Abstract: A height control mechanism for a strike-off plate of an asphalt paver screed assembly is disclosed. The screed assembly is pivotally connected to a pair of tow arms of an asphalt paver and has at least one main screed unit and at least one screed extension unit mounted in front of the main screed unit. The screed extension is laterally movable beyond one end of the main screed unit. The screed assembly also has an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the pitch angle of the screeds relative to the ground. The height control mechanism includes a support mechanism adapted to mount the strike-off plate in front of the main screed unit at a position ahead of the screed extension unit. The height control mechanism also includes a linkage arrangement adapted to automatically control the height of the strike-off plate upon the adjustment of the pitch angle of the screeds.

Abstract: A plurality of acoustical absorption elements are mounted in a two-dimensional spaced array on an acoustically reflective surface of an machinery enclosure, in such a manner as to expose portions of the reflective surface between neighboring elements. The elements are preferably of a substantially standard size and shape in order to enhance production and inventory efficiency, although materials of various thickness may be provided to accommodate tuning for specific frequencies to be absorbed.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically determining the total sound power emitted by a work machine. The noise testing system employs a processor and remote control to control the measurement of both exterior and interior sound generated by a work machine in either a dynamic or static operating mode.

Abstract: An electrohydraulic control device for a drive train of a machine having an engine, a transmission, and a torque converter utilizes sliding mode control and a target speed trajectory to constrain the jerk on the machine during a directional shift. Electrohydraulic valves produce fluid flow to hydraulic service brakes and an impeller clutch in the torque converter to controllably engage and disengage the transmission impeller clutch. A sensor generates a signal representative of the output speed of the transmission. An electronic controller receives the sensed speed signal, determines a desired speed signal according to the target speed trajectory, produces an error speed signal in response to a difference between the sensed and desired speeds, and controllably actuates the electrohydraulic valve to reduced any speed error, thereby changing the direction of motion of the machine under controlled jerk levels felt by the operator.

Abstract: A hitch assembly for a tractor is disclosed, which includes a rotatable carriage support that is carried on a fixed trunnion for providing oscillation of the hitch frame about horizontal first axis. The rotatably carriage support also pivotally mounts a hitch carriage about a second axis to provide the hitch assembly with the ability to articulate as well. Camming apparatus is also provided to progressively restrict the oscillation of the hitch frame as it is being raised and stop surfaces restrict articulation when the hitch frame is in its raised position. The articulation and oscillation ability of the hitch provides improved ease of steering and control of the tractor and improved ground contact of a ground-contacting implement on the hitch frame. A power-take-off shaft extends through said center of the fixed trunnion supporting the hitch mounting to permit simultaneous connection of the implement with the hitch and the power-take-off shaft for transmitting rotary power to the implement.

Abstract: The identification of and compensation for changes in the dielectric properties of a hydraulic fluid in hydraulic apparatus is achieved by continuously sampling a hydraulic fluid in a resonant chamber with a central conductor that is both inductively and capacitively coupled to an oscillator. The output frequency changes of the oscillator is an indicator of changes of the dielectric properties of the hydraulic fluid and their magnitude. The invention is of particular value in hydraulic cylinder piston position determining systems.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for determining the location of rows of seedlings planted during agricultural production is provided. The apparatus senses the position of a planting machine 102 during a planting operation. The apparatus transforms the planting machine position to seedling row locations and creates a database of the locations.In another aspect of the present invention, a method for determining the location of row of seedlings planted during agricultural production is provided. The method includes the steps of planting seedlings using a planting machine, sensing the position the planting machine and transforming the machine position to seedling row locations.

Abstract: An electrohydraulic control system for loading a bucket of a work machine includes sensors for producing signals representative of bucket position and forces. A command signal generator receives the signals and calculates a target angle on the basis of accumulated energy, and a force vector angle representing actual forces produced at an reference point on the bucket. Lift and tilt command signals are modified in response to differences between the target and actual angles, and used to controllably extend the lift cylinder to raise the bucket through the material, while racking the bucket at rates calculated to efficiently capture the material.

Abstract: A hitch module for a track-type work machine in which the pivot point of a towed work implement is varied by selectively positioning a pair of links joining the work machine to a hitch frame.

