Patents by Inventor David S. D'hondt

David S. D'hondt 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).

  • Patent number: 11085852
    Abstract: An agricultural system including: an agricultural baler with a bale-forming chamber; a plunger movable in a reciprocating manner within the bale-forming chamber for compressing plant matter in the bale-forming chamber; and a driveline for moving the plunger within the bale-forming chamber. The driveline comprises at least one bearing. The agricultural system further includes a control unit configured to: receive load-data indicative of a load acting on the plunger during operation of the baler; and determine a bearing-status-signal indicative of wear status the bearing, based on the load-data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Lynn Derynck, Olivier Helewaut, Yves Loosfelt, David S. D'Hondt
  • Publication number: 20210140848
    Abstract: An agricultural system including: an agricultural baler with a bale-forming chamber; a plunger movable in a reciprocating manner within the bale-forming chamber for compressing plant matter in the bale-forming chamber; and a driveline for moving the plunger within the bale-forming chamber. The driveline comprises at least one bearing. The agricultural system further includes a control unit configured to: receive load-data indicative of a load acting on the plunger during operation of the baler; and determine a bearing-status-signal indicative of wear status the bearing, based on the load-data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventors: Lynn Derynck, Olivier Helewaut, Yves Loosfelt, David S. D'Hondt
  • Patent number: 10980184
    Abstract: An agricultural baler including a flywheel and a drivetrain for coupling the flywheel to a connector that is arranged to be connected to a power take-off (PTO) of a tractor. The drivetrain includes a decoupling mechanism for decoupling the flywheel from the connector in case of an overload. The decoupling mechanism includes a controllable member that is movable between an engaged state in which the flywheel is coupled to the connector and a disengaged state in which the flywheel is decoupled from the connector. The decoupling mechanism further includes a detector configured for detecting the overload. The detector is configured for providing an overload signal to the controllable member triggering the controllable member into the disengaged state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Karel Naeyaert, David S. D'Hondt, Xavier G. J. M. Bonte, Frederik Demon
  • Publication number: 20210015049
    Abstract: An agricultural baler including a flywheel and a drivetrain for coupling the flywheel to a connector that is arranged to be connected to a power take-off (PTO) of a tractor. The drivetrain includes a decoupling mechanism for decoupling the flywheel from the connector in case of an overload. The decoupling mechanism includes a controllable member that is movable between an engaged state in which the flywheel is coupled to the connector and a disengaged state in which the flywheel is decoupled from the connector. The decoupling mechanism further includes a detector configured for detecting the overload. The detector is configured for providing an overload signal to the controllable member triggering the controllable member into the disengaged state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Karel Naeyaert, David S. D'Hondt, Xavier G.J.M. Bonte, Frederik Demon
  • Patent number: 7981175
    Abstract: A self-cleaning blow-off for a rotary air screen, includes a blow-off channel including an inlet disposed for receiving a flow of air from a pressurized air source, and a movable blow-off channel section configured and supported to be movable between an operational position disposed adjacent to a portion of the air screen for directing the flow of air for blowing debris and dirt from the screen, and a cleaning position disposed away from the screen such that accumulated debris and dirt in the blow-off section will be released. And, an actuator is connected to and controllably operable for moving the movable blow-off section between the operating position and the cleaning position. The actuator can be controlled to move the movable blow-off section to the cleaning position periodically, as desired, or responsive to an input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventor: David S. D'hondt
  • Publication number: 20080256915
    Abstract: A self-cleaning blow-off for a rotary air screen, includes a blow-off channel including an inlet disposed for receiving a flow of air from a pressurized air source, and a movable blow-off channel section configured and supported to be movable between an operational position disposed adjacent to a portion of the air screen for directing the flow of air for blowing debris and dirt from the screen, and a cleaning position disposed away from the screen such that accumulated debris and dirt in the blow-off section will be released. And, an actuator is connected to and controllably operable for moving the movable blow-off section between the operating position and the cleaning position. The actuator can be controlled to move the movable blow-off section to the cleaning position periodically, as desired, or responsive to an input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventor: David S. D'hondt
  • Publication number: 20080257531
    Abstract: The engine and cooling system arrangement includes an engine supported between the forward and rear ends of the frame of a harvesting machine, in an engine compartment. A cooler box containing at least one heat exchanger is disposed higher than and vertically offset from, the engine, and has an inlet opening facing sidewardly and covered with an air screen. A discharge opening faces in an opposite side direction. A fan generates a sideward air flow through the filter screen, cooler box and at least one heat exchanger, and outwardly through the discharge opening, away from an operator cab of the machine. A portion of the air flow will be directed into an air flow duct extending downwardly and forwardly to the engine compartment to create a positive air pressure condition therein, to limit infiltration of unfiltered air. The air is discharged from the engine compartment away from the cab.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventors: David S. D'hondt, Geert Vergote