Abstract: A hard object or stone detection method and apparatus for detecting and removing discrete hard foreign objects from mobile agricultural equipment, particularly an agricultural harvester including apparatus for providing a flow of cut crop material to an elevator for delivery to a threshing system. The apparatus includes a foreign object detecting mechanism, including a foreign object detecting circuit for detecting foreign objects and an object exclusion or rejection mechanism operationally connected to be activated by the detecting circuit. The detecting circuit includes at least one vibration sensor operable for outputting a signal, and a combination of high pass filters and frequency bandpass filters and variable threshold comparators for processing the signal along first and second signal paths, and at least one microprocessor or microcontroller including a pulse rejection network.

Abstract: An electronic control system for a machine having a boom assembly and an implement assembly. A microprocessor is provided having an input and generating first and second output signals. A first electrohydraulic valve is connected to receive the first output signal from the microprocessor, and connected to position the boom assembly in response to the first output signal. A second electrohydraulic valve is connected to receive the second output signal from the microprocessor, and connected to position the implement assembly in response to the second output signal. A boom position sensor is disposed on the boom assembly or the implement assembly and connected to send a boom position input signal to the microprocessor, the microprocessor being connected to receive the boom position input signal and generate at least one of the first output signal and the second output signal, thereby controlling a position of the implement assembly relative to the boom assembly.

Abstract: The apparatus is an electronic speed control for farm machines. A microprocessor is fed data on the tractor engine speed, the tractor ground speed, and the manual speed lever setting, and electronically matches the desired ground speed to the engine speed to prevent stalling the engine. Ground speed is controlled by using the microprocessor to electrically vary a control valve that replaces the usual mechanical linkage between the speed control lever and the hydraulic pumps driving the hydraulic wheel motors.

Abstract: An electronic control system for a machine having a boom assembly and an implement assembly. A microprocessor is provided having an input and generating first and second output signals. A first electrohydraulic valve is connected to receive the first output signal from the microprocessor, and connected to position the boom assembly in response to the first output signal. A second electrohydraulic valve is connected to receive the second output signal from the microprocessor, and connected to position the implement assembly in response to the second output signal. A boom position sensor is disposed on the boom assembly or the implement assembly and connected to send a boom position input signal to the microprocessor, the microprocessor being connected to receive the boom position input signal and generate at least one of the first output signal and the second output signal, thereby controlling a position of the implement assembly relative to the boom assembly.

Abstract: A work vehicle having an implement, including: a frame; a boom arm assembly connected at one end to the frame; an implement assembly pivotally connected to another end of the boom arm assembly and including the implement; a first hydraulic implement cylinder connected to the implement assembly and positioned to pivotally rotate the implement relative to the boom arm assembly when a piston of the first implement cylinder is extended or retracted, the first hydraulic implement cylinder being connected to a first electrohydraulic valve for activating extension and retraction of the piston of the first implement cylinder; and a controller connected to send control signals to activate the first electrohydraulic valve, wherein the controller sends a series of shaking control signals to alternately extend and retract the first implement cylinder to effect a shaking movement of the implement.

Abstract: A method of manual control neutral drift correction for a work vehicle is characterized by the steps of: sensing a position of a first manual control using a first position sensor when an activation switch is activated, wherein the first position sensor generates a first input signal; sending the first input signal to a controller; retrieving a stored first manual control neutral position value from a memory unit; calculating a first corrected manual control neutral position value using the controller, wherein the first corrected manual control neutral position value is calculated using the first input signal and the first manual control position value; and utilizing the first corrected manual control neutral position value to generate a first control signal for operating a first electro-hydraulic valve, wherein the first control signal is generated by the controller to operate the first electro-hydraulic valve to effect movement of a first assembly.

