Patents by Inventor Norbert Diekhans

Norbert Diekhans 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).

  • Publication number: 20070168116
    Abstract: A route planning system for agricultural working machines with a defined working width assigned to the agricultural working machine to generate driving routes in a territory includes a navigation module configured to generate the driving routes and having at least one automatic driving mode and at least one recording mode, such that said at least one automatic driving mode and the at least one recording mode are activatable independently of each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2007
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Inventors: Lars Peter Meyer zu Helligen, Norbert Diekhans, Andreas Brunnert, Ingo Beermann
  • Publication number: 20070135190
    Abstract: A route planning system for an agricultural working machine including at least one crop material storage unit for storing quantities of crop material transferable to forage vehicles, has a unit for generating driving routes in a territory based on a defined working width assigned to the agricultural working machine, a unit for reconciling a crop material quantity stored in the crop material storage unit depending on at least one characteristic parameter, and a unit for dynamically adapting the reconciliation to changes in the at least one characteristic parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Publication date: June 14, 2007
    Inventors: Norbert Diekhans, Andreas Brunnert
  • Patent number: 7155888
    Abstract: A self-propelled agricultural machine having a position-finding system including a position-finding device for detecting positions of guide variables relative to the machine and at least one adjusting device for adjusting the orientation of the region of coverage of the position-finding device relative to the machine. The position of the crop edge detected by the position-finding device is used for adjustment of the orientation of the region of coverage of the position-finding device relative to the machine. The position-finding system provides reliable control of the machine along the path of the crop edge. At least one adjusting device orientates the positioning-finding device relative to the machine for tracking the machine along the detected crop edge. In addition, the signals of a further position-finding device in a feed region of a cutterbar is taken into consideration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: CLAAS Selbstfahrende GmbH
    Inventor: Norbert Diekhans
  • Publication number: 20060069485
    Abstract: An agricultural working machine has at least one working unit, a driver's cab; at least one display unit provided in the driver's cab and having a basic electronic viewing screen for showing a plurality of machine and/or crop parameters stored in different functionality windows, the at least one display unit being assigned to the at least one working unit, the at least one display unit with the basic electronic viewing screen and the different functionality windows being formed so that when at least one additional functionality window is open, an open functionality window is zoomed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Publication date: March 30, 2006
    Inventor: Norbert Diekhans
  • Publication number: 20050273253
    Abstract: In a route planning system and method for agricultural working machines, a defined working width is assigned to the agricultural working machines to generate driving routes in a territory, and dynamic adaptation of the planned driving route is carried out thereby ensuring that the driving route to be covered is flexibly adaptable to changing external conditions such as driving around obstacles, thereby largely relieving the operator of the agricultural working machine of the task of performing laborious steering maneuvers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Publication date: December 8, 2005
    Inventors: Norbert Diekhans, Jochen Huster, Andreas Brunnert
  • Publication number: 20050090960
    Abstract: Transformation of differently structured signals of different track guidance systems for automatic control of a steering device in an agricultural working machine includes supplying the differently structured signals of different track guidance systems to a transformation device, and generating by the transformation device from each of the different structured signals a uniform output signal to be used for automatically controlling a steering device of an agricultural working machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Publication date: April 28, 2005
    Inventors: Andreas Brunnert, Jochen Huster, Norbert Diekhans
  • Patent number: 6791488
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the distance between an agricultural machine and a surface such as the ground, wherein at least one sensor contactlessly determines the distance between the sensor and the surface. The sensor uses electromagnetic waves to penetrate through the field vegetation. The sensor may be a radar, a microwave or a laser sensor. The electromagnetic wave is emitted in a vertical direction toward the ground and reflected back to the sensor. The determined distance is used for automatically maintaining a working height of a front attachment, such as a cutterbar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Diekhans, Helmut Homburg, Jochen Huster, Manfred Pollklas
  • Patent number: 6682416
