Abstract: A user interface and control system for adjusting the reel of a cutting reel unit includes a frame supported by at least one support element that is supported on, and is movable along, the ground. The system also includes a cutting reel, a bedknife, first and second actuators, a controller, and an operator input station, all carried on the frame. The reel and bedknife define a cutting line therebetween. The first actuator is adjustable to set a clearance between the reel and the bedknife. The second actuator is operatively connected between the frame and the bedknife to adjust the elevation of the cutting line to set a height-of-cut of the cutting reel. The controller is signal-connected to the first and second actuators, to adjust the actuators.

Abstract: A mobile transmitter transmits a transmission signal from a vehicle to beacons. An estimator determines elapsed times for corresponding propagation paths between the vehicle and the beacons. Each propagation path includes at least one of a first propagation duration of a transmission signal and a second propagation duration of a return signal. A compensator compensates for noise or measurement error associated with a corresponding propagation path by invoking a linear fit scheme. The linear fit scheme applies a generally linear fit over fixed intervals of noisy measurements such that the noisy position measurements generally conform to a linear portion of a path plan of a vehicle. A data processor estimates a position of a vehicle at a confluence or intersection of the position curves or temporal curves based on elapsed times for the propagation paths.

Abstract: A method and system for determining the position of a vehicle comprises a transmitter or transceiver for transmitting a transmission signal from a vehicle to beacons associated with the work area. A data processor determines an elapsed time including at least one of a first propagation duration and a second propagation duration. The first propagation duration refers to a propagation time of the transmission signal from the vehicle to the particular beacon; the second propagation duration refers to a propagation time of a return signal from the particular beacon to the vehicle. A compensator compensates for the following associated with the transmitter and the particular beacon: bias delay, noise, and measurement error. A data processor processes the elapsed times into corresponding position curves or temporal curves to estimate a position of a vehicle at a confluence or intersection of the position curves or temporal curves.

Abstract: A time estimator determines a first aggregate elapsed time between the transmission of the first transmission signal to a first beacon and receipt of a return signal, a second aggregate elapsed time between the transmission of the first transmission signal to a second beacon and receipt of a return signal, and a third aggregate elapsed time between the transmission of the first transmission signal to a third beacon and receipt of a return signal. A bias compensator compensates for bias delay associated with at least one of the first transmitter, the first beacon, the second beacon and the third beacon. A converter converts the first aggregate elapsed time, the second aggregate elapsed time, and the third aggregate elapsed time into position curves. A data processor estimates a position of the vehicle at a confluence or intersection of the position curves.

Abstract: A transmitter at a lead vehicle transmits a first transmission signal toward a first beacon and a second beacon associated with a following vehicle. A data processor or estimator determines a first propagation time associated with the first transmission and the first beacon and a second propagation time associated with the first transmission and the second beacon. A vehicle controller controls a heading of the following vehicle to maintain a first distance substantially equal to a second distance (i.e., first propagation time substantially equal to a second propagation time) or a first distance that deviates from the second distance by a predetermined maximum amount.

Abstract: A first location determining receiver determines a first location estimate of a vehicle. The first location determining receiver is associated with satellite beacons. A second location determining receiver determines a second location estimate of a vehicle. The second location determining receiver is exclusively associated with terrestrial beacons. A selector selects the first location estimate of the vehicle as a preferential location in accordance with an initialization scheme for the vehicle in a work area. A filtering module applies a first weight to a first location and a second weight to the second location to derive a weighted estimate as the preferential location upon satisfactory completion of the initialization scheme.

Abstract: A control system for a cutting reel unit includes a height-of-cut adjusting system and a reel-to-bedknife clearance adjusting system. The height-of-cut adjusting system includes a first frame; a second frame; a cutting reel supported by the second frame; a bedknife arranged adjacent to the cutting reel and supported by the second frame; at least one support element arranged to translate along the ground and arranged to support the first frame; and at least one first actuator connected between the first frame and the second frame and arranged to adjust the relative elevation of the second frame with respect to the first frame. The reel-to-bedknife clearance adjusting system includes at least one second actuator operatively connected between the reel and the second frame and a sound detector.

Abstract: A control system for a cutting reel unit includes a height-of-cut adjusting system and a reel-to-bedknife clearance adjusting system. The height-of-cut adjusting system includes a first frame; a second frame; a cutting reel supported by the second frame; a bedknife arranged adjacent to the cutting reel and supported by the second frame; at least one support element arranged to translate along the ground and arranged to support the first frame; and at least one first actuator connected between the first frame and the second frame and arranged to adjust the relative elevation of the second frame with respect to the first frame. The reel-to-bedknife clearance adjusting system includes at least one second actuator operatively connected between the reel and the second frame and a sound detector.

Abstract: A control system for a cutting reel unit includes a reel-to-bedknife clearance adjusting system. The reel-to-bedknife clearance adjusting system includes at least one actuator operatively connected between the reel and the bedknife, and a sound detector. A controller is signal-connected to the actuator and the sound detector and coordinates the reel-to-bedknife clearance adjustment. During adjustment, reel-to-bedknife clearance is reduced by the actuator until a contact sound between the reel blades and the bedknife is detected and signaled to the controller, which then reverses the actuator and increases the clearance by a pre-selected precise amount.

