Transport Conveyor Patents (Class 460/114)
  • Patent number: 11911795
    Abstract: Described is a separation apparatus for a harvester, for separating berries from other plant matter from harvested plant material, the apparatus comprising a conveyor system that defines a first separation system, a second separation system located at least partially above the first separation system comprising an array of rotatable rollers to convey harvested plant material in an upstream to downstream direction, the rollers spaced apart to provide a plurality of openings permitting the transit of separated berries through the berries while preventing the transit of other plant matter, a third separation system in the form of a de-stemming unit downstream of the second separation system, a plant matter distribution system, for distributing plant matter away from the collection apparatus, wherein berries pass through any one or more of the first, second and third separation systems for collection in the collection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Aussie Wine Group Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Malcolm Villis
  • Patent number: 11892069
    Abstract: A cam wheel for accommodating a cam belt has a hub plate for mounting on a shaft and a plurality of cylindrical bolts including belt support areas for accommodating the cam belt. The cylindrical bolts are attached to the hub plate such that gaps are formed between the cylindrical bolts for accommodating cams of the cam belt in a positive locking manner. At a first end of the respective cylindrical bolts a shaft is formed which is inserted into an opening in the hub plate. The shaft is reshaped at its end to form a closing head in such a manner that the hub plate is clamped in between the closing head and a shoulder is formed between the shaft and the belt area support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: ARNOLD JÄGER HOLDING GMBH
    Inventor: Johan Oord
  • Patent number: 10806085
    Abstract: An unloading system for a harvester is described as including a crop delivery apparatus, an unloading structure and a belt. The crop delivery apparatus defines an outlet and is configured and positioned to propel a flow of crop material through the outlet such that a least a portion of the crop material is deposited onto the belt. The unloading structure is configured to receive the crop material from the crop delivery apparatus and has a structure including a conveyor tube portion extending along a longitudinal axis, the conveyor tube portion defining a passage therethrough having an open intake end. The belt extends from the intake end through the passage for transporting the crop material through the conveyor tube portion. A projection of the longitudinal axis of the conveyor tube portion of the unloading structure passes through an internal cross-sectional area defined by the outlet of the crop delivery apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Eric E. Veikle
  • Patent number: 10653066
    Abstract: A feederhouse conveyor system for an agricultural harvesting machine is provided. The feederhouse conveyor system includes a power transmitting system. The power transmitting system includes first rollers, second rollers, and power transmitting bands. The power transmitting bands are configured to each transmit power between each of the first rollers and the second rollers. The feederhouse conveyor system also includes rigid cross members, configured to each attach near each end to at least one of the power transmitting bands, and flexible cross members configured to each attach near each end to at least one of the power transmitting bands. The centerlines which extend through the rigid cross members and the flexible cross members are parallel. The mat attaches to the flexible cross members by a pocket in the mat through which the flexible cross members extend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: David W. Peters, Corwin M. Puryk, Michael T. Meschke, Adam J. Donohoe
  • Patent number: 10251340
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method implemented in an agricultural machine harvesting alfalfa plants, the method comprising: receiving, in real time, input corresponding to a plurality of sensed parameters corresponding to alfalfa plant height and cut alfalfa volume; associating the cut alfalfa volume to an alfalfa stem diameter; and automatically determining a feed quality value for the alfalfa plants based on the sensed alfalfa plant height and the alfalfa stem diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignees: AGCO Corporation, HARVEST TEC, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Sullivan Roberts, Ryan Paul Johnson, Grant Lewis Good, Nyle C. Wollenhaupt, L. Grant Macneill
  • Patent number: 9814181
    Abstract: A header of an agricultural harvester for the transport of a flow of crop from a header to a combine feeder house. The header includes a frame having a floor, a conveyor assembly, and a drive mechanism. The conveyor assembly is mounted above the floor to urge a flow of crop material during harvesting operations, and the drive mechanism operatively connects to the conveyor assembly to drive movement of the conveyor assembly. The drive mechanism includes a drive motor mounted to the frame beneath the floor about a medial section of the header.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Bradley Wenger, Andrew V. Lauwers
  • Patent number: 9326445
