Between Opposed Belts Patents (Class 100/88)
  • Patent number: 11917948
    Abstract: An agricultural vehicle includes: a bale chamber configured to form a bale therein; a pickup having a plurality of tines configured to pickup and convey crop material rearwardly during rotation of the pickup; a rotatable rotor having a plurality of teeth configured to convey crop material rearwardly toward the bale chamber through a feeding mouth during rotation of the rotor; a wrapping system comprising a material roll configured to hold wrapping material fed to the bale; and a bale chamber roller disposed adjacent to the feeding mouth and defining a last roller of the bale chamber relative to the material roll. At least one wrap material knife includes at least one severing edge disposed between the bale chamber roller and the rotor and configured to sever wrapping material pulled forwardly by the rotor during rotation of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Enrico Giuliani
  • Patent number: 11832556
    Abstract: A baler for forming a bale of crop material includes a plurality of walls defining a bale chamber. A drive roller and a plurality of idler rollers are disposed in the bale chamber. At least one baling belt contacts the drive roller and the plurality of idler rollers. A bale engagement roller is rotatable about a bale engagement roller axis. The bale engagement roller is positioned to directly engage crop material in the bale chamber. An actuator is coupled to the bale engagement roller. The actuator translates the bale engagement roller in a direction perpendicular to the bale engagement roller axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Wigdahl, Justin E. Hummel, Jeremy P. Robison
  • Patent number: 11812700
    Abstract: An agricultural baler with a pre-compression chamber configured to introduce a slice towards a baling chamber. The baling chamber includes a plunger provided for reciprocally moving in the baling chamber, the reciprocal movement having a power movement. In use, during the power movement, slices of crop material are compressed into a bale and the bale is pushed through the baling chamber. The baling chamber further includes at least one movable wall for exercising a compression force to the crop material in a direction transverse to the propelling movement so that, in use, the at least one movable wall provides a counter pressure for the propelling through the baling chamber of the bale. The agricultural baler further includes a controller adapted to influence a compression force of the at least one movable wall at a predetermined moment of the power movement to reduce the counter pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Kenny Nona, Didier Verhaeghe, Tom Coen
  • Patent number: 11771010
    Abstract: A round includes a housing and a gate rotatably attached to the housing for rotation about a gate rotation axis, and a forming belt that defines a variable sized baling chamber. A take-up roller supports the forming belt. A first actuator is coupled to the take-up roller and is operable to automatically apply a first bias force to the take-up roller to urge the take-up roller into a slack take-up position to reduce slack in the forming belt as the gate moves relative to the housing. A second actuator is coupled to the take-up roller for applying a second bias force to the take-up roller, in opposition to the first bias force, to restrict movement of the take-up roller into the slack take-up position to introduce slack into the forming belt when the gate is opened to an intermediate position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Daniel E. Derscheid
  • Patent number: 11760576
    Abstract: A conveyor belt with flow control cleats that includes belting, first cleats and second cleats. The belting has a first side edge and a second side edge. The first cleats extend from the belting. The first cleats are oriented at an angle with respect to the first side edge of between about 30 degrees and about 60 degrees. The second cleats extend from the belting. The second cleats are oriented at an angle with respect to the second side edge of between about 30 degrees and about 60 degrees. The first cleats and the second cleats both include a first long cleat section, a second long cleat section, a short cleat section and a third long cleat section. The short cleat section has a length that is shorter than a length of the first long cleat section. The second long cleat section is between the first long cleat section and the short cleat section. The short cleat section is between the second long cleat section and the third long cleat section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: ContiTech Transportbandsysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Michael B. Schroeder, Travis Mackey, Zach Kosienski
  • Patent number: 11740632
    Abstract: A system including a controller associated with an agricultural vehicle. The controller is configured to determine route-plan-data that is representative of a route to be taken by the agricultural vehicle in an agricultural field, based on bale-location-data. The bale-location-data is representative of the location of bales in the agricultural field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Joachim Boydens, Thomas Debbaut, Didier Verhaege
  • Patent number: 11700792
    Abstract: A torque smoothing apparatus is utilized in conjunction with a large square baler (LSB), which includes a bale chamber, a plunger mounted for reciprocation within the bale chamber, and an LSB drive line. In embodiments, the torque smoothing apparatus includes a planetary gear train and a flywheel, which is mechanically coupled to the LSB drive line through the planetary gear train. An auxiliary motor having a motor output is mechanically coupled to the LSB drive line through the planetary gear train, while a controller is operably coupled to the auxiliary motor. The controller commands the auxiliary motor to selectively apply torque to the LSB drive line such that the torque applied by the auxiliary motor, taken in combination with a torque contribution of the flywheel, reduces variations in torque demands placed on a vehicle engine as the plunger reciprocates during LSB bale formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher D. Turner, William J. Vande Haar, Darin L. Roth
