Automatic Or Material Triggered Control Patents (Class 100/43)
  • Patent number: 11358207
    Abstract: A press forming system includes a press working unit, a material supply device, a detection device, and a control device. The press working unit includes a slide that moves in accordance with an operation pattern in which the slide passes through an advance position where press forming is formed from a withdrawal position, and returns to the withdrawal position. The material supply device starts a supply operation at a synchronous timing before the slide returns from the advance position to the withdrawal position. The control device performs a control for stopping the slide before the slide reaches the withdrawal position from the advance position in a case where the suppliable state of the forming material is not detected within a predetermined determination period by the detection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: SUMITOMO HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Junpei Kajitani, Satoshi Kondo
  • Patent number: 11197428
    Abstract: A self-propelled baling vehicle for forming a bale of material includes a drive system for propelling the baling vehicle, a baling system for forming the bale, and a control system coupled to the drive system and the baling system. The control system includes a controller configured to determine a proposed location for ejection of the bale, operate the drive system to maneuver the baling vehicle from a first position to a second position for ejection of the bale at the proposed location, operate the baling system to eject the bale at the proposed location, and operate the drive system to maneuver the baling vehicle back to the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Kent L. Thompson, Nathan D. Dockter, Kent M. Recker, Gary J. Burns, Scott A. Rempe
  • Patent number: 11122745
    Abstract: A baling cotton gin trash and other particulate biomass feedstock. The baling press generally includes an infeed chute assembly, a compression rain assembly, an extrusion chamber assembly, a strapping storage and dispensing assembly, and a strapping insertion assembly. The present invention also relates to methods of producing a bale with the baling press and a bale generated by the press and described methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: C & M Baling Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond Clyde Adams, Wesley Allen Morgan
  • Patent number: 11026371
    Abstract: An agricultural baler includes: a chassis; a coupler configured for connecting to a power source; a bale forming chamber including an apron assembly; an apron tensioning system that controls a baling pressure exerted on a bale forming in the bale forming chamber; a bale release that releases a fully formed bale; and a controller operatively coupled to the apron tensioning system and the bale release. The controller is configured to: set a release size of the fully formed bale; receive a PTO power consumption signal or an available power signal from a tractor controller; determine a maximum available power based on the received signal; compare the maximum available power to a threshold power; and output a control signal to the apron tensioning system to decrease the baling pressure without changing the release size when the maximum available power is at a predetermined power value, relative to the threshold power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: John R. McClure
  • Patent number: 10945378
    Abstract: A system includes a baler configured to produce a first bale and a second bale succeeding the first bale. The first bale is configured to include a first surface defining a first dimension. The second bale is configured to include a second surface corresponding to the first surface of the first bale. The system also includes a sensor configured to weigh at least the first bale. The system further includes a control processor configured to receive a desired bale weight of the first bale, receive an actual bale weight of the first bale from the sensor, compare the desired bale weight to the actual bale weight of the first bale, and adjust a second dimension of the second surface of the second bale based on the comparison of the desired bale weight to the actual bale weight of the first bale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Timothy J. Kraus
  • Patent number: 10919248
    Abstract: A press brake includes a ram to which an upper or lower tool can be attached; a movable ram driver; and a controller that controls the ram driver, wherein the ram driver includes a rotation/linear motion converter composed of a screw fixed to the ram and moves upward and downward as the ram moves upward and downward, and a nut screw-coupled with the screw; a drive rotation body arranged rotatably about a rotation axis of the nut; a first motor arranged in a fixed state; a first power transmitter that transmits rotation of the first motor to the nut at high speed and with low torque; a second motor arranged in a fixed state; a second power transmitter that transmits rotation of the second motor to the drive rotation body at low speed and with high torque; and a clutch provided between the nut and the drive rotation body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Murata Machinery, Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsumasa Hattori
  • Patent number: 10869428
