Automatic Power Control Patents (Class 172/2)
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Patent number: 10753755Abstract: A method controlling movement of an agent moving within an environment represented by a directed graph including vertices located at a border of an unknown portion of the environment, includes: guiding the moving agent via execution of at least one iteration of following successive operations: planning a path towards a destination vertex or border vertex, via a progressively increasing evaluation of a first heuristic of cost; controlling navigation of the agent towards the destination or border vertex returned by the planning; controlling an exploration in the unknown portion if the planning returns a border vertex as the destination. The planning includes, for each calculation of the first cost heuristic for a border vertex, calculation of a second heuristic of risk. The method provides, as the destination, the border vertex with lowest calculated heuristic risk evaluation as soon as the cost exceeds this heuristic risk evaluation before reaching the destination vertex.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2016Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: Commissariat a l'energie atomique et aux energies alternativesInventors: Fabrice Mayran De Chamisso, Michael Aupetit, Laurent Soulier
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Patent number: 10740703Abstract: Methods for identifying and addressing inefficiencies in agricultural production activities caused by physical obstacles in the target field. A method and system is disclosed for determining an optimized travel path for an agricultural implement, specifically in the presence of an obstacle or obstruction such as an access road, oil well or public utility infrastructure. The method may further comprise means for determining the impact of such obstacle or obstruction on production from the agricultural land, as well as means for determining an optimized implement type and configuration. One or more travel path plans may be generated for selection of one by an agricultural producer. The method may also comprise means for determining an optimized location or position within a plot of land for an obstacle or obstruction that has not yet been constructed, as a way to reduce or alleviate the negative impact of such obstacle or obstruction on production from the plot of land.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2018Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: VERGE TECHNOLOGIES INC.Inventor: Lane Story
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Patent number: 10741029Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a receiving apparatus and method, a transmitting apparatus and method, and a program, which can vibrate a device in a specific area of a receiving area. An example, in which users wearing respective wearable receiving apparatuses are freely moving in the receiving area, is shown. A directional transmitting device unit transmits an area designation signal, and the reachable range of the signal is shown as a beam irradiation area. Only the user in the beam irradiation area receives the area designation signal transmitted by the directional transmitting device unit. The present disclosure can be applied to, for example, a video projection system that vibrates a receiving apparatus by transmission and reception of a directional wireless signal in the specific area where the video is projected.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2017Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: SONY CORPORATIONInventors: Osamu Ito, Ikuo Yamano, Ryo Yokoyama
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Patent number: 10704573Abstract: In one aspect, a system for rephasing fluid-driven actuators includes a plurality of fluid-driven actuators fluidly coupled together in series. A controller is configured to monitor a position differential existing between current positions of rods of the actuators relative to a differential threshold based on sensor measurements. The actuators are out-of-phase when the monitored differential exceeds the threshold. The controller is also configured to initiate a flow of fluid to the actuators to rephase the actuators when the monitored differential exceeds the threshold. The controller is further be configured to continue to monitor the differential following initiation of the flow of fluid to the actuators. Additionally, the controller is configured to implement a control action associated with terminating the rephasing of the actuators when the monitored differential remains constant after a first time period has elapsed following initiation of the flow of fluid.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2017Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.Inventors: Christopher Barrick, John Endsley, James W. Henry, Tracey Meiners, Kevin McKee, Klint Peterson
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Patent number: 10697153Abstract: A mobile work machine includes a frame and a ground engaging element movably supported by the frame and driven by an engine to drive movement of the mobile work machine. The mobile work machine includes a movable element movably supported by the frame to move relative to the frame and an actuator coupled to the movable element to controllably drive movement of the movable element. The mobile work machine includes a sensor that detects an operation characteristic and generates a sensor signal, indicative of the operation characteristic and a grade control system that receives the sensor signal from the sensor and determines a spillage metric, based on the sensor signal. The mobile work machine also includes a control system that generates an actuator control signal based on the spillage metric. The control signal is indicative of a commanded movement of the actuator. The control system controls the actuator to perform the commanded movement.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2018Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventor: Lance R. Sherlock
