Patents by Inventor Mark K. Chow
Mark K. Chow has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 10561070Abstract: Monitoring current draw of an actuator associated with a rotating arm on a round baler during a net wrapping cycle is used to determine the position of the rotating arm and actuator, as well as to determine the net tension. The current draw of the actuator may be correlated with the home and insert positions of the rotating arm during the net wrapping cycle; thus by monitoring the current draw, the rotating arm and actuator position is determined and may be provided to aid an operator. The net tension during the net wrapping cycle is a function of the rotating arm and actuator current. A calculation of net tension is determined and provided to an operator, allowing the operator to verify performance issues related to the net tension.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2017Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Kevin M. Smith, Mark K. Chow, Carl Brewer, James D. Walker, Justin J. Snook, Larry L. Hoover
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Patent number: 9839181Abstract: The disclosure relates to a harvester control system that allows for the operation and control of a bottom floor assembly by an operator of a harvester, such as a round baler. The harvester control system generally comprises at least one rotation sensor configured to measure the rotation angle of the bottom floor assembly during the harvesting process, a controller that receives information from the rotation sensor(s), and an operator interface configured to display warning information to the operator if the bottom floor assembly meets certain rotation and time parameters.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2015Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Chandrashekhar Singh, Carl M. Brewer, Mark K. Chow, John R. McClure
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Publication number: 20170273247Abstract: Monitoring current draw of an actuator associated with a rotating arm on a round baler during a net wrapping cycle is used to determine the position of the rotating arm and actuator, as well as to determine the net tension. The current draw of the actuator may be correlated with the home and insert positions of the rotating arm during the net wrapping cycle; thus by monitoring the current draw, the rotating arm and actuator position is determined and may be provided to aid an operator. The net tension during the net wrapping cycle is a function of the rotating arm and actuator current. A calculation of net tension is determined and provided to an operator, allowing the operator to verify performance issues related to the net tension.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2017Publication date: September 28, 2017Inventors: Kevin M. Smith, Mark K. Chow, Carl Brewer, James D. Walker, Justin J. Snook, Larry L. Hoover
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Patent number: 9706716Abstract: Monitoring current draw of an actuator associated with a rotating arm on a round baler during a net wrapping cycle is used to determine the position of the rotating arm and actuator, as well as to determine the net tension. The current draw of the actuator may be correlated with the home and insert positions of the rotating arm during the net wrapping cycle; thus by monitoring the current draw, the rotating arm and actuator position is determined and may be provided to aid an operator. The net tension during the net wrapping cycle is a function of the rotating arm and actuator current. A calculation of net tension is determined and provided to an operator, allowing the operator to verify performance issues related to the net tension.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2012Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Kevin M. Smith, Mark K. Chow, Carl Brewer, James D. Walker, Justin J. Snook, Larry L. Hoover
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Publication number: 20170071133Abstract: The disclosure relates to a harvester control system that allows for the operation and control of a bottom floor assembly by an operator of a harvester, such as a round baler. The harvester control system generally comprises at least one rotation sensor configured to measure the rotation angle of the bottom floor assembly during the harvesting process, a controller that receives information from the rotation sensor(s), and an operator interface configured to display warning information to the operator if the bottom floor assembly meets certain rotation and time parameters.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2015Publication date: March 16, 2017Inventors: Chandrashekhar Singh, Carl M. Brewer, Mark K. Chow, John R. McClure
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Patent number: 9560808Abstract: A system and method for controlling bale forming operations is disclosed. The system and method includes a monitoring system for visually imaging a portion of a bale and providing a warning to an operator if the bale is wrapped or shaped incorrectly.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2011Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Christopher A. Foster, John H. Posselius, Mark K. Chow
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Patent number: 8972123Abstract: A combination tractor and baler is provided to automate tractor stopping and baler wrapping while incorporating operator interaction to improve the efficiency of the tractor and baler combination in operation. Automated control systems and manual operator devices are utilized to improve the timing of the tractor stop and baler wrapping time sequences. Various methods to improve efficiency, including methods to synchronize tractor stop with wrapping activation are provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2013Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Kevin M. Smith, Riccardo Morselli, Mark Wilenieo, James W. Henry, Gianluca Conti, Christopher A. Foster, Mark K. Chow
