Abstract: A pickup for a combine-towed baler. In one embodiment, crop material such as the residue or material other than grain (MOG) from the back of the combine is directly projected toward a target on a baler collection device. A tailboard with deflection panels may be used to alter the direction of the crop residue from the combine. The tongue of the baler is configured to not obstruct the crop material as the crop material is projected toward the baler. One or more knives of a chopper coupled to the combine may be configured to optimally project MOG toward the baler. Also, the stuffer chute of the baler may be configured to facilitate the flow of crop material such as MOG and therefore minimize obstructions. The crop material is transferred from the combine to the baler without the use of a conveyor.

Abstract: An agricultural combine with a plurality of grain tanks and an unloader system for unloading grain harvested by the combine. The unloader system has an unloader tube, a sensor and a controller. The unloader tube includes an interior passageway with a conveyor inside the interior passageway for moving the grain through the unloader tube and at least two discharge assemblies on the unloader tube for discharging grain traveling through the unloader tube to one of the plurality of grain tanks. The sensor is used for sensing an attribute of the grain that is to be unloaded through the unloader tube. The controller is operatively connected to and in communication with the unloader system and sensor so as to discharge the grain from the unloader tube through one of the at least two discharge assemblies based upon the attribute detected by the sensor.

Abstract: A crop baler has a plunger reciprocable through compression and retraction strokes for compressing charges of crop material into bales within the baler. The crop baler also includes a rotatable flywheel operably coupled with the plunger for transferring kinetic energy to the plunger during reciprocation of the plunger. An output shaft is operably coupled with the flywheel for rotating the flywheel and driving the plunger through its compression and retraction strokes and an input shaft is adapted to be coupled with a power takeoff shaft of a towing tractor for receiving driving power from the tractor. The crop baler also includes a continuously variable transmission operably coupled between the input and output shafts for adjusting the ratio of the angular velocities of the shafts in response to changes in the angular velocity of the flywheel while maintaining the input shaft at a substantially constant angular velocity.

Abstract: An agricultural combine with a plurality of grain tanks and an unloader system for unloading grain harvested by the combine. The unloader system has an unloader tube, a sensor and a controller. The unloader tube includes an interior passageway with a conveyor inside the interior passageway for moving the grain through the unloader tube and at least two discharge assemblies on the unloader tube for discharging grain traveling through the unloader tube to one of the plurality of grain tanks. The sensor is used for sensing an attribute of the grain that is to be unloaded through the unloader tube. The controller is operatively connected to and in communication with the unloader system and sensor so as to discharge the grain from the unloader tube through one of the at least two discharge assemblies based upon the attribute detected by the sensor.

Abstract: A helical-acting snap roll for a harvesting header having straight flutes which are free of a formed twist. The snap roll includes a plurality of elongated straight flutes that extend substantially the entire length of the snap roll but that are parallel misaligned with a central axis of rotation of the snap roll. A pair of opposing and counter-rotating snap rolls of the present invention chops and pulls crop stalks passing therebetween downward toward the ground while also creating a helical action such that the crop stalks are conveyed rearward. In one embodiment, at least a pair of straight portions acting as flutes are partially parallel aligned with one another along the length and one side of each snap roll.

Abstract: A helical-acting snap roll for a harvesting header having straight flutes which are free of a formed twist. The snap roll includes elongated straight flutes that extend substantially the entire length of the snap roll but that are parallel misaligned with a central axis of rotation of the snap roll. A pair of opposing and counter-rotating snap rolls of the present invention chops and pulls crop stalks passing therebetween downward toward the ground while also creating a helical action such that the crop stalks are conveyed rearward.

Abstract: A combine harvester having a tubular housing that concentrically receives a rotor used for threshing and separating crop materials. Concave assemblies are arranged side-by-side along the a processing system. The processing system also includes at lease one disrupter plate placed between adjacent concave assemblies having an arcuate configuration similar to that of concave assemblies. An upper edge of the disrupter plate projects above the transverse bars and curved rods of the concave assemblies toward the rotor to slow the axial flow of the crop material through the rotor housing. Accordingly, the disrupter plate provides a tortuous flowpath for the crop material as it moves axially through the processing system to permit the more time for threshing and separation to take place.

Abstract: The present application discloses detecting an asperity on a storage media surface using two amplitude threshold crossings of an asperity detection signal within a preset timing window. The present application further discloses a temperature-dependent resistive asperity sensor and a preamplifier that correlates a resistance change at the asperity sensor within a preset timing window to detect an asperity on a storage media surface. The asperity may be one or both of a void in the storage media surface and a protrusion from the storage media surface.

