1997/08/18 Caterpillar

784B (5RK) Tractor;
785B (6HK),
789B (7EK),
793B (1HL),
793C (4AR) Trucks

Reference: Service Manual Module, SENR6059-03, "Vital Information Management System (VIMS)"

Service Magazine; April 28, 1997; Page 23; "Major Enhancements And Recommendations Effective With New 9.3X Software Available For Vital Information Management System (VIMS)"

This article will discuss the changes that were made to the VIMS Truck Payload System. Any VIMS on-board software class version 9.3X or later will contain these changes.

Payload Cycle Terms

The following terms are used to describe the payload cycle:

* Loading Time: The time spent loading the truck with material.

* Traveling Loaded: Time that begins when the truck reaches 2 mph after leaving the pit.

* Dumping: Time that begins when the body position for a loaded truck is in the "up" position for at least four continuous seconds.

* Traveling Empty: Travel time back to the pit after dumping is complete.

Body Position Parameter

The body position parameter is now used as the dumping indicator. Previously the body lever parameter was used as the dumping indicator.

The body position parameter indicates whether the truck body is "up" or "down". If the truck is loaded and the body position is in the "up" position for at least four continuous seconds the truck is considered to be dumping. The truck remains in the dumping state until the body position returns to the "down" position.

NOTE: If the body position is in the "up" position the system will prevent the truck from entering the loading state.

Estimated Loader Passes Are Counted And Broadcast

When an estimated loader pass occurs, the system now increments the loader pass count and broadcasts the estimated payload information (over telemetry).

During loading it is possible for the operator to start moving immediately after a loader pass is applied. The operator may need to move the truck to re-position under the shovel or to actually leave the loading area after a final pass. Regardless of the circumstances, in most instances this immediate movement after a pass causes the VIMS truck payload system to make a best estimate of the current payload. Anytime the system makes an estimate it is counted as a loader pass and the estimated payload is broadcast.

Enable Collapsed-Strut Events

Collapsed-Suspension Cylinder detection is now functional. Previous on-board software defined collapsed-suspension cylinder events, but VIMS could not display these events.

Additional Information Stored For Each Payload Cycle

VIMS now stores the following additional items for each payload cycle:

* Identification of the operator who completed the cycle (operator at time of dumping). This information may also be used to identify the pit that the payload originated from, by substituting a "Pit Identifier" in place of the "Operator ID".

* Number of transmission gear shifts (up/down) made during the cycle.

* Payload-related diagnostic information taken and stored during the cycle.

NOTE: This additional information will only be seen when using VIMS-PC V2.2 or later. Earlier versions of VIMS-PC will simply ignore this information.

Modified Allocation Of Time Among Payload Cycle Time Slot

VIMS now considers "under shovel" and "re-spotting" time as part of loading time. The previous system considered "under shovel" time as stopped empty time and "re-spotting" time as part of either stopped loaded or traveling loaded time.

VIMS now takes the start of loading time to be when the truck stops empty under the shovel waiting for the first pass and takes the end of loading time to be when the truck reaches 2 mph when leaving the pit after a final pass. As a result, total loading time will include:

* Time spent stopped empty waiting for the first pass (this is considered "under shovel" time).

* Time spent re-positioning after a pass (this is considered "re-spotting" time).

Preserve Payload Cycle Information

VIMS now preserves all current payload cycle information even when the key start switch is turned off. Previously all current payload cycle information was lost when this switch was turned off.

VIMS now stores all information about the current payload cycle (payload weight, loading time, stopped time, traveling loaded time, stopped empty time etc...) in non-volatile memory so that it is preserved when the truck key start switch is off. When the key start switch is turned back on the stored information becomes current information.

NOTE: If the stored payload weight is zero when the key start switch is turn off, then a new payload cycle is assumed to begin when the key start switch is turned back on and all current payload information is cleared.

Miscellaneous

The following change is also included in the new on-board software:

* The loading lamps are prevented from switching "backwards" from solid red to flashing red or from flashing red to solid green.