    Abstract: Baling apparatus and method including a baling chamber having one or more splitting knives for dividing crop material picked up from a field to discharge divided bales simultaneously from the baling chamber to be received by an ejection chute structure which ejects the divided bales in spaced relation to each other as the baling apparatus is moved along the field. The spaced relation can be longitudinal by ejecting the divided bales at staggered times and/or can be laterally spaced by turning the bales in the ejection chute structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Inventor: Michael Jason Grady
  • Patent number: 10683165
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a trash can assembly (e.g., a receptacle configured to receive refuse, recyclable materials, or otherwise), and related methods, are provided. Some embodiments of the trash can assembly include a body component and a lid configured to move between an open position and a closed position. In some variants, the lid can be moved between the open and closed positions by a power operated driving mechanism, such as a motor and/or other drivetrain components. In certain embodiments, the trash can assembly includes a clutch mechanism to facilitate manual operation of the lid while inhibiting or preventing damage to the motor and/or other drivetrain components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: simplehuman, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, David Wolbert, Joseph Sandor, Kenneth Yen, Orlando Cardenas, Michael James Basha, Christopher B. Fruhauf
  • Patent number: 10674674
    Abstract: A baler including a frame, a feed system coupled to the frame, a baling chamber, a gearbox, a crank arm driven by the gearbox, a plunger at least partially positioned within and reciprocally movable with respect to the baling chamber, and a connecting rod extending between and coupled to both the crank arm and the plunger, where the connecting rod defines a connector length, and where the connecting rod defines a fluid volume therein. The baler also including a hydraulic system in operable communication with the connecting rod, a pump, a first feed line extending between and in fluid communication with the fluid volume of the connecting rod and the pump, and a lockout valve adjustable between a first configuration in which the fluid volume is in fluid communication with the pump, and a second configuration in which the fluid volume is not in fluid communication with the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Timothy J. Kraus
  • Patent number: 10426097
    Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine for crop material including a crank arm connected to a rotational power source, a plunger having an extended position which is located further rearward in a compression chamber than a retracted position, and a connecting link connected between the crank arm and the plunger. The movement plunger is decoupled from the movement of the crank arm during a startup mode of the agricultural harvesting machine. The movement plunger is coupled to the movement of the crank arm during a run mode of the agricultural harvesting machine. The connecting link, crank arm, or both have a variable length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Timothy J. Kraus
  • Patent number: 10391730
    Abstract: A number of pulses output from an encoder is counted, a number of pulses output from a command pulse output unit is counted, and a difference between the number of pulses that has been counted by the command pulse counting unit and the number of pulses from the encoder is calculated. Then, a condition is changed such that speed/acceleration of a pulse motor increases when a difference value between a deviation threshold and the difference is smaller than a predetermined range, and the speed/acceleration of the pulse motor decreases when the difference value is greater than the predetermined range, and whereby the pulse motor is controlled based on a position of a slider detected by a slider position detection unit, a position of the slider that has been set, and the pulse condition that has been changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Janome Sewing Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 10391729
    Abstract: There is provided a servo press capable of performing press working with high accuracy without an increased cost, for example, without any additional special component such as a linear encoder or the like even in a system in which deviation occurs due to disturbances, as well as a control method and a program disturbance. A sensing element is disposed at a stop position of a slide. A servomotor control unit performs: semi-closed loop control based on information detected by a first slide position detection unit disposed at a servomotor, before a signal detection unit detects a signal from the sensing element, and full-closed loop control based on information detected by a second slide position detection unit, after the signal detection unit detects the signal from the sensing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Janome Sewing Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 10239253
    Abstract: A method for embossing a structure material on a substrate disposed within a device having side walls, a base plate and a cover that define a working space that is isolated from a surrounding environment. The method includes the steps of: a) moving the substrate using a first calibration means and aligning the substrate with an application means, b) applying the structure material to the substrate, c) moving the substrate using a second calibration means that is located at least partially in the working space wherein the substrate is disposed within the working space and is aligned with an embossing means that is located at least partially in the working space, and d) embossing the structure material on the substrate while the substrate is in the working space using the embossing means, wherein the working space has a defined atmosphere, before and during the step of embossing, without interruption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: EV Group E. Thallner GmbH