  • Patent number: 11690323
    Abstract: A baling chamber for an agricultural baler includes: a plurality of sidewalls defining a volume, one of the sidewalls having a roll opening formed therein; a plurality of belts disposed within the volume; a sledge assembly including at least one roll that is pivotable within the volume, the at least one roll having an exterior portion that extends out of the volume through the roll opening and a bearing disposed outside of the volume and associated with the exterior portion; and a drive assembly disposed outside of the volume, coupled to the exterior portion, and configured to rotate the at least one roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: C. Brandon Peterson, Ryan M. Figgins
  • Patent number: 11641807
    Abstract: A round baler includes a housing which has a housing part and an ejection flap which is pivotably mounted on this housing part about a bearing axis, and drivable pressing means which are allocated to the housing part and the ejection flap and which define a pressing chamber on the peripheral side, wherein the ejection flap is adjustable by means of a first adjusting apparatus such that when the ejection flap is opened an ejection opening is able to be formed between the housing part and the ejection flap and a dimension of the ejection flap is adjustable. The housing part comprises a retaining roller. The retaining roller is arranged so as to be adjustable between a resting position and a working position in which the retaining roller adopts a position disposed within the ejection opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Jonathan Lebeau, Pascal Gresset, Frederic Perrotin
  • Patent number: 11602099
    Abstract: The present disclosure refers to a method for operating a round baler. The method comprises providing a nonstop baler type machine; controlling a feeding mechanism for feeding of crop into a prechamber and a main bale forming chamber by a control system of the baler; in a feeding operation, feeding the crop through a first feeding channel into the prechamber; and switching the feeding operation by the control system, thereby, stopping feeding the crop into the prechamber and starting feeding the crop through a second feeding channel into a main bale forming chamber of the baler. The control system is configured to switch the feeding operation in response to a binding material parameter reaching a predetermined parameter value, the binding material provided for wrapping a bale formed in the main bale forming chamber. Furthermore, a round baler is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: KVERNELAND GROUP RAVENNA S.R.L.
    Inventors: Seamus Varley, Tim Baker
  • Patent number: 11576308
    Abstract: A roll assembly, which may be included in an agricultural baler, includes: a first roll having a first roll surface with a plurality of first extensions extending therefrom, the first extensions defining a first rotation path when rotated; and a second roll having a second roll surface with a plurality of second extensions extending therefrom, the second extensions defining a second rotation path when rotated. The first roll and the second roll are disposed adjacent to one another such that the first rotation path and the second rotation path partially overlap. At least one roll driver is coupled to at least one of the first roll or the second roll and configured to rotate the first roll and the second roll in the rotation direction such that the first extensions and the second extensions do not collide with each other during rotation of the first roll and the second roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: C. Brandon Peterson
  • Patent number: 11547056
    Abstract: A frame assembly of an agricultural round baler. The agricultural round baler includes at least one roller and a tail gate. The frame assembly includes a main frame and a pair of frame modules removably connected to the main frame. Each frame module of the pair of frame modules includes at least one roller mount configured for mounting the at least one roller and a tail gate mount configured for mounting the tail gate and defining a pivot axis of the tail gate. The pair of frame modules defines a baler size for producing a correspondingly sized round bale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: C. Brandon Peterson, Jonathan Shenk, Enrico Giuliani
  • Patent number: 11533853
    Abstract: A calibration system for an agricultural vehicle includes: a motor-driven component; a motor coupled to the motor-driven component and configured to move the motor-driven component between a maximum distance position and a home position; and a controller operatively coupled to the motor. The controller is configured to: enter a component calibration mode; output a first movement signal to the motor to cause the motor to carry the motor-driven component toward the maximum distance position; determine that the motor-driven component has reached the maximum distance position; output a second movement signal to the motor to cause the motor to carry the motor-driven component toward the home position; and determine that the motor-driven component has reached the home position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Scott C. Simmons, Carl Brewer
  • Patent number: 11425863
    Abstract: Yield monitoring systems for round baling machines and methods that can provide weight estimations for round bales at the time of formation are described. Balers can include those that incorporate hydraulically actuated bale kicking or pushing assemblies as well as those that incorporate spring-loaded off ramps. Farm implements including baling machines and cotton module builders are encompassed. The system includes a sensor that can ascertain a physical parameter associated with ejection of a round bale from the farm implement. Physical parameters as may be ascertained can include pressures, velocities, accelerations, etc. associated with bale ejection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Clemson University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Kendall R. Kirk, H. Guy Ramsey, IV, Perry J. Loftis
