Abstract: A computing system may be configured to perform operations including obtaining image data depicting a flow of soil around a ground-engaging tool of an agricultural implement as the ground-engaging tool is moved through the soil. Furthermore, the operations may include extracting a set of features from the obtained image data. Moreover, the operations may include inputting the set of features into the machine-learned classification model and receiving a soil flow classification of the set of features as an output of the machine-learned classification model. In addition, the operations may include determining when the ground-engaging tool is plugged based on the soil flow classification of the set of features.
Abstract: A particulate material sensing and agitation control system of an agricultural system having a drive system configured to operate an agitating system, and a controller having a memory and a processor. The controller is configured to receive at least one sensor signal indicative of a profile of a particulate material within the agricultural system, and output a control signal to instruct the drive system to operate the agitating system in a selected operating mode of a plurality of operating modes based on the profile of the particulate material. The agitating system is configured to interact with the particulate material in each operating mode of the plurality of operating modes, and the plurality of operating modes includes an agitation mode and a leveling mode.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 1, 2019
Date of Patent:
February 8, 2022
Assignee:
CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
Inventors:
Jesse Blair Pidwerbesky, Graham Douglas Stuart, Nicholas George Alfred Ryder, Paul David Minto
Abstract: A particulate material sensing and agitation control system of an agricultural system includes an agitator configured to induce movement of particulate material through the agricultural system, a drive system coupled to the agitator, and a sensing system configured to determine a current flowing through the drive system. The drive system is configured to move the agitator, and the drive system is powered via an electrical circuit. The sensing system includes a first input coupled to a first point on the electrical circuit, the sensing system includes a second input coupled to a second point on the electrical circuit, the sensing system is configured to determine a voltage differential between the first point and the second point, and the sensing system is configured to determine current flowing through the electrical circuit based on the voltage differential.
Abstract: A downforce monitoring system for an agricultural row unit includes a controller configured to receive a first input signal indicative of torque applied to a gauge wheel support arm. The controller is also configured to receive a second input signal indicative of an angle of the gauge wheel support arm relative to a frame of the agricultural row unit. In addition, the controller is configured to determine a determined downforce applied to a soil surface by a gauge wheel rotatably coupled to the gauge wheel support arm based on the torque and the angle. The controller is also configured to output a first output signal of the determined downforce, to output a second output signal to a downforce actuator to control a downforce applied to the soil surface by the gauge wheel based on the determined downforce and a target downforce, or a combination thereof.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 28, 2019
Date of Patent:
January 18, 2022
Assignee:
CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
Inventors:
Dennis George Thompson, Nicholas George Alfred Ryder
Abstract: In one aspect, a system for monitoring soil conditions within an agricultural field may include a furrow forming tool. The system may also include an acoustic sensor configured to detect a sound associated with movement of the furrow forming tool through the soil. Furthermore, the system may include a controller communicatively coupled to the acoustic sensor. The controller may be configured to monitor a soil condition associated with soil within the field based on acoustic data received from the acoustic sensor.
Abstract: A method for reducing an overall transport profile of a multi-section tillage implement. The tillage implement includes a frame including a center frame section and at least one wing frame section. The tillage implement includes a plurality of ground-engaging tools pivotally mounted to the frame. The method includes pivoting each of the plurality of ground-engaging tools away from the ground surface from a ground-engaging position to a retracted position. The frame is disposed at an initial height relative to the ground surface before pivoting. After pivoting, the frame is lowered to a transport height relative to the ground surface. At least one wing frame section is folded relative to the center frame section from an operating position to a transport position to reduce a width of the tillage implement in the widthwise direction.