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Patent number: 8935979Abstract: A bale size sensing mechanism for an agricultural round baler having bale chamber partially defined by continuous side-by-side belts disposed between a pair of spaced-apart side walls and trained around a plurality of rolls. Bale size sensing mechanisms disposed in each side wall detects the density of the transverse ends of a bale forming within the chamber and provides the measure to a controller which determines the transverse uniformity of the bale. Each sensing mechanism includes a generally planar element having a wedge-shaped periphery with a vertex, the planar element being pivotally coupled to the baler adjacent to the vertex and a portion of the wedge-shaped periphery projecting into the bale-forming chamber to interact with the bale forming therein. The wedge-shaped periphery minimizes open areas within the bale chamber into which turbulent crop could enter and jam the sensing mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2012Date of Patent: January 20, 2015Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Scott C. Simmons, Mark K. Chow, Stephen C. Schlotterbeck
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Publication number: 20140165858Abstract: A bale size sensing mechanism for an agricultural round baler having bale chamber partially defined by continuous side-by-side belts disposed between a pair of spaced-apart side walls and trained around a plurality of rolls. Bale size sensing mechanisms disposed in each side wall detects the density of the transverse ends of a bale forming within the chamber and provides the measure to a controller which determines the transverse uniformity of the bale. Each sensing mechanism includes a generally planar element having a wedge-shaped periphery with a vertex, the planar element being pivotally coupled to the baler adjacent to the vertex and a portion of the wedge-shaped periphery projecting into the bale-forming chamber to interact with the bale forming therein. The wedge-shaped periphery minimizes open areas within the bale chamber into which turbulent crop could enter and jam the sensing mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2012Publication date: June 19, 2014Inventors: SCOTT C. SIMMONS, MARK K. CHOW, STEPHEN C. SCHLOTTERBACK
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Publication number: 20140053510Abstract: Monitoring current draw of an actuator associated with a rotating arm on a round baler during a net wrapping cycle is used to determine the position of the rotating arm and actuator, as well as to determine the net tension. The current draw of the actuator may be correlated with the home and insert positions of the rotating arm during the net wrapping cycle; thus by monitoring the current draw, the rotating arm and actuator position is determined and may be provided to aid an operator. The net tension during the net wrapping cycle is a function of the rotating arm and actuator current. A calculation of net tension is determined and provided to an operator, allowing the operator to verify performance issues related to the net tension.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2012Publication date: February 27, 2014Applicant: CNH AMERICA LLCInventors: Kevin M. SMITH, Mark K. Chow, Carl Brewer, James D. Walker, Justin J. Snook, Larry L. Hoover
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Publication number: 20140020352Abstract: A combination tractor and baler is provided to automate tractor stopping and baler wrapping while incorporating operator interaction to improve the efficiency of the tractor and baler combination in operation. Automated control systems and manual operator devices are utilized to improve the timing of the tractor stop and baler wrapping time sequences. Various methods to improve efficiency, including methods to synchronize tractor stop with wrapping activation are provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2013Publication date: January 23, 2014Applicant: CNH America LLCInventors: Kevin M. Smith, Ricardo Morselli, Mark Wileniec, James W. Henry, Gianluca Conti, Christopher A. Foster, Mark K. Chow
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Patent number: 8577563Abstract: A combination tractor and baler is provided to automate tractor stopping and baler wrapping while incorporating operator interaction to improve the efficiency of the tractor and baler combination in operation. Automated control systems and manual operator devices are utilized to improve the timing of the tractor stop and baler wrapping time sequences. Various methods to improve efficiency, including methods to synchronize tractor stop with wrapping activation are provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2011Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: CNH America LLCInventors: Kevin M. Smith, Riccardo Morselli, Mark Wileniec, James W. Henry, Gianluca Conti, Christopher A. Foster, Mark K. Chow
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Publication number: 20130116895Abstract: A combination tractor and baler is provided to automate tractor stopping and baler wrapping while incorporating operator interaction to improve the efficiency of the tractor and baler combination in operation. Automated control systems and manual operator devices are utilized to improve the timing of the tractor stop and baler wrapping time sequences. Various methods to improve efficiency, including methods to synchronize tractor stop with wrapping activation are provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2011Publication date: May 9, 2013Applicant: CNH AMERICA LLCInventors: KEVIN M. SMITH, RICCARDO MORSELLI, MARK WILENIEC, JAMES W. HENRY, GIANLUCA CONTI, CHRISTOPHER A. FOSTER, MARK K. CHOW