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Patent number: 10687453Abstract: This document sets out a method of adjusting an agricultural implement's orientation. The method comprises recording, while the agricultural implement is travelling, a series of orientation values corresponding to the orientation of the agricultural implement in at least one vertical plane, calculating a derived orientation value based on said series of values and, if the derived orientation value is outside a predetermined range, adjusting a mutual position relationship between at least two parts of the agricultural implement that can move relative to each other.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2016Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: Väderstad Holding ABInventor: Crister Stark
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Patent number: 10667461Abstract: A disc opener unit for an agricultural implement has a down pressure adjustment device that automatically adjusts the amount of down pressure applied on a furrowing disc based on strain measurements taken by a strain gauge or load cell. The strain gauge, which may be mounted to an arm that is used to set the position of a depth setting gauge wheel, provides feedback to a processor that in turn controls the amount of hydraulic fluid in a hydraulic cylinder to adjust the down force applied on the disc. The amount of down pressure is therefore adjusted in substantially real-time in response to changes in field conditions, which improves furrow depth consistency and reduces wear on the gauge wheel and its components.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2019Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.Inventors: Trevor Kowalchuk, Robin B. Schilling, Jack Turner
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Patent number: 10669691Abstract: A system for controlling an earth moving machine may comprise: a speed sensor configured to communicate a speed signal indicative of a speed of the machine; an operator bucket lift command input configured to communicate an operator-input bucket lift command; and a controller configured to: receive the speed signal and the operator-input bucket lift command; determine a torque of the machine; using the speed signal and the determined torque, determine a controller-generated bucket lift command; and provide a bucket lift command which is the larger of the operator-input bucket lift command and the controller-generated bucket lift command.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2018Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Matthew M. Tinker, Michael A. Spielman, Eric Cler, Aaron R. Shatters, Austin J. Scott, Jeffrey K. Berry, Sairam G. Velamakanni
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Patent number: 10644399Abstract: A vehicle includes: a wireless communication device transmitting a radio signal into a surrounding area of the vehicle through beamforming and receiving sensor information, in return, from at least one other vehicle that receives the radio signal; a generator generating surrounding condition information regarding the surrounding area of the vehicle based on the received sensor information; and an indicator indicating the surrounding condition information.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2016Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: Sung Un Kim
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Patent number: 10597156Abstract: A computer-implemented method for managing the flight of a drone comprising a physical treatment device, the method comprises the steps repeated over time of measuring the distance between the drone and an object present in the environment of the drone; adjusting the distance from the drone to the object according to predefined internal parameters; and performing a physical treatment on the object from the drone. Developments describe the management of distances to objects, surface tracking, object recognition, the installation of beacons in the environment, the use of on-board or remotely accessed sensors (e.g. position and contact sensors, cameras, motion detectors) and various types of treatment (e.g. cleaning, dusting, sterilization). Both software aspects (e.g. learning, central or distributed logic, autonomy, cooperation with floor robots) and system aspects (addition of a fan, brush, duster or germicidal lamp) are described.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2015Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Inventor: Pierre Emmanuel Viel
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Patent number: 10564642Abstract: A work vehicle may be provided such that in autonomous traveling, contact with obstacles is avoided, and work is efficiently and safely performed. A work vehicle may include: a positioning device 174 measuring the vehicle body's own position; an obstacle recognition means recognizing an obstacle P, E, U; and a control unit having the vehicle autonomously travel on a planned travel path R1 preliminarily set; wherein the control unit includes obstacle position information D4 preliminarily stored; while traveling on the planned travel path R1, when an obstacle P, E is recognized by the obstacle recognition means, at a position stored in the obstacle position information D4, avoidance driving is performed to avoid contact with the obstacle P, E; and when the position of an obstacle U recognized by the obstacle recognition means is different from the stored obstacle position information D4, the traveling is stopped.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2018Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: Iseki & Co., LTDInventor: Koki Ono
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Patent number: 10544565Abstract: A system for proactively controlling a rimpull limit of a machine includes a hydraulic system having a lift cylinder to move an implement; a lift cylinder pressure sensor that senses a hydraulic pressure of the lift cylinder and responsively produces a lift cylinder pressure signal; and a controller in operable communication with the power train and the lift cylinder pressure sensor. The controller is configured to receive the lift cylinder pressure signal; determine the rimpull limit based at least in part upon the lift cylinder pressure signal; and adjust the torque of the power train to the rimpull limit.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2017Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Jeffery Berry