    Abstract: A composite discharge spout portion for a discharge spout for a forage harvester defines at least a portion of a path for crop materials. The spout portion may include a proximal end, a distal end, an upper wall and a pair of side walls extending between the proximal end and distal end. The side walls depend from the upper wall, and the top and side walls have opposite major faces and edges. A spine may be integrated into each of the side walls and extends between the proximal and distal ends, with each of the spines forming a tubular structure on either side of the spout portion. The upper wall, the side walls and the spines may be integrally formed of a composite material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Inventors: Phil Kooima, Dale Vanden Top
  • Patent number: 9272853
    Abstract: A system and method for discharging material from a chute on a farm implement into a container or bin such that the discharged material is evenly distributed in the container or bin. The system and method includes a farm implement with a bin for holding material, a conveyor for discharging material from the bin and a chute at the end of the conveyor for directing the material discharged from the conveyor. The chute may be moved into a plurality of positions based on sensor outputs to facilitate the even distribution of material in the container or bin receiving the discharged material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Van Mill, Ronald J. Schlimgen, Shawn W. Gerdeman
  • Patent number: 9038814
    Abstract: An agricultural combine unloader assembly includes an unloader tube having an internal passage in fluid communication with a discharge outlet at an end of the unloader tube. A door is mounted adjacent the discharge outlet for covering the discharge outlet. The door is moveable between an open position uncovering the discharge outlet and a closed position at least partially covering the discharge outlet. In the open position, the door is positioned below a flow path of grain to be discharged through the discharge outlet. A catch is mounted adjacent the door. The catch includes a housing having an open end adjacent a first end of the door and a closed end adjacent a second end of the door opposite the first end. The catch is operatively connected to the door and movable between a first position and a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Cooper Wilhelm Linde
  • Publication number: 20150141098
    Abstract: An inclined conveyor for a combine harvester has at least two endless traction elements (drive elements) which extend in parallel to one another and which are interconnected by carrier bars. The carrier bars are situated transversely with respect to the conveying direction. The inclined conveyor is configured so that the load on the drive element is reduced due to the low weight of the carrier bars and a lower conveying speed. The carrier bars on the conveyor have at least two rods situated one on top of the other, have a circular cross section, and are fastened to the drive element as individual rods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Jan-Harm MULDER, Johan OORD, Sebastian JÄGER
  • Publication number: 20150141099
    Abstract: An inclined conveyor for a combine harvester has two drive elements which define a conveying direction and revolve in a conveying duct. Conveying duct is divided into an overshot return duct and an undershot conveying duct by a separating element situated between the upper run and the lower run of the drive element. Drive element is interconnected by carriers situated transversely with respect to conveying direction that convey harvested crop in undershot conveying duct. The difference in speed between the carrier bars and harvested crop stream is eliminated, and at least reduced, by additional acceleration of harvested crop stream. Carrier bars serve as carriers, and as acceleration elements for the harvested crop. That is because the cross section of each of the carrier bars viewed in conveying direction, occupies at least 30% of the smallest internal cross section of undershot conveying duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Jan-Harm MULDER, Johan Oord, Sebastian Jäger
  • Patent number: 8961285
    Abstract: A feed system for a biomass collection device uses a conveyor for dropping a flow comprising a mixture of denser or heavier biomass to be collected such as cobs, and less dense or lighter biomass residue such as leaf trash, through a space, and rotary feed apparatus below for receiving the flow, operable for propelling the received flow into a collection device, in combination with a fan configured and operable for directing a flow of air along a second path intersecting the first path in a manner to divert at least a substantial portion of the less dense or lighter biomass residue away from the feed apparatus, while allowing substantially all of the denser or heavier biomass to continue along the first path to the feed apparatus for feeding into the collection device. Distribution apparatus along the second path can then be used to spread the diverted biomass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Jonathan E. Ricketts
  • Patent number: 8935060
    Abstract: A driver assistance system for an agricultural working machine includes at least one control/regulating unit designed to adjust and monitor working parameters, quality parameters or both, of the agricultural working machine in an automatable manner based on use of a family of characteristics stored in the control/regulating unit. A selectable process implementation strategy is specified in order to automatically monitor or adjust at least one working parameter or quality parameter or both of the agricultural working machine. The driver assistance system suggests that the process implementation strategy be changed at least when the specified setpoint value of one or more of the quality parameters cannot be reached within the preselected process implementation strategy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Baumgarten, Andreas Wilken, Sebastian Neu, Christoph Heitmann, Christoph Bussmann, Henner Voecking, Boris Kettelhoit
