Abstract: A wrap feed arrangement is disclosed for an agricultural harvester having a module-forming chamber. The arrangement includes a conveyor arrangement, which delivers crop to the module-forming chamber, and a module-forming arrangement which, at least in part, builds the module. The conveyor arrangement has a first roll and a first endless member disposed about the first roll for rotation. The module-forming arrangement has a second roll and a second endless member disposed about the second roll for rotation. At least one of the first and second rolls is movable from a first position in which the first and second endless members are disengaged to a second position in which the first and second endless members are engaged.

Abstract: A method and system for managing settings on a single vehicle/implement system and across a fleet of vehicle/implement systems. Each vehicle/implement system includes a plurality of Embedded Systems having configurable settings, a Precision Agriculture Server having configurable settings, and a Telematics Server having configurable settings. All of the servers are connected by a plurality of vehicle data busses. The Telematics Server is connected to Cloud-Based Servers via the Internet. Vehicle/implement system settings are managed by the Precision Ag Server and shared with other vehicle/implement systems via the Cloud-based Server. Flexibility for different vehicle/implement models and options is provided by a distributed system using Client Software in the Precision Ag Server or Client Software in the Embedded Systems and by a settings identification and versioning schema.

Abstract: A method and system for managing settings on a single vehicle/implement system and across a fleet of vehicle/implement systems. Each vehicle/implement system includes a plurality of Embedded Systems having configurable settings, a Precision Agriculture Server having configurable settings, and a Telematics Server having configurable settings. All of the servers are connected by a plurality of vehicle data busses. The Telematics Server is connected to Cloud-Based Servers via the Internet. Vehicle/implement system settings are managed by the Precision Ag Server and shared with other vehicle/implement systems via the Cloud-based Server. Flexibility for different vehicle/implement models and options is provided by a distributed system using Client Software in the Precision Ag Server or Client Software in the Embedded Systems and by a settings identification and versioning schema.

Abstract: A wrap feed arrangement is disclosed for an agricultural harvester having a module-forming chamber. The arrangement includes a conveyor arrangement, which delivers crop to the module-forming chamber, and a module-forming arrangement which, at least in part, builds the module. The conveyor arrangement has a first roll and a first endless member disposed about the first roll for rotation. The module-forming arrangement has a second roll and a second endless member disposed about the second roll for rotation. At least one of the first and second rolls is movable from a first position in which the first and second endless members are disengaged to a second position in which the first and second endless members are engaged.

Abstract: Partially opaque intellectual property (IP) includes source code providing the IP functionality. Meta-comments (pragmas or attributes) are provided with the source code to enable visibility of one or more nodes in the IP. Aliasing of the visibility-enabled nodes may also be provided for using meta-comments in the IP source code. The visibility-enabled nodes may be used by system designers in debugging a system design in either a software simulation environment and/or in debugging of a hardware device implementing the partially opaque IP.

Abstract: A cotton accumulator system for a cotton harvester. The cotton accumulator system includes a cotton storage structure having an upper inlet and a lower outlet. A paddle shaft is coupleable to the cotton storage structure and configured to rotate about an axis. A plurality of paddles is coupleable to the paddle shaft. The plurality of paddles is configured to rotate with the paddle shaft to disperse cotton substantially evenly in the cotton storage structure.

Abstract: A cotton conveying structure for a cotton harvester. The cotton harvester comprising a receptacle. A harvesting structure is configured for harvesting cotton. A first cross auger is in communication with the harvesting structure for receiving cotton therefrom. The first cross auger is coupleable to a forward portion of the cotton harvester. A second cross auger is in communication with the harvesting structure for receiving cotton therefrom. The second cross auger is coupleable to a forward portion of the cotton harvester adjacent the first cross auger. A first duct is in communication with the first cross auger. A first cleaner is in communication with the first duct. A second duct is in communication with the second cross auger and spaced from the first duct. A second cleaner is in communication with the second duct. The first and second cleaners are configured to transfer cotton to the receptacle.

Abstract: A cotton accumulator system for a cotton harvester is disclosed. The cotton accumulator system includes a cotton storage structure having an upper inlet and a lower outlet. A paddle shaft is coupleable to the cotton storage structure and configured to rotate about an axis. A plurality of paddles is coupleable to the paddle shaft. The plurality of paddles is configured to rotate with the paddle shaft to disperse cotton substantially evenly in the cotton storage structure.

Abstract: A spindle assembly for a cotton harvester. The spindle assembly includes an elongated nut having a first end with a threaded portion configured for receipt by the spindle bar. The elongated nut also has a second end, opposite the first end, with a tool receiving portion configured to be received by a tool to tighten the threaded portion of the first end into the spindle bar. The elongated nut further has an aperture extending through the elongated nut from the first end to the second end. The spindle assembly also includes a cotton harvester spindle having a bearing portion rotatably supported by the aperture of the elongated nut and a picking end projecting outwardly from the second end of the elongated nut. The elongated nut is hard coat anodized to improve wear resistance.

Abstract: A light-weight upright shaft (14) supports cotton harvester doffers (12). An internally threaded mounting end (36) receives a bolt (38) which is stretchable to a greater degree than the shaft to provide a reliable shaft preload condition that prevents the doffers from spinning relative to the shaft. The shaft may be hollow and may have a diameter greater than conventional shafts to reduce weight and increase the stiffness and thereby increase critical speed. The preload structure does not require a nut and has increased thread engagement.