Abstract: An electrohydraulic control system for loading a bucket of an earthmoving machine includes sensors for producing machine parameter signals representative of how strongly the machine is crowding the pile of material to be loaded. A command signal generator monitors crowd factors corresponding to the sensed parameters to determine when the bucket contacts the pile, then generates bucket lift hydraulic cylinder command signals to maintain a traction force. The command signal generator next determines from the crowd factors when the pile is engaged near the machine capacity, then generates bucket tilt hydraulic cylinder command signals in proportion to the monitored crowd factors to rack the bucket at rates calculated to efficiently capture the material.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a method for controlling the steering of a directionally steered machine having a hydrostatic system that drives a plurality of driven wheels is provided. The method includes the steps of producing a steering angle signal indicative of the angle of the steered wheels and a wheel speed signal indicative of the rotational speed of the driven wheels, and generating a programmable curve that represents the resulting driven wheel speeds as a function of the angle of the steered wheels. The generated curve is then stored in a software map to be later used to determine the driven wheel speeds based on the angle of the steered wheels.

Abstract: A traction control apparatus for a work machine having an engine and a hydrostatic drive system that powers a first and second set of ground engaging traction devices is disclosed. The hydrostatic drive system includes a variable displacement pump being rotatably driven by the engine, and first and second variable displacement motors which receive pressurized fluid from the variable displacement pump, the first motor driving the first set of ground engaging traction devices and the second motor driving the second set of ground engaging traction devices. The control apparatus includes a first speed sensor that produces a first speed signal indictative of the rotational speed of the first set of ground engaging traction devices and a second speed sensor that produces a second speed signal indictative of the rotational speed of the second set of ground engaging traction devices.

Abstract: An undercarriage assembly of a track-type work machine includes a drive wheel, an idler wheel, and a plurality of track supporting rollers. The assembly also includes a track belt which contacts the drive wheel, the idler wheel, and each of the plurality of track supporting rollers. The plurality of track supporting rollers includes a first left roller group, a second left roller group, a middle roller group, a first right roller group, and a second right roller group. The plurality of track supporting rollers cooperate with the track belt in order to reduce the number of vibrations and shocks during operation of the track-type work machine.

Abstract: A rotary cutter having a plurality of flights each having a tool holder receiving pocket extending radially inwardly from an outer surface of the flight. Each receiving pocket has a mounting socket at the innermost portion of the pocket which securely positions a tool holder, the tool holder being retained in the socket by a fastener.

Abstract: A method of operating a computer to produce control software for a hydraulic system is provided. The hydraulic system includes a pump, at least one valve, a motor and an electronic controller. The method includes the steps of defining a set of valve features of the electronic controller as a function of user input; and producing control software to operate the controller as specified by said set of valve features.

Abstract: An edge scraper device for the inboard edge of a belted track-type vehicle removes debris from the track edge as the vehicle operates in muddy or trash-laden environments by close-proximity relationship to the track edge. Spring biasing and adjustment devices retain the scraper device in a functionally close proximity to the track edge. The edge scraper device is mounted substantially above the track to prevent fallen debris from accumulating on the device.

Abstract: A piston position sensing system with improved accuracy and reliability is achieved by electromagnetic wave coupling using the combination of: a mechanical structure that in addition to supporting the rod, provides an extension of the resonance cavity, supports the electromagnetic wave couplers and a hydraulic fluid input-output port into the extended cavity and a piston travel stop; an electronic circuitry shielded package having a high frequency section with coaxial shielded input and output conductors on opposing package sides and a lower frequency counting section having a piston position output shielded conductor and a fluid dielectric property change monitor input conductor separated from the high frequency section conductors; and, the positioning of the electronic package on the mechanical structure with the coaxial shielded input and output conductors respectively adjacent to the input and output couplers and with the hydraulic fluid input-output port positioned elsewhere around the periphery of the c

Abstract: Method and Apparatus are disclosed for dynamically determining the efficiency of blast design parameters at a mine site from measured machine loader characteristics whereby a microprocessor system receives signals indicative of power train and work implement linkage measurements and develops diggability ratio indices therefrom to ascertain the blast design efficiency.

Abstract: The ability to be able to identify, distinguish and verify a lock onto harmonic frequency signals in the oil of a hydraulic cylinder using a ratio between consecutively detected harmonics. The identification is useful in providing early and reliable harmonic resonance "lock on" and the ability to "lock on" to a particular order harmonic resonance.

Abstract: A piston position sensing system in which tabulated resonance width related information is stored in a form correlated with piston travel so that measured resonance width information can be compared with the stored information in determining piston position and compensation for the velocity of the piston is provided by correction for a time difference in serial sensing between the initial and the following extremes of a resonance signal as the piston moves. the compensation is developed from velocity information identified through previous and current processing cycles which assures reliability in detection of the subsequently sensed portion of the resonance signal envelope and enhanced sensitivity and accuracy through automatic application incrementally in a dynamic gain adjustment of the sensing system.