The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 23, 2001
Filed:
Jan. 28, 1999
James William Riesterer, Des Moines, IA (US);
Richard Louis Nelson, Cedar Falls, IA (US);
Deere & Company, Moline, IL (US);
Abstract
A compactor for a cotton harvester basket includes an automatic compactor auger control system having a pair of optical sensors mounted in the basket utilizing light blockage to detect a preselected level of cotton in the basket. When the preselected cotton level is reached, a full basket signal is sent to a microprocessor based controller which activates the compactor augers if certain interlock conditions are satisfied. The microprocessor control maintains the augers in operation until the cotton is compacted below the preselected level so the light signal is no longer blocked. An adjustable timer assures compactor operation for a minimum period of time to prevent short, intermittent periods of operation when the basket is filling and permits timing adjustments to accommodate varying cotton conditions.