US Patent 7848860 Machine loss-of-control detector and shutdown system

A method and system are described for machine loss of control detection. In one aspect, the method and system detect operator intended motion of the machine or a part of it and actual motion of the machine or a part of it; and determine machine loss of control in response to whether actual motion is materially different from operator intended motion. Actual motion is determined from angular motion signals from a gyroscopic angular sensor and, optionally, linear motion signals (e.g. acceleration via one or more accelerometers). Machine loss of control determination may be used to stop the actual motion (e.g. stopping power or fuel an engine, bypassing hydraulic fluid flow, etc). The method and system are adaptable to machines having one or more driving and actuating systems capable of malfunctioning in such a way as to cause the machine to move uncontrollably.