Abstract: An agricultural implement having a row unit and a material throw monitoring system. The row unit includes a ground engaging tool configured to engage with a ground at a ground engaging point to form a trench, and a conduit configured to deposit an agricultural product in the trench. The material throw monitoring system includes a sensor and a controller. The sensor is oriented toward the ground engaging point and configured to provide feedback to the controller based at least in part on material displaced by the ground engaging tool. The controller is configured to determine a throw distance of the material relative to the ground engaging tool based on the feedback from the sensor, determine an action to adjust operation of the agricultural implement based on a comparison of the throw distance with a threshold, and communicate the action with a controller coupled to the agricultural implement.
Abstract: A system for de-plugging rotating ground engaging tools of an agricultural implement includes first and second ground engaging tools spaced apart from each other such that a flow gap is defined between the tools, a rotational actuator configured to rotationally drive the tools about a rotational axis, a sensor configured to capture data indicative of material accumulation within the flow gap defined between the tools, and a controller configured to determine when the tools are experiencing a plugged condition based on the data received from the sensor. Additionally, in response to the determination that the tools are experiencing the plugged condition, the controller is further configured to control an operation of the rotational actuator such that the tools are rotationally driven while such tools are disposed at a working position relative to a soil surface of a field.
Abstract: A system for monitoring soil conditions within a field includes an agricultural implement including a frame and a ganged tool assembly supported relative to the frame and including a toolbar coupled to the frame and a plurality of ground-engaging tools coupled to the toolbar. The system further includes a first sensor provided in operative association with the ganged tool assembly and configured to detect motion of the ganged tool assembly. The system further includes a second sensor separate from the first sensor configured to detect an orientation of the ganged tool assembly relative to at least one of the field or the frame. The system includes a controller communicatively coupled to the sensors and configured to determine an indication of a soil condition at a given location within the field based at least in part on the detected motion and orientation of the ganged tool assembly.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 18, 2019
Date of Patent:
December 7, 2021
Assignee:
CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
Inventors:
Michael G. Kovach, James W. Henry, Yong Deng
Abstract: An agricultural tillage implement has a vertical tillage section and an aerating section behind the vertical tillage section, each extending substantially perpendicular to the pull direction of the implement. Individual vertical tillage elements, such as disc blades, can be indexed with individual rotary tine assemblies of the aerator section so that discrete holes formed by the aerator section are positioned between substantially continuous slits formed by the vertical tillage section. A ground deposit system deposits a component on the ground and may be configured for conducting and depositing a granular component, such as seeds, fertilizers, minerals or the like, or liquid components, such as liquid manure.
Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include an agitating system of an agricultural system having a drive system configured to operate an agitator and a controller comprising a memory and a processor. The controller is configured to alternatingly instruct the drive system to operate the agitator in an active operation for an active time and instruct the drive system to suspend operation of the agitator for a dwell time after the active time.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 1, 2019
Date of Patent:
November 9, 2021
Assignee:
CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
Inventors:
Graham Douglas Stuart, Nicholas George Alfred Ryder
Abstract: A product distribution control system for an agricultural system includes a controller including a memory and a processor. The controller is configured to receive a signal indicative of an amount of product in a tank of an air cart and to automatically adjust the metering rate of the product from the tank or the tank pressurization based on the amount of product in the tank.
