Abstract: An ejection chute for an agricultural baler has an ejection chute that includes a channel having a base wall and first and second side walls extending upwards from either side of the base wall, and in which a region of the base wall is provided with a first window. Various deposit mechanisms are provided for controlling movement of a formed bale through the first window.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling operation of one or more controllable components of an agricultural baler. A deposit strategy is determined. One or more operational components associated with the baler are controlled in dependence on the determined deposit strategy to control the deposit of one or more formed bales in accordance with the determined deposit strategy.

Abstract: A twine tension monitoring apparatus is disclosed comprising a twine tension monitoring portion and a signalling portion. The twine tension monitoring portion includes a laterally extending finger moveable about a horizontally extending axis between a first position and a second position, in which the first position corresponds to a low tension condition and the second position corresponds to a tensioned condition. The signalling portion provides a signal indicating the position of the laterally extending finger and so indicates the tension being monitored.

Abstract: A sensor arrangement located on a baler for detecting rotation of a dispensing reel of wrapping material and including a rotary element having a textured surface and a sensor mounted on a displaceable mounting bracket wherein the rotary element is rotated by the dispensing reel during baling.

Abstract: A duckbill assembly for a round baler is disclosed including first and second opposed elongate plates, the opposed elongate plates being directed towards one another so as to grip a portion of a wrapping material between the opposed elongate plates, wherein a portion of the first of the opposed elongate plates is formed of a manually displaceable material. This has as an advantage that the act of threading wrapping material into and through the duckbill assembly simply entails pulling the manually displaceable portion away from the opposing elongate plate, and dropping the wrapping material between the two elongate plates.

Abstract: A round baler having a baling chamber, a wrapping material reservoir, a feed apparatus having an actuator, the feed apparatus configured to convey a wrapping material from the wrapping material reservoir to the baling chamber, a cutting apparatus moveable between a retracted position allowing free movement of the wrapping material and an advanced position to cut the wrapping material, and a braking apparatus for applying a braking force on a roll of wrapping material installed in the wrapping material reservoir, and an actuator for controlling operation of the feed apparatus and the cutting apparatus. The round baler further comprises a tensioning element connecting the actuator to the braking apparatus to control a down force exerted on the roll of wrapping material and so control the tension in the wrapping material.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring bale growth rate and mat thickness and controlling baler operations according to the monitoring of bale growth rate and mat thickness. A baler includes sensors and a control system that uses sensor output as input for its processes. The controller is configured to determine a value of a physical attribute in an operation of a baler based on data received from a sensor. Also, the controller is configured to estimate a mat thickness or a bale growth rate based on the determined value of the physical attribute. The controller is also configured to control an operation of the baler or an operation of a tow vehicle, configured to tow the baler, based on the estimated mat thickness or bale growth rate.

Abstract: A sensor arrangement located on a baler for detecting rotation of a dispensing reel of wrapping material and including a rotary element having a textured surface and a sensor mounted on a displaceable mounting bracket wherein the rotary element is rotated by the dispensing reel during baling.

Abstract: Methods and systems for sensing a throughput of cut organic material conveyed through agricultural equipment such as an agricultural baler or the like. The system may include, and the method may be performed at least in part using, agricultural equipment including a feed mechanism that conveys the cut organic material through the agricultural equipment. The feed mechanism includes a rotor, a floor near the rotor, and a sensor that measures data proportional to a force exerted on the floor. The system includes a processor that correlates data proportional to the force exerted on the floor to a rate at which the cut organic material is conveyed through the feed mechanism.

Abstract: A method of comparing data record entries of two or more parties, wherein each party maintains a data record comprising a plurality of entries, each entry representing a corresponding data subject and comprising one or more identifiers of that data subject, wherein the method comprises operating computing equipment of a first one of the two or more parties to perform operations.

Abstract: A device includes a first axial ring, a first radial ring disposed below the first axial ring and a second radial ring disposed below the first axial ring. The first radial ring and the second radial ring are spaced apart in a radial direction. The device also includes an electrically non-conductive isolating ring disposed between the first axial ring and the first radial ring and a current sensor disposed between the first radial ring and the second radial ring. Further, the device includes a second axial ring disposed below the first radial ring, the second radial ring, and the current sensor. The first axial ring, the first radial ring, the second radial ring, and the second axial ring form a magnetic shield and an electrically conductive shell around the current sensor. The isolating ring disrupts the electrical continuity of the electrically conductive shell.

