Patents Assigned to Claas KGaA
  • Patent number: 6164406
    Abstract: A multiple-axle steering system for an agricultural machine with at least one primary-controlled axle and at least one secondary axle, where the latter's steering deflection angle varies along a progressive characteristic curve as a function of the primary-controlled axle's steering deflection angle. The variation in steering deflection angle along the progressive characteristic curve means that the steering deflection angle of the primary-controlled axle in a range around the zero or neutral position initially results in only a slight steering deflection of the secondary axle. As the steering deflection of the primary-controlled axle increases, the steering deflection angle of the secondary axle progressively approaches the steering deflection angle of the primary-controlled axle. When using all-wheel steering, the use of the progressive characteristic curve facilitates smooth steering when driving on the road, where usually minimal steering deflection is performed by the machine operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Claas KGaA
    Inventors: Norbert Diekhans, Heinz Pickert
  • Patent number: 6128574
    Abstract: The route planning method for agricultural work vehicles having a definite working width for generation of at least one work path or track over a field includes inputting at least one field-specific datum and at least one work vehicle-specific datum into an electronic data processing unit; providing a computational algorithm in the electronic data processing unit for generation of the at least one work path or track, which includes at least one optimization criterion for the at least one work path or track and generating the at least one work path or track by executing the computational algorithm to obtain the at least one work path or track in the form of at least one digitized work route for one or more work vehicles using the at least one field-specific datum and/or the at least one work vehicle-specific datum. A guidance apparatus for performing the method is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Claas KGaA
    Inventor: Norbert Diekhans
  • Patent number: 6105353
    Abstract: A baler for agricultural products has a chassis, a pickup, a transporting passage, a pressing chamber, a binding device, a discharging device, a working element performing working operations in the baler, a main drive shaft connected with the working element for driving the working means, at least one planetary summing transmission connected with an operative for driving the main drive shaft, a first drive unit including a cardan shaft and transmitting rotation with a first rotary speed to the planetary summing transmission, and a second drive unit transmitting a rotation to the planetary summing transmission with a second regulatable rotary speed, so that the planetary summing transmission summarizes the rotary speeds of the first and second drive units and produces a rotation with an output speed for driving the main drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Claas KGaA
    Inventors: Jan-Hendrik Mohr, Ralf Koenig
  • Patent number: 6101795
    Abstract: A harvesting machine with an automatic steering mechanism consists of a self-propelled machine with a cutterbar mounted in the driving direction. The harvesting machine also has generally-known locating devices to scan the crop edge, in particular, the border between the mowed and unmowed crops. The location devices produce signals that are processed by a controller and, via devices well-known in the art, are utilized by the automatic steering mechanism. The crop edge is scanned in at least two variable distances in front of the cutterbar. The controller processes at least two locating signals received in variable scanning distances in front of the cutterbar. The locating signals are used by devices well-known in the art for the automatic steering mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Claas KGaA
    Inventor: Norbert Diekhans
  • Patent number: 6097425
    Abstract: A device for overloading products from a working machine having a driver's stand to a transporting vehicle has an overloading unit provided in the working machine, and a monitor assembly for monitoring overloading of the product from the working machine to the transporting vehicle, the monitor assembly including an analog monitoring camera associated with the overloading unit and filming an overloading process, an analog control monitor arranged in the driver's cabin of the working machine such that an indication of the monitoring camera is performed by the control monitor, a first microprocessor connected to the monitoring camera and digitalizing a video signal, a second microprocessor to which the video signal is transmitted, and a digitally operating graphic indicator to which the digitalized video signal is transmitted by the second microprocessor for indication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Claas Kgaa
    Inventors: Willi Behnke, Heinrich Isfort, Norbert Diekhans
  • Patent number: 6085135
    Abstract: A method for program-controlled display of an electronic map image on a screen (S) of an agriculture machine (AV), which includes a position finding system (GPS) and a screen operating computer (SOC) which has access to map information (MI) directly or via a radio data transmission channel (RC, RRC). The map information (MI) is accessed as a function of the machine location (LI) determined at any given time and is processed for a map image display. The map information (MI) contains driving and/or cultivation data of the land to be driven over or cultivated and these data are processed automatically selectively into the respective location-related map image display, in each case as a function of respective operating parameters (DT, VS, LPS, PS, EI) of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: CLAAS KGaA