    Inventors: Friedrich Paul Lindner, Thomas Glinsner, Markus Wimplinger
  • Patent number: 10034432
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for forming a bale from loose material are disclosed. A feeder feeds loose material to a bale former. The bale former forms a bale from loose material. A feeding-side output shaft drives the feeder. A forming-side output shaft drives the bale former. An input shaft drives both output shafts. A torque measuring arrangement measures a value indicative of the input torque provided by the input shaft. If the input torque value exceeds a given torque threshold, a control unit triggers the bale former for reducing the torque consumption taken from the forming-side output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: FORAGE COMPANY BV
    Inventor: Steffen Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 9772619
    Abstract: A motor control device includes: an X-axis detector; a Y-axis detector; a trajectory command generator that outputs a first position command and a second position command; an X-axis response correction unit that outputs a corrected position command; an X-axis position control unit that generates a first torque command; a Y-axis position control unit that generates a second torque command; a Y-axis measuring instrument that detects second machine end displacement; a Y-axis zero-point estimation unit that extracts characteristics of a zero point of a transfer function on the basis of the second torque command and the machine end displacement or on the basis of the second position command and the machine end displacement; and a response-correction-parameter determination unit that sets a response correction filter by using the characteristics of the zero point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Shinohara, Hiroyuki Sekiguchi, Hidetoshi Ikeda, Tomoya Fujita, Kotaro Nagaoka
  • Patent number: 9382080
    Abstract: A system for profiling particulate material in an open top conveyance comprises a profiling structure supported above the open top conveyance and engaging the particulate matter in the open top conveyance as the open top conveyance moves in a forward direction therebelow so that the particulate matter forward of the profiling structure is given a generally uniform profile in at least a longitudinal middle portion of the open top conveyance. The open top conveyance normally is one of a sequential train of gondola cars moving on a pair of rails extending under the profiling structure, and the particulate material typically is or comprises coal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Crown Products & Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregg Simmons, D. David Hefner, Brian Joseph Deah, Daniel Raymond Deah
  • Patent number: 9162411
    Abstract: A screw separator for separating solids out of suspensions, having at least one housing and at least one feed pipe for the suspension, at least one discharge pipe for liquids, and at least one outlet for the at least partially dewatered solids. At least one strainer basket is provided in the housing in which a screw is rotatably mounted, and the screw vanes terminate in a replaceable wearing ring mounted downstream of the strainer basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: UTS Biogastechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Czwaluk, Matthias Rabener
  • Patent number: 9116424
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for embossing of substrates, especially semiconductor substrates or wafers, comprised of: at least one receiving means for holding the substrate in a working space, a calibration means located at least partially in the working space for calibration of the substrate, an embossing means which is located at least partially in the working space for embossing of the structure material onto the substrate in an embossing process, the working space being exposed to a defined atmosphere before and during the embossing process without interruption, and a method for embossing of substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: EV Group E. Thallner GmbH
    Inventors: Friedrich Paul Lindner, Thomas Glinsner, Markus Wimplinger
  • Patent number: 9108379
    Abstract: A tandem press line switches from a synchronized high-speed press control to a synchronized low-speed press control when a high-speed, line master control signal is switched to a low-speed line master control signal. For a press having a slide position which has been determined to be within a press region, the synchronized low-speed press control can be switched to a non-synchronized high-speed press control that is based on a non-synchronized high-speed individual press control signal that is not synchronized with the low-speed line master control signal at least during a period in which the slide position is within the press region, and the non-synchronized high-speed press control can be switched to the synchronized low-speed press control on condition that a press resynchronization point has been reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: AIDA ENGINEERING, LTD.
