
`
`Sheet 1 of 4
`
`US 8,888,194 B2
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`6081.0002
`
`CAT-770_051308
`
`

`

`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW Document 409-7 Filed 06/11/24 Page 4 of 10 PageID #: 38225
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 18, 2014
`
`Sheet 2 of 4
`
`US 8,888,194 B2
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`6081.0003
`
`CAT-770_051309
`
`

`

`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW Document 409-7 Filed 06/11/24 Page 5 of 10 PageID #: 38226
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 18, 2014
`
`Sheet 3 of 4
`
`US 8,888,194 B2
`
`CO
`0
`
`A A A
`
`cv j
`
`6081.0004
`
`CAT-770 051310
`
`

`

`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW Document 409-7 Filed 06/11/24 Page 6 of 10 PageID #: 38227
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 18, 2014
`
`Sheet 4 of 4
`
`US 8,888,194 B2
`
`400
`
`Ac-I
`
`DETECT DIRECTION OF MOTION OF MACHINE 100
`AND GENERATE FIRST SIGNAL 51
`
`DETECT RELATIVE HEIGHT Hi OF SIDE PLATES
`114, 116 WITH RESPECT TO MILLING ROTOR 102
`AND GENERATE SECOND SIGNAL S2
`
`V
`DETECT RELATIVE HEIGHT H2 OF MOLDBOARD 118
`WITH RESPECT TO MILLING ROTOR 102 AND
`GENERATE THIRD SIGNAL S3
`
`, PROCESS FIRST SIGNAL Si, SECOND SIGNAL S2 AND
`THIRD SIGNAL S3 AND GENERATE CONTROL SIGNAL C
`
`,
`
`SELECTIVELY DISENGAGE MILLING ROTOR 102
`BASED ON CONTROL SIGNAL C
`
`402
`
`404
`
`406
`
`408
`
`410
`
`FIG. 4
`
`6081.0005
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`CAT-770 051311
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`