Abstract: Method of sharing hydraulic fluid, includes: inputting first signal from a first manual control and second signal from a second manual control; sending a first control signal controlling a first valve in response to first signal; sending a second control signal controlling a second valve in response to second signal, wherein the first valve and second valve direct flow through a first sub-circuit and a second sub-circuit, respectively, wherein the first sub-circuit moves a boom arm and the second sub-circuit moves an implement; determining whether the boom arm and implement are in a first, second, third, or fourth condition; modifying at least one of the first and second control signals when the boom arm and implement are in first or second conditions; and controlling the first valve using the unmodified or modified first control signal and controlling the second valve using unmodified or modified second control signal.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester having a header with a reel and an auger, wherein the reel and the auger provide crop material to an elevator and a foreign object detecting mechanism, wherein the foreign object detecting mechanism includes a foreign object detecting circuit for detecting foreign objects and an object extrusion mechanism operationally connected to be activated by the detecting circuit. The detecting circuit includes a first vibration sensor, a programmable amplifier, a frequency bandpass filter, a variable threshold comparator, and a microprocessor including a pulse rejection network. The microprocessor is electronically connected to control the threshold comparator and the programmable amplifier, and activates the object extrusion mechanism when the pulse rejection network generates an internal signal.

Abstract: The cutter head of a windrower may carry a sickle bar or a disc as the cutting element. Each type of cutting element requires a different drive power to obtain a given set point speed. To determine the type of cutter being used, the magnitude of the signal required to bring the cutting element to a given set point speed is measured and compared to limits defining first and second, non-overlapping, ranges of signal magnitudes, one range being typical of sickle bar operation and the other range being typical of disc operation.

Abstract: An optical switch and attenuator in which any waveguide in an input waveguide bundle may be selectively optically aligned or misaligned with any waveguide in an output waveguide bundle. The waveguide bundles are attached to beams that translate the bundles through non-parallel arcs. The device provides high-performance switching and attenuation of any number of input and output waveguides.

Abstract: A self propelled windrower having no brake pedal is provided with a signal light system conforming to standards for agricultural equipment traveling on public roads. The ground speed of the equipment is sensed and, after it exceeds a threshold speed, computation of equipment acceleration/deceleration begins. When the deceleration exceeds a deceleration threshold, the brake lamps are enabled according to the settings of left turn and right turn signal switches. The brake lamps are enabled as long as the deceleration exceeds the threshold and for a short interval (2 sec) thereafter. If the speed drops below the speed threshold during the short interval, the brake lamps are enabled for an extended period (2 min).

Abstract: A system for controlling the header speed of a windrower to a set point includes a variable displacement pump producing a variable outflow of hydraulic fluid for driving the header via two hydraulic motors, the system being characterized in that the pump is driven by a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal having a duty cycle that is dependent on the speed and the acceleration of the header. When the header speed falls outside a window or range of speeds centered at the set point, header speed is used to modify the duty cycle of the PWM signal and bring the header speed back within the window. In addition, the duty cycle of the PWM signal is decremented if the acceleration of the header exceeds a threshold and the header includes disk type cutters.

Abstract: A system for indicating the level of a liquid in a container is operable with either an analog type liquid level sensor producing an output signal which varies linearly in magnitude with the level of liquid, or a digital liquid level sensor producing a cyclic pulse width modulated signal which varies in duration according to the liquid level. One or the other type sensor is connected to an analog wire and a microprocessor is programmed to detect positive and negative going edges of pulses on the wire and generate values representing the duration of the pulses. If pulse edges are detected, the microprocessor uses the generated values representing the duration of the pulses to access a conversion table and obtain a multi-bit value for energizing the display. If no pulse edges are detected, the magnitude of the signal on the analog wire is converted to an equivalent digital value which is applied to a second conversion table to derive a multi-bit value for energizing the display.

Abstract: A round baler having a main frame, a bale forming chamber on the main frame, a pickup for feeding crop material into the chamber, and a tailgate pivotally connected to the main frame for rearwardly discharging completed bales. The chamber is defined by an apron extending around a plurality of guide rolls on the periphery of the chamber, the tailgate, and a floor. The bale forming chamber varies in size from a core starting position to a full bale position. A crop loading monitor, having sensors in the bale forming chamber, provides signals representing compactness of the crop material during bale formation. The signals are utilized in a system that displays information in a bar graph format that enables the operator to enhance his capabilities for making properly shaped bales.