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatic adjustment of a transfer device on an agricultural harvesting machine includes a sensor for determining the current position of the transfer device; means for adjustment of the transfer device; a navigation device located in the harvesting machine for determination of a first and a second navigated position in a field; and an electronic analyzer wherein the electronic analyzer automatically adjusts the transfer device through the means for adjustment as a function of the current position of the transfer device and the first and second navigated positions of the harvesting machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Willi Behnke, Norbert Diekhans, Jochen Huster, Gunnar Quincke
  • Publication number: 20030184747
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the distance between an agricultural machine and a surface such as the ground, wherein at least one sensor contactlessly determines the distance between the sensor and the surface. The sensor uses electromagnetic waves to penetrate through the field vegetation. The sensor may be a radar, a microwave or a laser sensor. The electromagnetic wave is emitted in a vertical direction toward the ground and reflected back to the sensor. The determined distance is used for automatically maintaining a working height of a front attachment, such as a cutterbar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Applicant: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Diekhans, Helmut Homburg, Jochen Huster, Manfred Pollklas
  • Publication number: 20030145571
    Abstract: A self-propelled agricultural machine having a position-finding system including a position-finding device for detecting positions of guide variables relative to the machine and at least one adjusting device for adjusting the orientation of the region of coverage of the position-finding device relative to the machine. The position of the crop edge detected by the position-finding device is used for adjustment of the orientation of the region of coverage of the position-finding device relative to the machine. The position-finding system provides reliable control of the machine along the path of the crop edge. At least one adjusting device orientates the positioning-finding device relative to the machine for tracking the machine along the detected crop edge. In addition, the signals of a further position-finding device in a feed region of a cutterbar is taken into consideration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: Norbert Diekhans
  • Publication number: 20020083695
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatic adjustment of a transfer device on an agricultural harvesting machine includes at least one sensor for determining the current position of the transfer device; means for adjustment of the transfer device; at least one navigation device located in the harvesting machine for determination of a first and at least a second navigated position of the harvesting machine in a field; and an electronic analyzer wherein the electronic analyzer automatically adjusts the transfer device through the means for adjustment as a function of the current position of the transfer device and the first and second navigated positions of the harvesting machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Applicant: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Willi Behnke, Norbert Diekhans, Jochen Huster, Gunnar Quincke
  • Patent number: 6415229
    Abstract: A system of positioning mobile objects has a satellite receiving unit arrangeable on a mobile object, a plurality of navigation satellites rotating on earth's orbits so that their positions continuously change relative to a stationary point, and so that satellite signals are received by the satellite receiving unit for determination of their position coordinates, a stationary reference satellite receiving station arranged so that the satellite receiving unit of the mobile object receives a correction signal with correction data from the stationary reference satellite receiving unit for exactly known position coordinates and for a computation of corrected position data, an electronic evaluating and processing unit through which the correction signals received from at least two reference satellite receiving stations are supplied, the evaluating and processing unit determining from the correction signals of the different stationary reference satellite receiving stations an optimal error correction signal, s
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Claas KGaA
    Inventor: Norbert Diekhans
  • Publication number: 20020073770
    Abstract: The invention relates to a moisture measuring device and a method for measuring moisture of the crop material in harvesting machines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 1998
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: NORBERT DIEKHANS, ALFONS KERSTING, WILLI BEHNKE
  • Patent number: 6389785
    Abstract: A device on a mobile agricultural machine for contactless scanning of contours extending over the ground, such as the contour of a swath of crop material. In this case there is used a laser distance measuring device consisting of a laser beam transmitting and receiving device which determines the distance from a contour point by measuring the running time of a laser scanning beam emitted and reflected at the contour point. The laser scanning beams are pivoted within a certain angular range stepwise or continuously in a scanning beam plane. In this case the laser distance measuring device is mounted with an orientation on the agricultural machinery such that the scanning beam plane is inclined to the ground at an acute angle forwards in the direction of travel. With the aid of an analyzer, the position of the contour point corresponding to each pivot angle, based upon the measured distance and the arrangement and orientation of the laser distance measuring device on the agricultural machine, can be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Claas Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Diekhans, Jochen Huster