    Inventor: Sotoyuki Kaneko
  • Patent number: 9101092
    Abstract: A square baler having a control system including at least one density sensor for measuring the relative density of crop slices within the intake duct and/or the intake region of the baling chamber. A correlation function is determined by correlating the measured relative density of slices in the intake duct and/or the intake region of the baling chamber with the cumulative weight of these slices after they have been compressed and bound to form a completed bale. The control system predicts a weight of the slice in the intake duct and/or the intake region of the baling chamber derived from the measured relative density values of this slice and the computed correlation function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Didier Verhaeghe, Bart Missotten
  • Patent number: 8935948
    Abstract: An electrically-hydraulically powered rivet setting and crimping hand power tool is provided, having a battery driven electric motor mechanically powering an offset drive cam through a dual planetary drive gear, the drive cam being in direct mechanical contact with a dual volume, dual stage concentrically delivering longitudinally reciprocating piston pump being in direct hydraulic communication with a work engaging hydraulic cylinder surrounding a centrally fixed and stationary work piece puller shaft, wherein the work engaging hydraulic cylinder is thrust forward around the work piece puller shaft when the tool is activated thereby providing the mechanical motion to activate a user provided riveter nose assembly attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Inventor: Jack T Gregory
  • Publication number: 20150007735
    Abstract: The present invention provides a means for compressing paper stack height and method for controlling paper stack height, the means mainly comprising at least one pressurizer and at least one elevator, the elevator being allowed for adjusting up/down position of the pressurizer on the basis of paper stack height of paper product, correspondingly, the pressurizer in the adjusted position being allowed for pressurizing each paper product, in turn, by means of a pressure plate, in such a way that paper stack height of each paper product may be compressed into a predetermined height. Then, the paper stack height of each manufactured paper product may be controlled to be uniform, so as to stabilize production condition of paper products. Thus, not only manufacturing quality of paper product may be enhanced, but also probability of failure in the production equipment may be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Applicant: CHAN LI MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: CHI PIN HSU
  • Patent number: 8924091
    Abstract: An intelligent stuffer trip mechanism is configured to detect a characteristic of a charge within a stuffer chute and actuate the stuffer in response to the characteristic. A user interface may receive desired characteristics of a charge from a user, a sensor may be used to detect characteristics of a charge in a stuffer chute and a controller configured to actuate the stuffer in accordance with a predetermined scheme and the detected characteristics of the charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventor: Jason L. Seeger
  • Publication number: 20140373737
    Abstract: In an example embodiment, a sensor detects a characteristic of accumulated crop material and a controller manipulates the speed of a baling chamber in response thereto. In an example method, the speed of a baling chamber of a variable speed baler is manipulated in response to a characteristic of an accumulated crop material. For example, the height of accumulated crop material in an accumulation area may be detected and the speed of the baling chamber manipulated in response thereto. The rate of growth of the bale may also be determined and used in manipulating the speed of the baling chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2012
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Brian Olander, Maynard Herron
  • Publication number: 20140318391
    Abstract: A baler having an adjusting mechanism, for setting the upper end of the upper wall in a predetermined position, and the lower end of the upper wall is designed to pivot around an axis near the entry point of the feeder into the lower end of the upper wall, such that the cross section of the feeder duct is variable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Didier O.M. Verhaeghe, Jonas Van Den Broucke, Jolan Heyns
  • Patent number: 8857326
    Abstract: An electric servo press machine is configured to convert a rotation of an electric servomotor into a reciprocating linear motion of a slide to perform press working on a workpiece. The machine includes a clutch mechanism interposed in a power transmission path between the servomotor and the slide, and a brake mechanism for applying a brake onto the slide under a disconnected state in which the servomotor and the power transmission path are decoupled from each other by the clutch mechanism. The machine brings the clutch mechanism into the disconnected state and applies the brake onto the slide upon an immediate stop request, and recovers from immediate stop under a state in which a phase shift between the servomotor and the power transmission path ranging from the clutch mechanism in the disconnected state to the slide is eliminated under a connected state of the clutch mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Aida Engineering, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Koshimizu
  • Patent number: 8776681
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for densifying a fibrous mat, such as scrim, to achieve a uniform mat density, comprising a set of parallel bars each having a row of pins extending downward therefrom which can engage the mat fibers, a plurality of shafts along which the bars slide so as to maintain the bars parallel, a plurality of extendable accordion linkages connecting the set of bars, and a linear positioning assembly having a reciprocating drive mechanism coupled to one of the bars which can move the bars in response to an actuation signal. As the drive mechanism retracts the bar to which it is coupled the spacing between the rows of bars is decreased uniformly and the rows of pins draw the fibers together and compress them uniformly across the width of the mat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Scrimtec Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: James Michael White, Roy Daniel Seale, Don Roberts Clark
  • Patent number: 8776679
    Abstract: A bale ejection sequence for ejecting a bale from a baler is initiated from an operator command based upon monitored bale ejection factors. A controller implements a timing sequence that is based on a calibration of a cycle timing of a tailgate of the baler. The timing sequence relates to movement of the tractor, a position of the tailgate, and a hydraulic flow rate of fluid to a hydraulic system connected to the tailgate to move the tailgate between a closed position and an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: James W. Henry, Christopher A. Foster, Riccardo Morselli, Kevin M. Smith, Mark Wileniec
  • Patent number: 8770102
    Abstract: The square baler comprises a control system which is operative to determine a desired value for at least one operating parameter based on the inputted operating parameters and the sensor measurements, determine if an operating parameter deviates from its desired value and display to the operator a recommended change to this operating parameter in order to restore this operating parameter to its desired value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Didier O. M. Verhaeghe, Bart M. A. Missotten
  • Publication number: 20140165856
    Abstract: A round bale forming apparatus comprising a first bale forming chamber (26) and a second bale forming chamber (28), the second bale forming chamber being positioned rearwardly of the first bale forming chamber; each of the first and second bale forming chambers comprising means for forming a bale from a crop product; a feeding mechanism which feeds the crop product into the bale forming apparatus in order to form a bale from the crop product; transfer means (50) for transferring a partially formed bale from the first bale forming chamber into the second bale forming chamber; and directional means for directing the crop product from the feeding mechanism into the first bale forming chamber or the second bale forming chamber such that a partially formed bale is formable in the first bale forming chamber and a fully formed bale is formable in the second bale forming chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: KVERNELAND GROUP RAVENNA S.R.L.