Abstract: A control system for a cutting reel unit includes a height-of-cut adjusting system and a reel-to-bedknife clearance adjusting system. The height-of-cut adjusting system includes a first frame; a second frame; a cutting reel supported by the second frame; a bedknife arranged adjacent to the cutting reel and supported by the second frame; at least one support element arranged to translate along the ground and arranged to support the first frame; and at least one first actuator connected between the first frame and the second frame and arranged to adjust the relative elevation of the second frame with respect to the first frame. The reel-to-bedknife clearance adjusting system includes at least one second actuator operatively connected between the reel and the second frame and a sound detector.

Abstract: A mobile transmitter transmits a transmission signal from a vehicle to beacons. An estimator determines elapsed times for corresponding propagation paths between the vehicle and the beacons. Each propagation path includes at least one of a first propagation duration of a transmission signal and a second propagation duration of a return signal. A compensator compensates for noise or measurement error associated with a corresponding propagation path by invoking a linear fit scheme. The linear fit scheme applies a generally linear fit over fixed intervals of noisy measurements such that the noisy position measurements generally conform to a linear portion of a path plan of a vehicle. A data processor estimates a position of a vehicle at a confluence or intersection of the position curves or temporal curves based on elapsed times for the propagation paths.

Abstract: A system adjusts the height-of-cut of a cutting reel unit. The system includes a cutting reel; a first frame supported on at least one support element that is supported on, and is movable along, the ground; and a second frame supporting the cutting reel. The system further includes an actuator that has a first portion connected to the first frame and a second portion connected to the second frame, wherein a distance between the first and second portions is adjustable. The actuator includes a motive mechanism that is activated to adjust the distance. The system can include at least one strut pivotally connected to the first frame and pivotally connected to the second frame on a second side of the second frame opposite to the first side. The strut extends between the first frame and the second frame. The strut defines the rotation of the second frame with respect to the first frame as the relative elevation of the second frame is adjusted with respect to the first frame.

Abstract: A method for configuring a local positioning system comprises orienting a survey antenna coextensively with a primary beacon associated with a work area. A transmitter or transceiver transmits a first transmission signal from the survey antenna. A receiver or transceiver receives the first transmission at one or more secondary beacons associated with the work area. A data processor determines first elapsed times from the transmission time of the first transmission signal to at least the arrival time at respective corresponding secondary beacons. Each of the first elapsed times falls within a filtering time window, or satisfies an edge timing criteria of the coded signal, or both to reduce multi-path error. The first elapsed times are converted into a first position in at least two spatial dimensions for the primary beacon.

Abstract: A system adjusts the height-of-cut of a cutting reel unit. The system includes a cutting reel; a first frame supported on at least one support element that is supported on, and is movable along, the ground; and a second frame supporting the cutting reel. The system further includes an actuator that has a first portion connected to the first frame and a second portion connected to the second frame, wherein a distance between the first and second portions is adjustable. The actuator includes a motive mechanism that is activated to adjust the distance. The system can include at least one strut pivotally connected to the first frame and pivotally connected to the second frame on a second side of the second frame opposite to the first side. The strut extends between the first frame and the second frame. The strut defines the rotation of the second frame with respect to the first frame as the relative elevation of the second frame is adjusted with respect to the first frame.

Abstract: A control system for a cutting reel unit includes a height-of-cut adjusting system and a reel-to-bedknife clearance adjusting system. The height-of-cut adjusting system includes a first frame; a second frame; a cutting reel supported by the second frame; a bedknife arranged adjacent to the cutting reel and supported by the second frame; at least one support element arranged to translate along the ground and arranged to support the first frame; and at least one first actuator connected between the first frame and the second frame and arranged to adjust the relative elevation of the second frame with respect to the first frame. The reel-to-bedknife clearance adjusting system includes at least one second actuator operatively connected between the reel and the second frame and a sound detector.

Abstract: A control system for a cutting reel unit includes a reel-to-bedknife clearance adjusting system. The reel-to-bedknife clearance adjusting system includes at least one actuator operatively connected between the reel and the bedknife, and a sound detector. A controller is signal-connected to the actuator and the sound detector and coordinates the reel-to-bedknife clearance adjustment. During adjustment, reel-to-bedknife clearance is reduced by the actuator until a contact sound between the reel blades and the bedknife is detected and signaled to the controller, which then reverses the actuator and increases the clearance by a pre-selected precise amount.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a vehicle comprises planning a path of a vehicle based on operator input. In a first mode, the vehicle may be guided based on the planned path. In a second mode, an operator of the vehicle commands or activates at least one of a propulsion system, a braking system, a steering system, and an implement system of the vehicle to guide the vehicle. In a third mode, the presence of an obstacle is detected, where the obstacle obstructs the planned path of the vehicle. The vehicle is guided in a third mode based upon the planned path and the detection of the presence of the obstacle. At least one of said first mode, second mode, and third mode is selected based upon the operator input.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a vehicle comprises planning a path of a vehicle based on operator input. In a first mode, the vehicle may be guided based on the planned path. In a second mode, an operator of the vehicle commands or activates at least one of a propulsion system, a braking system, a steering system, and an implement system of the vehicle to guide the vehicle. In a third mode, the presence of an obstacle is detected, where the obstacle obstructs the planned path of the vehicle. The vehicle is guided in a third mode based upon the planned path and the detection of the presence of the obstacle. At least one of said first mode, second mode, and third mode is selected based upon the operator input.