  • Patent number: 8920100
    Abstract: A granular material stirring apparatus for breaking up clumps of a granular material in an interior of a storage bin comprises a base assembly for resting on a floor of the bin, an agitation rotor rotatably mounted on the base assembly, and a rotation device connected to the rotatable agitation rotor to cause the agitation rotor to rotate with respect to the base assembly. The agitation rotor may include a central member rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis and a plurality of stirrer members extending substantially radially outwardly from the central member to rotate about the substantially horizontal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Inventors: Robert P. Stahl, Bob A. Waldner
  • Publication number: 20140329572
    Abstract: A combine harvester having a crop processing mechanism and an elevator assembly is provided. The elevator assembly conveys harvested crop to the crop processing mechanism. The elevator assembly includes an elevator housing, an endless conveyor mounted for rotation within the elevator housing about a shaft, and a sprocket stripper mounted adjacent the shaft. The sprocket stripper includes a beveled or tapered edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: William Mark McCully, Clayton E. Banks, JR., Eric Emerson Veikle
  • Publication number: 20140315608
    Abstract: An unload tube for a combine include an upright lift portion arranged to lift grain therethrough from the onboard grain storage bin and a transfer portion connected to the lift portion by an elbow portion so as to receive grain therefrom. The transfer portion is formed from several sections coupled in series with one another for relative movement between an extended position and a retracted position in which the transfer portion is reduced in length relative to the extended position. The elbow portion is also movable relative to the onboard grain storage bin in the retracted position of the transfer portion between a working position supporting the transfer portion above the upper hopper portion of onboard storage bin and a storage position in which the transfer portion and the elbow portion are lowered downwardly in height relative to the working position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventor: Douglas Charles Novlan
  • Publication number: 20140274236
    Abstract: A harvester is provided comprising a vessel for securing a crop therein and a crop delivery system. The crop delivery system has a first tube with a first angled orientation, a first end and an opposed second end, the first tube being configured to receive the crop from the vessel at the first end. A continuous belt is provided having a receiving region in close proximity to the first end of the first tube. A portion of the belt operable to carry the crop from the receiving region is structurally supported by and substantially covered by the first tube, while a portion of the belt operable to return to the receiving region after delivering the crop passes beneath the first tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Edward H. Priepke
  • Patent number: 8827782
    Abstract: An unload auger assembly for a combine harvester includes a drive coupler configured between adjacent first and second auger segments. The coupler includes a driver component and associated driver cog coupled to the first auger segment. A driven component and associated driven cog is coupled to the second auger segment. The driven cog is rotationally engaged by the driver cog to transmit rotational drive from the first auger segment to the second auger segment. A friction clutch is configured in-line between the driver component and driven component and rotationally couples the driver component to the driven up to a release torque value wherein the friction clutch disengages the driver component from the driven component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Reuben Dise, Cooper Wilhelm Linde, Terry Scott Moyer
  • Publication number: 20140243055
    Abstract: A grain conveyor for a combine harvester capable of increasing capacity and reducing component wear is disclosed. The grain conveyor includes a grain elevator, a transition chamber and an auger assembly. The grain elevator has an inlet for receiving a flow of grain. The transition chamber includes an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with the transition chamber inlet and the grain elevator inlet. The transition chamber outlet has an asymmetric non-circular opening larger than the non-cylindrical opening of the transition chamber inlet. The auger assembly is operatively connected to the transition chamber and includes an inlet for receiving a flow of grain and an outlet in fluid communication with the transition chamber inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: CNH AMERICA LLC
    Inventors: William Mark McCully, Clayton E. Banks, Jr., Eric Emerson Veikle, Karl Robert Linde
  • Patent number: 8814640
