Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080215203 | METHOD FOR CREATING SPIRAL SWATHS FOR IRREGULAR FIELD BOUNDARIES - A method for calculating spiral swath paths in an area with irregular boundaries and providing automatic guidance of a vehicle along the calculated spiral swath paths. A baseline swath path is generated, and at least one adjacent swath path is calculated based on the minimum turning radius of the vehicle and associated implement. An algorithm calculates the continuous spiral swath path by monitoring a position data points at the end point of the previous swath path at the starting point of the at least one adjacent swath path, configuring a radius of curvature for each individual swath path determining the radius of curvature for each swath path and joining the individual swath paths into one continuous spiral swath path. | 09-04-2008 |
20080249692 | METHOD FOR CREATING END OF ROW TURNS FOR AGRICULTURAL VEHICLES - A GPS-based vehicle guidance system and a method for automatically guiding a vehicle through and end of a row turn. The present invention provides a method and system that automatically guides the vehicle through an end of row turn without manual control. An algorithm using the minimum turning radius of the vehicle and the rate of change of the vehicle creates a set of interpolated data points resulting in an end of row turn. | 10-09-2008 |
20080269956 | SWATH FINDER FEATURE INTEGRATED WITH MULTIPURPOSE DISPLAY - A GPS-based vehicle guidance system method for providing an integrated display for the operator of a vehicle and provides determining the ideal swath path based on predetermined and user inputted parameters. The method is applied to both manual and automatic modes of operation, and includes the use of an integrated display that clearly indicates whether the system is operating in chase or pull mode of operation with continuous indicators. The method also includes providing guidance to the vehicle operator at the beginning of the process and during end of row turns, to enable the vehicle to align with the predetermined swath paths. | 10-30-2008 |
20090265053 | METHOD FOR CREATING SPIRAL SWATH PATTERNS FOR CONVEX POLYGON SHAPED FIELD BOUNDARIES - A computationally efficient method for generating a spiral swath pattern for a region of a field bounded by a convex polygon, the method automatically generating curved portions for the swath pattern having radii of curvature greater than a minimum turning radius based on the minimum turning radius and a definition of the field boundary. | 10-22-2009 |
20090265098 | Swath line creation including slope compensation for an automatic guidance system of a work vehicle - An apparatus and method for generating swath lines including compensation for sloping terrain in a field for use in an automatic guidance system of a work machine. The swath lines are created as a function of the position, elevation and/or orientation of the work vehicle. | 10-22-2009 |
20090276127 | Correction in Position with Hitch Position Sensor - An automatic guidance system for an agricultural vehicle includes a tractor, a towed implement, an absolute tractor position sensor, a relative implement position sensor, and an electronic control system. The operator inputs the implement geometry and field information into the control system. The control system combines this data with the absolute vehicle position and relative implement position to accurately guide the towed implement through a field. | 11-05-2009 |
20100070178 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE ORIENTATION MEASUREMENT - The orientation of a self-propelled vehicle or a towed vehicle relative to the direction of travel of the vehicle can be determined by mounting two ground speed sensors on the vehicle. The orientation of the vehicle relative to the direction of travel of the vehicle can be used to correct the error in the location of an implement mounted on the vehicle determined by a GPS system mounted on the vehicle or the vehicle towing the implement due to crabbing of the vehicle as the vehicle travels substantially perpendicular to a significant slope. | 03-18-2010 |
20100179716 | Method for Creating Spiral Swath Patterns for Convex Polygon Shaped Field Boundaries - A computationally efficient method for generating a spiral swath pattern for a region of a field bounded by a convex polygon, the method automatically generating curved portions for the swath pattern having radii of curvature greater than a minimum turning radius based on the minimum turning radius and a definition of the field boundary. | 07-15-2010 |