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`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW Document 409-7 Filed 06/11/24 Page 7 of 10 PageID #: 38228
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`US 8,888,194 B2
`
`1
`CONTROL MODULE FOR MILLING ROTOR
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`The present disclosure relates to a control module, and
`more particularly to a control module for a milling rotor of a
`machine.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`Control modules are provided in machines to control cer-
`tain mechanisms associated with the machine. Most mecha-
`nisms present in new age machines require an intermittent
`check for conformity with an operational logic while the
`machine is in operation. For example, a cold planer having a
`milling rotor may require an operator to physically get down
`from atop the machine and check for certain operational
`parameters with the milling rotor before proceeding with
`further work. This supervision of operational parameters by
`the operator is very tedious and lowers the productivity of the
`machine. Further, if an operational parameter is not met, the
`machine needs to be stalled immediately to avoid any conse-
`quential damage to its components. Hence, control modules
`are required to intermittently control and disengage certain
`critical components of the machine when an operational logic
`is not met so that damages do not occur. Furthermore, control
`modules are required to maximize productivity of the
`machine by performing functions that were instead per-
`formed manually by the operator.
`U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0286678
`(U.S. Pat. No. 7,530,641) relates to an automotive construc-
`tion machine for working on ground surfaces. The automotive
`construction machine includes a machine frame, an engine
`for driving traveling devices and working devices. The auto-
`motive construction machine further includes a milling drum
`for milling the ground surfaces, which can be raised, driven
`by, and can be uncoupled from a drum drive. The milling
`drum can be moved to a raised position when not in milling
`mode. When raised, the milling drum rotates and remains
`coupled with the drive engine. A monitoring device monitors
`the distance between the milling drum and the ground surface
`and uncouples the raised milling drum from the drive engine
`when the distance falls below a pre-determined distance.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a machine
`comprising a power source, a milling rotor, a pair of side
`plates, a moldboard, a detector, a first sensor, a second sensor,
`and a control module. The milling rotor is operatively con-
`nected to the power source. The milling rotor includes a pair
`of end faces and a longitudinal axis. The pair of side plates is
`disposed at each of the end faces of the milling rotor. The
`moldboard is disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis of the
`milling rotor. The detector is configured to detect a direction
`of motion of the machine and generate a first signal. The first
`sensor is configured to determine a relative height of the pair
`of side plates with respect to the milling rotor and generate a
`second signal. The second sensor is configured to determine
`a relative height of the moldboard with respect to the milling
`rotor and generate a third signal. The control module includes
`a processor and a controller. The processor is configured to
`receive the first signal, the second signal and the third signal.
`The processor processes the first, second and third signals to
`generate a control signal. The controller is configured to
`receive the control signal from the processor and selectively
`disengage the milling rotor based on the control signal.
`
`2
`In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a control
`module for the milling rotor of the machine. The control
`module includes a processor and a controller. The processor is
`configured to receive and process the first, second and third
`5 signal and generate a control signal. The controller is config-
`ured to receive the control signal from the processor and
`selectively disengage the milling rotor of the machine based
`on the control signal.
`In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method
`10 of controlling the milling rotor of the machine. The method
`detects the direction of motion of the machine by a detector.
`The method generates the first signal by the detector based on
`the direction of motion of the machine. The method detects
`the relative height of the moldboard with respect to the mill-
`5 ing rotor by the first sensor. The method generates the second
`signal by the first sensor based on the relative height of the
`moldboard with respect to the milling rotor. The method
`detects the relative height of the pair of side plates with
`respect to the milling rotor by the second sensor. The method
`20 generates the third signal by the second sensor based on the
`relative height of the pair of side plates with respect to the
`milling rotor. The method processes the first signal, the sec-
`ond signal and the third signal by a processor. The method
`generates a control signal by the processor. The method con-
`25 troll the milling rotor based on the control signal by a con-
`troller.
`Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be appar-
`ent from the following description and the accompanying
`drawings.
`
`3 0
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`35
`
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a machine in accordance
`with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
`FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the machine of FIG.
`1;
`FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a control module in accor-
`dance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
`FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a control process in
`40 accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`The present disclosure relates to a control module for a
`45 milling rotor of a machine. FIGS. 1 and 2 show perspective
`views of an exemplary machine 100 in which disclosed
`embodiments may be implemented. The machine 100 may be
`a wheeled or tracked industrial vehicle, for example, but not
`limited to, cold planers, paver machines, tracked vehicles for
`so road compaction, milling, or the like. As shown in FIGS. 1
`and 2, the machine 100 may embody a cold planer which may
`be used for milling soil or asphalt off the ground 104. The
`machine 100 includes a power source 106. The power source
`106 may be a prime mover such as an engine or an electric
`55 motor that delivers power to the machine 100. The power
`source 106 powers a traveling system 108 via a propel system
`103. The propel system 103 may transfer mechanical or elec-
`trical power to control the motion of the traveling system 108.
`In an embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, the traveling
`60 system 108 may include tracks.
`The machine 100 further includes the milling rotor 102
`operatively connected to the power source 106. During opera-
`tion, the power source 106 drives the milling rotor 102 to mill
`soil or asphalt off the ground 104. The milling rotor 102
`65 includes a pair of end faces 110, 112 positioned about a
`longitudinal axis X-X'. The machine 100 further includes a
`pair of side plates 114, 116 to substantially cover the end faces
`
`6081.0006
`
`CAT-770 051312
`
`