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Patent number: 10512203Abstract: A tractor control system, which controls an operating condition of an implement attached to the tractor. The control system includes a sensing means providing a force signal which indicates the pull force necessary to pull an implement in a desired position; a control which receives the force signal; and means for measuring at least one parameter associated with the tractor mode and/or the implement mode and the implement position is adjusted to a new position when the force signal varies. The control system includes pre-determined values associated with certain tractor and/or implement modes. A measured parameter is compared with a pre-determined parameter value and if the measured parameter would result in an undesired movement of the implement, the force signal is deactivated, or the response to the force signal is deactivated to prevent undesired movement of the attachment.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2017Date of Patent: December 24, 2019Assignee: AGCO International GmbHInventors: Christian Gschwendtner, Guenther Ostenried, Ulrich Stich, Werner Unsinn, Richard Kummer
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Patent number: 10492355Abstract: A path planning system for a work vehicle includes a controller configured to determine an initial path between an end point of a first swath and a starting point of a second swath. In addition, the controller is configured to identify a restricted region positioned along the initial path, and to determine a first bounding point of the restricted region. The controller is also configured to determine a first waypoint based on the first bounding point. A distance between the first waypoint and the first bounding point is greater than or equal to half of a lateral extent of the work vehicle and less than half of a lateral extent of an implement. Furthermore, the controller is configured to determine an updated path that intersects the first waypoint, and to output signal(s) indicative of the updated path and/or instructions to direct the work vehicle along the updated path.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2017Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignees: CNH Industrial America LLC, Autonomous Solutions, Inc.Inventors: John Joseph Kelley, Nathan Eric Bunderson, Daniel John Morwood
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Patent number: 10458078Abstract: A method is provided for measuring the milling depth of a road milling machine, the machine being operative to mill a ground surface with a milling roller lowered to a milling depth to create a milling track, the machine including at least one side plate located to at least one side of the milling roller to engage an untreated ground surface, and the machine including a stripping plate operative to be lowered onto the milling track generated by the milling roller. The method includes measuring the milling depth of the milling track, the measuring including detecting a measurement value of a ground engaging sensor engaging the milling track.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2018Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: Wirtgen GmbHInventors: Christian Berning, Dieter Simons
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Patent number: 10400425Abstract: A control system for a work vehicle has at least one controller and at least one operator control with one or more control inputs configured to send control signals to the controller. The controller is configured to output a plurality of control commands corresponding to one or more control signals from a single activation event of the one or more control inputs. The control commands are configured to effect movement of multiple work implements into stowed orientations.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2016Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Nathan J. Horstman, David A. Veasy, Daniel D. Watson
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Patent number: 10352021Abstract: A work equipment control device includes a work equipment state specifying unit, a control reference specifying unit, a distance specifying unit, and a bucket control unit. The work equipment state specifying unit specifies a state of work equipment. The control reference specifying unit specifies a control reference of the work equipment. The distance specifying unit specifies a distance between the work equipment and the control reference. The bucket control unit generates a control command to drive a bucket such that the state of the work equipment is maintained when the distance between the work equipment and the control reference is less than a bucket control start threshold.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2016Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.Inventors: Toru Matsuyama, Jin Kitajima
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Patent number: 10323771Abstract: The present invention provides a fluid control valve that improves usability by eliminating misunderstanding of a user. The fluid control valve includes a valve seat, a valve body disposed to be approachable to and separable from the valve seat, an actuator configured to move the valve body in an approaching or separating direction, a positional information detection part configured to detect a value corresponding to a relative position of the valve body with respect to the valve seat, and a position output part configured to set, irrespective of positional information acquired by the positional information detection part at an opening start position of the valve body, the opening start position to position zero.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2016Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: HORIBA STEC, Co., Ltd.Inventors: Daichi Kunita, Atsushi Ieki