    Abstract: A harvesting system includes a self-propelled harvesting machine and a drivable collecting container equipped with a drive unit, which can be positioned relative to the harvesting machine and moved in parallel therewith. Crop is fed directly or indirectly to the collecting container during harvesting operation from the harvesting machine using a feed pipe equipped with an outlet chute. The collecting container is equipped with a device for loading it with crop in a uniform manner. The collecting container is moved in a constant position relative to the harvesting machine by way of a control device while the crop is being conveyed. The collecting container is preferably a filling device, by way of which uniform distribution of the crop in the collecting container (8) can be attained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Willi Behnke, Norbert Diekhans, Jochen Huster, Thilo Krause, Bastian Kriebel, Frank Claussen, Markus Brune
  • Patent number: 8801514
    Abstract: A grain conveyor for a combine harvester capable of increasing capacity and reducing component wear is disclosed. The grain conveyor includes a grain elevator, a transition chamber and an auger assembly. The grain elevator has an inlet for receiving a flow of grain. The transition chamber includes an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with the transition chamber inlet and the grain elevator inlet. The transition chamber outlet has an asymmetric non-circular opening larger than the non-cylindrical opening of the transition chamber inlet. The auger assembly is operatively connected to the transition chamber and includes an inlet for receiving a flow of grain and an outlet in fluid communication with the transition chamber inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: William Mark McCully, Clayton E. Banks, Jr., Eric Emerson Veikle, Karl Robert Linde, Todd Allen Cannegieter, Curtis Frederick Hillen, Frank R. G. Duquesne
  • Publication number: 20140213331
    Abstract: A bubble up auger for conveying crop material on an agricultural combine is provided. The bubble up auger includes a tubular housing, a screw auger and a baffle. The tubular housing includes an inlet opening having a first width end adjacent a first end of the tubular housing and a second width end opposite the first width end. The baffle extends from the inlet opening, outwardly from the central longitudinal axis of the tubular housing and towards the first end of the tubular housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: CNH AMERICA LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Eugene Ricketts, William Mark McCully, Clayton E. Banks, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140171165
    Abstract: An inclined conveyor assembly (20) for a combine harvester (10) comprises a housing (62) on whose rear end an upper conveyor roller (64) is supported such that it can rotate, a lower conveyor roller (90) positioned on the front end of the housing (62); an extendible, endless conveyor element (82) circulating around the lower conveyor roller (90) and around the upper conveyor roller (64), with carriers (84) and a pendulum plate (78), which is hinged on the front end of the housing (62) and which can swivel around a pendulum axle (76), on which a harvesting attachment (18) can be affixed. Below the endless conveyor element (82), there is a flexible bottom element (100), which is coupled with the pendulum plate (78) on its front end, and with the housing (62) of the inclined conveyor assembly (20) on its rear end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventors: MARTIN RITTERSHOFER, VOLKER FUCHS, JOHANNES JUELKE
  • Patent number: 8747195
    Abstract: An agricultural combine with a plurality of grain tanks and an unloader system for unloading grain harvested by the combine. The unloader system has an unloader tube, a sensor and a controller. The unloader tube includes an interior passageway with a conveyor inside the interior passageway for moving the grain through the unloader tube and at least two discharge assemblies on the unloader tube for discharging grain traveling through the unloader tube to one of the plurality of grain tanks. The sensor is used for sensing an attribute of the grain that is to be unloaded through the unloader tube. The controller is operatively connected to and in communication with the unloader system and sensor so as to discharge the grain from the unloader tube through one of the at least two discharge assemblies based upon the attribute detected by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Eugene Ricketts, Kevin Scott Richman, Robert A Matousek
  • Patent number: 8740679
    Abstract: A combine harvester unloading system is provided in which an unloading auger (20) is swingable between a stowed position and an unloading position around an upright pivot axis disposed at one end of the auger. A pivotally mounted auger support cradle (26) is moveable between a reception position to engage the underside of the auger when transitioning into the stowed position and a supporting position under the auger when in the stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Laverda SpA
    Inventor: Brian Jay Hollatz
  • Publication number: 20140144118
    Abstract: A motorized conveyor for moving a flow of harvest coming from a fruit harvesting machine, said conveyor comprising a plurality of rollers spaced longitudinally, said rollers being driven in rotation to move the flow of harvest on said rollers in a longitudinal direction between upstream and downstream transverse axes, each roller having a surface of revolution comprising grooves that extend transversely and continuously over its entire length, so as to enable transverse routing of said flow of harvest while it is being conveyed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: CNH FRANCE S.A.