  • Patent number: 6389884
    Abstract: The invention relates to a moisture measuring device and a method for measuring moisture of the crop material in harvesting machines. To improve the moisture measurement, the combination of the moisture measuring device with a sensor state monitoring device ensures that the manual calibration effort is reduced. According to the method disclosed in the present invention, the correction value from the measured moisture value is at least, in part, a function of the working condition of the harvesting machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Diekhans, Alfons Kersting, Willi Behnke
  • Patent number: 6327899
    Abstract: A device for moisture measurement in harvesting machines, including removing material to be measured from a stream of crop material, supplying the material to be measured to a measuring chamber, an associated moisture sensor, and returning the measured material to the stream of crop material. One improvement is compulsory cleaning and/or emptying of the measuring chamber and/or of at least one moisture sensor. As a result, fouling and blockages are avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Claas Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Diekhans, Georg Eggenhaus, Winfried Wesselmann, Willi Behnke
  • Patent number: 6282476
    Abstract: An agricultural machine, in particular a combine harvester and thresher, which is comprised of component devices (1-N) with associated microprocessors (M1-MN), of which at least one is a control station processor (M1) with a control keypad (TA) and a screen (V), which microprocessors are connected to measurement, actuation members of the respective component devices (1-N) and regarding this, process data that appears in the component device (1-N) in a controlling and/or regulating manner, or in a manner which displays it, wherein these microprocessors (M1-MN) are connected syndetically to a standard communications bus (B) via conventional interface circuits (SS) and via these circuits, continuously transmit operating data with an identifier, which is specific to the operating data, wherein in the individual microprocessors (M1-MN), the identifiers of these kinds of operating data, which are to be received, are stored in a table as a one in bit configuration and are accessed with the identifier at the bit posi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Claas oHG
    Inventors: Peter Hieronymus, Norbert Diekhans, Wille Behnke
  • Patent number: 6257072
    Abstract: A mobile harvesting machine, in particular a forage harvester, has a measuring device for determining a parameter specific to crop material or conveyed material. Here the harvesting machine comprises an attachment for picking up the crop material and at least one implement for working the crop material. The measuring device in the harvesting machine is arranged on the path of crop material between the implement and the region in which the stream of crop material has been brought to its final stream width. In this region it is ensured that the stream of crop material exerts a low pressure on the measuring device. Another advantage is that due to the site of attachment, the pressure difference is minimal for different throughputs of crop material. This arrangement of the measuring device further allows good checking of the measuring device for wear and soiling and is easily accessible in case of possible repairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Claas Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Norbert Diekhans
  • Patent number: 6247510
    Abstract: The transfer device of an agricultural harvester, in particular a self-propelled forage harvester, is controlled to avoid crop loss and improve operating efficiency. The harvested crop is transferred from the agricultural harvester to a transport receptacle via an upper discharge chute. Apparatus controls the pivoting and vertical movement of the transfer device while the crop stream is spewed in a manner to avoid crop loss and improve the filling capacity during the transfer. The angle between the pivotable transfer device and the longitudinal direction of the agricultural harvester is calculated from the quantity of the correcting value to predetermine the direction of travel of the agricultural harvester. During travel, the apparatus is effective even during a curved path of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Claas Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Diekhans, Jochen Huster, Christoph Bussmann, Sebastian Gamble
  • Patent number: 6244024
    Abstract: A position-finding device for locating the position of a working edge, especially the edge of a crop, wherein the position-finding signal therefrom is supplied in the form of a steering adjustment value to an electrically controlled steering device in an agricultural machine, and wherein the device comprises a first sub position-finding device including a transmitter and a receiver whose zone of reflection extends mainly over the field that has not yet been worked, especially the not yet harvested field, and a second sub position-finding device including a further transmitter and a further receiver whose differing reflection zone is aligned such as to overlap both sides of the working edge, wherein the two reflection zones partially overlap and the two transmitters are simultaneously triggered by a pulse whereby the two receivers accordingly receive overlapping partial reception signals originating from the two transmitters and reflected by the unworked field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Diekhans, Jochen Huster