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Patent number: 10301794Abstract: A construction machine acquires efficiently and accurately the target surface to be displayed or controlled. The construction machine includes: a design surface information storage unit storing three-dimensional target shape as multiple design surfaces; a work equipment velocity vector acquisition unit detecting or estimating the velocity of work equipment; a work equipment position acquisition unit detecting or estimating the position of the work equipment; a target surface acquisition unit acquiring a principal target surface to acquire an estimated target surface that is potentially the next principal target surface; an operation control unit correcting the work equipment velocity; and a display unit displaying the positional relations between the work equipment position and the principal target surface.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2017Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hidekazu Moriki, Hiroyuki Yamada, Manabu Edamura, Hiroshi Sakamoto
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Patent number: 10299424Abstract: A row unit has a frame with an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion has a parallel linkage and the lower portion is coupled to plural gauge wheels. A first sensor is configured to provide an output signal and a controllable device is coupled to the upper portion and configured to provide an adjustable down force. A dampening device is coupled to the upper portion and configured to provide adjustable dampening of the row unit based on the output signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2017Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: AGCO CorporationInventor: Kevin J Hamilton
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Patent number: 10285323Abstract: An agricultural tillage implement with a hydraulic system having a left wing hydraulic subsystem with an outer left wing hydraulic circuit supplying hydraulic pressure and flow to an actuator for actuating an actuator of an outer left wing folding implement section, and a right wing hydraulic subsystem having an outer right wing hydraulic circuit for actuating the actuator of an outer right wing implement section; the hydraulic system additionally having a hydraulic flow divider dividing hydraulic flow and pressure between the outer left wing hydraulic circuit and the outer right wing hydraulic circuit, the hydraulic flow divider being configured to coordinate the motion of the outer left wing section and the outer right wing section.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2016Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Mark J. Wileniec, Kena Shah, Matthew R. Sudbrink, Dean A. Knobloch
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Patent number: 10251327Abstract: An agricultural system includes a frame, a hydraulic system, a controller and a plurality of sensors. The hydraulic system is coupled to the frame and has a plurality of hydraulic actuators fluidically coupled in a series arrangement. The controller is in control of the hydraulic system. The plurality of sensors have at least one sensor coupled to each of the plurality of hydraulic actuators. The sensors are in communication with the controller, and the controller is configured to receive at least one signal from the sensors that indicate a need to rephase the hydraulic actuators, to estimate an amount of time needed to rephase the hydraulic actuators, and to alter a function of the agricultural system to allow for the hydraulic actuators to be rephased in the time needed.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2016Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.Inventor: James W. Henry
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Patent number: 10254765Abstract: The illustrative embodiments provide for a number of other vehicles that are moved on a number of paths that is substantially parallel to, and offset to at least one of a first offset side and a second offset side of, the path for the first vehicle. The number of other vehicles is moved along at least a portion of the path in the turn in response to a turn in the path of the first vehicle. The number of other vehicles may be moved from the path to a number of second parallel paths that are substantially parallel to the path after the turn of the first vehicle and offset to an opposite offset side of the first vehicle than the at least one offset side before the turn in response to the first vehicle completing the turn.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2014Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventor: Andrew Karl Wilhelm Rekow
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Patent number: 10227998Abstract: In one aspect, a system for controlling the supply of hydraulic fluid to an implement of a work vehicle may generally include a pump, a control valve coupled to the pump and first and second fluid lines provided in flow communication with output ports of the control valve. The system may also include a pressure control valve provided in flow communication with the second fluid line that is configured to regulate a fluid pressure of the hydraulic fluid being supplied to a hydraulic cylinder of the implement. Additionally, the system may include a bypass fluid line configured to provide a flow path for hydraulic fluid between the pump and the second fluid line that is independent of the control valve and a load sensing line configured to provide an indication of the fluid pressure of the hydraulic fluid being supplied to the hydraulic cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2015Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Jonathan Lacher, Michael Freisleben, Jerry L. Brinkley