  • Patent number: 11419271
    Abstract: A bale chamber for an agricultural baler includes a plurality of rolls; a plurality of belts wrapped around the rolls; a movable serpentine arm in contact with the belts and configured to move responsively to lifting by at least one of the belts; and a plurality of tensioning arms, each of the tensioning arms being forced against a respective one of the belts and independently movable relative to the other tensioning arms. Each tensioning arm is configured to move against and reduce slack in its respective belt as the serpentine arm moves out of contact with its respective belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Freek De Baere
  • Patent number: 11406063
    Abstract: A baler for forming a bale of crop material includes a plurality of walls defining a bale chamber. A drive roller and a plurality of idler rollers are disposed in the bale chamber. At least one baling belt contacts the drive roller and the plurality of idler rollers. A bale engagement roller is rotatable about a bale engagement roller axis. The bale engagement roller is positioned to directly engage crop material in the bale chamber. An actuator is coupled to the bale engagement roller. The actuator translates the bale engagement roller in a direction perpendicular to the bale engagement roller axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Wigdahl, Justin E. Hummel, Jeremy P. Robison
  • Patent number: 11395460
    Abstract: A baler ejection system, that may be used with an agricultural harvester, such as a round baler, waste baler, combine, or cotton harvester, uses the motion of a pair of parallel arms that extend transversely from the sidewalls of a bale chamber a set of distinct pivot points. When activated the parallel arms raise to expose an outlet through which the bale may be ejected. A formed bale may become ejected by one or more conveyer belts that exert a rearward force on the bale within the bale chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Kevin M. Smith
  • Patent number: 11382275
    Abstract: An apparatus for continuously forming round bales of forage material, and particularly round bales with compressed side walls, from windrowed harvested lines of forage, the apparatus including a continuous pickup, a continuous rotary chopper, an accumulation chamber with a compressed and chopped forage material entry slot and a decompressing exit slot plus a standard form intermittent round baler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Tube-Line Manufacturing Limited
    Inventors: Oscar Frey, Orvie Knorr
  • Patent number: 11352211
    Abstract: A conveyor belt with flow control cleats including belting, a first set of cleats and a second set of cleats. The belting has a first side edge and a second side edge. The first set of cleats has a plurality of first cleat sections. The first set of cleats are oriented at a first acute angle with respect to the first side edge. The second set of cleats has a plurality of second cleat sections. The second set of cleats are oriented at a second acute angle with respect to the second side edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: WCCO Belting, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael B. Schroeder, Travis Mackey, Zach Kosienski
  • Patent number: 11272669
    Abstract: A pickup unit of an agricultural baler that includes a frame, at least one draper belt, at least one belt actuator operably connected to the at least one draper belt, a first auger and a second auger each being rotatably connected to the frame and located above the at least one draper belt, and a first and a second auger actuator respectively operably connected to the first and second auger. The pickup unit also includes an electrical processing circuit operably connected to and configured for adjusting the at least one belt actuator, the first auger actuator, and the second auger actuator so that a rotational speed of the at least one draper belt, the first auger, and/or the second auger is increased or decreased to evenly distribute the crop material as the crop material is transported to the bale chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Jason L. Shonk
  • Patent number: 11208228
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a system and method for wrapping bales in a harvester that uses wrapping material stored in flat, folded layers instead of conventional round tubes or rolls, and specifically to a system for positioning and cutting the wrapping material during and after the process of wrapping a bale, the system comprising: a first feed roll, configured for dispensing a portion of wrapping material from a bundle; a feed plate system, configured to receive wrapping material and capable of applying a first amount of tension to the portion of wrapping material; and at least one cutting knife, positioned between the feed plate system and the bale chamber, such cutting knife independently movable from a first position to a second position; and a wrapping material channel positioned in operable communication with the bundle of wrapping material, the wrapping mechanism and the bale chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth Underhill
  • Patent number: 11166413
    Abstract: A press guiding device for a baler includes at least one continuous pressing device, at least two pressing segments, and at least one guiding device arranged at least partially between the pressing segments. The at least one guiding device is supported in a rotationally secure manner at or on a common axle with a roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: David M. Beaufort, Florian Benoit-Guerindon
  • Patent number: 11102931
    Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine having a multiple stage compression system includes first and second compression systems. The first compression mechanism partially compresses the crop material in a compression chamber. The second compression system having first and second compartments each having at least one open end and positioned rearward of the compression chamber. The second compression system has a first position in which the first compartment is aligned with the compression chamber and the second compartment is operatively positioned with a second compression mechanism. The second compression system has a second position in which the second compartment is aligned with the compression chamber and the first compartment is operatively positioned with a second compression mechanism. The second compression system includes a binding system operatively associated with the second compression mechanism. At least one of the first and second compartments rotate between the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Timothy J. Kraus
  • Patent number: 11096332
    Abstract: A non-stop round baler is towed by a towing vehicle and is divided into a collection chamber and a baling chamber. The collection chamber is disposed between a pick-up unit and the baling chamber. The collection chamber momentarily stores the crop material before being transferred to the baling chamber. A feed control gate is functionally disposed between the collection chamber and the baling chamber. The feed control gate is selectively switchable between a flow restricting configuration during a bale binding cycle and a bale ejection cycle, and a flow facilitating configuration during a bale forming cycle. When in the flow restricting configuration, the feed control gate blocks crop movement into the baling chamber. When in the flow facilitating configuration, the feed control gate facilitates crop movement into the baling chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Phani Anaparti, Rajasekar Siddheshwaran
  • Patent number: 11006579
    Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine having a multiple stage compression system includes first and second compression systems. The first compression system includes a first compression mechanism which partially compresses the crop material in a compression chamber. The second compression system includes first and second compartments each having at least one open end and positioned rearward of the compression chamber. The second compression system has a first position in which the second compartment is aligned with the compression chamber and the first compartment is operatively positioned with a second compression mechanism. The second compression system has a second position in which the second compartment is operatively positioned with a third compression mechanism and the first compartment is aligned with the compression chamber. The second compression system includes a binding system operatively associated with the second compression mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Timothy J. Kraus
  • Patent number: 10932417
    Abstract: A system for recompressing a round bale into a square bale includes a bottom platen to receive the round bale and a movable platen translatable relative to the bottom platen. The system includes an upper platen rotatable relative to the bottom platen. The upper platen is rotatable between a first position to receive the round bale between the bottom platen, the movable platen and the upper platen, and a second position in which the upper platen cooperates with the movable platen and the bottom platen to recompress the round bale into the square bale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Timothy J. Kraus
  • Patent number: 10925217
    Abstract: A baler for baling crop material, the baler including a frame, a feed assembly coupled to the frame, and a forming chamber where the forming chamber includes an inlet through which crop material may pass into the forming chamber. The baler also includes a moisture sensor configured to detect the moisture content of crop material passing into the forming chamber, a plurality of force sensors configured to detect the mass of a bale positioned within the forming chamber, and a controller in operable communication with the moisture sensor and the plurality of force sensors, and wherein the controller is configured to calculate the mass of dry matter contained within a bale positioned within the forming chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Timothy J. Kraus
  • Patent number: 10918020
    Abstract: A baler configured to execute a baling cycle to form a bale of crop material, the baler including a gate configured to move between a closed position and an open position. The system includes an accumulator coupled to the baler and having a receiving area configured to receive the bale from the baler when the gate is in the open position, and an actuator configured to direct the bale received from the baler selectively toward a first accumulation area or a second accumulation area of the accumulator. The system also includes a hydraulic circuit operatively coupled to the actuator and configured to, in a first configuration, move the actuator toward the first accumulation area and, in a second configuration, move the actuator toward the second accumulation area. A hydraulic valve is moved during the baling cycle to alternate the hydraulic circuit between the first configuration and the second configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Austin Jones, Sergio Miguel Valenzuela
  • Patent number: 10820524
    Abstract: A wrapping device of a round baler includes means for feeding an enveloping material through a feed gap into a pressing chamber of the round baler. The wrapping device further includes a directing means configured to maintain the enveloping material in contact with at least one pressing means of the round baler. The at least one pressing means is located adjacently below the feed gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Pascal Gresset, Frederic Perrotin
  • Patent number: 10820523
    Abstract: Systems and methods for recompressing a round bale into a square bale. The system includes a bottom platen to receive the round bale and an upper platen rotatably coupled to the bottom platen. The upper platen is rotatable between a first position to receive the round bale between the bottom platen and the upper platen, and a second position in which the upper platen cooperates with the bottom platen to recompress the round bale into the square bale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Timothy J. Kraus
