Abstract: An improved shock isolation system having an operator platform wherein an operator chair is interposed as a physical barrier between the operator's graphic terminal and the processing equipment that controls the graphic terminal so that the processing equipment is maintained in a normally non-operator contactable position by interpositioning an operator's chair therebetween thereby minimizing the opportunity of the operator being injured by being accidentally thrown in to the processing equipment.

Abstract: A soil analysis system for determining one or more categories of soil based upon the particle sizes in a soil sample. The soil analysis system includes an image sensor and an image analysis assembly. The image sensor produces an image to distinguish individual particles of a soil sample and calculates particle size. The image analysis assembly is coupled to the image sensor to determine a category for each particle based upon the size of the particles, percentage of each category of particles, and one or more categories of soil for the soil sample.

Abstract: A circular cylindrical container having sealed ends provides a device for dissipating mechanical forces. The container is filled with particulate material and has circular wheel-like structures having rims and spokes located in the interior of the container in which the rim circumferences of the wheel-like structures increase as they are located further and further away from the centroid of the container along the elongated axis of the container toward one of the sealed ends.

Abstract: A circular cylindrical container having sealed ends provides a device for dissipating mechanical forces. The container is filled with particulate material and has circular wheel-like structures having rims and spokes located in the interior of the container in which the rim circumferences of the wheel-like structures increase as they are located further and further away from the centroid of the container along the elongated axis of the container toward one of the sealed ends.

Abstract: An energy dissipation system for limiting forces applied to object; includes a piston rod that extends out of a pneumatic cylinder which contacts the object, the piston rod is forced from its initial position against a return spring and air is forced into an air line. The force transmitted to the object is consumed by an energy transformation device that responds to the air in the air line. [One such energy transformation device as an air accumulator, which is coupled to the air line trough a check valve. An orifice or release valve, releases air up a predetermined flow rate so that the linear motion of the protected object is transformed into work, which is dissipated.] [Another] The energy transformation device consists of an air-driven motor coupled to a heavy flywheel [through] that is driven by the motor.

Abstract: A swath planning system accepts curved path information to synthesize and generate parallel curved paths. The swath planning system terminates the generation of parallel curved paths which exceed physical limitations of the associated machinery. The swath planning system provides an operator with significant advance information to create a more efficient and relaxed product application. The swath planning system further provides environmental advantages to all through enhanced resource management by eliminating or significantly reducing ground and/or water contamination and by eliminating or significantly reducing product waste due to more precise and accurate placement of resources.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a soil anslysis system for determining various soil characteristics. Various soil characteristics may include moisture content, organic matter content and the presence of nitrogen phosphate, potassium and other elements. The soil analysis system includings a plurality of testing assemblies for determining soil characteristics. The soil analysis system further includes a soil testing device or probe which is operatively inserted into the soil to support the testing assemblies. Preferably, the soil analysis system is used in cooperation with a positioning system and a data collection system for recording soil characteristic data based upon the geographic location to which the soil characteristic data relates.

Abstract: An intelligent mobile product application control system capable of controlling product application by calculating control values on a per position basis from data that has traditionally been used to generate digital land area maps. The system includes a vehicle having coupled thereto at least one distributed network including at least one intelligent control module having a geographic raw data processor. The intelligent control module is responsive to raw geographic information data for controlling at least one actuator device in a manner that results in at least one predetermined product being applied to a predetermined geographic land area at variable rates determined by the raw geographic information data.

Abstract: A product application control system having at least one distributed network. Each distributed network includes at least one independent control module for controlling at least one activator device. The system includes a central processor which has a process distribution controller which monitors the level of processing activity of the central processor. The responsibility for processing objects is maintained in the central processor so long as the level of processing activity in the central processor does not exceed a predetermined target level. If the target level is exceeded the process distribution controller causes responsibility for processing one or more objects to be downloaded to at least one independent control module.