    Inventors: Daniel H.A.M. Le Neve, Vincent Rico
  • Publication number: 20140135083
    Abstract: An agricultural combine with a plurality of grain tanks and an unloader system for unloading grain harvested by the combine. The unloader system has an unloader tube, a sensor and a controller. The unloader tube includes an interior passageway with a conveyor inside the interior passageway for moving the grain through the unloader tube and at least two discharge assemblies on the unloader tube for discharging grain traveling through the unloader tube to one of the plurality of grain tanks. The sensor is used for sensing an attribute of the grain that is to be unloaded through the unloader tube. The controller is operatively connected to and in communication with the unloader system and sensor so as to discharge the grain from the unloader tube through one of the at least two discharge assemblies based upon the attribute detected by the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: CNH AMERICA LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Eugene Ricketts, Kevin Scott Richman, Robert A. Matousek
  • Publication number: 20140128134
    Abstract: An agricultural combine unloader assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes an unloader tube having an internal passage in fluid communication with a discharge outlet at an end of the unloader tube. A door is mounted adjacent the discharge outlet for covering the discharge outlet. The door is moveable between an open position uncovering the discharge outlet and a closed position at least partially covering the discharge outlet. In the open position, the door is positioned below a flow path of grain to be discharged through the discharge outlet. A catch is mounted adjacent the door. The catch includes a housing having an open end adjacent a first end of the door and a closed end adjacent a second end of the door opposite the first end. The catch is operatively connected to the door and movable between a first position and a second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: CNH AMERICA LLC
    Inventor: Cooper Wilhelm LINDE
  • Publication number: 20140113694
    Abstract: An unloading conveyor arrangement for an agricultural machine includes a conveyor having a discharge end, and a spout arrangement at the discharge end of the conveyor. The spout arrangement includes a spout which is connected to the discharge end and movable relative to the conveyor. The spout and the discharge end have an interspatial gap therebetween. The spout arrangement further includes a seal which is attached to the conveyor and/or the spout and extends across the interspatial gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Jason R. Coppinger, Brian L. Scheuring, Herbert M. Farley, Cooper W. Linde
  • Publication number: 20140073381
    Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine includes a working assembly for processing a crop flow and a discharge accelerator for the processed crop that is designed as a unit to be installed in its entirety into an operating position (PB) downstream of the working assembly in the flow path of the crop stream. The discharge accelerator unit is readily deinstalled from an operating position (P1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: CLAAS SELBSTFAHRENDE ERNTEMASCHINEN GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan Look, Lukas Grosse Wienker, Burkhard Weil
  • Publication number: 20140066149
    Abstract: An unload auger assembly for a combine harvester includes a drive coupler configured between adjacent first and second auger segments. The coupler includes a driver component and associated driver cog coupled to the first auger segment. A driven component and associated driven cog is coupled to the second auger segment. The driven cog is rotationally engaged by the driver cog to transmit rotational drive from the first auger segment to the second auger segment. A friction clutch is configured in-line between the driver component and driven component and rotationally couples the driver component to the driven up to a release torque value wherein the friction clutch disengages the driver component from the driven component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: CNH AMERICA LLC
    Inventors: Reuben Dise, Cooper Wilhelm Linde, Terry Scott Moyer
  • Publication number: 20140045563
    Abstract: An auger assembly for a combine harvester includes an auger trough having side walls with a length so as to extend laterally between opposed side sheets. Guide tracks are configured along bottom edges of the side walls. A flexible bottom cover member is slidably engaged within the guide tracks. The cover member is removably attached to the side walls by being slid into and out of the guide tracks from a longitudinal end of the side walls outboard of the side sheets for an auger clean-out procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: CNH AMERICA LLC
    Inventors: William Cooksey, Jason Coppinger, Craig Murray
  • Patent number: 8649940