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Patent number: 10222796Abstract: An autonomous driving control apparatus executes an autonomous driving control of a vehicle. The autonomous driving control apparatus includes: a first determination unit configured to determine whether the autonomous driving control can be engaged or not; an autonomous driving control engage trigger input unit; a triggered engage mode configured to engage the autonomous driving control when an autonomous driving control engage trigger is input by a driver to the autonomous driving control engage trigger input unit after the first determination unit determines that the autonomous driving control can be engaged; an automatic engage mode configured to automatically engage the autonomous driving control when the first determination unit determines that the autonomous driving control can be engaged; and a switching unit configured to switch between the triggered engage mode and the automatic engage mode.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2017Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kentaro Ichikawa, Taisuke Sugaiwa, Bunyo Okumura
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Patent number: 10220847Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus includes a trajectory generation unit configured to generate a locus of a position of an own vehicle for each predetermined time in a future as a trajectory of the own vehicle, a target speed calculation unit configured to calculate a target speed of the own vehicle for each position on the trajectory generated by the trajectory generation unit, a traveling control unit configured to control traveling of the own vehicle on the basis of the target speed calculated by the target speed calculation unit, a derivation unit configured to derive a difference between a position on the trajectory generated by the trajectory generation unit and a current position of the own vehicle every time the predetermined time elapses, and a correction unit configured to correct the target speed calculated by the target speed calculation unit on the basis of the difference derived by the derivation unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2016Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Yoshihiro Oniwa, Mineyuki Yoshida
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Patent number: 10212874Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for receiving a plurality of data points of a contour wayline having a starting point and an ending point, the contour wayline describing a curved path; generating a description of a curve corresponding to a number of data points; providing curved extensions of the contour wayline based on the description of the curve; and using the curved extensions and the contour wayline for auto-guidance.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2017Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: AGCO CorporationInventor: Paul Ross Matthews
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Patent number: 10194574Abstract: An agricultural tillage implement and method for adjusting the angle of smoothing tools of a harrow according to a present geographic location are disclosed. The agricultural tillage implement includes a main implement frame and a soil finish system having the harrow support in a trailing position with respect to the main implement frame for smoothing the soil tilled by ground-engaging tillage tools. A control system is configured to actuate a hydraulic system to define the angle of a first set of ground-engaging tillage tools in response to the percentage of plant residue at the present geographic location according to a stored electronic map.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2016Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Dean A. Knobloch, Tim Blunier
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Patent number: 10145671Abstract: A laser measuring system is provided by combining N-beams, angle based modulation and a laser receiver and laser transmitter configured with corner reflectors for signal shift measuring to facilitate full three dimensional positioning.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2016Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc.Inventor: Nikolay V. Khatuntsev
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Patent number: 10106952Abstract: A work machine control system that controls a work machine including a working device having a working tool that rotates about a shaft line includes: a target construction shape generation unit that generates a target construction shape indicating a target shape of a construction target of the work machine; a target shape calculation unit that calculates a control target shape which is a target shape when controlling rotation of the working tool from the target construction shape and calculates an extended target shape obtained by extending the control target shape; and a working device control unit that controls the rotation of the working tool about the shaft line based on a distance between the working tool and the control target shape and the extended target shape.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2016Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.Inventors: Tsutomu Iwamura, Yuhei Yamamoto, Yuto Fujii, Takashi Yokoo, Yoshiro Iwasaki
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Patent number: 10104827Abstract: A vehicle guidance system for an agricultural vehicle is described which includes an optical imaging device collecting information of field characteristics, and a steering control device receiving the information of field characteristics transmitted from the optical imaging device. The steering control device having a steering actuator including a motor operatively connected to a hub adaptor. The hub adaptor is removably mountable to a central hub of a steering wheel of the agricultural vehicle in fixed rotary engagement, wherein when the hub adaptor is engaged to the central hub of the steering wheel, rotation of the hub adaptor by the motor causes corresponding rotation of the steering wheel. The steering control device thereby autonomously rotates the central hub of the steering wheel in response to the information of field characteristics received by the steering control device and the vehicle guidance system thereby steers the agricultural vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2016Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: THE ROYAL INSTITUTION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING/MCGILL UNIVERSITYInventors: Viacheslav Adamchuk, Antoine Pouliot, Trevor Stanhope