`

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`US 8,888,194 B2
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`15
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`3
`110, 112 of the milling rotor 102. As shown in FIG. 1, a first
`side plate 114 is disposed adjacent to a first end face 110 of the
`milling rotor 102. Further, as shown in FIG. 2. a second side
`plate 116 is disposed adjacent to a second end face 112 of the
`milling rotor 102. The machine 100 further includes a mold- 5
`board 118 disposed vertically and parallel to the longitudinal
`axis X-X' of the milling rotor 102 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
`The machine 100 further includes a detector 120, a first
`sensor 122, and a second sensor 124. The detector 120 is
`configured to detect the direction of motion of the machine to
`100 and generate a first signal 51. In an embodiment, the
`detector 120 may be connected to the traveling system 108 of
`the machine 100. The detector 120 detects the direction of
`motion of the machine 100 by detecting a direction of rotation
`of the traveling system 108.
`In another embodiment, the detector 120 may be connected
`to an operator joystick of the machine 100.
`Further, the first sensor 122 is configured to determine a
`relative height H1 of the pair of side plates 114, 116 with
`respect to the milling rotor 102 and generate a second signal zo
`S2. In an embodiment. the first sensor 122 may be connected
`to a pair of primary hydraulic cylinders 126 hydraulically
`connecting each of the side plates 114. 116 to a frame 128 of
`the machine 100. In this embodiment, the first sensor 122 may
`detect a hydraulic expansion or retraction of the primary 25
`hydraulic cylinders 126 and hence determine the relative
`height H1 of the pair of side plates 114,116 with respect to the
`milling rotor 102.
`Similarly, the second sensor 124 is configured to determine
`a relative height H2 of the moldboard 118 with respect to the 30
`milling rotor 102 and generate a third signal S3. In an embodi-
`ment, the second sensor 124 may be connected to a pair of
`secondary hydraulic cylinders 130 hydraulically connecting
`the moldboard 118 to the frame 128 of the machine 100. In
`this embodiment, the second sensor 124 may detect a hydrau- 35
`lic expansion or refraction of the secondary hydraulic cylin-
`ders 130 and hence determine the relative height H2 of the
`moldboard 118 with respect to the milling rotor 102.
`In another embodiment, the first sensor 122 and the second
`sensor 124 may be connected to the pair of side plates 114, ao
`116 and the moldboard 118 respectively.
`In the preceding embodiments, the detector 120 is con-
`nected to the traveling system 108, the first sensor 122 is
`connected to the pair of primary hydraulic cylinders 126, and
`the second sensor 124 is connected to the pair of secondary 45
`hydraulic cylinders 130. However, a person having ordinary
`skill in the art will appreciate that the connections of the
`detector 120, the first sensor 122, and the second sensor 124
`to the traveling system 108 or the operator joystick, the pair of
`primary hydraulic cylinders 126 or the pair of side plates 114, so
`116, and the pair of secondary hydraulic cylinders 130 or the
`moldboard 118 is only exemplary in nature and that these
`connections may be accomplished with any other structures
`and by any known methods in the art.
`Further, the machine 100 includes a control module 132. 55
`FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of the control module 132
`according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The
`control module 132 may include a processor 134 and a con-
`troller 136. The control module 132 is configured to perform
`a host of functions in a sequential order. The processor 134 is 60
`connected to the detector 120, the first sensor 122, and the
`second sensor 124. The processor 134 is configured to receive
`a first signal Sl, a second signal S2, and a third signal S3 from
`the detector 120, the first sensor 122, and the second sensor
`124 respectively. The processor 134 processes the first signal 65