    Inventor: Seamus Varley
  • Patent number: 8726804
    Abstract: A system for adjusting the output of a densifier that includes a compression screw, wherein the system includes a pressure system. The pressure system may include a frame that at least partially surrounds at least a portion of a rail section of an extruder module associated with the densifier; at least one spring interposed between a first plate and the rail section, the first plate interposed between the frame and the spring, wherein the spring is associated with a face of the first plate; and a compression system associated with the first plate and the frame, wherein adjustment of the compression system is adapted to increase or decrease the compression force applied by the at least one spring to a side wall of the rail section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Inventor: Larry E. Koenig
  • Patent number: 8726801
    Abstract: There is provided a controlling technique for a servo press capable of optimal forming for handling variability in a sheet thickness and material property of a workpiece and for handling each workpiece. A controlling device for controlling a servo press in accordance with a slide motion data includes: measurement equipment for measuring a forming state of a workpiece, attached to a die for forming the workpiece; a measurement result receiving portion for receiving a measurement result sent from the measurement equipment; and a slide motion data changing portion for changing a slide motion data for forming the same workpiece at scheduled measuring time in accordance with the measurement result received by the measurement result receiving portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yohei Asakawa, Toshiya Teramae
  • Patent number: 8651019
    Abstract: A crank press includes an encoder measuring an angle value of a servo motor, a strain detector module generating a converted load value associated with deformation of a machine body, a memory storing at least one relation between an angle value and each of an upper torsion limit and an upper load limit, and a controller calculating a torque command value based on a position command, reading the upper torsion limit corresponding to the measured angle value, determining whether the torque command value exceeds the upper torsion limit, outputting the torque command value when negative, and outputting the upper torsion limit when affirmative. The controller further stops the servo motor when the converted load value exceeds the upper load limit corresponding to the measured angle value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Shieh Yih Machinery Industry Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Ya-Huei Guo, Tin-Chun Kuo, Jin-Hung Hsu, Ming-Yang Lin, Kuei-Chang Hsu, Yi-Wen Wang, Ju-Ru Tsai, Wei-Lun Hsu
  • Patent number: 8635951
    Abstract: A baler having a bale chamber comprising chamber doors pivotably connected to a fixed frame part. Upon obtaining at least one crop parameter, a door angle value between two side sections of a door is selected; and the position of one of the side sections with respect to the other one is adapted in accordance with the selected door angle value. A corresponding baler and a control system for such baler are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventor: Dirk A. R. Vandamme
  • Publication number: 20140007782
    Abstract: A compacting system compacts particulate matter in open-top railroad gondola cars rolling on rails. The compacting system comprises a compacting station adjacent the rails and a scanning system that scans the gondola cars as they move along the rails toward the compacting station. The scanning system transmits data of the gondola car to an electronic control system. The compacting station has at least one compaction member, e.g., a plate structure or a roller, configured to contact an upper surface of the particulate matter in the gondola cars. The electronic control system controls the compacting station so that the compaction member engages with and applies force to the upper surface of the particulate matter in the gondola car so as to compress the particulate matter in the gondola. A method for compacting particulate matter in a gondola car is also shown.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: Crown Products & Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Wayne Nyquist, Mark D. Stephen, Zachary Johnston Renner, Michael A. McCurdy
  • Publication number: 20130319263
