Abstract: In one aspect, a system for detecting worn or damaged components of an agricultural machine may include first and second acoustic sensors positioned at first and second locations on the agricultural machine, respectively, with the second location being spaced apart from the first location. A controller of the system may be configured to determine a first acoustic parameter associated with the first location of the agricultural machine based on acoustic data received from the first acoustic sensor. The controller may also be configured to determine a second acoustic parameter associated with the second location of the agricultural machine based on acoustic data received from the second acoustic sensor. Furthermore, the controller may be configured to determine a component of the agricultural machine is worn or damaged when the first acoustic parameter differs from the second acoustic parameter by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: The disclosed technology is directed to a RF power generator and feedback control system used to regulate the electrical power delivered to a cutting filament (i.e., a cutting electrode) of an electrosurgical instrument. The electrosurgical instrument uses the delivered energy to form a cutting arc for ablating a tissue mass to access a target tissue therein. The instrument forms a basket-like receptacle around the target tissue to excise the target tissue from the ablated tissue mass. As the instrument forms the receptacle, the length of exposed filament ablating the tissue changes. To this end, the RF power generator described herein is configured to vary the total power delivered during the deployment of the instrument based on a measurement of output power derived from a differential phase angle between a current sense output and a voltage sense output, in some embodiments, to maintain a uniform power density along the length of exposed filament.

Abstract: A forage harvester comprising an edge sharpness detection device for detecting a degree of edge sharpness of a cutting mechanism. The cutting mechanism comminutes a stream of harvested material, with a material inflow area being defined where the cutting blades interact with the shear bar to comminute the harvested material. The edge sharpness detection device excites one or more magnetic circuits, with the respective magnetic circuit being closed by the respective cutting blade during rotation of the cutter drum once one of the cutting blades passes the magnetic assembly. The edge sharpness detection device detects the magnetic flux in the respective magnetic circuit and, based on a detected change, determines a degree of edge sharpness of the respective cutting blade. Further, the magnetic flux of the magnetic circuit may be guided lengthwise in the cutting blade at least along a longitudinal section of the respective cutting blade.

Abstract: A vibration sensor is mounted on the central shaft, such that it senses vibrations induced into the feed roll assembly in a direction transverse to the rotational axis of the feed roll.

Abstract: Hay equipment is provided, having a plurality of unplugging devices operatively connected to the equipment. The plurality of unplugging devices are configured to move to remove a plug of material in the equipment. A controller is configured to activate substantially simultaneously the plurality of unplugging devices and to return the plurality of unplugging devices to normal operating positions once the plug of material is removed.

Abstract: A device for detection and determination of a composition of a bulk material has an image recording unit, a control unit, a memory unit and a selection unit to enable a qualified determination to be made, during a transfer of a crop material flow into a container of an agricultural harvesting machine, of a composition of a crop during processing of the crop material. The determination enables changing of adjustment parameters of working assemblies of the agricultural harvesting machine during the processing of the crop material. The image recording unit has at least two image detectors for recording images or image series of the crop material flow.

Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine includes at least one working assembly for processing and conveying crop as well as a sensor array (9) that detects hazardous substances (18) in the crop (10) to be processed.

Abstract: An agricultural vehicle having a frame and an inlet for intaking crop mat. A hard object assembly is attached to the frame and includes transmitting antennae for transmitting pulsed microwaves and a receiver system that receives the microwaves in order to detect hard objects within the crop mat.

Abstract: An agricultural vehicle having a frame and an inlet for intaking crop mat. A hard object assembly is attached to the frame and includes transmitting antennae for transmitting microwaves and a receiver system that receives the microwaves in order to detect hard objects within the crop mat.

Abstract: A method of unplugging hay and forage equipment, including the steps of identifying a plug, substantially simultaneously activating unplugging devices, unplugging the equipment, and returning the unplugging devices to position of normal operation. The identifying step includes identifying a plug in the equipment caused by the material entering the equipment. The activating step includes activating substantially simultaneously a plurality of unplugging devices. The returning step includes returning the plurality of unplugging devices to their normal operating positions.

Abstract: A foreign object detection and removal system for an agricultural combine is provided. The system includes a controller operatively connected to a feederhouse and a chopper assembly. The feederhouse includes an acoustic element for detecting foreign objects and an actuator for opening and closing a door of the feederhouse to remove foreign objection. The chopper assembly includes an actuator to retract a knife bank to allow for the passage of foreign objects through the chopper assembly without causing damage to the chopper assembly.