Abstract: A front end loader is provided with a seat switch that is closed when an operator sits in a seat and a seat belt switch that is closed when a seat belt is fastened. Closure of the seat switch enables a programmable controller which begins executing a program. The program repetitively checks the status of the seat and seat belt switches and enables the hydraulic controls for the boom and bucket only if (1) the seat belt switch is not closed at the time the operator sits in the seat and (2) subsequent to sitting in the seat the operator fastens the seat belt. The system makes it inconvenient for an operator to defeat the purpose of the seat belt by fastening it and sitting on it since, on each entry into the operator's cab, the operator must unbuckle the seat belt before sitting in the seat in order to enable the boom and bucket controls. To deter theft, the operator may lower the boom and bucket to engage the ground and then enter any two-digit lock code using two manual switches.

Abstract: A front end loader driven by a diesel engine is prevented from starting in reverse after stalling under load conditions which might place a backload on the engine. A speed sensor senses engine speed and the output of the sensor is applied to a programmable controller that controls a fuel flow solenoid. The controller compares the engine speed with a first reference speed in approximately the range of the idle speed of the engine until the engine speed is greater than the first reference speed. The controller then compares the engine speed with a second reference speed value less than the engine idle speed. If the engine speed drops below the second reference speed value, indicating an impending engine stall, the microprocessor controls the fuel flow solenoid to stop flow of fuel to the engine so that the engine stops. Since the engine is without fuel it cannot restart even if backloaded. A method of operating the diesel engine is also disclosed.

Abstract: A diesel engine preheat system includes a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the engine coolant, engine heaters for heating the engine, and a microprocessor for calculating the duration of a preheat cycle. When an ignition switch is turned on, the microprocessor samples the output of the temperature sensor to determine the initial engine temperature. The microprocessor computes the required heating time from the initial temperature and a stored parameter representing the relationship between increase in temperature and heating time of the engine. The microprocessor energizes a relay to connect the engine heaters to a battery for the computed time. During the preheat cycle the microprocessor decrements the computed heating time and energizes a visual display to display the time remaining in the preheat cycle.

Abstract: In a forage harvester, a microphone is used to detect air-borne sounds waves generated by impacts of a rotating cutterhead on a shear bar during adjustment of the shear bar relative to the cutterhead. In response to the detected sound waves, the microphone produces electrical output signals which are applied to a control circuit, the control circuit producing output signals to selectively drive first and second motors to move one end or the other of the shear bar. The microphone may be mounted in positions remote from the shear bar, such as on side sheets defining lateral limits of the crop feed path, or in the interior of a crop feed roll. A vibration absorbing pad is provided between the microphone and its support to isolate the microphone from mechanical vibrations of the support.

Abstract: A page turner device for an open book comprises a support for the book, and a power driven disc configured to rest on the top of the pages of such open book. When the power drive is energized, the disc will start to rotate while in contact with the open pages. The disc has a finger portion which protrudes outwardly from adjacent portions of the disc, and a page curler drive is used for creating a curl or arch in the center portions of an open page, so that when the finger rotates to the proper position, it will go into the recess under the curl, and as it continues to rotate, the finger will pull the page with it. When the disc comes to a rest position, the finger will have completely opened the subsequent page. At the rest position a cam operates a switch to disable the power drive until such time as the person reading again initiates a manual switch to commence the page turning sequence.

Abstract: A power failure protector circuit prevents spurious output signals from an electronic circuit when power to the electronic circuit is interrupted. The output of the electronic circuit is effectively blocked by a switch. The switch is turned off when the power supply is turned on and remains off until the power supply is interrupted. A capacitor is normally charged to the operating voltage of the power supply and when the power supply is interrupted, the capacitor discharges to turn the switch on during the interval when the operating voltages of the electronic circuit are decaying. The capacitor also provides a power source to maintain the operating voltages of the electronic circuit near normal for a short interval after the power supply is interrupted thus insuring correct operation of the electronic circuit until after the switch is turned on and the output from the circuit is blocked.