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Patent number: 10106072Abstract: A work vehicle having an optical system responsive to implement movements is disclosed. The implement-responsive optical system includes an optical device, such as a worklight or camera, which is coupled to the vehicle body and which produces an optical field when active. An adjustment mechanism, such as a closed loop actuation subsystem or a mechanical linkage, is coupled to the vehicle body and to the optical device. The adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust at least one operational characteristic of the optical field in response to movement of the work implement relative to the vehicle body.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2015Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Jose Rene Liñan, Frederic Paillet
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Patent number: 10100494Abstract: A system and method for controlling the swing of a machine is disclosed. The system may comprise a hydrostatic circuit that includes an electronic displacement control pump and a first swing motor fluidly connected in a closed loop circuit. The electronic displacement control pump configured to control the supply of fluid to the swing motor based on a final pump displacement command. The first swing motor configured to rotate the upper carriage of the machine. The hydrostatic circuit configured to control (a) an actual speed of the first swing motor when the final pump displacement command results from a requested swing motor speed and (b) a torque of the first swing motor when the final pump displacement command results from a requested swing motor torque.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2016Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Mark P. Vonderwell, Douglas W. Seeger, Christopher A. Williamson
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Patent number: 10047500Abstract: A compaction machine such as a vibration trench roller has a supplemental receiver such as an eye located generally centrally of the machine and within a common reception zone of another receiver on the machine. The eye can receive a signal that is blocked from impinging upon the machine's other receiver(s), preventing the machine from shutting down when it passes beneath an obstruction and negating the need for the operator to reposition himself or herself to reestablish communications with the machine. The supplemental receiver may be positioned so as to maximize the operating range of the controller while reducing or avoiding false signals that otherwise could occur due to signal reflection. This positioning may include providing shielding around the supplemental receiver that creates a geometric umbrella of reception capability that forms a protection zone beneath it. Signals transmitted from within the protection zone cannot impinge on the supplemental receiver.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2015Date of Patent: August 14, 2018Assignee: Wacker Neuson Production Americas LLCInventors: Daniel Geier, David Schulenberg
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Patent number: 10019018Abstract: Various strip tilling systems and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the strip tilling system includes: at least one strip tilling unit having a support frame and a tilling member mounted to the support frame; a positioning system; map data relating to a field to be tilled, said map data including data identifying areas of compacted ground in the field; and a control system for adjusting the position of the tilling member with respect to the support frame, wherein said control system is arranged to receive signals from the control system, to access the map data, and to automatically adjust the position of the tilling member with respect to the support frame when the control system determines that the tilling member is located at an area of compacted ground.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2014Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: Kverneland Group Les Landes GenussonInventor: Guillaume Hulin
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Patent number: 9986685Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling positioning of an agricultural implement relative to the ground is disclosed. The method involves receiving first and second position signals representing respective first and second positions of the agricultural implement relative to the ground and providing input to a controller for controlling the positioning of the agricultural implement. The method involves receiving an intermediate position signal representing an intermediate position of the agricultural implement and being associated with an intermediate location between locations respective first and second positions.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2017Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: HONEY BEE MANUFACTURING LTD.Inventors: Scott Douglas Smith, Glenn Raymond Honey
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Patent number: 9968023Abstract: A wheel adjustment system for an agricultural implement includes a controller having a processor and a memory. The processor is configured to receive a first signal indicative of a ground speed of the agricultural implement, receive a second signal indicative of a desired position of a wheel of the agricultural implement, receive a third signal indicative of a current position of the wheel of the agricultural implement, and output a control signal to adjust a position of the wheel of the agricultural implement based on the first signal, the second signal, and the third signal, wherein a rate of adjustment of the position of the wheel varies based on the first signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2016Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Nathan Paul Brooks, Roy Anthony Bittner, William Allen Roach