Abstract: A foreign object detection and removal system for an agricultural combine is provided. The system includes a controller operatively connected to a feederhouse and a chopper assembly. The feederhouse includes an acoustic element for detecting foreign objects and an actuator for opening and closing a door of the feederhouse to remove foreign objection. The chopper assembly includes an actuator to retract a knife bank to allow for the passage of foreign objects through the chopper assembly without causing damage to the chopper assembly.

Abstract: A method of determining the content of a desired component in a stream of material including two or more types of component, includes causing or permitting a stream of a plurality of particles of material to impact a sensor member located in a path of the material thereby inducing vibration of the sensor member, analyzing vibrations of the sensor member and from the analysis determining whether individual impacts caused by the stream are one of any two or more types selected from three possible impact types, and performing an operation based on the result of the analysis.

Abstract: A deslugging method and system for an agricultural combine, providing several semi- and fully automated operating modes or routines for removing or dislodging a slug of crop and/or other material from the threshing system and/or a feeder of the combine for conveying crop material to the threshing system. The routines can include reciprocating, agitating and jogging routines, which can be automatically altered during execution responsive to sensed or changing conditions, as processed by a suitable filter such as a simplified Kalman type signal filter, for generating a real time estimation and prediction of the various states of the threshing system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for monitoring a flow path having plurality of different solid components flowing therethrough. For example, in the harvesting of a plant material, many factors surrounding the threshing, separating or cleaning of the plant material and may lead to the inadvertent inclusion of the component being selectively harvested with residual plant materials being discharged or otherwise processed. In accordance with the present invention the detection of the selectively harvested component within residual materials may include the monitoring of a flow path of such residual materials by, for example, directing an excitation signal toward of flow path of material and then detecting a signal initiated by the presence of the selectively harvested component responsive to the excitation signal. The detected signal may be used to determine the presence or absence of a selected plant component within the flow path of residual materials.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting existence of a failed or broken shear bolt supporting all or a portion of a concave of a threshing system of an agricultural combine and utilizing information relating to rates of movement and absence of movement of a concave to determine the existence and non-existence of a failed or broken shear bolt supporting the concave. More particularly, the present system and method is operable to diagnose existence of a broken shear bolt from a rapid downward movement of the concave and non-movement of the concave during operation of a driver for repositioning the concave. Also, existence of a false broken concave condition can be diagnosed by movements of the concave responsive to operation of the driver.

Abstract: A method of determining the content of a desired component in a stream of material including two or more types of component, comprises the steps of: causing or permitting a said stream, comprising plural particles of material, to impact a sensor member located in a path of the material thereby inducing vibration of the sensor member; analysing vibrations of the sensor member and from the analysis determining whether individual impacts caused by the stream are one of any two or more types selected from three possible impact types; and performing an operation based on the result of the analysis. The invention is of particular use in determining the content of material streams in combine harvesters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use with a non-frangible object detection mechanism on an agricultural harvester, the detection mechanism including a sensing surface and a sensor for sensing force applied to the sensing surface that is associated with a foreign object adjacent the sensing surface, the harvester including a transport surface along which harvested materials are transported toward the sensing surface, the apparatus including at least first and second ramp members positioned between the transport surface and the sensing surface, the ramp members separated by a gap, each ramp member including a front ramp surface that extends between a front ramp end adjacent the transport surface and a ramp member apex, the ramp member apexes positioned at a location higher than the sensing surface and proximate the sensing surface, wherein, as harvested material and non-frangible objects are conveyed along the transport surface and toward the sensing surface, at least a portion of the harvested material passes betwee

Abstract: A stone detection system of a harvester that automatically changes its sensitivity to signals from a stone sensor in response to the type of harvesting equipment connected to the harvester is provided. The stone detection system generally includes a stone sensor, a header sensor and a microprocessor. The stone sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of the presence of a stone in the crop harvesting system. The header sensor is disposed on the crop harvesting system to sense the header type and to generate a signal indicating the header type. The microprocessor is coupled to the stone sensor and the header sensor to process the stone sensor signal based at least in part upon the header sensor signal.