    Abstract: A stereo imaging device on a propelled portion of the receiving vehicle collects image data. A container identification module identifies a container perimeter of a storage portion in the collected image data. A spout identification module is adapted to identify a spout of the harvesting vehicle in the collected image data. An alignment module is adapted to determine the relative position of the spout and the container perimeter and to generate command data to the propelled portion to steer the storage portion in cooperative alignment such that the spout is aligned within a central zone or target zone of the container perimeter. A steering controller is associated with a steering system of the propelled portion for steering the receiving vehicle in accordance with the cooperative alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Zachary T Bonefas
  • Patent number: 8438821
    Abstract: A harvester (1), and in particular a forage harvester, has an engine and machinery housing (2) and a discharge chute (10) which is mounted to be movable at a discharge opening (9) from the engine and machinery housing (2). The discharge opening (9) is able to be adjusted in height at the engine and machinery housing (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Haffert
  • Publication number: 20130072268
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a system for removing plant material from harvested crops includes a pinch roller conveyor including pairs of rotatable pinch rollers whose longitudinal axes are aligned with a length of the conveyor, the pinch rollers forming nips in which plant material can be caught and pulled down through the conveyor as the pinch rollers rotate, wherein first ends of the pinch rollers are laterally displaceable so that the pinch rollers can laterally separate from each other to facilitate passage of plant material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: Uninversity of Florida Research Foundation, Incorporated
    Inventor: Uninversity of Florida Research Foundation, Incorp
  • Patent number: 8398469
    Abstract: An agricultural work machine for performing harvesting operations. The agricultural work machine includes a support structure. An unloading system is coupled to the support structure and is configured to transport an agricultural product received from a hopper to an off-machine location. The unloading system includes a transfer assembly having a discharge chute. A positioning system is configured to adjust at least one of an elevation, a length and a rotational position of the transfer assembly to position the discharge chute. A control system is configured to automatically locate the discharge chute from a stowed position to a desired unload position of a plurality of preset unload positions upon receiving an operator input via an operator input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Bruce A. Coers, Daniel J. Burke, Ryan P. Mackin
  • Publication number: 20120282985
    Abstract: A grain tank on a crop harvester includes a belted conveyor floor for moving grain in the grain tank toward an opening through which the grain tank is emptied. A sensor determines when the grain has depleted the tank to a substantially low level and activates the floor to remove the remainder of the grain material. A flexible strip between the active floor and the sidewalls of the grain container ensure that grain loss is minimized, if not eliminated. The active floor may be provided in an belt in which the driven side has a lower friction material so as to improve belt life.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventors: Bruce A. Coers, Daniel J. Burke, Ryan P. Mackin, Shane Anderson, David Rix, Cody Freehill
  • Publication number: 20120214561
    Abstract: A combine harvester unloading system is provided in which an unloading auger (20) is swingable between a stowed position and an unloading position around an upright pivot axis disposed at one end of the auger. A pivotally mounted auger support cradle (26) is moveable between a reception position to engage the underside of the auger when transitioning into the stowed position and a supporting position under the auger when in the stowed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: LAVERDA SPA
    Inventor: Brian Jay Hollatz
  • Publication number: 20120208607
    Abstract: A biomass conveying and distributing system for separating and distributing lighter biomass residue from heavier or denser biomass, utilizing available air flow from the cleaning system of the harvester. The harvester will discharge a flow of heavier or denser biomass with an airborne flow of lighter biomass residue. The system includes a conveyor for receiving and conveying the heavier or denser biomass, and residue distributing apparatus disposed above the conveyor in a path of at least a portion of the airborne flow of lighter residue, including at least one deflector configured and operable for redirecting the airborne flow sidewardly away from the conveyor, above a passage through which the conveyor passes carrying the heavier biomass away from the harvester.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventors: Jonathan E. Ricketts, John J. Borsdorf, James Minnihan
  • Patent number: 8241098
