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 mower is configured to cut plant material as the mower moves over a field and deposits the cut plant material on the field. The mower includes a header assembly having a cutter bed, conditioning rollers, and a swathboard, the swathboard being positionable to shape a rearwardly-directed stream of cut plant material into windrows. The header assembly includes a sensor system mounted on the swathboard. The sensor system has a sensor configured to collect nutrient information of the plant material being cut by the mower, where the sensor is moveable relative to the swathboard so as to move the orientation of a sensor face with respect to the crop stream.

Abstract: A method of collecting nutrient information of plant material as a mower moves over a field. The mower has a swathboard positionable to shape a rearwardly-directed stream of cut plant material into windrows. A sensor is mounted on the swathboard to coincide with the location where the stream of cut plant material interacts with the swathboard. The sensor moves to a base position when the swathboard moves to a full down position such that the swathboard is maximizing contact of the swathboard with the crop material, where in the base position, a shoe plate on which the sensor is co-planer with the swathboard. The sensor moves to an extended position such that the shoe plate is pivoted relative the swathboard when the swathboard is positioned toward a full up position such that some of the crop stream is directed back to forming shields of the header assembly.

Abstract: In one aspect the invention is directed to a mower configured to cut plant material as it moves over a field and deposit the cut plant material onto the field, the mower having a header assembly having a cutter bed, conditioning rollers, and a swathboard, the swathboard being positionable to shape the cut plant material into windrows. The cutter bed has a plurality of rotating rotary cutters that includes at least one pair of oppositely rotating cutters that sends a rearwardly-directed stream of cut plant material between the oppositely rotating pair of rotary cutters. The header assembly includes a sensor system mounted on the swathboard. The sensor system has a sensor configured to collect nutrient information of the plant material being cut by the mower. The sensor is positioned on the swathboard to coincide with the location where the stream of cut plant material interacts with the swathboard.

Abstract: Coupling for transmission of torque, speed, and hydraulic thrust from a power section of a motor to a drive or output shaft. The coupling has a pair of mated hubs each with cantilevered teeth extending therefrom. The teeth are irregular in shape with an “S” curved driver side, a slanted unloaded surface, and a tooth base broader that the tooth top, which provide improved torsional and fatigue strength and wear resistance to the coupling. The coupling has utility in single and double articulation as a transmission in a mud motor for downhole directional drilling of subterranean formations. The coupling also has utility in other drilling operations employing motors requiring couplings of or for single or double articulation for minerals, geothermals, and HDD associated underground utilities. The invention further has utility with coiled tubing drilling and any power transmission equipment either with angular misalignment or direct drive.

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: An agricultural baler including a base unit, a plurality of ground engaging devices supporting the base unit and at least one tie system mounted to the base unit. The at least one tie system including a needle moveable relative to the base unit and a needle stabilizer. The needle stabilizer attached to the base unit with the needle stabilizer contacting the needle over a portion of the movement of the needle.

Abstract: A bale wrapping mechanism for feeding bale surface wrapping material to an inlet of a baling chamber containing a bale to be wrapped includes a support arrangement for supporting a plurality of wrapping material supply rolls disposed with their adjacent ends either overlapping each other or disposed in axially aligned or end-to-end relationship with each other. In the case of overlapping ends, the adjacent runs of material respectively emanating from the plurality of supply rolls overlap each other and are applied to the circumference of a bale being wrapped in an overlapped arrangement. In the case of axially aligned supply rolls and when the wrapping material is a spreadable net material, a material spreading arrangement is located between the supply rolls and an inlet to the baling chamber and acts to spread the net so that adjacent runs of wrapping material respectively emanating from the plurality of material supply rolls overlap each other and remain overlapped as they are applied to the bale.

Abstract: A bale wrapping mechanism for feeding bale surface wrapping material to an inlet of a baling chamber containing a bale to be wrapped includes a support arrangement for supporting a plurality of wrapping material supply rolls disposed with their adjacent ends either overlapping each other or disposed in axially aligned or end-to-end relationship with each other. In the case of overlapping ends, the adjacent runs of material respectively emanating from the plurality of supply rolls overlap each other and are applied to the circumference of a bale being wrapped in an overlapped arrangement. In the case of axially aligned supply rolls and when the wrapping material is a spreadable net material, a material spreading arrangement is located between the supply rolls and an inlet to the baling chamber and acts to spread the net so that adjacent runs of wrapping material respectively emanating from the plurality of material supply rolls overlap each other and remain overlapped as they are applied to the bale.

