Patents by Inventor Steffen Sudhues

Steffen Sudhues 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: 20240099193
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cutting unit (2) for attachment to a harvester. In order to reduce the size of the clearances at the outer ends of the conveying elements in which, depending on the pivoting position of the frame elements relative to each other, the conveying elements are ineffective, the sidewalls (14) are designed to be movable transversely to the working direction (A) of the cutting unit (2) and relative to the frame (22) or the respective associated frame elements (24a, 24c).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Steffen Sudhues, Michael Pokriefke
  • Publication number: 20240090378
    Abstract: The aim of the invention is to increase the feed rate of the cutting unit while achieving lower costs. This aim is achieved, according to the invention, in that at least two reel support arms (26) supporting a reel part (24a, 24b, 24c) are interconnected, for conjoint rotation, by means of a torsion shaft (30a, 30b), the reel support arms (26a, 26b, 26c, 26d) and the torsion shaft (30a, 30b) form a reel support unit (32), the reel support unit (32) is connected to an adjustment drive (28a, 28b), which acts on one or more reel support arms (26a, 26b, 26c, 26d) and/or on the torsion shaft (30a, 30b) and, in the event of adjustment movements of the remotely controlled adjustment drive (28a, 28b), raises or lowers the associated reel part (24a, 24b, 24c), the torsion shaft (30a, 30b) has, on a first side, a bearing point (34) fixed in the axial direction of the torsion shaft (30a, 30b), and the torsion shaft is mounted, on a second side, in a plain bearing (38).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Steffen Sudhues, Michael Pokriefke
  • Publication number: 20240023484
    Abstract: A harvesting machine (2) is disclosed that includes an intake channel (10) that is connected to a height control (70), wherein the height control (70) lifts or lowers the intake channel (10), an attachment frame (8) that is connected to the intake channel (10), at least one lateral frame (78) pivotably connected to the attachment frame (8), at least one ground support (80) attached to each lateral frame (78), and at least one trailing arm (82) that is pivotably connected to the respective at least one lateral frame (78), and the at least one trailing arm (82) is fastened to the at least one ground support (80) There is evaluation electronics (36) that compares a force sensor signal (52) with a nominal value (60) and issues an adjusting command (44).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: STEFFEN SUDHUES, DIRK WEBERMANN, Raphael STÜCKMANN, Jochen SCHARMANN, MICHAEL POKRIEFKE
  • Publication number: 20230371424
    Abstract: In order to reduce crop losses, a double knife cutting system (11) is configured on the knife bar (6), where the double knife cutting system (11) includes a first part of the knife blades (18a) present on the cutting unit (2) are fastened to a first knife back (20a), this first part of the knife blades (18a) together with the first knife back (20a) forming the upper knife (22), and a second part of the knife blades (18b) present on the cutting unit (2) being fastened to a second knife back (20b), this second part of the knife blades (18b) together with the second knife back (20b) forming the lower knife (24), the upper knife (22) and the lower knife (24) being driven in opposite directions, and the sliding surface (14) being configured as a bar (16) which is connected in a stationary manner to the upper knife (22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: CHRISTIAN BROX, DIRK WEBERMANN, STEFFEN SUDHUES, MICHAEL POKRIEFKE
  • Publication number: 20230371425
    Abstract: In order to reduce crop losses in the region of the knife bar, a double knife cutting system (11) includes a first part of the knife blades (18a) present on the cutting unit (2) are fastened to a first knife back (20a), this first part of the knife blades (18a) together with the first knife back (20a) forming the upper knife (22), a second part of the knife blades (18b) present on the cutting unit (2) being fastened to a second knife back (20b), this second part of the knife blades (18b) together with the second knife back (20b) forming the lower knife (24), the upper knife (22) and the lower knife (24) being driven in opposite directions, and, of the rocker arms (34), a first rocker arm (34) being drive-connected to the upper knife (22) and a second rocker arm (34) being drive-connected to the lower knife (24).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: CHRISTIAN BROX, DIRK WEBERMANN, STEFFEN SUDHUES, MICHAEL POKRIEFKE
  • Publication number: 20230284555