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Patent number: 9943023Abstract: A lift control apparatus includes a height sensor that outputs a height detection signal after a height of a ground work apparatus is detected. The ground work apparatus is coupled to a traveling work vehicle via a lift mechanism. An upper limit manager sets an upper limit position of the ground work apparatus based on an operation input signal from an input operation device for an upper limit setting USD. A setting prohibitor prohibits, when the upper limit position being set by the operation input signal is lower than the height of the ground work apparatus based on the height detection signal, the setting of the upper limit position from the operation input signal, and setting the upper limit position to the height of the ground work apparatus based on the height detection signal.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2015Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATIONInventors: Shigeru Komatsu, Keiji Takahashi
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Patent number: 9939265Abstract: A tracking method is disclosed. The method determines the position of a location marked on a wall on the basis of image coordinates of a first image point, image coordinates of a second image point, the emission direction associated with the second image point, and the respective distances of the axis of a base station from the wall in the associated emission direction.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2015Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: Hilti AktiengesellschaftInventors: Peer Schmidt, Dario Bralla, Serhey Khandozhko
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Patent number: 9933787Abstract: Methods for identifying and addressing inefficiencies in agricultural production activities caused by physical obstacles in the target field. A method and system is disclosed for determining an optimized travel path for an agricultural implement, specifically in the presence of an obstacle or obstruction such as an access road, oil well or public utility infrastructure. The method may further comprise means for determining the impact of such obstacle or obstruction on production from the agricultural land, as well as means for determining an optimized implement type and configuration. One or more travel path plans may be generated for selection of one by an agricultural producer. The method may also comprise means for determining an optimized location or position within a plot of land for an obstacle or obstruction that has not yet been constructed, as a way to reduce or alleviate the negative impact of such obstacle or obstruction on production from the plot of land.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2014Date of Patent: April 3, 2018Assignee: 101227980 SASKATCHEWAN LTD.Inventor: Lane Story
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Patent number: 9891605Abstract: A computer-implemented method for determining a cleanup pass profile is provided. The method may include identifying a pass target extending from a first end to a second end along a work surface, determining one or more volume constraints based at least partially on machine load limits and volume differentials between the pass target and the work surface, generating a plurality of primitives between the first end and the second end based on the volume constraints, and adjoining the primitives to form a substantially continuous cleanup pass profile.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2014Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Matthew E. Kontz
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Patent number: 9879391Abstract: A method is provided for measuring the milling depth of a road milling machine, the machine being operative to mill a ground surface with a milling roller lowered to a milling depth to create a milling track, the machine including at least one side plate located to at least one side of the milling roller to engage an untreated ground surface, and the machine including a stripping plate operative to be lowered onto the milling track generated by the milling roller. The method includes measuring the milling depth of the milling track, the measuring including detecting a measurement value of a ground engaging sensor engaging the milling track.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2017Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: Wirtgen GmbHInventors: Christian Berning, Dieter Simons
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Patent number: 9856625Abstract: A working vehicle includes: a vehicle body; and a boom; a bucket; a boom driving unit including a boom cylinder; a bucket driving unit configured to swing the bucket; a boom-bottom pressure sensor configured to detect a boom-bottom pressure of the boom cylinder; and a working equipment controller configured to control at least one of a lift motion of the boom and a tilt motion of the bucket. The bucket includes an inclined portion. The working equipment controller controls the lift motion or the tilt motion by comparing a threshold set in accordance with an inclination angle of the inclined portion with the boom-bottom pressure.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2015Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.Inventors: Minoru Wada, Toshiyuki Ohta, Toshimitsu Honda, Katsuhiro Tsutsumi, Takaya Kobayashi, Yosuke Yamagoe
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Patent number: 9848522Abstract: A gauge wheel load sensor for an agricultural planter having a row unit that includes a pivotably mounted gauge wheel and a down pressure controller for controlling the down pressure on at least a portion of the row unit. The load sensor includes a mechanical element mounted for movement in response to the downward force applied to the row unit; a fluid-containing device containing a movable element coupled to the mechanical element for changing the fluid pressure in response to the movement of the mechanical element; and a transducer coupled to the fluid-containing device for producing an output signal in response to changes in the fluid pressure. An energy storage device, such as an accumulator, may be coupled to the fluid-containing device for receiving a limited amount of fluid in response to changes in the fluid pressure to damp pressure spikes in the output signal of the transducer.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2015Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: Dawn Equipment CompanyInventor: Joseph D. Bassett