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring the moisture of a harvested crop, such as hay, in the pre-compression chamber of a harvesting apparatus, such as a large square hay baler. Measurement at this time provides a highly accurate and reliable moisture reading. The apparatus disclosed includes two or more sensors disposed at separate positions in the pre-compression chamber. The sensors sense electrical conductivity or RF wave transmission through the hay in the pre-compression chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Roberts, Ryan P. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8555777
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a method for cooking food on a grill having opposed upper and lower platens wherein a gap spacing between the platens is adjusted in an initial stage and in subsequent stages of the cooking time for the meat. The method includes causing the food to be located between two opposed platens, the opposed platens each having opposed cooking surfaces and the opposed cooking surfaces defining a gap spacing that is adjustable, and adjusting the gap spacing between the platens so that during an initial stage of the cooking the gap spacing is equal to or less than the nominal initial uncooked thickness of the food, and during one or more subsequent stages of the cooking, after the initial stage, the gap spacing between the platens is varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Restaurant Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Manuel Calzada, Paul G. Simmons, Jerry Sus
  • Patent number: 8549997
    Abstract: A compacting system compacts particulate matter in open-top railroad gondola cars rolling on rails. The compacting system comprises a compacting station adjacent the rails and a scanning system that scans the gondola cars as they move along the rails toward the compacting station. The scanning system transmits data of the gondola car to an electronic control system. The compacting station has at least one compaction member, e.g., a plate structure or a roller, configured to contact an upper surface of the particulate matter in the gondola cars. The electronic control system controls the compacting station so that the compaction member engages with and applies force to the upper surface of the particulate matter in the gondola car so as to compress the particulate matter in the gondola. A method for compacting particulate matter in a gondola car is also shown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Crown Products & Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Wayne Nyquist, Mark D. Stephen, Zachary Johnston Renner, Michael A. McCurdy
  • Patent number: 8529765
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for the hydrolyzation of ensiled biomass is disclosed. Ensiled biomass is processed in multiple phases, resulting in a liquid precursor hydrozate and a solid precursor hydrozate. The liquid precursor having significant economic value, and being suitable for uses such as, for example, lower cost and improved efficiency ethanol production. A method for lower cost, improved efficiency alcohol production that uses the resulting liquid precursor hydrozate being produced at distributed sources is further disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Sweetwater Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerry Wayne Horton
  • Publication number: 20130180417
    Abstract: A baler having a bale chamber comprising chamber doors pivotably connected to a fixed frame part. Upon obtaining at least one crop parameter, a door angle value between two side sections of a door is selected; and the position of one of the side sections with respect to the other one is adapted in accordance with the selected door angle value. A corresponding baler and a control system for such baler are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: CNH AMERICA LLC
    Inventor: CNH AMERICA LLC
  • Publication number: 20130118364
    Abstract: An electric servo press machine is configured to convert a rotation of an electric servomotor into a reciprocating linear motion of a slide to perform press working on a workpiece. The machine includes a clutch mechanism interposed in a power transmission path between the servomotor and the slide, and a brake mechanism for applying a brake onto the slide under a disconnected state in which the servomotor and the power transmission path are decoupled from each other by the clutch mechanism. The machine brings the clutch mechanism into the disconnected state and applies the brake onto the slide upon an immediate stop request, and recovers from immediate stop under a state in which a phase shift between the servomotor and the power transmission path ranging from the clutch mechanism in the disconnected state to the slide is eliminated under a connected state of the clutch mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: AIDA ENGINEERING, LTD.
    Inventor: AIDA ENGINEERING, LTD.