Abstract: A rotatable drive for a feeder and a header of an agricultural combine for drivingly connecting spaced rotatable elements on the feeder and the header to a rotatable power source on a chassis of the combine, the feeder and the header being jointly mounted to the chassis for pivotal movement relative thereto about a predetermined pivotal axis through a predetermined range of harvesting positions. The drive includes a first gear box mounted on the feeder for pivotal movement therewith and including a rotatable input, a first rotatable output rotatably connected to the input and to at least one of the rotatable elements, and a second rotatable output rotatably connected to the input. The drive includes a second gear box mounted on the feeder and having a rotatable input rotatably connected by a drive shaft to the second output of the first gear box and at least one rotatable output connected to another of the rotatable elements.

Abstract: A foreign object detector comprises an inertial sensor mounted for displacement with one of the displaceable rolls in the feed mechanism of a forage harvester. When a foreign object is forced through the rolls, the acceleration of the rolls' displacement exceeds a predetermined threshold and the detector stops the feed mechanism. Preferably, the detector's sensor is a microswitch having an inertially-actuable lever and which is mounted for displacement with the upper feed roll. The detector's circuitry ties into existing metal detector circuitry.

Abstract: A combine with a throughput dependent speed control includes an angle sensor responsive to uphill, downhill and sidehill slopes. When the combine is angled from a level position, harvest speed is lowered to prevent grain losses from increasing above a target level. The control continuously learns tilt angle, loss and throughput correlation, and the speed reduction is selected based upon the learned correlation. In the preferred embodiment, throughput is estimated utilizing rotor variable drive actuator pressure (RVDAP), and a target RVDAP is modified for short periods of time in accordance with the learned correlation.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting nonmetallic debris in plant material collected with harvester equipment. As the plant material is collected, a signal generator transmits a signal capable of distinguishing the nonmetallic debris from the plant material, and a sensor receives the generator signal and produces an alarm signal when the nonmetallic debris is detected. A controller receives the alarm signal and modifies operation of the harvester in response to the alarm signal. Different signals can identify the nonmetallic debris. The signal generator and sensor can function based on energy from laser light waves, from sound waves, microwave, gamma, x-ray, or fluoroscope energy wavelengths.

Abstract: A crop harvesting machine includes a crop transport or feed mechanism including a feed roller to which a toothed wheel is fixed. A detent in the form of a pivotally mounted lever carries a cam or tooth, the detent being pivotable between a first position wherein the cam is engaged with the toothed wheel so as to block rotation of the feed roller, and a second position wherein the cam is disengaged from the toothed wheel so as to permit free rotation of the crop feed roller. A one-way hydraulic cylinder is coupled to the detent in parallel with a tension coil spring and is controlled by a solenoid control valve, coupled in a control circuit forming part of a metal detector circuit, so as to be pressurized for moving the detent to its first, blocking position when the metal detector sensor senses an undesirable metal object in the crop, and so as to be coupled to sump so that the spring moves the detent to its second position, permitting rotation of the crop feel roller, when no metal is detected.

Abstract: A harvesting machine includes a crop intake arrangement including either a reel or a crop hold down which operate to aid in the advancement of harvested crop into the machine for further processing. In the event of a jam or the presence of metal occurring, the crop intake arrangement may be operated in reverse so as to expel the jam and/or sensed metal. An actuator is provided for moving the reel or crop hold down between non-operating and operating positions and a first sensor for sensing a jam condition and/or the presence of metal is provided which sends a signal when such a condition exists, this signal being used to effect automatic operation of said actuator so as to move the reel or hold down to a non-operating position so as not to interfere with the expulsion of the jam and/or metal. Other controls are provided and other parameters are sensed for delaying and/or overriding the automatic positioning of the reel or crop hold down in their non-operating position.

Abstract: A crop stream passes longitudinally at a feed velocity varying relative to a predetermined feed velocity in a harvesting machine between conveyor elements which transversely compress the stream and at least one of which is transversely deflectable. A stone in the stream is detected by continuously producing an output corresponding to the transverse deflection of the one conveyor element per unit of time, continuously monitoring the feed velocity and producing an output corresponding to actual feed velocity, and establishing for the predetermined feed velocity a predetermined threshold value for the transverse-deflection output. In addition for actual feed velocities different from the predetermined feed velocity respective threshold values are established that are equal to the predetermined threshold value multiplied by the quotient of the actual feed velocity squared divided by the predetermined feed velocity squared.

