Abstract: A header for an agricultural harvester having a cutterbar lockout control mechanism that can be set in flex or rigid modes independent of the position of the cutterbar assembly. The cutterbar lockout control mechanism may be set to flex or rigid modes without the operator having to reach under the header, and the operator may reposition the cutterbar assembly without leaving the cab. Also, a method for setting the operating mode of a cutterbar assembly of a header for an agricultural harvester, and a method for repositioning a cutterbar assembly of a header for an agricultural harvester.

Abstract: A cleaning and tailings system of an agricultural harvester including an upper sieve and a lower sieve spaced from the upper sieve. A clean grain sheet is disposed below the lower sieve, and a tailings sheet is disposed below the clean grain sheet for receiving grain from the lower sieve and upper sieve. A tailings auger is disposed about a forward end of the tailings sheet, and a sensor is disposed about an inlet of the tailings auger for sensing impact of grain received by the tailings sheet. A controller is in communication with the sensor, wherein the controller is configured to determine an amount of grain received by the tailings sheet.

Abstract: Apparatuses for generation of a gas, for example chlorine dioxide, methods of forming an apparatus, and methods of use thereof are provided. The apparatus may include at least one pouch composed of a hydrophobic material and a reactant disposed within the interior of the pouch. The reactant generates a desired gas in the presence of an initiating agent.

Abstract: Apparatus are configured to monitor lifespan of parts on a pressure regulator. These configurations may include sensors that generate signals in response to movement of parts on the pressure regulator. Processing circuitry can process the signals to identify data that corresponds to deflection of a spring inside of the pressure regulator. This data may correlate with duty cycle of a diaphragm. In one implementation, utilities can use the duty cycle to gauge useable lifespan of the diaphragm as well as other operating conditions that may prevail on the pressure regulator.

Abstract: A sensor unit that is configured to improve the non-contact, magnetic interface on a gas meter. The configurations may include a pair of magnets that co-rotate in response to a magnet internal to the gas meter. At least one of the magnets may also move longitudinally in proximity to the internal magnet. This feature aligns the magnets with one another to ensure proper magnetic coupling with the internal magnet.

Abstract: A header for a combine harvester includes a conveyor belt for conveying crop material in a conveyance direction, and an adjusting device for adjusting a tension of the conveyor belt. The adjusting device includes a link that is movable with respect to a frame member of the header. The link is movable in a direction that is either orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to a tensioning direction of the conveyor belt for adjusting the tension of the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt may be an infeed conveyor belt or a lateral conveyor belt of a draper header, for example.

Abstract: A method for dynamically operating a header float system of an agricultural vehicle having a header movably mounted to a frame of the agricultural vehicle by an actuator. The method includes: determining a target ground reaction force between the header and a ground surface located below the header, determining an actual ground reaction force between the header and the ground surface, comparing the actual ground reaction force to the target ground reaction force, and upon determining that the actual ground reaction force differs from the target ground reaction force by a predetermined amount, operating the actuator to reduce a difference in value between the actual ground reaction force and the target ground reaction force. An agricultural vehicle having a header operated as described above is also provided.

Abstract: A crop ramp for use in a combine header is provided. The crop ramp includes a flat section, a curved section, and a flange. The flat section facilitates coupling the crop ramp to a cutterbar of the combine header. The curved section extends from the flat section. The curved section is configured to facilitate transfer of crop to a belt system of the combine header. The crop is transferred in a first direction defined from the flat section to the curved section. The flange extends from the curved section. The flange is configured to hover above the belt system of the combine header to prevent dirt from flowing in a second direction which is opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: A gas meter is configured for diagnostics using differential pressure (DP) measurements. The configurations include executable instructions to actively manage the DP sensor. These instructions active the DP sensor only during stable flow and, where applicable, for a defined test time period. This feature manages power consumption to maintain battery life with acceptable standards or regulations.

Abstract: A gas meter is outfit with near field communication (NFC) devices for in-situ exchange of data. The NFC devices reside in separate compartments. A first compartment houses electronics necessary to generate values for volumetric flow of material in a pipe. The gas meter includes a second compartment with an access point that allows data, including telemetry data, to transmit from the gas meter to a remote device. In operation, the NFC devices exchange data between the first compartment and the second compartment, often through a wall or barrier that prevents flow of fluid between the compartments.

Abstract: A header for an agricultural harvester having a cutterbar lockout control mechanism that can be set in flex or rigid modes independent of the position of the cutterbar assembly. The cutterbar lockout control mechanism may be set to flex or rigid modes without the operator having to reach under the header, and the operator may reposition the cutterbar assembly without leaving the cab. Also, a method for setting the operating mode of a cutterbar assembly of a header for an agricultural harvester, and a method for repositioning a cutterbar assembly of a header for an agricultural harvester.