Abstract: A device includes a first axial ring, a first radial ring disposed below the first axial ring and a second radial ring disposed below the first axial ring. The first radial ring and the second radial ring are spaced apart in a radial direction. The device also includes an electrically non-conductive isolating ring disposed between the first axial ring and the first radial ring and a current sensor disposed between the first radial ring and the second radial ring. Further, the device includes a second axial ring disposed below the first radial ring, the second radial ring, and the current sensor. The first axial ring, the first radial ring, the second radial ring, and the second axial ring form a magnetic shield and an electrically conductive shell around the current sensor. The isolating ring disrupts the electrical continuity of the electrically conductive shell.

Abstract: A proximity sensor assembly with a sensing element having a substrate and an antenna pattern disposed on one or more planar surfaces of the substrate is disclosed. The cable is fed substantially parallel to the planar surfaces of the substrate and is attached to the side surface of the substrate, such that the cable is oriented substantially perpendicular to the direction of the electromagnetic field emitted from the sensing element.

Abstract: Embodiments of an inspection system comprise a conduit that can transmit light between a sensor and a processing component. In one embodiment, the sensor comprises an element that generates an electromagnetic field in response to an input from the processing component. The input comprises a light signal that traverses the conduit to the sensor. The sensor converts the light signal to an electrical signal to operate the element. In one example, the sensor generates a plurality of light signals, which also traverse the conduit to the diagnostic component where the lights signals are processed to determine, in one example, proximity of an object to the sensor.

Abstract: A communication system includes a host device and a peripheral device. The host device includes a data terminal and a power terminal. A data conductor extends between the host device and the peripheral device. The data conductor is configured to channel data between the data terminal and the peripheral device. A power conductor extends between the host device and the peripheral device. The power conductor is configured to channel power between the power terminal and the peripheral device. A zener diode couples the data conductor to the power conductor. The zener diode is configured to control a voltage channeled between the host device and the peripheral device while data is channeled through the data conductor at a desired speed that is greater than a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A tunable proximity sensor and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The proximity sensor includes a cap with different sections having different dielectric constants, shapes, and/or thicknesses. As the cap is rotated with respect the sensing element, these non-uniform sections induce a different loading on the sensor element from the electromagnetic field, allowing the proximity sensor to be tuned.

Abstract: Embodiments of an inspection system comprise a conduit that can transmit light between a sensor and a processing component. In one embodiment, the sensor comprises an element that generates an electromagnetic field in response to an input from the processing component. The input comprises a light signal that traverses the conduit to the sensor. The sensor converts the light signal to an electrical signal to operate the element. In one example, the sensor generates a plurality of light signals, which also traverse the conduit to the diagnostic component where the lights signals are processed to determine, in one example, proximity of an object to the sensor.

Abstract: A probe for use in a sensor assembly includes an sensing element body and an sensing element coupled to the sensing element body. The sensing element is at least partially capacitively coupled to a signal processing device. The sensing element generates an electromagnetic field when at least one signal is received, and a loading is induced to the sensing element when an object is positioned within the electromagnetic field.

Abstract: A proximity sensor assembly with a sensing element having a substrate and an antenna pattern disposed on one or more planar surfaces of the substrate is disclosed. The cable is fed substantially parallel to the planar surfaces of the substrate and is attached to the side surface of the substrate, such that the cable is oriented substantially perpendicular to the direction of the electromagnetic field emitted from the sensing element.

Abstract: A communication system includes a host device and a peripheral device. The host device includes a data terminal and a power terminal. A data conductor extends between the host device and the peripheral device. The data conductor is configured to channel data between the data terminal and the peripheral device. A power conductor extends between the host device and the peripheral device. The power conductor is configured to channel power between the power terminal and the peripheral device. A zener diode couples the data conductor to the power conductor. The zener diode is configured to control a voltage channeled between the host device and the peripheral device while data is channeled through the data conductor at a desired speed that is greater than a predetermined threshold.