Abstract: In one aspect, a system for monitoring the frame levelness of an agricultural implement may include an implement frame and first and second seedbed detection assemblies coupled to the implement frame. Each of the seedbed detection assemblies may include a seedbed tool configured to ride along a seedbed floor as the implement frame is moved across a field in a forward travel direction. Each of the seedbed detection assemblies may also include a seedbed floor sensor configured to capture data indicative of a position of the corresponding seedbed tool relative to the implement frame. Furthermore, the system may include a controller configured to monitor positions of the seedbed detection assemblies relative to the implement frame based on data received from the seedbed floor sensors of the first and second seedbed detection assemblies, respectively.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 15, 2019
Date of Patent:
October 19, 2021
Assignee:
CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
Inventors:
David Long, James W. Henry, Nicholas Nahuel-Andrejuk
Abstract: In one aspect, a system for illuminating a field of view of a vision-based sensor mounted on an agricultural machine may include an agricultural machine having a vision-based sensor. The system may also include a light source configured to emit supplemental light to illuminate at least a portion of the field of view of the vision-based sensor. Furthermore, the system may include a controller communicatively the light source. The controller may configured to control an operation of the light source based on an input indicative of ambient light present within the field of view of the vision-based sensor.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 25, 2018
Date of Patent:
October 12, 2021
Assignees:
CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd., Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
Inventors:
Luca Ferrari, Taylor C. Bybee, Bret T. Turpin, Jeffrey L. Ferrin, John H. Posselius, James W. Henry
Abstract: In one embodiment, a seeding implement control system includes a controller including a memory and a processor. The controller is configured to receive a first signal indicative of a target extension length of an actuator. The actuator is configured to control a ground engaging tool of a row unit. The actuator is also configured to position a lower surface of a blade of the ground engaging tool a target distance above a soil surface while the actuator is extended to the target extension length. The controller is further configured to store the target extension length in a memory device of the controller. The controller is configured to instruct the actuator to transition to the target extension length in response to receiving a second signal indicative of transitioning the ground engaging tool to a disengaged position.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 21, 2017
Date of Patent:
October 12, 2021
Assignee:
CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
Inventors:
Gordon Anthony Engel, Russell Altman, Trevor Kowalchuk
Abstract: A bale accumulator for a round baler including a frame configured for being located behind the bale chamber of the round baler and a plurality of bale holders configured for receiving and temporarily holding the bales. Each bale holder is pivotally and rotatably connected to the frame such that each bale holder is configured for rolling the bales by pivoting relative to the frame and realigning the bales by rotating relative to the frame.
Abstract: A pneumatic valve for an agricultural product distribution system includes a fan inlet, a tank outlet, a shuttle, a control pressure inlet, and a diaphragm. The fan inlet is coupled to an air source that supplies an air stream into a primary line, which facilitates distributing a granular product to an agricultural implement by guiding the air stream from a first section to a second section of the primary line, the first section having a larger cross-sectional area than the second section. A tank outlet is fluidly coupled to a storage tank. The control pressure inlet is fluidly coupled to the second section of the primary line or to a meter housing.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 10, 2019
Date of Patent:
October 5, 2021
Assignee:
CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
Inventors:
Joel John Octave Gervais, James Wayne Henry, Ethan Curtis Stephen Bent, Stewart Joseph Millie
Abstract: A method of manufacturing a meter roller for an agricultural metering system includes stretching a sealing ring. The method also includes disposing the sealing ring between a first ring of a spindle and a second ring of the spindle. The first ring and the second ring are rigidly coupled to a driven shaft of the spindle, and the driven shaft is configured to engage a drive shaft to facilitate rotation of the spindle. In addition, the method includes enabling the sealing ring to contract such that an outer diameter of the sealing ring is less than or equal to an outer diameter of the first ring and an outer diameter of the second ring.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 8, 2020
Date of Patent:
September 14, 2021
Assignee:
CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
Inventors:
Guillaume Cloutier Boily, Dennis George Thompson, Ethan Curtis Stephen Bent, Dennis W. Chahley
Abstract: An agricultural air seeder planting unit incorporates control valves that split air flow and change air direction from an air supply to air distribution hoses. The air flow of the control valves is automatically adjusted pneumatically by movement of a piston in response to a total pressure for a uniform velocity air flow from each of the control valves.
Abstract: In one aspect, a system for determining field characteristics of a field across which an implement is being moved may include a tine configured to engage a surface of soil within the field. The system may also include a sensor configured to detect a parameter indicative of a load being applied to the ground engaging tine by the soil. Furthermore, the system may include a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor, with the controller being configured to determine a field characteristic of the field based on measurement signals received from the sensor.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 14, 2018
Date of Patent:
August 10, 2021
Assignee:
CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
Inventors:
Alan Forbes, James W. Henry, Robert A. Zemenchik