With Actuator Patents (Class 172/225)
  • Patent number: 11686068
    Abstract: A retrofit assembly used to substitute a remotely controlled cylinder for a furrow closing standard spring on agricultural equipment. The retrofit assembly includes a cylinder mount including a cylinder mount tab and a cylinder mount fixture. The cylinder mount is connected to the furrow mount. The cylinder bracket 30 is mounted to the agricultural equipment. A remotely controlled fluid cylinder is mounted between the cylinder mounting assembly and the cylinder mounting bracket. A standard spring for a furrow closing assembly on agricultural equipment can be replaced with a remotely control fluid cylinder allowing the furrow closing assembly to be controlled remotely by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: AG FOCUS LLC
    Inventors: Bruce W. Freed, Brian E. Freed
  • Patent number: 11382254
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an agricultural plough arrangement comprising an agricultural work vehicle and a plough implement connected to the agricultural work vehicle and comprising at least one ground engaging tool. At least one actuator mechanism is configured to move the plough implement laterally with respect to the agricultural work vehicle, wherein a control unit is provided that is to: receive field-data indicative of conditions of a field across which the agricultural plough arrangement is being moved; automatically determine an actuator-control-signal for the actuator mechanism based on the field-data, wherein the actuator-control-signal is for moving the plough implement laterally with respect to the agricultural work vehicle on the basis of the field-data received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Hertzog, Bengt Per-Inge Linderson, Per Dennis Wallin, Carl Ola Fredrik Nilsson, Robert Svensson, Rickard Karl Gustav Nåhdin
  • Patent number: 8466636
    Abstract: An excavator drive system wherein one of a pair of propulsion motors shares one of a pair of inverter power sources with another of a pair of motors dedicated to crowd and hoist motions. A pair of non-volatile bi-state switches, triggered under control of a controller, allow sharing of inverters between hoist and propel 1 motors. Another pair of switches allows inverter sharing between propel 2 and crowd motors. Each pair of switches enables change over and power transfer from one of the paired motors to the other motor. The bi-state switches enable quicker transfer of power between motors than transfer switches employing external motor-powered mechanical transfer linkages. Bi-state transfer switches also maintain transfer coupling status in the event of power failure to the switch actuators, allowing an excavator operator to continue the drive function in operation prior to the switch power failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventor: Joy Mazumdar
  • Patent number: 6896069
    Abstract: A base frame for a roll-over disc plow can be symmetrical about a longitudinal axis and can be adapted to be secured to a standard tractor hitch. A plow frame can overlay and be pivoted to the base frame about the longitudinal axis. The plow frame can be hydraulically moved about one hundred eighty degrees between extreme positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Inventor: Ventura J. Lawrence, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6116351
    Abstract: A reversible plough to be towed behind a propelling vehicle has a forward section with a number of pairs of reversible plough bodies and a rear section also having a number of reversible plough bodies. The forward section and rear section are coupled together by a connection portion. A wheelset is mounted to the connection portion and is arranged to support a rear end of the forward section and a forward end of the rear section. A headstock rotatably mounts the forward end of the rear plough to the connection portion and is adjustable in order to vary the inclination of the axis of the rear plough beam to adjust the rear section between a ploughing position and an inoperative transport position. A mounting bracket connected to the forward plough beam of the forward section is rotatably mounted on the connecting frame portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Kverneland Kleep A/S
    Inventor: Kjell-Egil Stangeland
  • Patent number: 5701960
    Abstract: A reversible plough, that in one embodiment is of the semi-mounted type, and comprises a main beam, a coupling structure at the forward end of the main beam, and a carrying beam. Pairs of plough bodies are mounted along the length of the carrying beam. The carrying beam is pivotably connected to the main beam to move between a first and a second ploughing position for plough body reversal. The reversible plough further includes a coupling beam that is secured to the carrying beam, and a soil preparation device such as a packer that prepares the soil turned over by the plough bodies for seed. The coupling beam projects laterally from the coupling beam in either ploughing position and is moveable with the carrying beam during plough body reversal. A hopper is mounted at a fixed location relative to the packer and the reversible plough combination, and a distributor is mounted on the packer and arranged to distribute the hopper content onto the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: Kverneland Klepp AS
    Inventors: Magne Skjaeveland, Kjell-Egil Stangeland