  • Patent number: 10820528
    Abstract: A system for recompressing a round bale into a square bale includes a bottom platen and a fixed platen proximate the bottom platen. The system includes a transfer table to receive the round bale. The transfer table is movable relative to the bottom platen to transfer the round bale to the bottom platen and to recompress the round bale. The system includes an upper platen rotatable relative to the bottom platen and the fixed platen. The upper platen is rotatable between a first position to receive the round bale between the bottom platen, the fixed platen and the upper platen, and a second position in which the upper platen cooperates with the transfer table to recompress the round bale into the square bale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Timothy J. Kraus
  • Patent number: 10813291
    Abstract: A round baler may include a frame supported by one or more ground engaging devices, a bale forming chamber including sidewalls spaced apart a distance defining a width of the bale forming chamber, a discharge gate selectively operable between a baling position and a discharge position, and a bale forming apparatus, which forms the round bale in the bale forming chamber. The round baler may include a first set of spacers positioned adjacent at least one of the sidewalls reducing the effective width of the bale forming chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Timothy J. Kraus
  • Patent number: 10813293
    Abstract: A round baler for forming a bale of residual product includes a baling chamber, a plurality of press rolls mounted within the baling chamber, and at least one driving bar associated with at least one of the plurality of press rolls. The driving bar extends at least partially along the length of at least one of the plurality of press rolls. The round baler further includes at least one cylindrical portion defined partially along the length of the at least one of the plurality of press rolls. The at least one cylindrical portion is arranged to compensate for a radial extension of the at least one driving bar to define a uniform surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Pascal Gresset, Frederic Perrotin, Sébastien Guillemot
  • Patent number: 10806088
    Abstract: An agricultural baler system having a direction of travel and adapted to compile a windrow of crop into a bale, the agricultural baler system having a baler assembly coupled to the work machine and configured to consolidate crop from the underlying windrow into the bale, the baler assembly implementing a wrapping process to maintain the form of the bale and an eject process for ejecting the bale, and a windrow diverter selectively positionable between a divert position and a bypass position. Wherein, when the windrow diverter is in the divert position, the underlying windrow is repositioned as the baler assembly moves in the direction of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Timothy Kraus, Dennis Johnston
  • Patent number: 10757864
    Abstract: An accumulator system for a bale recompression system that recompresses a round bale into a square bale includes a bottom platen to receive the round bale and a movable platen translatable relative to the bottom platen. The accumulator system includes a source of a bale diameter that indicates a diameter of the round bale to be received and a controller, having a processor, configured to: receive as input the bale diameter and output one or more control signals to move the movable platen based on the bale diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Timothy J. Kraus
  • Patent number: 10595466
    Abstract: A roller for a variable chamber round baler includes an axle configured to be mounted to a mounting element of the baler, a rotary bearing mounted on the axle, and a roller casing supported by the bearing for rotation around the axle. The roller includes a first seal plate adjacent an end of the roller casing mounted in a fixed position relative to the axle and extending radially outwards towards the roller casing, and a second seal plate located between the first seal plate and the bearing mounted for rotation with the roller casing and extending radially inwards towards the axle and located axially inwards from the first seal plate to provide a space between the first and second seal plates. The first seal plate includes an opening in a lower portion through which waste crop material can escape outwards from the space between the first and second seal plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: KUHN-GELDROP BV
    Inventors: Jaap Johannes Wilhelmus Raaijmakers, Theodorus Antonius Tijsen
  • Patent number: 10588266
    Abstract: An agricultural baler comprising a baler mechanism. The agricultural baler comprises at least one structural member and a first ground engaging support is pivotally coupled to the structural member about a pivotal axis. A second ground engaging support is rotationally coupled to the structural member about an aft rotational axis. The baler mechanism is pivotally connected to the structural member at a baler connection. The baler connection is located at least one of between the aft rotational axis and the pivotal axis and at the pivotal axis. A bale carriage is coupled to the structural member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Timothy J. Kraus, Henry D. Anstey
  • Patent number: 10477775
    Abstract: A crop sensing system for a baler includes a compression system for forming a bale and a feed system for picking up crop from a surface and conveying the crop to the compression system. The crop sensing system includes a sensor arrangement having at least one sensor being coupled to at least one of the compression system or the feed system, wherein the at least one sensor generates a signal corresponding to a crop load on the at least one of the compression system or the feed system. The crop sensing system includes a control unit configured to receive the signal from the sensor arrangement and calculate crop mass data based on at least the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignees: DEERE & COMPANY, IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.