  • Patent number: 8371213
    Abstract: A diagnostic system for a compactor/baler includes a controller and a plurality of switches coupled to inputs of the controller. A first switch is in a first position when a ram of the compactor/baler is below a predetermined location, and a second position when the ram reaches the location. A second switch is in a first position when pressure driving the ram is below a predetermined pressure limit, and a second position when the ram exceeds the pressure limit. A communication port and display are operatively coupled to outputs of the controller. The controller is configured to, upon actuation of the first switch to the first position, activate a ram timer to count to a predetermined timer setting, and, if the second switch is actuated to the second position before the ram timer reaches the timer setting, output an alert of a full bale condition the communication port and/or display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: PTR Baler and Compactor Company
    Inventors: Edward Howard Correale, Jr., Robert John Ruby
  • Patent number: 8342083
    Abstract: Method for a safety and testing control for a press, including a hydraulic system with at least one hydraulic cylinder, operated by means of a hydraulic valve controlled by a programmable processing unit where a number of electrical signal inputs and outputs are provided and into which a software program is loaded, where a position sensor is provided that indicates the position of the hydraulic cylinder and where the software application works solely on the basis of an internal timer and the aforementioned position sensor can control the motion of the press as well as a hydraulic press working according to this method and using the software and carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Robosoft, Naamloze Vennootschap
    Inventor: Jose Andre Cornelius Coopman
  • Patent number: 8302451
    Abstract: A can manufacturing device in which a tool supporting base has: a plurality of working tool units that support a plurality of working tools; a supporting member that supports a plurality of working tool units; and a linear driving mechanism that reciprocates the working tool units with respect to the supporting member in the axial direction of a workpiece. The linear driving mechanism has: a guide section that is fixed on the supporting member with a base plate therebetween; a slide rail that is fixed on the working tool unit and slides along the guide section; an electromagnetic coil provided on the base plate; a magnet plate that is provided on the working tool unit and generates, between the electromagnetic coil and itself, a thrust force for the guide section; and a supply pipe that is provided at the electromagnetic coil and supplies coolant to the inside of the electromagnetic coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Materials Corporation
    Inventors: Syouji Matsuo, Kenji Fujimoto, Masahiro Hosoi
  • Publication number: 20120272839
    Abstract: A tandem press line switches from a synchronized high-speed press control to a synchronized low-speed press control when a high-speed, line master control signal is switched to a low-speed line master control signal. For a press having a slide position which has been determined to be within a press region, the synchronized low-speed press control can be switched to a non-synchronized high-speed press control that is based on a non-synchronized high-speed individual press control signal that is not synchronized with the low-speed line master control signal at least during a period in which the slide position is within the press region, and the non-synchronized high-speed press control can be switched to the synchronized low-speed press control on condition that a press resynchronization point has been reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: AIDA ENGINEERING, LTD.
    Inventor: Sotoyuki Kaneko
  • Publication number: 20120240797
    Abstract: A square baler having a control system including at least one density sensor for measuring the relative density of crop slices within the intake duct and/or the intake region of the baling chamber. A correlation function is determined by correlating the measured relative density of slices in the intake duct and/or the intake region of the baling chamber with the cumulative weight of these slices after they have been compressed and bound to form a completed bale. The control system predicts a weight of the slice in the intake duct and/or the intake region of the baling chamber derived from the measured relative density values of this slice and the computed correlation function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventors: Didier Verhaeghe, Bart Missotten
  • Publication number: 20120192731
    Abstract: A round baler is provided. The round baler having a frame and a baling chamber radially surrounded by bale forming means with one or more driven rollers. An electric motor for driving the roller is disposed in the interior of the roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventors: Stéphane Biziorek, Didier Delphigué
  • Publication number: 20120186466
    Abstract: A sensor in the baling chamber and/or the intake duct is operable for producing an electrical output signal indicative of the frictional properties of the crop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: CNH Belium N.V.
    Inventor: Johan A.E. Vande Ryse
  • Patent number: 8141446
    Abstract: A speed changing transmission mechanism of a sheet laminating apparatus includes a reverse module, a power output shaft, a first power output roller, a second power output roller, a first belt, a second belt, a power input module and a shift module. Utilizing the reverse module, the power input module and the shift module, the speed changing transmission mechanism is capable of hot laminating the sheet article and withdrawing the jammed sheet article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd.
    Inventor: Yung-Tai Pan
  • Patent number: 8113114
    Abstract: An agricultural power control system including a moving element, a power source, a signal generating element and a torque modifying device. The moving element is configured to engage a quantity of crop material in a cyclical manner. The power source conveys power to the moving element. The signal generating element is configured to provide a signal relating to an anticipated quantity of crop material prior to the moving element engaging the quantity of crop material. The torque modifying device is configured to cause the power source to alter an amount of torque delivered to the moving element dependent upon the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Walter Mark Schlesser, Eric Ryan Lang, Jason Rovey