Abstract: Components of a crop re-hydration system are advantageously carried on free space of a large square baler. Specifically, a direct-fired steam generator is mounted at a rear location on the baler so as not to transfer heat to a hydraulic fluid supply tank located at a forward location on the baler. Further, the combustion chamber of the steam generator is coupled to a forwardly extending main steam conduit having a length sufficient for ensuring that the water injected into the combustion chamber is thoroughly mixed with hot combustion gases and changed to steam prior to reaching a steam distribution manifold located at a forward end of the baler. A combustion air intake filter is positioned in a relatively clean zone at an elevated location at the rear of the baler. Water tanks are mounted closely adjacent ground wheel axles of the baler so that the weight of the water does not unduly load the baler frame.

Abstract: A steam injection manifold assembly is mounted to a crop pick-up assembly and is provided with an elongate manifold disposed lengthwise of the pick-up assembly. A plurality of steam injection tubes are releasably mounted to the manifold to receive steam exiting through respective steam outlet openings provided in the manifold. In one embodiment the injection tubes are shaped similarly to tine stripper bands of the pick-up, and in another embodiment the injection tubes define the stripper bands of the pick-up.

Abstract: Optical sensor measurement methods that convert a wavelength change in an optical sensor to a measurable optical intensity change, which can be calibrated and used to measure optical wavelength change and environmental changes such as temperature or strain which affect sensor wavelength. The current invention makes use of tunable fiber Fabry-Perot filters as the wavelength selective elements for the wavelength to optical intensity conversion. The invention provides high measurement sensitivities to small amplitude, high frequency modulations to the fiber sensor center wavelength, accommodates for system drift from thermal or other perturbations, and enables either frequency mode or time varying resolution of sensor modulation events. Selection of proper Fabry-Perot optics allow for measurement optimization of either high sensitivity or high strain measurement range.

Abstract: A baler is equipped with a crop re-hydration system including a steam injection manifold mounted for discharging steam onto a windrow of crop as the windrow is being fed into the baler. The steam injection manifold has a steam discharge orifice arrangement which can be adjusted to vary the discharge width. A flexible duct guides discharged steam to the crop windrow.

Abstract: A direct-fired steam generator body defines a combustion chamber and having an exhaust outlet. A mixing chamber is provided for receiving the exhaust gases from the combustion chamber. A flange joint between an elbow forming part of the mixing chamber and the end of the steam generator body defining the exhaust outlet is designed so as to be cooled by process water coupled to the joint by an injection port provided in one of the flanges.

Abstract: A direct-fired, propane powered steam generator is provided with a carburetor, which receives vaporized propane from a converter arrangement which converts liquid propane to vapor, receives pressurized air and feeds a mixture of vaporized propane and air into the combustion chamber of the steam generator. The amount of air delivered to the carburetor is variable, with the amount of vaporized propane entering the carburetor being determined by the position of a metering valve which varies in accordance with the amount of air passing through the carburetor. The converter arrangement receives liquid propane and is coupled to process water heated in the water jackets of the combustion chamber and adjacent structure, the converter arrangement being designed so that heat from the water is transferred for effecting vaporization of the liquid propane.

Abstract: A direct-fired steam generator system is used in conjunction with a baler for providing steam for re-hydrating the crop being baled. Cooling water is pumped through water jackets defined by double walls surrounding the combustion chamber and adjacent components, with this water being routed exteriorly of the water jackets and back to a three-way water control valve provided for normally routing the water back to the cooling water reservoir. The control valve is selectively actuated to couple the returning water to an injector flange for metering the water into an outlet end of the combustion chamber only when a flame is present or soon to be present in the combustion chamber, whereby the water will come into contact with hot combustion gases and be changed to steam which is routed on to be applied to the crop being baled.