    Inventor: Thilo Steckel
  • Patent number: 6085134
    Abstract: An arrangement for controlling at least one adjusting element of a work vehicle has a control unit electrically connectable with adjusting elements, at least one operating element electrically connected with the control unit and operative for actuating a control function processed in the control unit, the control unit being provided with a structure which, in dependence on a sequence provided by an operator, supply adjusting functions as adjusting signals to the corresponding adjusting elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: CLAAS KGaA
    Inventor: Hagen Adam
  • Patent number: 6073070
    Abstract: An agricultural vehicle has a main vehicle, a treatment device arranged adjustably relative to the vehicle with respect to at least one of a position and an orientation of the treatment device, a satellite navigation receiving unit, and an evaluating unit which determines from data of the satellite navigation receiving unit an absolute position of at least one reference point on the treatment device in a terrestrial reference system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Claas KGaA
    Inventor: Norbert Diekhans
  • Patent number: 6067782
    Abstract: An electrohydraulic steering system for machines includes manual steering and automatic steering (autopilot) modes which can be activated by a switch (3). The system has a hydraulic steering cylinder (6) for displacement of the steerable wheels, at least one sensor (7) for determining the wheel angle actual values (.delta..sub.w), at least one electrically operated hydraulic control valve (5) which regulates admission of hydraulic fluid to the steering cylinder (6) and at least one automatic steering signal transmitter (2) for generating electrical steering signal nominal values (.delta..sub.s2) for the wheel angles. An electronic control and analysis device (4) is fed the automatically generated steering signal nominal values (.delta..sub.s2) and the wheel angle actual values (.delta..sub.w). The control and analysis device (4) determines an electrical trigger signal (4S) for the hydraulic control valve (5) from the wheel angle actual value (.delta..sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: CLAAS KGaA
    Inventor: Norbert Diekhans
  • Patent number: 6050074
    Abstract: The present invention describes a self-propelled or pulled baler for producing bales of agriculturally-harvested crops. Harvested crops are compressed in the feeding channel before entering the actual baling chamber. For this purpose a sensor reaches into the feeding channel. Crops will be pushed against the sensor by the feed rakes. As soon as a pre-adjusted pressure can be measured at the sensor, and the baling ram has moved towards the front dead center position, the motion track of the feed rakes will be switched so the compressed crops located in the feeding channel will be fed into the baling chamber through a single loading stroke. The change of the motion track of the feed rakes dependent upon the pressure sensor has the advantage that, with each loading stroke, an equal amount of compressed crops are fed into the actual baling chamber. Thus, bales of a consistent density can be produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Claas KGaA
    Inventor: Gerhard Clostermeyer
  • Patent number: 6044556
    Abstract: A method of producing a roller casing of a roller has providing a plane casing blank, forming an outer helical raised structure on the plane casing blank, bending the plane casing blank with the raised structure to form a cylindrical roller casing, and connecting with one another abutting regions of the cylindrical roller casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Claas KGaA
    Inventors: Michel Petitfrere, Jeanot Ostermann, Arsene Roth
  • Patent number: 6038506
    Abstract: For automatically controlling a differential lock in drive axles of a motor vehicle, an arrangement has a lock coupling, an actuator for actuating the lock coupling, a plurality of rotary speed sensors associated with wheels of the vehicle for forming the rotary speed signal, a control unit for receiving the rotary speed signals and forming a control signal for controlling the actuator means, the control unit including computing means for computing a nominal rotary speed value associated with each of the wheels so that a computed nominal rotary speed value is determined continuously in dependence from a corresponding traveling condition, a first comparing unit for forming a difference rotary speed value from a comparison of a measured rotary speed value with the computed nominal rotary speed value, and a second comparing unit for forming the control signal so that when the difference rotary speed value exceeds a predetermined threshold value the lock coupling is engaged and when the difference rotary speed va
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Claas KGaA
    Inventors: Norbert Diekhans, Ingo Gorzond
  • Patent number: 6027052
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method and an apparatus for ejecting a material, in particular a straw material, having a pivot unit comprising an impeller blower, a cooperating fluid cylinder, with a control unit comprising at least one directional control valve for control of the fluid cylinder so that at least one ejection nozzle of the impeller blower can be pivoted reciprocally. The control unit further comprises a pressure control valve. An electrical control device is provided, which acts on the pressure control valve and/or the directional control valve in such a way that a piston of the fluid cylinder essentially performs a harmonic reciprocating movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Claas KGaA