Abstract: A header for a combine harvester includes a conveyor belt for conveying crop material in a conveyance direction, and an adjusting device for adjusting a tension of the conveyor belt. The adjusting device includes a link that is movable with respect to a frame member of the header. The link is movable in a direction that is either orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to a tensioning direction of the conveyor belt for adjusting the tension of the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt may be an infeed conveyor belt or a lateral conveyor belt of a draper header, for example.

Abstract: A flow metering apparatus comprising a temperature sensing system for use to measure temperature of fluid includes temperature measurement components and temperature sensing components in close proximity to one another and to the flow of fluid. The components can include a temperature measurement member close-coupled to a processor member, each disposed on a circuitized substrate. This configuration exposes a temperature sensor element to the same dynamic temperature conditions as the processor member, thus reducing measurement error that might manifest in response to different temperature gradients proximate the respective components. A storage memory may be used to permit the temperature sensing system to store and/or retain data that relates to calibration as a dynamic system over the entire operating range of the sensor element. The calibration data may then be accessed from the storage memory to improve accuracy and operation of the flow metering apparatus.

Abstract: A test apparatus that guides an end user through visualization of a user interface on a web browser that is easy to operate for individuals with limited knowledge of the devices or test protocols for gas meters. The test apparatus may include the executable instructions having instructions that configure the processor to, receive input data from the web browser; compare the input data to data in a data table; select an entry from the data table that reflects a match between the input data and data associated with the entry in the data table; and generate a first output that defines a configuration for a user interface that renders on the web browser, the configuration representing a stage of a test initialization process to configure operating parameters on the controller to work with a meter-under-test that couples with the fluid moving unit for purposes of conducting a meter proof.

Abstract: A cleaning and tailings system of an agricultural harvester including an upper sieve and a lower sieve spaced from the upper sieve. A clean grain sheet is disposed below the lower sieve, and a tailings sheet is disposed below the clean grain sheet for receiving grain from the lower sieve and upper sieve. A tailings auger is disposed about a forward end of the tailings sheet, and a sensor is disposed about an inlet of the tailings auger for sensing impact of grain received by the tailings sheet. A controller is in communication with the sensor, wherein the controller is configured to determine an amount of grain received by the tailings sheet.

Abstract: A sensor unit that is configured to improve the non-contact, magnetic interface on a gas meter. The configurations may include a pair of magnets that co-rotate in response to a magnet internal to the gas meter. At least one of the magnets may also move longitudinally in proximity to the internal magnet. This feature aligns the magnets with one another to ensure proper magnetic coupling with the internal magnet.

Abstract: A gas meter (100) and like metering systems that are configured for use underwater. The gas meter may embody a positive displacement rotary gas meter having a meter body with impellers that counter-rotate in response to material flow. The gas meter can also comprise an index unit having an electronics assembly to generate a value that equates rotation of impellers with a parameter of the material flow. The gas meter can further comprise a connective interface having a first part and a second part, one each disposed on the meter unit and the index unit, respectively, the first part and the second part coupling with one another to provide data to the electronics assembly, the data corresponding with operating conditions on the meter unit and rotation of the impellers. In one example, the first part and the second part are configured so that the meter unit and the index unit are operable underwater to generate the value.

Abstract: A gas meter is outfit with near field communication (NFC) devices for in-situ exchange of data. The NFC devices reside in separate compartments. A first compartment houses electronics necessary to generate values for volumetric flow of material in a pipe. The gas meter includes a second compartment with an access point that allows data, including telemetry data, to transmit from the gas meter to a remote device. In operation, the NFC devices exchange data between the first compartment and the second compartment, often through a wall or barrier that prevents flow of fluid between the compartments.

Abstract: An apparatus that is configured to test operation of a gas meter. The apparatus can include a process control member with operative circuitry that provides all functionality necessary to execute the test and to analyze the resulting data. This functionality includes data processing functions and a web server to allow communication between the apparatus and a remote device via a network. In one embodiment, the operative circuitry includes a first circuitry to regulate operation of a fluid moving unit that provides fluid to a meter-under-test. The operative circuitry can also include a second circuitry to collect data from one or more sensors disposed on the meter-under-test. The operative circuitry can also have a third circuitry to perform various operations necessary to calculate, in one example, a value for an operative characteristic that relates to the accuracy of the meter-under-test.

Abstract: A gas meter is outfit with near field communication (NFC) devices for in-situ exchange of data. The NFC devices reside in separate compartments. A first compartment houses electronics necessary to generate values for volumetric flow of material in a pipe. The gas meter includes a second compartment with an access point that allows data, including telemetry data, to transmit from the gas meter to a remote device. In operation, the NFC devices exchange data between the first compartment and the second compartment, often through a wall or barrier that prevents flow of fluid between the compartments.