  • Patent number: 5685378
    Abstract: A reversible plough (10) which is intended to be mounted on and towed behind a propelling vehicle, and which comprises a forward section (11) with reversible plough bodies, a rear section (13), and an intermediate wheel supported section (12, 112) which supports the rear end of the forward section and the forward end of the rear section, in which: an adjustable 3-point support linkage (28, 53, 58) is mounted on the intermediate section (12) and which supports the forward end (22) of the rear section (13), and which is adjustable to control the inclination of the plough beam (23, 123) of the rear section, and a headstock type of coupling (29, 50) which interconnects the 3-point support linkage and the forward end (22) of the rear section which permits rotary adjustment of the rear plough beam for plough body reversal, and without taking any part in this adjustment movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: Kverneland Klepp AS
    Inventor: Oivind Mong
  • Patent number: 5603381
    Abstract: There is disclosed a semi-mountable plough comprising an elongate plough frame having a long forward frame section (1) carrying a plurality of plough bodies (2), a short intermediate section (3) pivotally connected to the rear end of the forward section (1), and a rear frame section (5) pivotally connected at its forward end to the rear of the intermediate section (3), with the plough being of a reversible type and the sections (1, 3, and 5) being pivotable relative to each other in a generally horizontal plane to take up new positions suitable for movement of the plough in a reverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Assignee: Kverneland Klepp AS
    Inventor: Tor Torgrimsen
  • Patent number: 5381866
    Abstract: There is disclosed a semi-mountable plough comprising an elongate plough frame having a long forward frame section (1) carrying a plurality of plough bodies (2), a short intermediate section (3) pivotally connected to the rear end of the forward section (1), and a rear frame section (5) pivotally connected at its forward end to the rear of the intermediate section (3), with the plough being of a reversible type and the section (1, 3 and 5) being pivotable relative to each other in a generally horizontal plane to take-up new positions suitable for movement of the plough in a reverse direction. The rear frame section (5) is pivotable about a horizontal pivot (11) so as to follow any unevenness in the ground, and an actuator (12) is coupled with the rear frame section (5) and is operable in a first mode to allow limited pivotal movement of the rear frame section (5) about horizontal pivot (11), and in a second mode to prevent such pivotal movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignee: Kverneland Klepp AS
    Inventor: Oyvind Mong
  • Patent number: 5267618
    Abstract: A main frame is secured to a tractor for towing wherein the main frame is tilted as the tractor tilts to one side or the other of the path of travel A ball and socket joint suspends the tool bar by its central portion from the main frame so that the tool bar can swing from a position angling forwardly and to one side to a second position angling forwardly and to the other side The moldboards being fixed to an suspended below the tool bar cause the tool bar to rotate about its longitudinal axis automatically swing by gravity to upright positions for plowing, regardless of the tilt of the main frame. A latch plate latches the tool bar in its rotated position on the frame The tool moldboards have clamps which are adjustable along the length of the tool bar for adapting the plow to wide wheel or narrow wheel base tractors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Inventor: Danny H. Harrell
  • Patent number: 4896731
    Abstract: A multifurrow reversible semi-mounted plough comprising a large number of plough-bodies fixed on a beam. The beam is constituted by at least two elements (12) connected two by two via an articulation (13) about an axis (16), horizontal in the working position of the plough, with structure (20, 21) for locking the articulation or articulations, the articulation (13) being preferably provided in the central portion (7) of the beam substantially in line with the wheel support group (8-10) of this central portion. The invention allows having a ploughing depth of the ploughshares almost equal on all the ploughshares in spite of the large width of the plough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1990
    Assignee: S.A.R.L. Ets Gregoire-Besson Et Cie
    Inventor: Alphonse Besson
  • Patent number: 4825955
    Abstract: Reversing method, particularly for semi-reversible ploughs, where the reversing mechanism includes hydraulic reversing cylinders (10, 11). The reversing mechanism, or device (5) to be reversed, includes a lifting arm (8) which at its one end is rotatably supported at a point (9) which the reversing mechanism turns about, and which at its other end is fastened to the device (5) to be reversed. The reversing cylinders (10, 11) have approximately the same volume and approximately the same length of stroke and are affixed symmetrically to the lifting arm (8). The piston rods of the reversing cylinders (10, 11) are rotatably attached (15, 19) with one end of a pressure arm (17, 18) whose other end is rotatably fixed to the point (9) about which the reversing mechanism rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: Kverneland A/S
