Case Corporation

J. I. Case Company

Oshkosh Truck Corporation

Calvin J Kraning

Dale W Panoushek

Jeffrey S Milender

Barry Douglas Batcheller

Duane R Pillar

Kevin L Brekkestran

Alan G Leupold

Curtis A Halgrimson

Robert D Doescher

Robert J Overmann

Michael C Wrege

Quentin L Guhr

A combine including an improved HVAC control system. The frame of the combine supports an operator cab, a harvesting head and the other operational systems of the combine. The control system includes an operator control and a heat exchanger located in the cab. The control system also includes at least one sensor disposed to sense at least one of an ambient air temperature, a cab air temperature and solar loading, and to produce at least one sensed signal representative thereof. The operator control is configured to produce a set-point signal representative of a desired cab air temperature. An interface circuit is electromagnetically coupled to the valve assembly, the operator control, and the at least one sensor. A cooling coil may also be located in the cab, wherein the interface circuit is electromagnetically coupled to the associated coolant compressor. The interface circuit produces a temperature differential based upon a comparison of the set-point signal to the at least one sensed signal and applies the electrical control signals to the valve, compressor and blower based upon the temperature differential to achieve the desired cab air temperature and minimize cab air temperature oscillations.

Agricultural vehicle cab automatic temperature control system

A combine including an improved HVAC control system is disclosed herein. The frame of the combine supports an operator cab, a harvesting head and the other operational systems of the combine. The control system includes an operator control located at the roof of the cab and a heat exchanger located at the floor of the cab. An interface circuit is electrically coupled to the control circuit and the heat exchanger valve to control the amount of heat output by the heat exchanger. A cooling coil may also be located at the floor of the cab, wherein the control and interface circuit cooperate to control the associated coolant compressor.

Agricultural vehicle cab temperature control system

A cotton picker moistening system is provided that includes a pump driven by an electric motor to deliver a pressurized flow of moistening fluid. The system also includes a detecting device for generating a sensed parameter signal representative of a characteristic of the fluid delivered by the pump, such as pressure or flow rate, and a signal generator for generating a desired parameter signal representative of the desired characteristic. A control circuit compares the sensed and desired parameter signals and generates a control signal derived from the sensed and desired parameter signals. The control signal is applied to the electric motor, the pump or a regulating device downstream of the pump to control the delivery of moistening fluid. A flush switch is provided to override the control circuit and cause predetermined flow of fluid to be delivered.

Cotton picker spindle moistening system

A full-time all wheel steering system is provided whereby the rear wheel angle is determined by the front wheel angle and a relational curve, polynomial equation or set of tabulated values. The front wheel angle is measured and the desired rear wheel angle is calculated by a programmable controller. If the desired rear wheel angle is not sufficiently close to the actual rear wheel angle, the controller means sends a signal which results in adjustment of the rear wheel angle. The desired rear wheel angle may be a function of the vehicle speed as well as the front wheel angle. Further, the operator may select from a plurality of relational curves, polynomial equations, tabulated values as well as a plurality of manually selectable modes including an independent rear wheel steering mode. The system is applicable to passenger cars, trucks and tractor-trailer rigs.

All-wheel steering systems

An improved electronic control system for a vehicle transmission system having a plurality of sequential gear ratios allows the vehicle operator to selectively engage either a normal sequential gear ratio progression or a gear ratio progression that skips or omits certain low gear ratios from the gear ratio shift sequence. The transmission control system includes a microprocessor driven electronic control circuit that governs the transmission operation by selectively actuating, from a plurality of hydraulic clutch solenoid valves, a unique combination of solenoid valves for each gear ratio. Manually operable control means allows the vehicle operator to cause the microprocessor to select a software routine that omits certain solenoid valve combinations so as to progress through the transmission gear ratios during upshifts in the forward control mode at a faster rate, thus improving the acceleration of the vehicle in the low gear ratio range.

Electronic control for transmission gear skip shift

The improved steering controller is of the type used to control the angular position of the rear wheels on a four-wheel-steer vehicle as a function of the angular position of the front, operator-steered wheels. The controller includes a computing section, a visual display of the alpha-numeric type and a visual indicator which provides a bar-like display having a number of individual 'markers' arranged in a row. The apparent length of such bar-like display, which changes as markers are illuminated, apprises the vehicle operator of the approximate magnitude and direction of angular displacement of the rear wheels from the centered position. The alpha-numeric visual display indicates operational mode as well as 'errors' used in troubleshooting diagnosis and repair. The controller also incorporates a 'learn' feature whereby the threshold input power and coil operating current of the steering hydraulic valve are determined and stored in a memory section to provide more consistent valve operation and to reduce setup time. Matched or proportional steering is provided.

Steering controller

A steering system for an articulated vehicle has pivotal wheel steering such as front axle wagon-wheel steering, a hydraulic actuator for pivoting the axle with respect to the vehicle, and a pair of hydraulic actuators for causing articulation of the vehicle. The system includes sensors for providing signals dependent on the degree of front wheel pivot relative to the vehicle and the degree of articulation of the vehicle. These signals are detected by a microprocessor controller which in turn controls the sequence of actuation of the axle and articulation hydraulic actuators. The actuators are operated sequentially so that small directional changes of the vehicles are achieved solely through pivoting of the axle. Operation of the axle and articulation actuators is controlled by a manual steering unit having a conventional hydraulic steering valve, with sequencing being provided through manipulation of a hydraulic fluid diverter valve. The timing and duration of the diverter valve actuation is controlled by the controller as a function of various dynamic turning parameters of the vehicle and the response time of the valve. A make-up valve system is also preferably included for automatically returning the articulation cylinders to their home position under certain conditions as the vehicle operates in a pivotable wheel steering mode.

Growing community of inventors

Valley City, ND, United States of America

Calvin J Kraning