Patents by Inventor Christoph Heitmann
Christoph Heitmann has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
-
Publication number: 20160286721Abstract: A combine harvester includes a threshing unit for threshing picked-up crop to obtain grain, a driver assistance system, with a memory for storing data, for controlling the threshing unit, and a computing unit for processing at least the data stored in the memory. A sensor system ascertains at least a portion of the current harvesting-process state. A sensor configuration assigned to the sensor system is defined by the type and scope of operational sensors is stored or can be stored in the memory. A functional system model for at least a portion of the combine harvester is stored in the memory. The computing unit is designed to carry out an autonomous determination of a threshing-unit parameter based on the system model, and defines the system model forming a basis of the control of the threshing unit depending on the sensor configuration stored in the memory.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2016Publication date: October 6, 2016Inventors: CHRISTOPH HEITMANN, ANDREAS WILKEN, JOACHIM BAUMGARTEN, SEBASTIAN NEU, CHRISTOPH BUSSMANN, HENNER VOECKING, STEFAN TEROERDE, CHRISTOPHER VIEREGGE
-
Publication number: 20160286722Abstract: A combine harvester has a threshing unit for threshing picked-up crop to obtain grain and a driver assistance system for controlling the threshing unit. The driver assistance system includes a memory for storing data and a computing unit for processing the data stored in the memory. The threshing unit, together with the driver assistance system, forms an automated threshing unit, in that a plurality of selectable harvesting-process strategies is stored in the memory and in that, in order to implement the particular selected harvesting-process strategy, the computing device autonomously determines at least one machine parameter, for example, a threshing-unit parameter, and specifies the parameter to the threshing unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2016Publication date: October 6, 2016Inventors: Christoph Heitmann, Andreas Wilken, Joachim Baumgarten, Sebastian Neu, Christoph Bussmann, Henner Voecking, Stefan Teroerde, Christopher Vieregge
-
Publication number: 20160286720Abstract: A combine harvester has a threshing unit for threshing picked-up crop to obtain grain, a driver assistance system for controlling the threshing unit which has a memory for storing data and a computing unit for processing the data stored in the memory. A functional system model for at least a portion of the combine harvester is stored in the memory. The computing unit is designed to carry out an autonomous determination of at least one threshing-unit parameter on a basis of the system model and, for depicting functional interrelationships, at least one family of characteristics (A-J) is assigned to at least one harvesting-process parameter. The at least one harvesting-process parameter is defined as an output variable of the at least one family of characteristics (A-J).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2016Publication date: October 6, 2016Inventors: CHRISTOPH HEITMANN, ANDREAS WILKEN, JOACHIM BAUMGARTEN, SEBASTIAN NEU, CHRISTOPH BUSSMANN, HENNER VOECKING, STEFAN TEROERDE, CHRISTOPHER VIEREGGE
-
Publication number: 20160235003Abstract: A method for determining calibration data for a grain-loss sensor on a combine harvester includes measuring grain-loss quantities, which were left behind by the combine harvester during a harvesting operation, and measuring sensor grain-loss values by the grain-loss sensor during the harvesting operation. Reference marks are assigned to the measured grain-loss quantities and the measured sensor grain-loss values and the calibration data for the grain-loss sensor are determined on the basis of a reconciliation of the measured grain-loss quantities with the measured sensor grain-loss values according to the reference marks.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2016Publication date: August 18, 2016Inventors: Joachim Baumgarten, Christoph Heitmann, Sebastian Neu, Benedikt Feldotto
-
Publication number: 20160088794Abstract: A combine harvester includes a driver assistance system that regulates a spreading on the ground of a crop flow exiting the combine harvester. The driver assistance system includes spreading strategies that can be selected in order to regulate the spreading of the crop flow exiting the combine harvester.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2015Publication date: March 31, 2016Inventors: Joachim Baumgarten, Andreas Wilken, Christoph Heitmann, Joern Brinkmann, Christopher Vieregge
-
Patent number: 9220195Abstract: A combine harvester has a spreading device for spreading chopped crop, a control device to which the spreading device is connected and which controls spreading properties of the spreading device, and a wind anemometer located on either side of the spreading device in a rear region of the combine harvester and producing a signal corresponding to a characteristic of wind.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2011Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Assignee: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbHInventors: Georg Eggenhaus, Stefan Teroerde, Joachim Baumgarten, Christopher Vieregge, Christoph Heitmann
-
Patent number: 9220196Abstract: A method for automatic adjustment of at least one of several working units of a self-propelled harvesting machine involved in a harvesting process, includes the steps of initially modeling the harvesting process by at least one program map, based on a data base characteristic of a current harvesting process; determining an initial working point of the at least one of the working units on a basis of the initial modeling; adapting the at least one program map on a basis of data currently collected by measurements and which influence the harvesting process; determining a new working point of the at least one working unit depending on the adaptation of the program map; and iteratively approximating the new working point.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2011Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Assignee: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbHInventors: Joachim Baumgarten, Sebastian Neu, Christoph Bussmann, Andreas Wilken, Henner Voecking, Christoph Heitmann
