Patents by Inventor John Charles Lowe
John Charles Lowe 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).
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Patent number: 6666279Abstract: A method of controlling the combination of a tractor and an attached implement includes the calibration of a tractor/implement combination to allow for variations in prevailing slip-pull data at progressively increasing implement draft levels. The recorded data is then interpolated at a reference slip value and compared with a series of reference slip-pull curves. The slip-pull curve approximately most closely to the recorded pull value at the reference slip value is then selected for subsequent use in a control algorithm.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2002Date of Patent: December 23, 2003Assignee: New Holland North America, Inc.Inventors: Andrew James Scarlett, John Charles Lowe
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Publication number: 20030121674Abstract: A method of controlling the combination of a tractor and an attached implement includes the calibration of a tractor/implement combination to allow for variations in prevailing slip-pull data at progressively increasing implement draft levels. The recorded data is then interpolated at a reference slip value and compared with a series of reference slip-pull curves. The slip-pull curve approximately most closely to the recorded pull value at the reference slip value is then selected for subsequent use in a control algorithm.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2002Publication date: July 3, 2003Inventors: Andrew James Scarlett, John Charles Lowe
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Patent number: 6546705Abstract: A method of controlling the combination of a baler and a tractor includes the steps of advancing the baler combination through a swath or windrow of biological crop matter with the tractor PTO operating at a generally constant speed to power the baler and the baler operating to take up biological matter while monitoring the flow rate of the biological matter through the baler. A microprocessor compares the assessed flow rate with an optimal flow rate and varies the travel speed of the tractor to maximize the flow rate of crop material through the baler. Preferably, the speed of operation of the tractor is accomplished through changing transmission speeds so that the PTO shaft speed is maintained at a substantially uniform rotational speed. The apparatus provided for carrying out the method of controlling the combination of a tractor and a baler increases the work rate of baling operations.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2001Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: New Holland North America, Inc.Inventors: Andrew James Scarlett, David Alexander Semple, John Charles Lowe, Adrianus Naaktgeboren, Bert J. F. Paquet
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Patent number: 6547012Abstract: A tractor/implement combination is controlled through the use of real-time data on the true draft force generated by engagement of an implement with the ground. A method of controlling a tractor/implement combination includes obtaining and storing calibration data on the torque generated at the tractor flywheel, while the implement is disengaged from the ground, including such data the rolling resistance and frictional/parasitic losses between the flywheel and driven wheel axle of the tractor. During subsequent operation of the tractor/implement combination, the calibration data is subtracted from instantaneous data to generate a signal indicative of the implement draft force. The draft force signal may be factored to take account of the tractor power train ratio and the rolling radius of the tractor tires. The method allows generation of accurate draft force data, regardless of the nature and mounting location of the implement.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2001Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: New Holland North America, Inc.Inventors: Andrew James Scarlett, John Charles Lowe, Tessa Frances MacKenzie
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Publication number: 20020112864Abstract: A tractor/implement combination is controlled through the use of real-time data on the true draft force generated by engagement of an implement with the ground. A method of controlling a tractor/implement combination includes obtaining and storing calibration data on the torque generated at the tractor flywheel, while the implement is disengaged from the ground, including such data the rolling resistance and frictional/parasitic losses between the flywheel and driven wheel axle of the tractor. During subsequent operation of the tractor/implement combination, the calibration data is subtracted from instantaneous data to generate a signal indicative of the implement draft force. The draft force signal may be factored to take account of the tractor power train ratio and the rolling radius of the tractor tires. The method allows generation of accurate draft force data, regardless of the nature and mounting location of the implement.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2001Publication date: August 22, 2002Inventors: Andrew James Scarlett, John Charles Lowe, Tessa Frances MacKenzie
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Publication number: 20010050616Abstract: A security label for incorporation within a garment, the label comprising first and second layers of flexible material secured in face to face contact with one another, said second layer comprising a planar security tag and said first layer serving as a support therefor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 1999Publication date: December 13, 2001Inventor: JOHN CHARLES LOWE
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Publication number: 20010042362Abstract: A method of controlling the combination of a baler and a tractor includes the steps of advancing the baler combination through a swath or windrow of biological crop matter with the tractor PTO operating at a generally constant speed to power the baler and the baler operating to take up biological matter while monitoring the flow rate of the biological matter through the baler. A microprocessor compares the assessed flow rate with an optimal flow rate and varies the travel speed of the tractor to maximize the flow rate of crop material through the baler. Preferably, the speed of operation of the tractor is accomplished through changing transmission speeds so that the PTO shaft speed is maintained at a substantially uniform rotational speed. The apparatus provided for carrying out the method of controlling the combination of a tractor and a baler increases the work rate of baling operations.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2001Publication date: November 22, 2001Applicant: New Holland North America, Inc., a Delaware CorporationInventors: Andrew James Scarlett, David Alexander Semple, John Charles Lowe, Adrianus Naaktgeboren, Bert J.F. Paouet
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Patent number: 6296022Abstract: A woven fabric, in particular a label, having a region formed from a ground weave which defines a background, with the region including an array of spaced apart dots formed by yarns exposed on the surface of the ground weave, and with the array of spaced apart dots collectively defining a machine-readable code.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2000Date of Patent: October 2, 2001Assignee: J&J Cash LimitedInventor: John Charles Lowe
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Patent number: 6144910Abstract: In the field of agricultural tractor and implement combinations, there have been numerous attempts at improving the efficiency of isolated sub-systems such as the engine, the implement control and the transmission. Such sub-systems have individually successfully been automated, but previous attempts to automate the entire control of a tractor during eg. plowing operations have previously failed. Accordingly, a control apparatus has been provided for a tractor/implement combination to include a control apparatus comprising a plurality of microprocessors. The microprocessors are arranged in a hierarchical control strategy that includes a steady state reference model of various performance parameters of the tractor/implement combination.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 1997Date of Patent: November 7, 2000Assignee: New Holland North America, Inc.Inventors: Andrew James Scarlett, John Charles Lowe
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Patent number: 5992533Abstract: In the field of agricultural tillage, there is a need for accurate, automated control of the widths of tilling implements, such as ploughs. The invention concerns methods of controlling a plough operatively combined with a vehicle such as a tractor, the methods including logging a series of values of the strength of soil encountered during a pass along a field; selecting the most frequently occurring soil strength value; and, for a subsequent pass of the tractor/plough combination along the field in the same direction, setting the width of the plough in dependence on the most frequently logged soil strength value. A microprocessor is provided to carry out the methods of the invention.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 1997Date of Patent: November 30, 1999Assignee: New Holland North America, Inc.Inventors: Andrew James Scarlett, John Charles Lowe