`Sl, the second signal S2, and the third signal S3 to generate a
`control signal C. The controller 136 is connected to the power
`
`4
`source 106, the processor 134, the milling rotor 102, and the
`propel system 103. The controller 136 is configured to receive
`the control signal C from the processor 134 and selectively
`disengage the milling rotor 102 or the propel system 103
`based on the control signal C.
`Further, the processor 134 and the controller 136 may
`include one or more control modules, for example ECMs,
`ECUs, and the like. The one or more control modules may
`include processing units, memory, sensor interfaces, and/or
`control signal interfaces for receiving and transmitting sig-
`nals. The processor 134 may represent one or more logic
`and/or processing components used by the control module
`132 to perform certain communications, control, and/or diag-
`nostic functions. For example, the processing components
`may be adapted to execute routing information among
`devices within and/or external to the control module 132.
`Industrial Applicability
`As shown in FIGS. 1-2, in a mode of operation, while the
`machine 100 is reversing and milling soil or asphalt off the
`ground 104, there is a possibility that the milling rotor 102
`may encounter an irregular ground surface. To protect the
`milling rotor 102 from any undesirable damages due to col-
`lision with the uneven ground surface, threshold limits for the
`relative heights H1 and H2 may have to be preset into the
`processor 134 of the control module 132. In an embodiment
`of the present disclosure, the processor 134 may store a first
`threshold limit and a second threshold limit, which may be
`different from each other. In an embodiment, the first preset
`threshold limit may be preset into the processor 134, for a
`relative height H1 between the pair of side plates 114,116 and
`the milling rotor 102, at about 2 inches. Moreover, the second
`preset threshold limit may be also preset into the processor
`134, for a relative height H2 between the moldboard 118 and
`the milling rotor 102, at about 2 inches.
`The control module 132 is used for controlling the milling
`rotor 102 or the propel system 103 of the machine 100. As
`disclosed in the preceding embodiments, the control module
`132 includes the processor 134 and the controller 136. The
`processor 134 is configured to receive and process the first
`signal Sl, the second signal S2, and the third signal S3 and
`generate the control signal C. The controller 136 is configured
`to receive the control signal C from the processor 134 and
`selectively disengage the milling rotor 102 or the propel sys-
`tem 103 based on the control signal C. The control module
`132 disclosed herein allows independent control of the mill-
`ing rotor 102 and the propel system 103 of the machine 100.
`The control module 132 follows operation logic of the control
`signal C that is based on an independent criterion of the first
`signal Sl, the second signal S2, or the third signal S3. In an
`embodiment, when the first signal S1 indicates a reverse
`direction of motion of the machine 100 and the second signal
`S2 indicates a relative height H1 difference exceeding 2
`inches, the processor 134 processes the first and second sig-
`nals Sl, S2 and prompts the controller 136 with the control
`signal C to disengage the milling rotor 102 from the power
`source 106. In another embodiment, when the first signal S1
`indicates a reverse direction of motion of the machine 100 and
`the third signal S3 indicates a relative height H2 difference
`exceeding 2 inches, the processor 134 processes the first and
`third signals Sl, S3 and prompts the controller 136 with the
`control signal C to disengage the milling rotor 102 from the
`power source 106.
`In another embodiment, the first preset threshold limit may
`be preset into the processor 134, for a relative height H1
`between the pair of side plates 114, 116 and the milling rotor
`102, at 0 inches. Moreover, the second preset threshold limit
`may be also preset into the processor 134, for a relative height
`
`6081.0007
`
`CAT-770 051313
`
`