    Abstract: An adjustable conveyor assembly attachable to a harvesting combine includes a pair of telescoping conveyor sections providing a length adjustable conveyor for the conveyance of harvested materials being unloaded from a combine bin. The conveyors include a hydraulically motorized extension and conveyor belt drive as well as associated user controls. The conveyor is controlled by a control module located within the combine cab which provides user interface and programmable functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Inventor: Leslie B. Latimer
  • Patent number: 8197312
    Abstract: An agricultural combine unloader extension is provided that can be used to extend the reach of conventional unloader tubes and for preventing the loss of crop material residing within the unloader tube from falling out and becoming waste. The unloader extension is hingedly connected to the unloader tube, wherein a drive mechanism is configured to rotate the unloader extension about a vertical axis from a discharging position to a closed or storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventor: Jonathan E. Ricketts
  • Patent number: 8126620
    Abstract: A grain transfer control system, and method of use thereof, for automatedly controlling the transfer of grain from a mobile transferor-type vehicle, such as a combine harvester, to a mobile transferee-type vehicle, such as a crop transport, by varying the position and speed of the transferor-type and transferee-type vehicles relative to one another during the transfer operation, especially by varying the position and rate of walk of the discharge spout along at least a portion of the length of a grain holding receptacle of the transferee-type vehicle, to effect a generally even fill of the grain holding receptacle of the transferee-type vehicle along the length of the grain holding receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Justin R. Ringwald, Christopher A. Foster
  • Patent number: 8033088
    Abstract: A combine harvester for separating grain from trash is attached to a towable baling apparatus for converting trash into compacted bales, by a conveyor, a forward end of the conveyor being pivotally attached to the combine harvester proximate the rear such that a trash outlet of the combine is disposed above the trash inlet of the conveyor. The rear end of the conveyor is attached to the baling apparatus in a way that causes a large percentage of the trash from the combine harvester trash outlet to enter the baling apparatus inlet without ever touching the ground. The conveyor is supported from the rear of the combine harvester by a towbar which is fixed to the chassis proximate the support for the forward and rearward set of ground wheels. A nozzle is provided to spray water onto the crop before it enters the baler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Glenvar Enterprises Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Graham Michael Shields
  • Publication number: 20110151952
    Abstract: A system for presenting a crop sample to a crop property sensor is in particular suited for a harvesting machine and comprises a bypass line branching off from a crop feeding assembly, a conveyor for feeding the branched-off crop through the bypass line without damaging the crop, and a crop property sensor for sensing one or more properties of the crop in the bypass line. The bypass line is upwardly angled or extends vertical, such that the conveyor elevates the material from the crop guiding channel to the crop property sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Georg Kormann, James J. Phelan, Andrzej Kozicki, Thomas Herlitzius, Jens Teichmann, Andi Günther
  • Publication number: 20110136556
    Abstract: An agricultural combine unloader extension is provided that can be used to extend the reach of conventional unloader tubes and for preventing the loss of crop material residing within the unloader tube from falling out and becoming waste. The unloader extension is hingedly connected to the unloader tube and configured to be moved from a discharging position to a closed or storage position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: CNH AMERICA LLC
    Inventor: Jonathan E. RICKETTS
  • Patent number: 7927198
    Abstract: A cart is towed behind a combine harvester for collecting corn cobs and includes a conveyer belt feeding into a system for separating cobs from residue to be discharged and a tank for receiving and transporting the cobs. An unload auger is provided from the tank to one side of the cart while the cart moves forward. Power for driving the cart is obtained from a chopper drive of the combine harvester. The separating arrangement includes a suction fan or a single blower fan or a series of blower fans for blowing air through material from a conveyor and into a spreading guide which disperses the residue. The cobs are conveyed using a series of augers where the auger to flight distance is at least 2 inches and particularly a pair of augers feed the cobs through a front wall of the tank so as to push cobs upwardly into the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Redekop Enterprises Inc.