Abstract: Various techniques permit more thorough development of digital systems and devices by designers while protecting the proprietary interests of the owners of the intellectual property incorporated in such systems and devices. More specifically, systems, apparatus, methods and computer program products control use of hardware and software and IP implemented as user logic in a programmed device. The programmed device includes programmed logic that has designed logic and control logic. The designed logic includes user logic and protected logic such as IP cores, the use of which is to be controlled. The control logic includes a signal generator external to the designed logic. This signal generator contains clock means and a timeout circuit. A controller is connected to the programmed device by a tether. The controller periodically sends a keep alive signal via the tether to the signal generator.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus automate creation of code for system level simulations from hardware representations, specifically RTL representations. In one approach, individual RTL hardware modules are analyzed to generate code for corresponding system level modules. This is accomplished by taking a mapped netlist for a register transfer level (RTL) representation of the hardware module and converting it to what can be termed a “system level netlist.” This system level netlist contains “system level instances” corresponding to “hardware cells” of the mapped netlist. A mapped netlist includes hardware cells corresponding to programmed hardware units of a target hardware device. The method generates corresponding functional representations (code for system level simulation) from these hardware cells. This functional representation is referred to herein as a system level instance. System level instances are generated for each of the hardware cells in a given hardware module.

Abstract: Partially opaque intellectual property (IP) includes source code providing the IP functionality. Meta-comments (pragmas or attributes) are provided with the source code to enable visibility of one or more nodes in the IP. Aliasing of the visibility-enabled nodes may also be provided for using meta-comments in the IP source code. The visibility-enabled nodes may be used by system designers in debugging a system design in either a software simulation environment and/or in debugging of a hardware device implementing the partially opaque IP.

Abstract: Various techniques permit more thorough development of digital systems and devices by designers while protecting the proprietary interests of the owners of the intellectual property incorporated in such systems and devices. More specifically, systems, apparatus, methods and computer program products control use of hardware and software and IP implemented as user logic in a programmed device. The programmed device includes programmed logic that has designed logic and control logic. The designed logic includes user logic and protected logic such as IP cores, the use of which is to be controlled. The control logic includes a signal generator external to the designed logic. This signal generator contains clock means and a timeout circuit. A controller is connected to the programmed device by a tether. The controller periodically sends a keep alive signal via the tether to the signal generator.

Abstract: A computer-system bus switch architecture is presented that has high throughput and low latency. The architecture provides a multi-port PCI bus switch that includes a primary port controller, a crossbar switch, and a plurality of secondary port controllers. The primary port controller couples to a main system bus to which, for example, a system controller is coupled, and the secondary port controllers are each coupled to a local bus to which a plurality of peripheral devices are coupled. The crossbar switch selectively routes traffic from any port controller to any other port controller.

Abstract: A telescoping cotton harvester basket includes latches adjacent the four corners of the basket and spring loaded to automatically lock a basket extension in position as the extension moves from a retracted storage position to an extended harvest position. The latches are connected by fore-and-aft extending linkages and a transverse shaft for operation in unison from a single location to release the basket extension for movement back to the retracted storage position. A reset mechanism automatically moves the latches to a closed or locking position in preparation for the subsequent movement of the basket back to the extended harvest position so that only one manual activation of the latches is required for a complete basket extension-retraction cycle.

Abstract: A cotton harvester basket structure includes a closure section connected to a rigid basket by a flexible material such as canvas above and rearwardly of the cotton compacting structure. As the basket is filled, the pressure from the cotton pushes the closure section up to provide only as much volume as necessary to accommodate the added volume of cotton after the basket fills to its normal capacity. Hinged side brackets help guide the lid section during the basket expansion and provide lid section stability, both in the lateral and fore-and-aft directions. After the cotton in the basket is unloaded, the lid automatically returns under the influence of gravity to its lowermost position.

Abstract: Input and output fault monitoring circuits for determining the presence of integrated circuit chip open connections at the input and output pads of each circuit on a chip. The input fault monitoring circuit operates on the principle that if there is no input signal from the input pad throughout the known duty cycle or frequency of the input circuit, a defect, such as an open circuit interconnect, has occurred. The output fault monitoring circuit generates a signal through a dummy circuit connected to the output circuit which has a time delay intermediate that of the output circuit operating into a connected output pad and that of the output circuit when operating into a disconnected pad. Thus, the time of arrival of the dummy circuit signal in relation to that of the actual output signal is used to indicate the presence or absence of a disconnected output pad.

Abstract: An MOS FET inverter driver circuit. A first FET of the depletion type, a resistance formed by a depletion type FET having its gate connected to its drain, and a second FET of the enhancement type are connected in series between a positive voltage source and ground. Third and fourth FET's both of the enhancement type are also connected in series between the voltage source and ground. The gates of the first, second, and fourth FET's are connected directly to an input terminal. The gate of the third FET is connected to the juncture of the resistance FET and the second FET. A capacitance is connected between the juncture of the resistance FET and the first FET and the juncture of the third and fourth FET's, an output terminal is also connected to this juncture. The circuit obtains bootstrap action by virtue of the capacitance to provide high voltage drive to turn the third FET, the output pull-up transistor, on.

Abstract: A metal-oxide-silicon (MOS) field effect transistor (FET) regenerative differential comparator circuit particularly suited for use in sigma-delta modulation apparatus. The circuit includes two differential amplifier stages followed by a latching amplifier stage. A regenerative latching section of two cross-connected latching FET's is connected to the latching amplifier stage. Each of the latching FET's is connected in series with a separate switching FET. A strobe pulse turns on the two switching FET's enabling the latching FET's. Depending on the relative polarity of the differential voltage produced by the latching amplifier stage, regenerative action drives one of the two latching FET's into heavy conduction thereby producing an appropriate digital output. The first two differential amplifier stages remain enabled during the regenerative action permitting high speed operation.