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cutting mechanism (4) for attaching to a harvesting machine (2), comprising a frame (6) that is connected to a plurality of rocker arms (16) spaced apart from one another, facing in the working direction (A) and are movable vertically. In each case, a plurality thereof being configured at least in some portions as a leaf spring assembly (20) includes a plurality of leaf springs (22), and the front ends of these rocker arms (16) are connected in each case via a connecting component to knife angle bracket profiles (24), the cutting elements (18) of the cutting mechanism (4) being fastened thereto. For mounting of the knife angle bracket profiles (24), a connecting joint (26) with attachment means (28) on its sides facing transversely to the working direction (A) in order to connect an adjacent knife angle bracket profile (24) to connecting joint (26).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Alexander HEITKAMP, Christoph HARTMANN, Hans PÜTTER, Steffen SUDHUES
  • Publication number: 20230172110
    Abstract: A draper head has a draper head frame and an attachment frame for connection to a feeder housing of a harvester. The draper head frame is connected to swing arms facing in working direction and having front ends movable vertically. The front ends of the swing arms are connected to a blade angle section provided with cutting elements. A center draper belt frame is pivotably arranged at the draper head frame and has a center draper belt disposed thereat. Transverse conveyor belts convey crop transversely to the working direction to the center draper belt which conveys crop rearwardly toward a discharge opening of the draper head. A rotary conveyor is arranged upstream of the discharge opening for conveying the crop toward the discharge opening. A rotation axis of a rearward shaft of the center draper belt and a rotation axis of the center draper belt frame are concentrically arranged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2022
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Steffen Sudhues, Christoph Hartmann, Alexander Heitkamp, Dirk Webermann
  • Publication number: 20230124269
    Abstract: A draper head (2) for attachment to a harvesting machine (4) is provided. In order to be able to effortlessly equip the draper head (2) with an active fan, with which grains and ears of corn are blown in the direction of the belt conveyor device (12) in the region of the blade bar (8), a retrofitting interface (18) is provided, at which either a closed cover profile sheet (26) or an angle profile sheet (50) that is provided with air outlet openings (52) can be installed in the installation space (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Steffen Sudhues, Christoph Hartmann, Michael Pokriefke
  • Publication number: 20230092116
    Abstract: An agricultural attachment is provided with a cutter bar and a hydraulic motor for oscillatingly driving the cutter bar via an eccentric gear. The hydraulic motor is connected via a feed line and a return line to a hydraulic loaded with a hydrostatic liquid by a hydraulic pump. A switchover valve is integrated in the hydraulic circuit and switches pressure-dependently, wherein the switchover valve has a first switch position and a second switch position and is adjustable back and forth between the first switch position and the second switch position. The hydraulic motor is driven in the first switch position in a first rotational direction and is driven in the second switch position in a second rotational direction, wherein the second rotational direction is opposite to the first rotational direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Steffen Sudhues, Michael Pokriefke
  • Publication number: 20230038704
    Abstract: A header for a harvester has a reel extending transverse to a working direction of the header. The reel has reel rake tubes distributed circumferentially about the reel. Reel tines are fastened to the reel rake tubes. At least some reel tines are rotatably supported in bearings at the reel rake tubes and can rotate about a rotation axis along a movement path, predetermined by a control, from a neutral position into an evasion position and back. The evasion position corresponds to a spatial position in which a free end of the reel tines has moved in a direction corresponding to a conveying direction of the conveying device in the region of the reel tines. A distance of the free end to the reel rake tube in evasion position is reduced in relation to a distance of the free end to the reel rake tube in neutral position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Steffen Sudhues, Dominik Sälker, Michael Pokriefke
  • Publication number: 20220408644