    Inventor: Jorn Watvedt
  • Patent number: 4778013
    Abstract: A frame beam supports a plurality of plow bodies, the front plow body of which has a one-piece moldboard and is pivotable about an upwardly extending axis. Part of the moldboards of each of the following plow bodies is pivotable about an upwardly extending axis relative to the remainder of each such moldboard. Adjustment is made through rod systems from a common rod which is displaceable mechanically by a screwthreaded spindle or hydraulically by a piston and cylinder assembly. The latter adjustment is effected automatically in response to the tractive force required to drive the plow through the soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Inventor: Cornelis Van der Lely
  • Patent number: 4691785
    Abstract: There is disclosed a carriage for an agricultural implement, particularly for a reversible plow, in which the wheels at each side of the carriage are mounted to the carriage with forks which are pivotally received on a main axle and which have lift arms interconnected to a lift assembly. The wheel lift assembly has lift levers fixedly secured at opposite ends of a lift shaft and these are connected to their respective lift arms on the wheel forks by lift links having adjustable pinned connections to the lift levers whereby the fulcrum of each lift lever can be changed by insertion of pins in preselected, aligned pairs of apertures between the link arm and lift lever. The fulcrum positions of the lift levers control the elevations of the wheels on the carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1987
    Assignee: Post Brothers Construction Co.
    Inventor: Charles R. Post
  • Patent number: 4646849
    Abstract: A reversing and adjustment mechanism, especially for a reversible plough adapted for hydraulically adjustable furrow width and hydraulic reversing of the plough, wherein the reversing and adjustment mechanism comprises a hydraulic cylinder (8) with a "hydraulic memory" for adjustment of the furrow width. The oil chambers on both sides of the ordinary piston (15) in the adjustment cylinder (8) communicate with a reservoir (24) via two pilot-controlled check valves (26, 25) with open passage toward the adjustment cylinder (8) and a second direction-control valve (10). The chamber (31) in the adjustment cylinder (8) between the rear head and a freely movable piston (17) communicates on the one hand with a hydraulic cylinder (7) for reversing the plough, preferably with the rod end thereof, via a first check valve (14) with open passage toward the reversing cylinder (7), and on the other hand communicates with the reservoir (24) via a flow-control valve (28) and a first direction-control valve (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Assignee: Kverneland A/S
    Inventor: Jorn Watvedt
  • Patent number: 4640367
    Abstract: A base frame for a roll-over disc plow is symmetrical about a longitudinal axis and is adapted to be secured to a standard tractor hitch. A plow frame overlies and is pivoted to the base frame about the longitudinal axis. The plow frame is hydraulically moved about one hundred eighty degrees between extreme positions, in each instance lying against a respective one of a pair of steps effective to transmit forces between the towed base frame and a plow frame carrying two alternately used series of plow discs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1987
    Assignee: Tractor Plow Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Ventura J. Lawrence, Charles G. Metcalf, Lawrence H. Silva
  • Patent number: 4603745
    Abstract: Reversing mechanism, particularly for semi-reversible ploughs, where the reversing mechanism includes hydraulic reversing cylinders (10, 11). The reversing mechanism, or device (5) to be reversed, includes a lifting arm (8) which at its one end is rotatably supported at a point (9) which the reversing mechanism turns about, and which at its other end is fastened to the device (5) to be reversed. The reversing cylinders (10, 11) have approximately the same volume and approximately the same length of stroke and are affixed symmetrically to the lifting arm (8). The piston rods of the reversing cylinders (10, 11) are rotatably attached (15, 19) with one end of a pressure arm (17, 18) whose other end is rotatably fixed to the point (9) about which the reversing mechanism rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1986
    Assignee: Kverneland A/S
    Inventor: Jorn Watvedt
  • Patent number: 4577698
    Abstract: A two-way gang plow is provided with a main support frame arranged for connection to a conventional three point hitch of a tractor. The forwardmost pair of plow bottoms are secured in fixed position on a portion of the roll-over plow frame that is fixed against angular adjustment relative to the longitudinal direction of movement of the plow by the tractor. The pairs of plow bottoms trailing the forwardmost pair are mounted on a plow frame that is pivoted to the fixed roll-over frame section for angular adjustment relative to the longitudinal axis of the main frame and hence the direction of the movement of the tractor. The pairs of plow bottoms rearwardly of the forward most pair also are mounted on the angularly adjustable frame for pivotal movement relative to said frame, for adjusting the land sides of the plow bottoms relative to said angularly adjustable frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1986