    Inventors: Eric R. Lang, Jeffrey Askey
  • Patent number: 10405496
    Abstract: An open throat intake for a baler, includes a pickup unit with tines for picking up crop material from the ground and carrying the crop material towards a lower roller located across a baler inlet. Above the lower roller is an upper roller both of which include auger fighting on outward sides thereof, which can overlap with the inlet. In use the contra-rotating flightings, by cooperation with a retainer plate, urge material carried from outside edges of the pick up unit toward the baler inlet which is generally narrower than the pick up unit. Gripping ribs provide a compressive in-feed function when large volumes of material are to be processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Kuhn-Geldrop BV
    Inventor: Leonardus Johannes Van Den Wildenberg
  • Patent number: 10385605
    Abstract: The round baler includes a frame and a tailgate pivotally mounted to the frame via a tailgate pivot axis. The tailgate is movable along a path of travel range between an open position and a closed position. When in the open position, a bale can be discharged from the baler and, when in the closed position, a bale is prevented from being discharged from the baler. The baler also includes a sensor that has a sensor axis. This sensor is mounted to the baler with the sensor axis approximately coaxial with the tailgate pivot axis. An operating portion of the sensor is operatively directly movable with the tailgate. The sensor has a mechanical rotary range that is at least the travel range of the tailgate; and an electrical sensing range. The electrical sensing range is less than both the mechanical rotary range and the travel range of the tailgate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Jacob Limke, Willem Jacobus Reijersen van Buuren, Ty Hartwick, Philip Robert Lane, Kent Thoreson
  • Patent number: 10383285
    Abstract: An improved belt tensioning system for an agricultural round baler that increases belt tension to reduce slippage between the belts and the driving rolls during the initial stage of a bale forming cycle when the bale chamber is empty and as the belts are beginning to be rolled. The system includes an accumulator that is pressurized by the tensioning system as a bale is being formed. The accumulator pressure may then be directed to a hydraulic cylinder included in a bale density system to increase tension in the belts after a completed bale is ejected and the bale chamber is being reset for the next bale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Scott C. Simmons, Michael J. Cooper, Kevin M. Smith
  • Patent number: 10378260
    Abstract: A hydraulic circuit mechanically linked to a panel and agricultural harvesters including the same. The hydraulic circuit can be used to facilitate the transition of hydraulic states from a quick speed to a slow speed, when opening and closing the panel. The hydraulic circuit includes a restrictive orifice and a fluid stop valve that, when opened, diverts the path of pressurized fluid away from a hydraulic actuator during the actuator's extension. The diversion of pressurized fluid away from the hydraulic cylinder or through the restrictive orifice substantially reduces the speed at which the panel opens or closes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Kevin M Smith
  • Patent number: 10334788
    Abstract: A baler having a compression system for forming a bale. The baler also has a feed system having a pack mode for accumulating the crop in a pre-compression chamber and a lift mode for conveying the crop to the compression system. The baler also has a sensor arrangement having at least one sensor generating a signal, the at least one sensor being coupled to the feed system. The signal corresponds to a crop load on the feed system. A control unit is configured to receive the signal from the sensor arrangement and initiate the lift mode based on at least the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignees: DEERE & COMPANY, IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.