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Patent number: 9781874Abstract: A method of operating an agricultural implement in a geographic area using data representing at least one attribute associated with seed, includes the steps of: transferring data including at least one attribute associated with seed to a remote computer which is located remote from the geographic area; editing the data at the remote computer; uploading the analyzed data to an electrical processing circuit associated with the implement; and operating the implement under control of the electrical processing circuit within the geographic area, using the uploaded data.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2015Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Blair J. Johnson, John Stratton, Andrew Meyer, Scott Andrew Elkins
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Patent number: 9751740Abstract: A materials handling vehicle is provided comprising: a support structure including a first member; a movable assembly coupled to the support structure; a hydraulic system; and a control system. The support structure further comprises lift apparatus to effect movement of the movable assembly relative to the support structure first member. The lift apparatus includes at least one ram/cylinder assembly. The hydraulic system includes a motor, a pump coupled to the motor to supply a pressurized fluid to the at least one ram/cylinder assembly, and at least one electronically controlled valve associated with the ram/cylinder assembly. The control structure may estimate a speed of the movable assembly from a speed of the motor and may control the operation of the at least one valve using a comparison involving the estimated movable assembly speed and a determined speed, and the comparison may not involve use of an operator commanded speed.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2015Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: Crown Equipment CorporationInventors: Karl L. Dammeyer, Eric D. Holbrook, Darrin R. Ihle, Marc A. McClain, Lucas B. Waltz
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Patent number: 9723778Abstract: A hydraulic control system for controlling the down force on an agricultural implement comprises a hydraulic cylinder containing a movable ram, a source of pressurized fluid coupled to the hydraulic cylinder on a first side of the ram by a first controllable valve, a fluid sump coupled to the hydraulic cylinder on the first side of the ram by a second controllable valve, and an electrical controller coupled to the valves for opening and closing the valves. The valves may be self-latching valves that remain in an open or closed position until moved to the other position in response to a signal from the controller.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2015Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: Dawn Equipment CompanyInventor: Joseph D. Bassett
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Patent number: 9650759Abstract: The present invention relates to a control apparatus for a hydraulic machine comprising: a remote control unit, a valve arrangement for activation means of the remote control unit, each valve arrangement comprising a first valve means in fluid communication with a second valve means; a controller means operable to control the opening and closing of the first valve means of the associated valve arrangement to regulate the flow of hydraulic fluid from the first valve means to the second valve means, wherein, the second valve means in each valve arrangement is moved between first and second configurations to enable the functions of the hydraulic machine to switch between remote control mode and cab control mode when the conditions dictate that it may no longer be practical or safe for a user to remain in the cab. The invention also relates to a method of fitting the control apparatus to a hydraulic machine, and to an interface harness for connecting the control apparatus to such a hydraulic machine.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2014Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Inventor: Francis Dolan
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Patent number: 9642305Abstract: An alignment module is adapted to determine the relative position of the spout and the cells in the container via processing of image data such that the spout is aligned within a target fill zone of the cells in accordance with a fill sequence or fill plan instructions in which (a) first, the alignment module is adapted to direct the spout to fill the container with the material in a first mode to a first target level that is less than a peak height of the container; (b) second, the fill level estimator is adapted to estimate the number of cells that are below the first target level after directing the spout to fill in the first mode; and (c) third, the alignment module is adapted to direct the spout to fill the container in a second mode to a second target level that is greater than the first target level if less than a threshold number of cells are below the first target level, where the second mode is generally opposite in direction to the relative spout-container movement of the first mode.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2015Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Alex J. Nykamp, Zachary T. Bonefas, Andrew T. Jennett
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Patent number: 9556589Abstract: A working machine comprising a ground engaging structure and a propulsion system for moving the working machine via the ground engaging structure. A body is supported on the ground engaging structure, and a working arm is connected to the body and has a carriage at one end for receiving an attachment. A control system is provided for selectively and variably oscillating the carriage.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2014Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: J. C. Bamford Excavators LimitedInventors: Graham Mark Brooks, Richard Brooks, Samuel Josef Bell