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cutting mechanism (4) for installing onto a harvesting machine (2), comprising a frame (6) that has rocker arms (14) which point in the working direction and the front ends of which are secured to cutting elements (16) in order to cut the harvested crops, said rocker arms (14) together with the cutting elements (16) secured thereto being vertically movable relative to the frame (6). The aim of the invention is to provide an improved support for moving conveyor surfaces. This is achieved in that one or more support elements (20) are placed on the rocker arms (14), said support elements supporting conveyor surfaces (22) located above the rocker arms (14), and at least one of the support elements (20) is connected to the rocker arm (14) in a longitudinally movable manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Steffen Sudhues, Alexander Heitkamp, Michael Pokriefke
  • Publication number: 20220386528
    Abstract: The aim of the invention is to mount the cutting elements in a height-elastic manner in order to allow the cutter bar to be guided as close to the base as possible and in the process reduce the risk of damage in the event of contacting the base. This is achieved in that the adjustment drive (22) is rotatably connected to a first side (28) of a rocker lever (24) which can be rotated about an axis (26) and the second side (30) of which rotatably engages with an energy store (32) that is adjustable in length, and the frame part (6) can be moved against the force of the energy store (32) that is adjustable in length by the swinging arms (12) via a rocking movement of the rocker lever (24) about the axis (26) miming transversely to the working direction of the cutting mechanism (4) when a lifting force acts on at least one swinging arm (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Steffen Sudhues, Dirk Webermann, Raphael Stückmann, Jochen Scharmann, Michael Pokriefke
  • Publication number: 20220369558
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cutting unit (2) for attachment to the height-adjustable intake duct (6) of a harvester (4). In order to improve the sensor-supported height guidance of cutting units, it is proposed to provide at least one additional load sensor (26) which measures the load (28) with which the cutting unit (2) loads the intake duct (6), in order to calculate a height-control-relevant signal (32) from the transmitted sensor values (25) of the distance sensor (18) and the load sensor (26) via an evaluation device (24), which signal (32) is transmitted to the interface (34).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Jochen Scharmann, Raphael Stückmann, Dirk Webermann, Steffen Sudhues
  • Publication number: 20220338415
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cutting mechanism (4) for installing on a harvesting machine (2). The aim of the invention is to provide a cutting mechanism which comprises a mounting for the cutting elements and which adapts easily to the soil contour without thereby tilting into an uncontrolled swing. This is achieved in that multiple or all of the rocker arms (16) are designed as a respective leaf spring assembly (20) composed of multiple leaf springs (22), multiple or all of the leaf springs (22) lying flatly one on top of the other as a leaf spring assembly (20) are held together on the frame (6) between clamping elements (24) at the frame-side leaf spring ends, and only one or multiple leaf springs (22) arranged in the upper region of the leaf spring assembly (20) are connected to the cutting elements (18).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Steffen Sudhues, Alexander Heitkamp, Andre Hemmesmann, Michael Pokriefke
  • Publication number: 20210105944
    Abstract: A harvester is provided with a draper head that has a frame extending substantially across a working width of the draper head. Cutting elements are arranged at a front side of the draper head and connected to the frame. Conveying surfaces and conveying members transport cut crop from the cutting elements to a discharge location of the draper head. A reel extends transversely to a working direction of the draper head across the working width of the draper head. Reel support arms are pivotably supported on the frame and support the reel. A hydraulic adjusting drive is operatively connected to the reel support arms to pivot the reel support arms to carry out a height adjustment of the reel. A hydraulic circuit is operatively connected to the hydraulic adjusting drive and has a hydraulic valve that is able to lock the hydraulic circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Inventors: Steffen Sudhues, Michael Pokriefke
  • Patent number: 10765066