20100262342 | METHOD FOR AVOIDING POINT ROWS FOR QUADRILATERAL FIELDS USING AUTOGUIDANCE - A method for generating a swath pattern avoiding point rows for a work vehicle to be driven in a region of a field, which region can be described as having a first side boundary and an opposite second side boundary extending divergently between a first and an opposite second end boundary, the method generating a swath pattern including side by side swaths having centerlines that diverge uniformly between the end boundaries, the method also generating a plurality of swath patterns including options for disabling one or more individual rows of an implement for selection by an operator. | 10-14-2010 |
20110166752 | METHOD FOR ESTIMATING AND CONTROLLING DRIVELINE TORQUE IN A CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE HYDRO-MECHANICAL TRANSMISSION - The method of estimating and controlling driveline torque in a continuously variable hydro-mechanical transmission uses pressure data and other metrics of a hydrostatic power unit of the transmission in lieu of actual driveline torque data. A mechanical efficiency of the transmission is determined as a function of whether the power unit is operating in a power generation or regeneration mode, and the torque output of the power unit is estimated from that and other hydrostatic parameters. This is used to estimate a torque output of a planetary power unit of the transmission, and the torque on an output member of the driveline is then estimated using that value, and appropriate corrective action taken. | 07-07-2011 |
20120109463 | STEERING WHEEL MOTION AND SELF-CANCELLING TURN SIGNAL SENSOR - A steering wheel movement sensing apparatus for an agricultural vehicle comprising a magnetic ring configured to fit around the steering column such that it turns in unison with the steering wheel. The minimum number of magnetic poles on the ring is not defined, but a ring having at least 36 poles enables the movement sensor to detect steering wheel movement of 10 degrees. At least two hall-effect sensors fixed in a stationary position adjacent to the magnetic ring generate signals of fluctuating value as the magnetic poles pass enabling wheel movement and the extent of wheel movement to be derived. By specifically adjusting the position of the hall-effect sensors in relation to each other, the resultant output signals can also be used to determine the direction of movement of the steering wheel. Outputs from the sensing apparatus can be used to disengage an automated vehicle guidance system upon detection of steering wheel movement and to provide input to a self-cancelling turn signal system. | 05-03-2012 |
20120283909 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR POSITIONING A VEHICLE WITH A HITCH USING AN AUTOMATIC STEERING SYSTEM - A system and method is provided for positioning a vehicle with a hitch using an automatic steering system to align the vehicle with an implement so that the implement can be connected to the vehicle. The positions of the vehicle and the implement can be determined directly or indirectly from GPS position information. The known positions of the vehicle and implement are then used to calculate a path for the vehicle to align the vehicle with the implement. The calculated path is then provided to an automatic steering system of the vehicle to steer the vehicle along the path. | 11-08-2012 |
20140187381 | Proportional Parking Brake Control In Cooperation With Operation Of A Conntinuously Variable Transmission - A parking brake is controlled in concert with operation of a hydrostatic power unit of a continuously variable transmission, particularly when engaging, disengaging and shuttle shifting the transmission, to provide advantages, particularly when on hills. When particular commands are received, such as shifting to a non-moving position, the parking brake is automatically engaged to hold the vehicle position. A swash plate of the hydrostatic unit can be automatically positioned to anticipate the next command. If that command is received, the brake is automatically gradually or proportionally released and the transmission engaged to effect the commanded movement of the vehicle. If a different command is received, the brake remains engaged as the transmission is configured for the commanded movement, such that no machine movement results. Then the brake is automatically gradually or proportionally released and the transmission engaged to effect that commanded movement. | 07-03-2014 |
20140188354 | Method Of Using Feedforward Compensation Based On Pressure Feedback For Controlling Swash Plate Angle In A Hydrostatic Power Unit Of A Continuously Variable Transmission - A swash plate angle for a hydrostatic power unit of a continuously variable hydromechanical transmission is determined using a feedforward compensation term, to reduce reliance on closed loop control. The feedforward term is based on knowledge of the hydrostatic power unit determined as a function of knowledge of certain parameters, including, but not limited to, hydrostatic power unit pressure, swash plate angle, desired hydrostatic power unit ratio, and pump speed. | 07-03-2014 |