`

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`US 8,888,194 B2
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`5
`H2 between the moldboard 118 and the milling rotor 102, at
`0 inches. This implies that the milling rotor 102 may be
`disengaged from the power source 106 when either of the
`moldboard 118 or the pair of said plates 114, 116 is in line
`with the milling rotor 102. It should be noted that the proces-
`sor 134 and the controller 136 of the control module 132
`operate as per the operation logic preset into the processor
`134. Any value may be preset into the processor 134 towards
`each of the first and second threshold limits based on which
`the processor 134 generates the control signal C.
`FIG. 4 shows a method 400 of controlling the milling rotor
`102 of the machine 100. At step 402, the detector 120 detects
`the direction of motion of the machine 100 and generates the
`first signal S1 based on the direction of motion of the machine
`100. At step 404, the first sensor 122 determines the relative
`height H1 of the pair of side plates 114,116 with respect to the
`milling rotor 102 and generates the second signal S2 based on
`the detected relative height H1. Further, at step 406, the sec-
`ond sensor 124 detects the relative height H2 of the mold-
`board 118 with respect to the milling rotor 102 and generates
`the third signal S3 based on the detected relative height H2. At
`step 408, the processor 134 processes the first signal Sl, the
`second signal S2 and the third signal S3 and generates a
`control signal C. At step 410, the controller 136 controls the
`milling rotor 102 based on the control signal C.
`In an embodiment, the control signal C triggers the con-
`troller 136 to disengage the milling rotor 102 from the power
`source 106 when the first signal S1 is indicative of a reverse
`direction of motion R (as shown in FIGS. 1-2) of the machine
`100 and the second signal S2 is indicative of a relative height
`H1 greater than the first preset threshold limit.
`In another embodiment, the control signal C triggers the
`controller 136 to disengage the milling rotor 102 from the
`power source 106 when the first signal S1 is indicative of a
`reverse direction of motion of the machine 100 and the third
`signal S3 is indicative of a relative height H2 greater than the
`second preset threshold limit.
`In an embodiment, the control signal C triggers the con-
`troller 136 to disengage the propel system 103 from the power
`source 106 when the first signal S1 is indicative of a reverse
`direction of motion R of the machine 100 and the second
`signal S2 is indicative of a relative height H1 greater than the
`first preset threshold limit.
`In another embodiment, the control signal C triggers the
`controller 136 to disengage the propel system 103 from the
`power source 106 when the first signal S1 is indicative of a
`reverse direction of motion R of the machine 100 and the third
`signal S3 is indicative of a relative height H2 greater than the
`second preset threshold limit.
`In an aspect of the present disclosure, the control module
`132 maximizes machine productivity and protects the milling
`rotor 102 against any undesirable damage. During operation
`of the machine 100, the control module 132 may dynamically
`receive the first, second and third signals Sl, S2 and S3 at
`predefined time intervals and automatically disengage the
`milling rotor 102 or the propel system 103.
`While aspects of the present disclosure have been particu-
`larly shown and described with reference to the embodiments
`above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that
`various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the
`modification of the disclosed machines, systems and methods
`without departing from the spirit and scope of what is dis-
`closed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall
`within the scope of the present disclosure as determined
`based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof
`
`6
`
`5
`
`I claim:
`1. A machine comprising:
`a power source;
`a milling rotor operatively connected to the power source,
`wherein the milling rotor includes a pair of end faces
`disposed along a longitudinal axis of the milling rotor;
`a pair of side plates disposed at each of the end faces of the
`milling rotor;
`a moldboard disposed substantially parallel to the longitu-
`dinal axis of the milling rotor;
`a detector configured to detect a direction of motion of the
`machine and generate a first signal:
`a first sensor configured to determine a relative height of
`the pair of side plates with respect to the milling rotor
`and generate a second signal;
`a second sensor configured to determine a relative height of
`the moldboard with respect to the milling rotor and
`generate a third signal; and
`a control module including:
`a processor configured to receive the first signal, the
`second signal and the third signal, wherein the pro-
`cessor processes the first, second and third signals to
`generate a control signal; and
`a controller configured to receive the control signal from
`the processor and selectively disengage the milling
`rotor based on the control signal.
`2. The machine of claim 1, wherein the control signal
`triggers the controller to disengage the milling rotor from the
`power source when the first signal is indicative of a reverse
`30 direction of motion of the machine and the second signal is
`indicative of a relative height greater than a first preset thresh-
`old limit.
`3. The machine of claim 1, wherein the control signal
`triggers the controller to disengage the milling rotor from the
`35 power source when the first signal is indicative of a reverse
`direction of motion of the machine and the third signal is
`indicative of a relative height greater than a second preset
`threshold limit.
`4. The machine of claim 1 further comprising a propel
`40 system operatively connecting the power source and a trav-
`eling system of the machine, wherein the control module is
`configured to selectively disengage the propel system based
`on the control signal.
`5. The machine of claim 4, wherein the control signal
`45 triggers the controller to disengage the propel system from the
`power source when the first signal is indicative of a reverse
`direction of motion of the machine and the second signal is
`indicative of a relative height greater than a first preset thresh-
`old limit.
`6. The machine of claim 4, wherein the control signal
`triggers the controller to disengage the propel system from the
`power source when the first signal is indicative of a reverse
`direction of motion of the machine and the third signal is
`indicative of a relative height greater than a second preset
`55 threshold limit.
`7. The machine of claim 1, wherein the power source is one
`of an engine and an electric motor.
`8. The machine of claim 1, wherein the detector is disposed
`proximate and operatively connected to one of a traveling
`60 system and an operator joystick.
`9. The machine of claim 1, wherein the first sensor is
`connected to a pair of primary hydraulic cylinders and the
`second sensor is connected to a pair of secondary hydraulic
`cylinders.
`10. The machine of claim 1, wherein the first sensor is
`connected to the pair of side plates and the second sensor is
`connected to the moldboard.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`so
`
`65
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`6081.0008
`
`CAT-770 051314
`
`

