Abstract: Apparatus for collecting solids settling at the bottom of a liquid reservoir, the apparatus including: a plurality of suction head assemblies, each suction head assembly including a hollow suction head configured to cause agitation of solids settling in or around the suction head and draw the solids entrained in a liquid flow into one or more outlets of the suction head; a manifold including a body having one or more inlets coupled to the one or more outlets of each suction head to permit the collected solids entrained in the liquid flow to pass into the manifold and one or more discharge ports configured to expel the collected solids entrained in the liquid flow from the manifold; and a pumping arrangement that draws in liquid and entrained solids from the suction head assemblies via the manifold and discharges the liquid and entrained solids via a discharge pipe.

Abstract: Apparatus for collecting solids settling at the bottom of a liquid reservoir, the apparatus including: a plurality of suction head assemblies, each suction head assembly including a hollow suction head configured to cause agitation of solids settling in or around the suction head and draw the solids entrained in a liquid flow into one or more outlets of the suction head; a manifold including a body having one or more inlets coupled to the one or more outlets of each suction head to permit the collected solids entrained in the liquid flow to pass into the manifold and one or more discharge ports configured to expel the collected solids entrained in the liquid flow from the manifold; and a pumping arrangement that draws in liquid and entrained solids from the suction head assemblies via the manifold and discharges the liquid and entrained solids via a discharge pipe.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling flow of fluid in a fluid body containing a first fluid, the apparatus including: a baffle at least partially submerged in the fluid body, the baffle including: in inlet that in use is coupled to a fluid supply adapted to supply a second fluid; at least one outlet; at least one internal channel extending from the inlet to the at least one outlet to thereby allow second fluid to be expelled from the at least one outlet; and, an outer surface which acts with the at least one outlet to at least partially guide second fluid expelled from the outlet to induce flow within the fluid body and thereby agitate the fluid body.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for removing sludge from a liquid reservoir, the apparatus (10) comprising buoyant float means (12), a sludge pump (24) mounted via a support arm (17) and the apparatus (10) having an upper profile so as to allow it in use to operate beneath a membrane covering at least part of the reservoir. The support arm (17) may be oscillated to move the pump in a substantially vertical plane. The buoyancy of the float means (12) may be adjusted to vary the position of floating of the apparatus (10) in the liquid.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for collecting solids selling on the bottom of a liquid reservoir and/or floating solids, the apparatus (10) having a hollow suction head (23) and at least one outlet duct (26) extending from the suction head (23). Air can be supplied to the suction head (23) to create a suction pressure in the suction head (23) to cause settling solids beneath the suction head (23) to pass along the outlet duct or ducts (26). The suction head (23) may be connected to a collector (11) which is provided with a float (21) to support the collector (11) at the surface of the liquid, and the outlet duct or ducts (26) are connected to the collector (11) which collects the solids. The collector (11) may also have an inlet to collect floating solids.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing solids such as sludge from a liquid reservoir comprising a float, a suction head assembly carrying a pump, and elongated guides interconnecting the suction head assembly and float. The float also carries a winch for raising and lowering the suction head assembly. The guides are slidably engaged with the float and serve to indicate the depth of operation of the suction head assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for removing sludge from a liquid reservoir, the apparatus (10) comprising buoyant float means (12), a sludge pump (24) mounted via a support arm (17) and the apparatus (10) having an upper profile so as to allow it in use to operate beneath a membrane covering at least part of the reservoir. The support arm (17) may be oscillated to move the pump in a substantially vertical plane. The buoyancy of the float means (12) may be adjusted to vary the position of floating of the apparatus (10) in the liquid.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing solids such as sludge from a liquid reservoir comprising a float, a suction head assembly carrying a pump, and elongated guides interconnecting the suction head assembly and float. The float also carries a winch for raising and lowering the suction head assembly. The guides are slidably engaged with the float and serve to indicate the depth of operation of the suction head assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for collecting solids selling on the bottom of a liquid reservoir and/or floating solids, the apparatus (10) having a hollow suction head (23) and at least one outlet duct (26) extending from the suction head (23). Air can be supplied to the suction head (23) to create a suction pressure in the suction head (23) to cause settling solids beneath the suction head (23) to pass along the outlet duct or ducts (26). The suction head (23) may be connected to a collector (11) which is provided with a float (21) to support the collector (11) at the surface of the liquid, and the outlet duct or ducts (26) are connected to the collector (11) which collects the solids. The collector (11) may also have an inlet to collect floating solids.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling provision of power to a load by a plurality of generating devices in a plurality of phased signals during a first operating condition includes: (a) a sensing unit coupled with the load for presenting an indicator relating to load current; and (b) a control unit coupled with the sensing unit for receiving the indicator and coupled with the plurality of generating devices. The control unit presents a first control signal in response to the indicator indicating a second operating condition. The control unit presents a second control signal in response to the indicator indicating a third operating condition. The generating devices respond to the first control signal to substantially simultaneously provide the power to the load. The generating devices respond to the second control signal to substantially provide no power to the load.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for controlling engagement of a power take-off shaft (PTO) on a vehicle. The apparatus includes a clutch including an input shaft coupled to a power source and an output shaft coupled to the PTO. The apparatus also includes an input speed sensor for sensing a quantity related to the angular velocity of the input shaft, an output shaft speed sensor for sensing angular velocity of the output shaft, and a clutch controller for adjusting pressure of hydraulic fluid applied to the clutch in response to control signals. Torque transmitted between the input and output shafts is responsive to the control signals. The apparatus also includes a control circuit coupled to the speed sensors and the clutch controller. The control circuit is configured to receive signals from the speed sensors and to provide the control signals in response thereto.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for preventing the performance of an automatic sequence of operations of a work vehicle. The apparatus is a system that includes a databus, a plurality of input devices, a primary control unit coupled to the plurality of input devices and to the databus, a plurality of output devices and a plurality of secondary control units coupled to the databus, each of the secondary control units also being coupled to at least one of the output devices. The primary control unit directs the performance of the automatic sequence of operations by generating commands to be provided onto the databus. Each of the secondary control units directs an output function by the at least one output device coupled thereto in response to the commands on the databus.

