Company Filing History:
Years Active: 1980-1992
Title: The Innovative Contributions of Carl M McHugh
Introduction
Carl M McHugh is a notable inventor based in Clemson, SC (US). He has made significant contributions to the field of harvesting machinery, particularly in the design and functionality of equipment used for low-lying fruit harvesting. With a total of 3 patents to his name, McHugh's work has had a considerable impact on agricultural practices.
Latest Patents
One of McHugh's latest patents focuses on a harvester specifically adapted for harvesting low-lying fruit, such as those found on high-density, dwarf trees. This innovative harvester features an intra-loop conveyor that collects detached fruit close to the ground and elevates it using a single flighted belt. The design allows the harvester to straddle a single row of trees, detaching fruit by repeatedly impacting the tree canopies as it moves along the row.
The harvester is equipped with spring-loaded deflection plates that close around the tree trunks, directing detached fruit to the interior surfaces of a pair of single-loop conveyors. Baffles within each conveyor help restrain the fruit as it passes overhead to an inverted position. The fruit is then discharged onto an output conveyor that passes beneath the discharge area. This output conveyor includes a multi-segment, foldable conveyor frame, allowing for easy transport when not in use.
Additionally, the harvester utilizes canopy-impacting tines as fruit detachment devices. These tines are rotatably driven in a single plane, incorporating both constant and oscillatory rotational components of motion. The constant component is synchronized with the vehicle's forward speed, ensuring unimpeded feeding of trees through the harvester. The oscillatory component sharply impacts the tree canopies, effectively detaching the fruit. Both the amplitude and frequency of this impacting action can be varied to optimize performance.
Career Highlights
Carl M McHugh has dedicated his career to advancing agricultural technology through innovative machinery design. His work at Clemson University has positioned him as a leader in the field of harvesting technology.
Collaborations
Throughout his career, McHugh has collaborated with notable colleagues, including Clarence E Hood and Robert E Williamson. Their combined expertise has contributed to the development of cutting-edge agricultural solutions.
Conclusion
Carl M McHugh's contributions to harvesting machinery exemplify the importance of innovation in agriculture