Abstract: First and second snap rolls corresponding with a pair of forward-extending row units of a harvesting header wherein the snap rolls oppose one another on opposite sides of a crop passage and are operated at different speeds relative to one another. In one embodiment one of the snap rolls is a powered snap roll and the other is an idler roll.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method is presently disclosed for a control circuitry capable of managing a heat source used in data storage applications. Various embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to a heat source directed at a data storage medium with a synchronization signal and a serial interface that are each selectively activated via a demultiplexed write gate signal. The selective activation allows for pulsed operation of the heat source resulting in reduced duty cycle and temperature during a write operation.

Abstract: A removable divider for a row unit of an agricultural header. The divider is configured to be detachably retained by mounting portions of a frame of the row unit. The divider is retained by the mounting portions of the frame when the divider is in a first position relative the row unit for harvesting crop and is removable from the mounting portions when the divider is in a second position relative the row unit. Outward and parallel extending portions abut the frame of the row unit when the divider is in the first position but then allow the divider to be removed from the row unit when the divider is moved into the second position.

Abstract: A frame for a harvesting header has a top beam extending across substantially a full width of the harvesting header and has ends arranged adjacent respective ends of the harvesting header and a midpoint in a center area of the harvesting header. The header frame has a bottom beam substantially parallel to the top beam extending less than the full width of the harvesting header and having a midpoint in the center area of the harvesting header. Vertical main structures connect the top and bottom beams. Diagonal truss members connect the ends of the top beam and interfaces of the bottom beam and vertical main structures. The vertical main structures form a feederhouse interface at the center area of the harvesting header. The top beam and bottom beam are continuous through the center area of the harvesting header. Header drive assemblies are mounted at the ends of the bottom beam.

Abstract: A continuous baler includes a round baler and an accumulation conveyor for providing crop to the round baler. The accumulation conveyor may include a conveyor belt. A controller determines an operational mode of the baler and manipulates the accumulation conveyor in response to the operational mode. For example, the controller operates the accumulation conveyor in a feed direction during a bale-forming mode of the baler and operate the conveyor from an initialized position at a slower speed in the feed direction during a non-bale-forming mode. A pickup may provide crop material to the accumulation conveyor during both bale-forming and non-bale-forming modes.

Abstract: A pickup for a combine-towed baler. In one embodiment, crop material such as the residue or material other than grain (MOG) from the back of the combine is directly projected toward a target on a baler collection device. A tailboard with deflection panels may be used to alter the direction of the crop residue from the combine. The tongue of the baler is configured to not obstruct the crop material as the crop material is projected toward the baler. One or more knives of a chopper coupled to the combine may be configured to optimally project MOG toward the baler. Also, the stuffer chute of the baler may be configured to facilitate the flow of crop material such as MOG and therefore minimize obstructions. The crop material is transferred from the combine to the baler without the use of a conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method is presently disclosed for a control circuitry capable of managing a heat source used in data storage applications. Various embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to a heat source directed at a data storage medium with a synchronization signal and a serial interface that are each selectively activated via a demultiplexed write gate signal. The selective activation allows for pulsed operation of the heat source resulting in reduced duty cycle and temperature during a write operation.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine power cycle wherein a combustion chamber is fitted with an inlet valve, an outlet valve, and movable piston coupled to perform work, includes an generator to form a stream of greater than about 95% molecular oxygen from atmospheric air and a nitrogen waste gas stream; a source of fuel; and a source of liquid water. The power cycle includes admission of the molecular oxygen into the chamber, injection of the fuel into the chamber with combustion, and injection of atomized water into the chamber for generation of steam.

Abstract: A combine harvester has a threshing mechanism with a rotor and a plurality of concaves for threshing grain and cleaning apparatus for removing chaff from the threshed grain. The cleaning apparatus includes a rotor pan arranged below the concaves and a sieve arranged below the rotor pan. A fan is arranged to blow air into an inlet. A duct has a wall defining a passage in fluid communication with the inlet, a first exhaust and a second exhaust in fluid communication with the passage. The first exhaust is arranged to direct a first portion of airflow on the sieve and then up toward the underside of the rotor pan. The second exhaust is located above the rotor pan and arranged to direct a second portion of airflow between the top of the rotor pan and an underside of the concaves.

Abstract: A method of electronically sensing the fill of material in a stuffer chute and tripping a stuffer of a baler.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a continuous baler includes a round baler and an adjustable conveyor for providing crop to the round baler. The adjustable conveyor may include a conveyor belt and a controller for manipulating the conveyor belts. In one example embodiment, the speed of the conveyor is adjusted in accordance with the operation of the baler.

Abstract: A baling apparatus for towing behind a combine, said baling apparatus comprising a tongue to enable said towing, said baling apparatus defining a target for receiving at least a portion of material discharged directly from the combine across a gap extending the distance from a rear of the combine to a front of said baling apparatus to impact on said target of said baling apparatus through an opening defined by forward frame members and a cross member connected to the tongue rather than impacting the ground.