Abstract: An animated map display transposes information from any of the basic or application maps of a computer-controlled agronomic system, as well as geological or environmental features, physical structures, sensor signals, status information, and other data, into a two- or three-dimensional representation that is projected using a heads-up display (HUD) overlaid onto the real-world terrain and environment visible to the operator through the windshield of the product application vehicle. The animated map display may present information relating to a particular map set as a three-dimensional image corresponding spatially to real-world terrain or environment, as well as alphanumeric, pictorial, symbolic, color, or textural indicia relating to navigational, sensor, or other data inputs. The operator may use an input interface graphically linked to the animated map display to interactively enter information, relationships, or data into the database or agronomic system.

Abstract: A heads-up display (HUD) for a self-propelled agricultural vehicle or implement--particularly for applying a product to a field using a computer-controlled agronomic application system encompassing one or more application maps or animated map display systems--the heads-up display having a projection system relying upon selective refraction at the surface of the vehicle windshield (or a reflection-enhancing coating or screen applied to or used in lieu of projecting the animated map image directly on the windshield surface).

Abstract: An agricultural communications network including a master system which polls lower level systems for digital maps, each map comprising field character information indicative of a feature at each location of a farmer's field. An agronomist can correlate the data of the digital maps to ascertain common conditions which realize maximum yields. Farmers and their regional dealers participate in the system through subscription. Anonymity is maintained through hierarchy such that the farmers will participate in the network, thus expanding the data base for use by the agronomist. Thus, the participating subscribers facilitate expansion of the field of agronomy for the benefit of all.

Abstract: A quick reacting air spreader apparatus for transporting particulate solids includes an improved vertical auger assembly disposed within a cylindrical auger housing. The auger assembly includes a substantially continuous auger flighting rotatably coupled to a circular shaft and further includes at least one baffle assembly pivotally coupled to either a bottom surface of the flighting or to the circular shaft at predetermined locations selected to provide a desired or required loading on the vertical auger. Upward vertical movement of the particulate solids through the vertical auger open baffle assembly baffles and downward vertical movement of the particulate solids through the vertical auger close baffle assembly baffles thereby blocking further downward vertical movement of any particulate solids remaining above the baffle assemblies.

Abstract: A distributed network product applicator control system uses object-oriented software, windows interfacing, distributed network technology and Echelon LonWorks network technology allowing a fixed loop system to be expanded by adding a multiplicity of additional loops to the system with only a transparent effect on the whole. Each loop is independent thereby allowing application of a product in response to an application map for an area which is unique only to that particular loop.

Abstract: A closed-loop fertilizer application system capable of determining a soil prescription in near real-time, and dispensing fertilizer to the soil scene as a function of the soil prescription. The closed loop application system does not require the use of maps or navigation systems, but rather, ascertains a soil type and chemical composition on the go. In the preferred embodiment, the application system implements a spectrograph implementing the technology of spectroradiometry to determine soil type and present fertilizer composition in near real-time. An expert system determines the soil prescription based on the soil type and current fertilizer levels, and controls the dispensing rate of the fertilizer as a function of the vehicle speed. The soil analyzer is disposed a pre-determined distance forward of the vehicle such that there is adequate time to perform soil analysis, determine a soil prescription, and then dispense the fertilizer at the rear portion of the vehicle.

Abstract: A variable rate fertilizer spreading apparatus for spreading a precise amount of multiple types of fertilizers upon a field based upon a location in the field. The system comprises a controller accessing a soil map indicating the type of soil for each portion of the field, several fertilizer maps storing the desired fertilizer level of each of the fertilizers stored in product bins on the tractor, and several status maps each indicating the current fertilizer level at various locations of the field to be fertilized. By accessing the speed of the tractor via a speed indicator, and ascertaining the location of the tractor in the field via a position locator, such as an LORAN or GPS system, an expert system determines the dispensing rate of each of the fertilizers based on the various maps and the position and speed indicators such that the proper dispense rate of the fertilizers from bins is set to attain the desired level of fertilizers.