Abstract: The apparatus is an improvement to a feederhouse on an agricultural combine. The apparatus has a first acoustic array having a first sounding board and acoustic sensor positioned beneath the front drum and feederhouse floor. There is a second acoustic array positioned behind the front drum and between the conveyor chain encircling the front and rear drums. The second acoustic array also has a second acoustic sensor and second sounding plate. The acoustic sensor detects the impact of a stone on the sounding plates. A signal is transmitted via a controller from the sensor to a solenoid controlling a stone trap door latch. When the door opens, a sled also rotates into contact with conveyor chain. This deflects any crop flow containing stones. To close the door, the feederhouse is raise and the door rotates into contact with the latch.

Abstract: A conveying device for material to be chopped with conveying rollers comprises a foreign body detection device and a chopper mechanism whose signals are fed to a control device which controls rapid stopping of the conveying rollers when a foreign body detection signal exceeds a predetermined threshold. Upon reversing operation of the conveying rollers, the detection device is used to end the reversing operation when the foreign body is positioned in front of the conveying rollers.

Abstract: An over center closure apparatus for a spring latched rock door for a combine harvester includes a first, free rotating lever arm connected to rotate about the rock door pivot and a second lever arm connected to rotate with the rock door pivot. The second lever arm includes a stop positioned to engage the first lever arm as it rotates about the rock door pivot. A linkage arm extends from the first lever arm downward to a over center lever arm in an over center assembly. The over center lever arm is positioned to rotate about a pivot axis between an over center position and a free rotating position such that, when the over center lever arm is rotated to the over center position, the rock door is closed and held in the closed position by the over center position of the over center lever arm. The rock door can then be conveniently latched closed.

Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine having feed rolls for feeding crop material along a feed path to a cutterhead which chops the crop material is provided with a metal detector for detecting ferrous metal objects passing along the feed path. The metal detector comprises a plurality of magnets and a plurality of generally planar Hall effect sensing elements. The magnets collectively produce a detection field which extends into the crop feed path. Each sensing element is disposed such that the magnetic field produced by two adjacent magnets is normal to the plane of the sensing element. In addition the sensing elements are disposed in a plurality of planes all normal to the crop feed path. However, the sensing elements are disposed in planes oriented at different angles relative to the direction of crop feed.

Abstract: In a device for recognizing ferromagnetic foreign bodies, for protecting the working members of a harvesting machine, having a magnetic field generating device (9), the lines of flux of which run transversely to the direction of transport, and having assigned pick-up coils (15; 16; 17), it is intended to improve the recognition range across the entire width of the feed system, whilst keeping costs low. At the same time, it is intended better to suppress disturbance signals. For this purpose, the magnetic field generating device (9) comprises an odd number of magnetic poles (12; 13; 14), the two outer magnetic poles (13; 14) possessing the same polarity. At least every second magnetic pole (12) is enclosed by a pick-up coil (15). Expediently, three magnetic poles (12; 13; 14) are present, which are all enclosed by a pick-up coil (15; 16; 17) each. The pick-up coils (15; 16; 17) are connected up such that the induced voltages are added together.

Abstract: A forage harvester having a feed mechanism for transporting crop material along a feed path to a rotating cutterhead is provided with a first detector for detecting metal objects in the crop material and a second detector for detecting hard objects. The feed mechanism includes a hollow feed roll rotatable about a fixed shaft and both detectors are supported by the fixed shaft inside the feed roll. The first detector is a metal detector mounted inside a housing supported by the fixed shaft. The second detector is a thin film microphone for sensing air-borne sound waves produced when hard objects impact the feed roll. The second detector may be mounted on the housing or, alternatively, mounted on a support member attached to the fixed shaft. In either arrangement, a vibration-absorbing pad is provided to isolate the microphone from mechanical vibrations occurring in its supporting structure.

Abstract: A thin film highly directional audible sound sensor is mounted within a rotatable feed roll of a forage harvester to detect the presence of stones and other hard foreign objects in a crop material being fed past the feed roll to a cutter mechanism. Air-borne sound waves produced by the impact of foreign objects on metal parts of the harvester are detected by the sensor which produces a signal for stopping the crop feed mechanism before the foreign objects reach the cutter mechanism. The sensor is mounted on a stationary support within the rotatable feed roll. Output signals from the sensor control a stop mechanism for the crop feed mechanism via conductors extending through a stationary support shaft for the feed roll, thereby avoiding the need to commutate output signals from the detector.