    Inventors: Norbert Strieker, Ludger Hugenroth
  • Patent number: 5996307
    Abstract: A round baler for baling harvested crops has a loading device which receives a roll of wrapping material which can be transferred to an unwind station. From the unwind station a web of material is pulled off the roll for wrapping the bale. To install the roll of wrapping material serviceably and without great effort, the loading device is pivotably installed on the baler's sidewall. The loading device is pivotal from a storage position to a transfer position, so that the roll of wrapping material can be pushed from the loading device into the unwind station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: CLAAS KGaA
    Inventors: Heinz Niemerg, Markus Wiefel
  • Patent number: 5979151
    Abstract: A self-propelled chopper forage harvester has a flap assembly at the discharge end of a pivotable ejector pipe. A hydraulic actuator moves the flap assembly about a generally horizontal axis for directing the projection of the forage. The flap assembly is removably mounted so it can be either at a position at the top of the discharge end of the ejector pipe for filling open-top forage boxes or at a position 180 degrees therefrom and at the bottom of the discharge end for filling closed-top forage boxes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Claas KGaA
    Inventors: Lambert Sanders, Heinrich Isfort, Karl-Heinz Landwehr
  • Patent number: 5979153
    Abstract: An agricultural baler has a pickup elements, a conveyor transporting a harvested product stream picked up from a field by the pickup element, a baling chamber for baling the harvested product, a transferring element for transporting the harvested product from the conveyor to the baling chamber, the transferring element including a cylinder and a plurality of disks arranged on the cylinder, and a plurality of strippers extending into spaces between the disks for preventing winding of the harvested product on the disks, the strippers being formed as sensing brackets for sensing deviation of the strippers. Also a deviation of knife blades arranged in spaces between the neighboring disks and offset relative to the strippers can be evaluated as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Claas KGaA
    Inventor: Arsene Roth
  • Patent number: 5980495
    Abstract: The pre-filled single-use hypodermic devices must be provided with a needle cap device (1) during storage for protection of the injector needle (4) and the contents of the hypodermic device which is removed prior to use. The two-part needle cap device (1) includes a plastic outer casing (5) of hard elastic transparent material which is provided inside with a lining member (6) sealing the tip of the injector needle and made from a soft elastic material. The injector head (2) and the plastic outer casing (5) have a coupling device for making a mechanical stable form-fitting connection and/or a positive-locking connection with a reliable microbiological seal when the injector head (2) is inserted in the outer casing (5). This coupling device is formed by elements on or features of the injector head (2) and outer casing (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Claas KGaA
    Inventors: Jochen Heinz, Michael Spallek
  • Patent number: 5953891
    Abstract: For cleaning a sugarcane harvester, a main blower is provided in a lower region of a cleaning chamber and has a vertical blowing out pipe, the blowing out pipe of the main blower faces both chopper rollers of a comminuting device, and a deviating blower is located above the chopper rollers for deviating a main cleaning air stream exiting the vertical blowing out pipe by substantially 90.degree. to direct the same to a discharge hood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Claas KGaA
    Inventors: Gunter Leigers, Frank Groger, Hillrich Otten
  • Patent number: 5953892
    Abstract: A loading device for agricultural harvesters has a lower discharge chute arrangeable on a harvester and an upper discharge chute provided with an adjustable ejection flap and rotatably supported on the lower discharge chute. The upper discharge chute has an impact region provided with a cover-free portion which is closeable by an exchangeable baffle plate. The upper discharge chute can have an adjustable length and is composed of individual segments which are connectable with one another by connecting flanges to provide a desired efficient transporting length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: CLAAS KGaA
    Inventors: Kurt Albicker, Karl-Heinz Landwehr
  • Patent number: 5944604
    Abstract: An arrangement for attaching a chopper to a combine harvester has two slide rails arrangeable on the combine harvester, a unit for suspending the chopper on the slide rails of the combine harvester, a unit for horizontally displacing the chopper and including a driven drive shaft having two ends each provided with a toothed gear, and a unit for preventing tilting of the chopper relative to the combine harvester during the horizontal displacement, the drive shaft being composed of two shaft parts having different lengths and each carrying a respective one of the toothed gears, and the shaft parts being radially adjustable relative to one another by a releasable connection so as to form the tilting preventing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Claas KGaA
    Inventors: Martin Niermann, Dieter Strickmann