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Publication number: 20120266763Abstract: A system and method for controlling bale forming operations is disclosed. The system and method includes a monitoring system for visually imaging a portion of a bale and providing a warning to an operator if the bale is wrapped or shaped incorrectly.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2011Publication date: October 25, 2012Applicant: CNH AMERICA LLCInventors: Christopher A. FOSTER, John H. POSSELIUS, Mark K. CHOW
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Patent number: 8106529Abstract: A farm implement towed or pushed by a vehicle includes at least one electrically actuated device mounted for operation and a high capacitance capacitor connected in circuit with the device and with a source of electricity on the vehicle. Electric power is supplied from the vehicle to the implement at a nominal rate to charge the capacitor and/or operate the device. The capacitor is selectively discharged to either supplement the electric power supplied by the vehicle to the device or to completely power the device such that the device is provided with electric power for operation at a peak rate exceeding the nominal rate electric power is supplied from the vehicle to the capacitor and/or the device.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2009Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: CNH America LLCInventors: Kevin M. Smith, Christopher A. Foster, Richard P. Strosser, Mark K. Chow
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Patent number: 8011295Abstract: An automated bale wrapping control system for a round baler that includes a simplified remotely installable operator interface for installation on a tractor. The simplified operator interface includes manual operated, mechanical input switches for selecting system on/off, number of wraps, twine or net wrapper selection, manual extension/retraction of the wrapping mechanism, and/or manual wrap cycle initiation. An audible alarm provides feedback to the operator for monitoring the baling and wrapping processes and for alerting the operator to abnormal conditions in the baling and/or wrapping processes.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2010Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: CNH America LLCInventors: Kevin M. Smith, Mark K. Chow, James D. Walker, Justin R. Ringwald
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Patent number: 7918072Abstract: A manually operated bale wrapping apparatus for a round baler having a wrapping apparatus position indicator device which is visually observable by an operator that enables the operator to manually monitor and manipulate the wrapping apparatus, thereby reducing the need for an electronic control system on the baler to manage the operations of the bale wrapping process.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2008Date of Patent: April 5, 2011Assignee: CNH America LLCInventors: John R. McClure, Mark K. Chow
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Patent number: 7920947Abstract: Apparatus and a method for monitoring the performance of control algorithms, providing a safeing subsystem for a vehicle, particularly an agricultural windrower, for determining when a controlled system such as the propulsion system is no longer tracking a reference input signal sufficiently well. An appropriate action can then be executed, such as outputting a fault signal and/or shutting down the controlled system. An exponentially decaying integrator can be used to monitor the tracking errors.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2006Date of Patent: April 5, 2011Assignee: CNH America LLCInventors: Robert L. Fackler, Christoper A. Foster, Mark K. Chow, Richard P. Strosser
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Publication number: 20110053385Abstract: A farm implement towed or pushed by a vehicle includes at least one electrically actuated device mounted for operation and a high capacitance capacitor connected in circuit with the device and with a source of electricity on the vehicle. Electric power is supplied from the vehicle to the implement at a nominal rate to charge the capacitor and/or operate the device. The capacitor is selectively discharged to either supplement the electric power supplied by the vehicle to the device or to completely power the device such that the device is provided with electric power for operation at a peak rate exceeding the nominal rate electric power is supplied from the vehicle to the capacitor and/or the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2009Publication date: March 3, 2011Inventors: Kevin M. Smith, Christopher A. Foster, Richard P. Strosser, Mark K. Chow
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Publication number: 20100089013Abstract: A manually operated bale wrapping apparatus for a round baler having a wrapping apparatus position indicator device which is visually observable by an operator that enables the operator to manually monitor and manipulate the wrapping apparatus, thereby reducing the need for an electronic control system on the baler to manage the operations of the bale wrapping process.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2008Publication date: April 15, 2010Inventors: JOHN R. McCLURE, Mark K. Chow