`

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`8
`determining a relative height of a pair of side plates with
`respect to the milling rotor by a first sensor;
`generating a second signal by the first sensor based on the
`relative height of the pair of side plates with respect to
`the milling rotor; determining a relative height of a
`moldboard with respect to the milling rotor by a second
`sensor;
`generating a third signal by the second sensor based on the
`relative height of the moldboard with respect to the
`milling rotor;
`processing the first signal, the second signal and the third
`signal by a processor;
`generating a control signal by the processor based on the
`first signal, the second signal and the third signal; and
`selectively disengaging the milling rotor based on the con-
`trol signal by a controller.
`17. The method of claim 16, wherein the controlling the
`milling rotor further includes disengaging the milling rotor
`20 from a power source when the first signal is indicative of a
`reverse direction of motion of the machine and the second
`signal is greater than a first preset threshold limit.
`18. The method of claim 16, wherein the controlling the
`milling rotor further includes disengaging the milling rotor
`25 from a power source when the first signal is indicative of a
`reverse direction of motion of the machine and the third signal
`is greater than a second preset threshold limit.
`19. The method of claim 16, wherein the controlling the
`milling rotor further includes disengaging a propel system
`30 associated with the machine when the first signal is indicative
`of a reverse direction of motion of the machine and the second
`signal is greater than a first preset threshold limit.
`20. The method of claim 16, wherein the controlling the
`35 milling rotor further includes disengaging a propel system
`associated with the machine when the first signal is indicative
`of a reverse direction of motion of the machine and the third
`signal is greater than a second preset threshold limit.
`
`7
`11.A control module for a milling rotor of a machine, the
`control module comprising: a processor configured to receive
`a first signal, indicative of a direction of motion of the
`machine, a second signal, indicative of a relative height of a
`pair of side plates with respect to the milling rotor, and a third
`signal, indicative of a relative height of a moldboard with
`respect to the milling rotor, the processor processes the first
`signal, the second signal, and the third signal to generate a
`control signal based on the first signal, the second signal, and
`the third signal; and a controller configured to receive the
`control signal from the processor and selectively disengage
`the milling rotor of the machine based on the control signal.
`12. The control module of claim 11, wherein the control
`signal triggers the controller to disengage the milling rotor
`from a power source when the first signal is indicative of a
`reverse direction of motion of the machine and the second
`signal is greater than a first preset threshold limit.
`13. The control module of claim 11, wherein the control
`signal triggers the controller to disengage the milling rotor
`from a power source when the first signal is indicative of a
`reverse direction of motion of the machine and the third signal
`is greater than a first preset threshold limit.
`14. The control module of claim 11, wherein the control
`signal triggers the controller to disengage a propel system
`associated with the machine when the first signal is indicative
`of a reverse direction of motion of the machine and the second
`signal is greater than a first preset threshold limit.
`15. The control module of claim 11, wherein the control
`signal triggers the controller to selectively disengage a propel
`system associated with the machine when the first signal is
`indicative of a reverse direction of motion of the machine and
`the second signal is greater than a second preset threshold
`limit.
`16. A method of controlling a milling rotor of a machine
`comprising:
`detecting a direction of motion of the machine by a detec-
`tor;
`generating a first signal by the detector based on the direc-
`tion of motion of the machine;
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`6081.0009
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`CAT-770 051315
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