    Inventors: Leo Redekop, Dean Mayerle
  • Patent number: 7874899
    Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes a support frame and a hopper coupled to the support frame. The hopper is configured to store an agricultural product during a harvesting operation. An unloading system is coupled to the support frame. The unloading system is configured to transport agricultural product received from the hopper to an off-machine location. The unloading system includes a metering gate, a transfer conveyance, at least one sensor, and an electrical processing circuit. The metering gate is positioned near a bottom of the hopper and in communication with an interior of the hopper. The transfer conveyance has an inlet end and a discharge end. The inlet end is in communication with the metering gate. The at least one sensor provides an output signal representing an operating parameter associated with an unload rate of agricultural product through the transfer conveyance during an unloading operation. The electrical processing circuit is coupled to the metering gate and the at least one sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Ryan Patrick Mackin, Daniel James Burke, Bruce Alan Coers, Mark Charles DePoorter
  • Patent number: 7862411
    Abstract: A cob collection device for use with a corn harvester, includes a conveyor system including a portion for positively removing or cleaning attached husks from the cobs after removal of corn therefrom by the harvester, the conveyor system including an upwardly inclined conveyor portion operably movable in cooperation with the collection device for distributing delivery of cobs thereto, the cob collection device having a wall portion including an aperture for receiving the inclined conveyor portion, and a door for closing the aperture when the conveyor is removed, allowing unloading of the collection device, and stowage of the conveyor in a compacted manner to facilitate travel under bridges, utility wires, doorways and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan E. Ricketts, Joshua D. Werning
  • Publication number: 20100330337
    Abstract: One embodiment is a combine having an operator's cab, an engine, a grain harvesting assembly, a grain transfer assembly, a grain bin for receiving grain from the forward section grain transfer assembly, and a transverse crop residue baler disposed at the rear of said combine and moving integrally with said combine. The transverse crop residue baler also can be towed by the combine and is connected to the combine by two widely spaced-apart joints that permit only movement in the pitch axis. The combine can be devoid of an on-board grain bin and comprise a forward unit; the transverse crop residue baler disposed at the rear of and carried by the forward unit; and the combine includes a rearward unit jointedly attached to the forward unit and having, steerable and powered wheel assembly, an on-board grain bin, and a grain off-loading assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventor: Ben N. Dillon
  • Patent number: 7833091
    Abstract: A combine harvester has at least one cleaning device which includes at least one sieve and one cleaning fan, at least one conveyor device for conveying at least a portion of the crop material that exits the cleaning device into a higher region of the combine harvester and including at least one elevator having a lower intake region and an upper transfer region, the crop material being conveyed in the elevator via conveyor plates which are situated on a circulating chain, and the elevator includes, in its lower region, at least two interspaced deflection axles for the circulating chain, which are oriented transversely to the longitudinal extension of the combine harvester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Holtmann, Stefan Teroerde, Winfried Wesselmann, Ingo Boenig, Christopher Vieregge, Daniel Brueggemann, Hubert Korte, Ulrich Claes, Waldemar Schulz