Deere & Company

Duane Herbert Ziegler

Alan David Sheidler

Mark Charles DePoorter

Brian Joseph Gilmore

Joseph Albert Teijido

Peter Finamore

Dennis A Kerckhove

Kenneth D Friend

Barry K Denning

Terence Daniel Pickett

Frederick William Nelson

Mark D Anderson

Jack Richard Seyller

Steven L Wildemuth

Martin Kenneth Bush

David W Gadtke

Jon Leo Burns

Jerry W Hansen

Jeff Arthur Nelson

Charles P Barbaro

Heather Irene Chervenka

D Keith Dewey

A method and system for boosting a torque output of a drive train comprises an engine speed detector for detecting an engine speed of an engine having a baseline torque versus engine speed curve. A data processor determines if the detected engine speed is within a first range of engine speeds, if the detected engine speed is within the first range, the electric motor is activated to rotate substantially synchronously with the engine speed within the first range in an electric propulsion mode in accordance with a supplemental torque versus engine speed curve. The supplemental torque versus engine speed curve intercepts the baseline torque versus engine speed curve at a lower engine speed point and a higher engine speed point.

System and method for boosting torque output of a drive train

A method and system for boosting a torque output of a drive train comprises a torque sensor for detecting an engine torque of an engine having a baseline torque versus engine speed curve. A data processor determines if the detected engine torque is within a first torque range, if the detected engine torque is within the first range, the electric motor is activated to rotate substantially synchronously with a corresponding engine speed associated with the detected engine torque in accordance with a supplemental torque versus engine speed curve. The supplemental torque versus engine speed curve intercepts the baseline torque versus engine speed curve at a first lower speed point and a first higher speed point.

An engine speed detector detects an engine speed of an engine having a baseline torque versus engine speed curve. A torque sensor detects an engine torque of the engine. A data processor determines if the detected engine speed is within a first speed range and if the detected engine torque is within a first torque range. A motor controller activates an electric motor to rotate substantially synchronously with a corresponding engine speed associated with the detected engine torque in an electric propulsion mode in accordance with a supplemental torque versus engine speed curve if the detected engine speed is within the first speed range and if the detected engine torque is within the first torque range. The supplemental torque versus engine speed curve intercepts the baseline torque versus engine speed curve at a lower speed point and a higher speed point.

A remote adjustment mechanism for the louvered cleaning elements of a combine harvester has a linearly movable output member directly fastened to the adjusting bar of each element. The actuator is driven by an electric motor. Calibration and feedback of the louver opening is provided by a pair of non-contact sensors sealed in the actuator housing. A first sensor sends a signal to a microprocessor controller when the output member is in a home position corresponding to a known louver opening. The second sensor sends a signal to the microprocessor that is responsive to movement of the output member. By tracking the movement of the output member from the home position, the current position of the output member is known from which the louver opening is determined based on the louver geometry.

Remote adjustment mechanism for a combine harvester cleaning element

The present invention is directed to a speed controller system for the gathering unit of a harvesting assembly wherein the speed is controlled as a ratio of the ground speed of the harvesting machine. The system is provided with an electronic controller having a ground speed sensor and a speed sensor for the gathering units. The operator through a ratio selector selects the desired speed ratio and the controller controls the speed of the gathering unit accordingly. The controller can be ised with different harvesting assemblies such as a platform having a reel or belt pickup gathering unit; or a row crop header having a conventional row crop gathering unit or a corn picker row unit. The controller is also provided with a diagnostic routine for flagging problem areas with the system. The flagged problem areas are assigned a diagnostic code which is displayed in a defined order.

Automatic speed control system for a harvesting assembly

An unloader position control switch assembly is positioned along the pivot axis of an unloader tube and is provided with a downwardly depending key that engages a slot formed in a pivot pin fixedly secured to the unloader tube. The switch assembly has two switch elements that are mechanically interconnected and are automatically resettable after the unloading tube substantially reaches either the storage position or the unloading position for the unloading tube. An operator's switch is interconnected with the control switch assembly so that an operator may easily manipulate the positioning of the unloader tube.

Unloading auger position switch

An agricultural combine is provided with electronic controller cards for assisting in controlling and monitoring the combine. The cards are housed in an enclosure located adjacent to the operator's cab above the ground engaging wheels. The enclosure comprises a box mounted in an aperture formed in the supporting structure and a cover which can be latched to the box. The cover is provided with a number of inwardly extending fingers each having a receiving groove for holding the electronic controller cards. The fingers are arranged in pairs for engaging the cards between the fingers. Openings in the cover are located adjacent to each finger pair for providing an opening through which the electronic controller car held therein can communicate with the wiring harness of the combine. Each opinion is provided with an outwardly extending and encircling flange which engaged a rubber boot of the wiring harness.

Electronics enclosure for an agricultural combine

A combine grain loss monitor system includes sensors adjacent the discharge ends of straw walkers and the upper sieve or chaffer of a cleaning shoe. The shoe sensor is carried in an assembly which is easily mounted on and dismounted from the chaffer without the use of tools. The mounting of the straw walker sensor includes a shield which protects the rear edge and underside of the sensor from damage by flying particles of grain and other material. Both mountings include a baffle designed so as to deflect grain onto the sensor working surface without snagging or holding longer pieces of material such as straw and husks.

Grain loss monitor sensor mounting arrangement for a combine

A tachometer for monitoring several functions on an implement, such as engine, shaft and ground speeds. A microprocessor receives a-c input signals which vary in frequency as the shaft or ground speeds change. A time window synchronized with a rising edge on the desired input signal is provided during which the number of falling edges are counted. A running total weighted average of a number of successive counts is used to update a digital readout indicating speed. Each new count is compared with the previous average and, if a sudden speed change occurs, the processor shifts to a fast update mode in which the new count is used to immediately update the readout. Programming switches are provided for selecting the proper ground speed time window for a given tire size and for providing a ground speed indication in either kilometers per hour or miles per hour.

Tachometer

An automatic attitude control system is disclosed for a harvester having a crop pickup connected for pivoting about a transverse axis near the forward end of a crop-gathering head. The system automatically raises or lowers the crop-gathering head to maintain the angle between the upper run of the pickup belt or conveyor and the head within preselected angular limits to assure proper feeding of the crop from the pickup to a transverse auger or the like on the head. Two sensors are provided, each with a plurality of reed switches, including a group of parallel 'raise' switches and a group of parallel 'lower' switches, and a magnetic actuator mounted for relative movement with respect to the switches as the pickup pivots with respect to the head. The sensor switches are connected to a circuit for activating a control valve for the head cylinders to raise the head when one or more of the switches in either of the 'raise' groups are closed by the actuator. The control valve is actuated to lower the head when at least one of the switches in each of the 'lower' groups is closed. A magnetic shorting bar is positioned between the 'raise' and 'lower' groups to prevent actuation of any of the switches by the magnetic actuator when the angle between the head and the pickup is within the preselected limits.

Growing community of inventors

Colona, IL, United States of America

Duane Herbert Ziegler