    Inventors: Eric R. Lang, Jeffrey Askey, Daniel E. Derscheid
  • Patent number: 10334787
    Abstract: A device for controlling an outlet flap of a baler in at least one manual and one automatic mode includes an outlet flap drive, a first and a second pressure line via which the outlet flap drive is selectively charged with pressure, a first pressure measuring apparatus operatively connected to the first pressure line, and a second pressure measuring apparatus operatively connected to the second pressure line. A distributor valve is connected to the first and second pressure lines downstream of the first and second pressure measuring apparatus. The distributor valve is disposable in a first pass-through position, a second pass-through position, and a shut-off position. In an automatic mode, the distributor valve is disposed in a predetermined position dependent on a pressure difference between the pressures in the first and second pressure lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Clement Humbert, Jean-Alexis Mercier
  • Patent number: 10285332
    Abstract: A round baler is equipped with a bale-forming chamber, a storage reservoir for wrapping material, and a feeding roller that can be set into rotation at a specified rotational speed, in order to specify the speed at which the wrapping material is introduced from the storage reservoir into the bale-forming chamber. The feeding roller has, in its axially central area, a larger diameter than in its axial edge areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Pascal Gresset, Henry D. Anstey
  • Patent number: 10264733
    Abstract: A baler baling chamber has a movable chamber part pivotally mounted at a fixed chamber part. Several conveying units convey the bale along a circumferential wall. The baler can be transferred into a bale ejecting mode by pivoting the movable chamber part away from the fixed chamber part. One conveying unit is mounted at the moveable chamber part and adjacent to the fixed chamber part. In a bale forming mode, the adjacent conveying unit engages into a receiving aperture in the fixed chamber part and conveys loose material into the bailing chamber. The adjacent conveying unit can be pivoted away from the fixed chamber part and out of the receiving aperture increasing the aperture for ejecting a bale out of the bale forming chamber as the adjacent conveying unit is pivoted out of the receiving aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Forage Company B.V.
    Inventors: Malte Cornelius Schlichting, Jürgen Borchers
  • Patent number: 10194595
    Abstract: A baler ejection system, that may be used with an agricultural harvester, such as a round baler, waste baler, combine, or cotton harvester, uses the motion of a pair of parallel arms that extend transversely from the sidewalls of a bale chamber a set of distinct pivot points. When activated the parallel arms raise to expose an outlet through which the bale may be ejected. A formed bale may become ejected by one or more conveyer belts that exert a rearward force on the bale within the bale chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Kevin M. Smith
  • Patent number: 10117384
    Abstract: An agricultural round baler is described. The agricultural round baler comprises a holding and supplying device for crops, a pressing chamber with pressing elements for pressing the crops, and a wrapping or binding device for the wrapping or binding of a pressed round bale. In order to design a round bale production which is, as a whole, more productive, the proposal is made that it be possible for at least the pressing elements to be operated, during a wrapping or binding operation following a pressing operation, at a higher running speed than the speed during the pressing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Philippe Ostermann, Juergen Gaertner
  • Patent number: 10111389
    Abstract: An agricultural baler system having a direction of travel and adapted to compile a windrow of crop into a bale, the agricultural baler system having a baler assembly coupled to the work machine and configured to consolidate crop from the underlying windrow into the bale, the baler assembly implementing a wrapping process to maintain the form of the bale and an eject process for ejecting the bale, and a windrow diverter selectively positionable between a divert position and a bypass position. Wherein, when the windrow diverter is in the divert position, the underlying windrow is repositioned as the baler assembly moves in the direction of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Timothy Kraus, Dennis Johnston
  • Patent number: 10098281
    Abstract: A rotor feeder unit for an agricultural baler. The rotor feeder unit includes a rotor feeder carrying a set of tines, a rotor feeder unit bottom distant from the rotor feeder forming a lower boundary of a conveying channel through the rotor feeder unit, and scrapers placed in conveying direction behind the rotor feeder. The rotor feeder is rotatable about an axis of rotation. The scrapers extend in between the tines and have a leading face cooperating with the tines. The rotor feeder unit also includes a scraper position adjusting arrangement adapted for displacement of the leading face of the scrapers relative to the rotor feeder unit bottom. The scraper position adjusting arrangement is further adapted for rotating the scrapers about the axis of rotation of the rotor feeder for angularly displacing the leading face of the scrapers relative to the rotor feeder unit bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Bram Rosseel, Jeroen Devroe, Dries Liefooghe, Dieter Kindt