-
Combine harvester comprising an axial separating device and method for operating a combine harvester
Patent number: 9155249Abstract: A combine harvester operates with an axial separating device for separating a crop flow picked up by the combine harvester into a plurality of partial flows. A partial flow composed of grain and non-grain components is fed by a separation surface of the axial separating device to a cleaning unit disposed downstream. The axial separating device is configured to manipulate a local concentration gradient of the partial flow that is output by the axial separating device caused by a tilt of the combine harvester. The extent of the manipulation is controlled individually depending on the tilt of the combine harvester.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2012Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbHInventors: Joachim Baumgarten, Andreas Diekamp, Bernd Holtmann, Rainer Bellmann, Christoph Heitmann, Axel Schroeder -
Patent number: 9125344Abstract: An assistance system that optimizes the operation of a self-propelled agricultural working machine includes a device for determining working and efficiency parameters of the machine includes an arithmetic logic unit and a display unit. The arithmetic logic unit processes information generated by machine-internal sensor systems, external information and information stored in the arithmetic logic unit. One or more mathematical models describing the working process are stored in the arithmetic logic unit and derive efficiency parameters of the working machine from the available working parameters and, with consideration for monetary interrelationships, determine the opportunity costs of the working process and visualize the opportunity costs in the display unit.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2013Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignee: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbHInventors: Joachim Baumgarten, Andreas Wilken, Christoph Heitmann, Sebastian Neu
-
Patent number: 9043956Abstract: A method for operating an agricultural working machine that is configured with working assemblies, a control/regulating unit having a display unit and at least one interface for communication in order to control and/or regulate the working assemblies. In the method, an emotional state of an operator is recognized during an interaction with the working machine via the at least one interface and the operating mode of the working machine is adapted to the emotional state of the operator.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2013Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbHInventors: Joachim Baumgarten, Sebastian Neu, Andreas Wilken, Christoph Heitmann
-
Patent number: 9002594Abstract: An agricultural working machine has a one control/regulating unit designed to adjust and monitor working parameters, quality parameters or both of the agricultural working machine that influence a harvesting process. The adjusting and monitoring are carried out in an automatable manner by the control/regulating unit using stored families of characteristics. The agricultural working machine also has at least one display device for depicting setpoint values and actual values of the working parameters, quality parameters or both. The control/regulating unit actuates defined measurement points in the stored families of characteristics and the specifically actuated measurement points are located in the boundary regions of the family of characteristics or outside the active working region of the particular family of characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2013Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbHInventors: Andreas Wilken, Sebastian Neu, Christoph Heitmann, Joachim Baumgarten, Christoph Bussmann, Henner Voecking, Boris Kettelhoit
-
Patent number: 8935060Abstract: A driver assistance system for an agricultural working machine includes at least one control/regulating unit designed to adjust and monitor working parameters, quality parameters or both, of the agricultural working machine in an automatable manner based on use of a family of characteristics stored in the control/regulating unit. A selectable process implementation strategy is specified in order to automatically monitor or adjust at least one working parameter or quality parameter or both of the agricultural working machine. The driver assistance system suggests that the process implementation strategy be changed at least when the specified setpoint value of one or more of the quality parameters cannot be reached within the preselected process implementation strategy.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2013Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbHInventors: Joachim Baumgarten, Andreas Wilken, Sebastian Neu, Christoph Heitmann, Christoph Bussmann, Henner Voecking, Boris Kettelhoit
-
Publication number: 20140129048Abstract: An assistance system that optimizes the operation of a self-propelled agricultural working machine includes a device for determining working and efficiency parameters of the machine includes an arithmetic logic unit and a display unit. The arithmetic logic unit processes information generated by machine-internal sensor systems, external information and information stored in the arithmetic logic unit. One or more mathematical models describing the working process are stored in the arithmetic logic unit and derive efficiency parameters of the working machine from the available working parameters and, with consideration for monetary interrelationships, determine the opportunity costs of the working process and visualize the opportunity costs in the display unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2013Publication date: May 8, 2014Applicant: CLAAS SELBSTFAHRENDE ERNTEMASCHINEN GMBHInventors: Joachim Baumgarten, Andreas Wilken, Christoph Heitmann, Sebastian Neu