20140200114 | Method Of Calibration Of A Park Brake Of A Continuously Variable Transmission - A method of calibrating a hydraulically operated park brake of a continuously variable transmission of a vehicle. With the vehicle moving at a set, slow speed within a specified range, and the park brake off, a search technique is used, wherein the brake hydraulic pressure is reduced by application of a control signal of a selected test value to apply the brake. When the selected test value is reached, it is held constant, and a condition in a HSU of the transmission is monitored for a change indicative of engagement of the park brake. This will expectedly be in the form of a pressure change and more particularly an increase indicating initial contact between the plates of the brake, and if the HSU change is not detected, the step will time out and another control signal value will be tested. | 07-17-2014 |
20140206502 | Shuttle Shifting For A Continuously Variable Transmission - A shuttle shifting method for a continuously variable transmission automatically selects a manner of shuttle shifting as a function of certain monitored conditions. As one alternative, the direction of operation of the transmission is changed prior to reducing the vehicle speed to zero, and tilt of a swash plate of the hydrostatic power unit of the transmission is held substantially constant, for achieving fast, smooth shifts at faster starting and ending vehicle speeds, without coming to a complete stop. In another alternative, for slower starting and ending speeds, or other conditions such as a temperature condition is present, the vehicle is stopped by changing swash plate angle before effecting a directional change of the transmission and the swash plate. | 07-24-2014 |
20140207350 | Method Of Calibration Of A Hydraulically Operated Clutch Of A Continuously Variable Transmission Using Pressure Between A Hydrostatic Pump And Motor - A method of calibrating a hydraulically operated clutch in a continuously variable transmission of a vehicle, includes steps of filling the clutch as if for a shift, using a control signal value for achieving a test pressure, and determining a resulting change in a pressure condition in a hydrostatic power unit of the transmission. If the change indicates initial engagement, then a value representative of the signal value used is recorded. If greater than initial engagement is indicated, or the vehicle moved, then the clutch is emptied and tested using a lower test pressure. If initial engagement is not indicated, the clutch is emptied and refilled to a greater test pressure. An exemplary pressure condition is a difference in pressure in lines between a pump and motor of the power unit. During the calibration, the vehicle can be held stationary with a parking brake or the like. | 07-24-2014 |
20140221155 | Shuttle Shifting for a Continuously Variable Transmission - A method for performing a shuttle shift with a continuously variable transmission of a work machine is disclosed. The method may generally include adjusting a swash plate angle of a hydrostatic power unit of the transmission in a first direction to reduce a travel speed of the work machine in an off-going direction, initiating a directional swap between an off-going directional clutch of the continuously variable transmission and an on-coming directional clutch of the continuously variable transmission while the work machine is traveling in the off-going direction and adjusting the swash plate angle of the hydrostatic unit in a second direction after the initiation of the directional swap to reduce slippage across the on-coming directional clutch, wherein the second direction is opposite the first direction. | 08-07-2014 |
20140222304 | System And Method For Controlling A Continuously Variable Transmission During A Shuttle Shift - A method for controlling a continuously variable transmission of a work machine during a shuttle shift is disclosed. The method may generally include initiating a directional swap by disengaging an off-going directional clutch of the continuously variable transmission and slipping an on-coming directional clutch of the continuously variable transmission to decelerate the work machine in an off-going direction. In addition, the method may include estimating a total amount of energy to be dissipated in the on-coming directional clutch during the shuttle shift, comparing the total amount of energy to a predetermined energy threshold and, if the total amount of energy is equal to or exceeds the predetermined energy threshold, performing the reversion action to complete the shuttle shift, wherein the reversion action corresponds to an action taken to engage one of the off-going directional clutch or the on-coming directional clutch so as to permit the shuttle shift to be completed using ratio changing. | 08-07-2014 |