    Abstract: A harvesting head has a middle section connected to a carrier device and at least one side section connected by an articulated connection to the middle section about which the side section pivots between a lower and an upper limit value. The carrier device has a height adjustment device whose adjusting movements are controlled by a control. The harvesting head has a sensor transmitting a sensor signal to the evaluation device at least upon pivoting of the side section when a limit value has been achieved during pivoting of the side section to the middle section. The evaluation device switches upon the presence of a corresponding sensor signal into a correction mode for height adjustment of the carrier device. The evaluation device outputs an adjusting signal in the correction mode to adjust the carrier device up or down by the evaluation device according to the sensor signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Carl Geringhoff GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stephan Schulze Selting, Steffen Sudhues, Jan Schulze Rückamp, Jochen Scharmann, Raphael Stückmann
  • Publication number: 20180368320
    Abstract: A cutting system for a combine harvester has a three-part frame with frame parts articulately joined with each other. A cutter bar, a reel, a central belt conveyor system, and lateral belt conveyor systems for discharging the cut stalk material are supported by the frame. The lateral belt conveyor systems move transversely to the travel direction towards the central belt conveyor system. The central belt conveyor system moves contrary to the travel direction. To prevent accumulation of crop material near the rear wall of the lateral belt conveyor systems, a three-part screw conveyor is arranged near the rear wall and extends across the operating width of the cutting system such that the length of the screw conveyor parts corresponds at least approximately to the width of the frame parts. The screw conveyor parts are powered by a joint drive. Adjacent screw conveyor parts are mutually connected by universal joints.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Stephan Schulze Selting, Steffen Sudhues, Jan Schulze Rückamp, Christoph Hartmann, Dirk Webermann, Martin Brinkmann
  • Publication number: 20180368317
    Abstract: A harvesting head has a middle section connected to a carrier device and at least one side section connected by an articulated connection to the middle section about which the side section pivots between a lower and an upper limit value. The carrier device has a height adjustment device whose adjusting movements are controlled by a control. The harvesting head has a sensor transmitting a sensor signal to the evaluation device at least upon pivoting of the side section when a limit value has been achieved during pivoting of the side section to the middle section. The evaluation device switches upon the presence of a corresponding sensor signal into a correction mode for height adjustment of the carrier device. The evaluation device outputs an adjusting signal in the correction mode to adjust the carrier device up or down by the evaluation device according to the sensor signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Stephan Schulze Selting, Steffen Sudhues, Jan Schulze Rückamp, Jochen Scharmann, Raphael Stückmann
  • Patent number: 10143136
    Abstract: A header has frame sections that are joined for articulation with each other. The frame sections each form a partial working width of the header. The frame sections include outer lateral frame sections and a central frame section. A relief element is connected to the central frame section and an outer lateral frame section adjacent to the central frame section. The relief element is adjustable between a springy setting and a locked setting. The relief element has a spring movable in a loading direction and also a spatial body rigid in the loading direction. The spring is connected to the first outer lateral frame section by a bolt guided in a slotted hole of the rigid spatial body. A pivotable stop element with stops is pivotable into a plurality of pivot positions. A spring travel of the spring is adjustable by the stops of the stop element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Carl Geringhoff GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Steffen Sudhues, Jan Bernd Schulze Rückamp, Jens Amelingmeyer, Stephan Schulze Selting
  • Publication number: 20170094904
    Abstract: A header has frame sections that are joined for articulation with each other. The frame sections each form a partial working width of the header. The frame sections include outer lateral frame sections and a central frame section. A relief element is connected to the central frame section and an outer lateral frame section adjacent to the central frame section. The relief element is adjustable between a springy setting and a locked setting. The relief element has a spring movable in a loading direction and also a spatial body rigid in the loading direction. The spring is connected to the first outer lateral frame section by a bolt guided in a slotted hole of the rigid spatial body. A pivotable stop element with stops is pivotable into a plurality of pivot positions. A spring travel of the spring is adjustable by the stops of the stop element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: Steffen Sudhues, Jan Bernd Schulze Rückamp, Jens Amelingmeyer, Stephan Schulze Selting