-
Publication number: 20140088840Abstract: A method for operating an agricultural working machine is configured with working assemblies and a control/regulating unit having a display unit and at least one interface for communication in order to control and/or regulate the working assemblies.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2013Publication date: March 27, 2014Applicant: Claas Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbhInventors: Joachim Baumgarten, Sebastian Neu, Andreas Wilken, Christoph Heitmann
-
Publication number: 20140019017Abstract: An agricultural working machine has a one control/regulating unit designed to adjust and monitor working parameters, quality parameters or both of the agricultural working machine that influence a harvesting process. The adjusting and monitoring are carried out in an automatable manner by the control/regulating unit using stored families of characteristics. The agricultural working machine also has at least one display device for depicting setpoint values and actual values of the working parameters, quality parameters or both. The control/regulating unit actuates defined measurement points in the stored families of characteristics and the specifically actuated measurement points are located in the boundary regions of the family of characteristics or outside the active working region of the particular family of characteristics.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2013Publication date: January 16, 2014Inventors: Andreas Wilken, Sebastian Neu, Christoph Heitmann, Joachim Baumgarten, Christoph Bussmann, Henner Voecking, Boris Kettelhoit
-
Publication number: 20140019018Abstract: A driver assistance system for an agricultural working machine includes at least one control/regulating unit designed to adjust and monitor working parameters, quality parameters or both, of the agricultural working machine in an automatable manner based on use of a family of characteristics stored in the control/regulating unit. A selectable process implementation strategy is specified in order to automatically monitor or adjust at least one working parameter or quality parameter or both of the agricultural working machine. The driver assistance system suggests that the process implementation strategy be changed at least when the specified setpoint value of one or more of the quality parameters cannot be reached within the preselected process implementation strategy.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2013Publication date: January 16, 2014Inventors: Joachim Baumgarten, Andreas Wilken, Sebastian Neu, Christoph Heitmann, Christoph Bussmann, Henner Voecking, Boris Kettelhoit
-
Combine harvester comprising an axial separating device and method for operating a combine harvester
Publication number: 20120322521Abstract: A combine harvester operates with an axial separating device for separating a crop flow picked up by the combine harvester into a plurality of partial flows. A partial flow composed of grain and non-grain components is fed by a separation surface of the axial separating device to a cleaning unit disposed downstream. The axial separating device is configured to manipulate a local concentration gradient of the partial flow that is output by the axial separating device caused by a tilt of the combine harvester. The extent of the manipulation is controlled individually depending on the tilt of the combine harvester.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2012Publication date: December 20, 2012Inventors: JOACHIM BAUMGARTEN, ANDREAS DIEKAMP, BERND HOLTMANN, RAINER BELLMANN, CHRISTOPH HEITMANN, AXEL SCHROEDER -
Publication number: 20120178509Abstract: A combine harvester has a spreading device for spreading chopped crop, a control device to which the spreading device is connected and which controls spreading properties of the spreading device, and a wind anemometer located on either side of the spreading device in a rear region of the combine harvester and producing a signal corresponding to a characteristic of wind.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2011Publication date: July 12, 2012Inventors: Georg Eggenhaus, Stefan Teroerde, Joachim Baumgarten, Christopher Vieregge, Christoph Heitmann
-
Publication number: 20120004813Abstract: A method for automatic adjustment of at least one of several working units of a self-propelled harvesting machine involved in a harvesting process, includes the steps of initially modeling the harvesting process by at least one program map, based on a data base characteristic of a current harvesting process; determining an initial working point of the at least one of the working units on a basis of the initial modeling; adapting the at least one program map on a basis of data currently collected by measurements and which influence the harvesting process; determining a new working point of the at least one working unit depending on the adaptation of the program map; and iteratively approximating the new working point.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2011Publication date: January 5, 2012Inventors: Joachim Baumgarten, Sebastian Neu, Christoph Bussmann, Andreas Wilken, Henner Voecking, Christoph Heitmann
-
Publication number: 20120004812Abstract: A driver assistance system for agricultural working machines, such as a combine harvester having a large number of working mechanisms, is formed by at least one data processing and control unit, and at least one display unit, and the data processing and control unit processes information generated by sensor systems internal to the machine, information that can be stored in the data processing and control unit, and/or external information, and the driver assistance system has selectable process implementation strategies, and the selection criterium of a process implementation strategy are the quality required for a certain intended use of the crop and/or optimization criteria of the working mechanisms.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2011Publication date: January 5, 2012Inventors: Joachim Baumgarten, Sebastian Neu, Christoph Bussmann, Andreas Wilken, Henner Voecking, Christoph Heitmann