    Inventor: Glen A. Watts
  • Patent number: 4519461
    Abstract: A plow that has a plurality of equally spaced right hand plows and left hand plows that are mounted one above the other on a beam of the plow support structure. Each right hand plow has trip linkage that is offset from the trip linkage of the left hand plow of the set. The plow structure is mounted on a frame for 180.degree. rotation on an axis offset from the longitudinal center line of the frame so that the foremost right hand plow in the working position is the same distance from the longitudinal center line of the frame as the left hand plow in the working position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1985
    Assignee: J. I. Case Company
    Inventors: Eldon A. Harden, Kent B. Randol
  • Patent number: 4415040
    Abstract: A fully mounted variable width plow of the roll-over type or not in which the tractor hitch links are pivoted about generally vertical axes permitting the hitch limited movement in a horizontal plane, which will allow the adjusted plow to maintain correct alignment under the action of the soil. The plow system includes a plow beam, to the forward end of which a forecarriage is pivotally attached about a vertical axis, and a plurality of interconnected plow bottom assemblies. Actuation of a hydraulic cylinder will result in equal pivotal movement of each plow bottom assembly relative to the plow beam as well as pivotal movement between the forecarriage and the plow beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1983
    Assignee: International Harvester Co.
    Inventor: Henri E. Salva
  • Patent number: 4382473
    Abstract: A soil cultivating machine such as a plow comprises a share followed by a soil guide which is in the form of a moldboard made up of power driven rotary guide elements. The elements are elongated and are all driven from a common shaft which can include a change-speed device to enable the rotary speed of the elements to be changed. The form of the guide can be altered by adjusting the relative angularities of the elements and the elements can be rotated at different speeds. The elements preferably extend less horizontally from front to rear where they are substantially vertical. An overhead frame beam interconnects the rear of the guide to a pivot on a trestle coupling. Also, the rear of the machine can be supported by a furrow wheel and a ground wheel on one side of the trestle supports the front of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1983
    Assignee: C. Van der Lely N.V.
    Inventors: Ary Van der Lely, Arie Kuipers
  • Patent number: 4341148
    Abstract: There is disclosed a new and improved hydraulic sequencing valve of the type which includes a movable valve spool within the body to sequence operation of the valve. An aperture through one spool or chamber is arranged for direct fluid communication with a tank port upon initial movement of the spool to increase the differential fluid pressure across the chambers and accelerate the sequencing movement of the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1982
    Assignee: Modular Controls Corporation
    Inventor: Constantine Kosarzecki
  • Patent number: 4316507
    Abstract: A frame of a reversible plow having plow shares that are directed to the right and to the left. The frame is turned by means of a piston connected to a turning shaft of the frame, the turning of the cylinder being controlled by an automatic reversing valve. The valve has a fixed housing and a movable shaft. Peripheral grooves are present in either the housing or shaft through which hydraulic oil is supplied from one side of the piston to the other side thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1982
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget Overums Bruk
    Inventor: Rolf E. Lindqvist
  • Patent number: 4273197
    Abstract: A reversible plough has a double acting hydraulic ram connected between the headstock and the reversing spindle to reverse the plough frame from a left handed to a right handed ploughing position, and vice versa. Hydraulically operating mechanism is provided in the headstock both to switch the flow of hydraulic fluid from one to the other end of the double acting ram and to apply additional reversing torque to the spindle at the midway position. The mechanism comprises two hydraulic cylinders acting upon a fork pivotally mounted in the headstock and engaging with a roller spaced radially of the spindle. As the midway position is approached, the roller displaces the fork from a rest position whereupon the fork is rotated by the cylinders to drive the reversing spindle through the midway position. Internal fluid pathways in the two cylinders effect the change of fluid flow to the double acting ram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1981
    Assignee: Nacton Works
    Inventor: Richard J. Hawes
  • Patent number: 4207951
    Abstract: An improved two-way, multiple bottom plow is described. The plow is provided with an hydraulically actuated lift assist mechanism which works in conjunction with the tractor hitch to lift the plow out of the plowing position. A hydraulic system is provided for automatically pivoting the roll-over portion of the plow from one side of the tractor to the opposite side. Ascension of the roll-over portion of the plow to a point past the vertical is effected by powered hydraulic roll-over cylinder which is then shut off. The roll-over portion of the plow then descends under its own weight against the resistance of trapped pressure fluid which can only bleed off through a restricted orifice. The top hitch between tractor and plow is a spring biased pivotable connection which can "float" relative to the plow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1980