Abstract: In a tractor transmission system having electro-hydraulically actuated powershift clutches and a forward/reverse coupler mechanically coupled to a forward/reverse lever, a dump button is provided on the lever for releasing powershift clutch pressure. The forward/reverse coupler is uncoupled from the transmission input and output shafts when the button is depressed. An operator may shift between forward and reverse gears by depressing the button and shifting the lever. Upon release of the dump button, a microprocessor performs a control algorithm during which it senses engine speed and ground speed, computes acceleration/deceleration, and controls the clutch pressure of one of the powershift clutches to provide smooth acceleration in the direction selected by the shift lever. The arrangement is particularly suited for shuttle shift (forward/reverse) operations but may be used to provide smooth acceleration from a stopped position.

Abstract: In an automatic hitch control system wherein a hitch is raised or lowered in response to operation of a valve, and the valve is controlled by solenoids which are selectively energized by connecting them to ground through switch drivers, a safety disconnect relay is provided for preventing uncommanded motion of the hitch such as might occur if the lead between a solenoid and its driver should be grounded or if the driver should fail in an "on" state. The relay has contacts connected between the solenoids and the positive voltage for operating them. A microprocessor senses hitch position, the position of a quadrant lever and the speed of the tractor carrying the hitch. From the conditions sensed, the microprocessor determines if the tractor is moving, if the hitch is captured, if the hitch is moving and whether the hitch control system is in an open-loop control mode in which manual switches may be used to control hitch movement.

Abstract: A vehicle transmission system having shift lever control of synchronized couplers for selection of ranges of gears and electro-hydraulic powershift clutches for selection of a gear within the selected range is provided with controls for avoiding unexpected speeds or speed changes under certain conditions. On start-up, if the vehicle is stationary, a microprocessor automatically selects which powershift gear is effective, the selection being such that the start-up speed is as nearly uniform as possible within the limits imposed by the positions of the shift levers.

Abstract: An automatic draft control for controlling the position of a tractor-mounted hitch includes a slip override circuit responsive to a wheel signal for modifying a hitch position command so that hitch draft is reduced by raising the hitch when the degree of tractor wheel slip exceeds a threshold value. The slip is determined by measuring theoretical (no-slip) ground speed with a sensor which senses the rate of rotation of the tractor rear axle, and measuring true ground speed with a radar unit mounted on one side of the tractor. Because the radar unit does not indicate the speed of the center line of the tractor as it turns, the slip signal is prevented from modifying the hitch position command if the hitch is raised since the hitch is usually raised when turning and there is no need to modify the position command with the slip signal when the hitch is raised.

Abstract: A tractor-mounted three-point hitch for pulling a tillage implement is controlled by a closed loop including draft sensors for sensing the draft on the hitch and providing a draft feedback signal. An operator-controlled quadrant lever provides command signals for commanding the positioning of the hitch relative to the ground. During rapid hitch movement commanded by movement of the quadrant lever while the implement is above the ground, the draft feedback signal, which is normally filtered to eliminate frequencies above about 3.2 Hz, is more heavily filtered to eliminate frequencies above 0.5 Hz. This makes the loop less sensitive to the draft feedback signal and reduces vibrations which would otherwise occur because of oscillations in the draft feedback signal. The oscillations are caused by interaction of the weight of the implement bouncing because of the pneumatic tires on the tractor, and movement of the hitch to correct for the apparent change in draft.

Abstract: In a transmission system, a solenoid controlled electro-hydraulically actuated creeper gear coupler permits selection of very low speeds and provision is made to prevent creeper gear engagement/disengagement unless conrolled by the operator and then only if specified conditions exist. Current flow through the solenoid which actuates the creeper gear is monitored at all times to provide a controlled engagement/disengagement of the creeper gear in the event the monitoried conditions are not within prescribed limits. The current is monitored as the creeper solenoid is energized to insure sufficient pull-in current and while it is energized to insure sufficient hold-in current. The solenoid current is also monitored when the solenoid is not energized. Short or open circuit conditions are detected before they can cause an unexpected engagement or disengagement of the creeper gear.