    Inventors: Allan K. Wilcox, Mark I. Wilcox, Steven L. Peek
  • Patent number: 4206685
    Abstract: A hydraulic turning device for a turn plow comprises a substantially upright double acting cylinder having a piston dividing the cylinder into an upper and a lower compartment and being operatively connected to the turn plow for turning the latter in two steps between a first and a second through 180.degree. reversed position. The upper and lower cylinder compartments are connected by fluid passage with a control device having a fluid inlet passage and a fluid return passage, and which is provided for reversing the movement of the piston in the cylinder wth a valve having an axially movable valve spool, a reversing piston and a reversing valve, in which the valve spool controls filling of the lower cylinder compartment. The control device includes further a pressure valve located between the upper cylinder compartment and the fluid return passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1980
    Assignee: Erwin Hengstler Fabrik Hydraulischer Hebezeuge
    Inventor: Gerhard Pusch
  • Patent number: 4165787
    Abstract: A plow construction including a frame extending rearward from a tractor and swingable up and down relative to the tractor, a rear frame part being swingable with the frame and rotatable relative thereto about a forward and rearward axis, plow discs carried by the rear frame part for ground tilling engagement and movable therewith about the forward and rearward axis for inversion of the discs to reverse the ground tilling direction, and a guide wheel carried by the frame for counteracting side draft forces of the tilling wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1979
    Inventor: Charles M. Perkins
  • Patent number: 4154306
    Abstract: A reversible plough has a headstock, a plough frame and a reversing spindle secured to the frame and rotatable in the headstock. A stop member rotatable about the reversing spindle is provided with two adjustable stops to enable the two ploughing positions of the plough frame to be preset relative to the headstock. To reverse the plough frame from one ploughing position to the other, the spindle and thus the plough frame is rotated by a hydraulic ram and an abutment on the spindle engages the stop member to cause said member to rotate with the spindle until the corresponding stop engages the headstock to locate the spindle and hence the plough frame in the other ploughing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1979
    Assignee: Ransomes Sims & Jefferies Limited
    Inventor: Richard J. Hawes
  • Patent number: 4150723
    Abstract: A rollover mechanism for pivoting the plow frame of a two-way gang plow between alternate operative field positions angularly spaced 180 degrees apart relative to a center axis on a supporting three point hitch framework. The plow frame is further positionable in an upright attitude for travel purposes. Movement of the plow frame relative to a supporting wheeled carrier or three point hitch framework is accomplished through a crank arm connected to a plow frame pivot shaft. An elongated lever arm is pivotally connected both to the crank arm and to an extendable hydraulic cylinder assembly mounted to the supporting three point hitch framework. An intermediate link is pivotally connected to the three point hitch framework and is also pivotally connected to the elongated lever arm. Straight line movement of the hydraulic cylinder assembly is thereby converted to angular movement of the pivot shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1979
    Inventors: Alton N. Filan, A. LaVerne Filan
  • Patent number: 4067396
    Abstract: Mechanism operating through a mechanical advantage for rolling over a two-way gang plow comprises a pair of hydraulic cylinders acting through respective short links connected pivotally at one of their ends to their associated cylinders and at their opposite ends pivotally to spaced pivots on a bell crank lever secured to the roll-over shaft of the plow, the spacing between the bell crank lever pivots being less than the spacing between the link pivots. Annular rings surround the roll-over shaft for abutment by the links during operation of the mechanism, providing each link with a fulcrum point which is arranged to augment the output of the associated hydraulic cylinder during the initial portion of its extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1978
    Inventor: Glen A. Watts
  • Patent number: 3980141
    Abstract: A five, six, or seven bottom two-way reversible moldboard plow is made to be attached by a standard three-point hitch on a tractor and lifted by the hitch without the aid of a trailing wheel. This is accomplished by mounting the plow as far forward as possible so the first plow is well forward of the bearing. Also, an improved brace is placed upon the side plates supporting the plow shank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1974
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1976
    Assignee: Stanton Supply Corporation
    Inventor: Robert C. Vest, Jr.