Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100102637 | Generator set control system - A control system is provided for use with a plurality of generator sets. The control system may have at least one load discrete signal cable, a ramping discrete signal cable, a switching device, and a control module associated with a first of the plurality of generator sets. The control module may be configured to detect a signal on the at least one load discrete signal cable generated by a second of the plurality of generator sets indicative of a load on the second of the plurality of generator sets, and to activate the switching device to implement an operational status change of the first of the plurality of generator sets based on the detection. The control module may also be configured to generate a signal on the ramping discrete signal cable to inhibit others of the plurality of generator sets from changing operational status during the operational status change of the first of the plurality of generator sets. | 04-29-2010 |
20100156191 | Generator set control system - A control system is provided for use with a plurality of generator sets. The control system may have a bus, an arbitration relay, a switching device, a control module, and first, second, and third discrete signal cables. The control module may be configured to receive a group start signal and initiate startup of a first of the plurality of generator sets, and to generate a signal on the first discrete signal cable based on an operational status of the first of the plurality of generator sets. The control module may also be configured to determine if the second discrete signal cable is active, to activate the second discrete signal cable and the arbitration relay based on the determination, and to activate the switching device to connect the first of the plurality of generator sets to the bus based on a status of the third discrete signal cable. | 06-24-2010 |
20110320053 | CONTROL SYSTEM HAVING USER-DEFINED CONNECTION CRITERIA - A control system is provided for use with a plurality of generator sets. The control system may have a transmission network connected to a load and separately connectable to each of the plurality of generator sets. The control system may also have a selection module configured to receive from a user a selection of available parameters for use as criteria in determining connections of the plurality of generator sets with the transmission network, and a controller in communication with the plurality of generator sets and the selection module. The controller may be configured to detect a change in the load, and determine a desired change in a connection device of at least one of the plurality of generator sets with the transmission network based on the change in the load. The controller may be further configured to selectively affect the desired change based on the selection. | 12-29-2011 |
20120089270 | GENERATOR SET CONTROL SYSTEM - A control system is provided for use with a plurality of generator sets. The control system may have a bus, an arbitration relay, a switching device, a control module, and first, second, and third discrete signal cables. The control module may be configured to receive a group start signal and initiate startup of a first of the plurality of generator sets, and to generate a signal on the first discrete signal cable based on an operational status of the first of the plurality of generator sets. The control module may also be configured to determine if the second discrete signal cable is active, to activate the second discrete signal cable and the arbitration relay based on the determination, and to activate the switching device to connect the first of the plurality of generator sets to the bus based on a status of the third discrete signal cable. | 04-12-2012 |
20140265354 | GENERATOR SET ADAPTIVE DROOP CONTROL METHOD - A method of controlling a plurality of gensets during a failsafe condition is provided. The method may include operating one or more of the gensets according to a modified isochronous control scheme, and operating a remainder of the gensets according an adaptive droop control scheme. The modified isochronous control scheme may include varying the frequency of each isochronous genset with respect to load for lower-range loads and upper-range loads, and maintaining the frequency of each isochronous genset at nominal frequencies for mid-range loads. The adaptive droop control scheme may include adjusting the frequency of each droop genset to match the frequency of the isochronous gensets, and varying the load of each droop genset with respect to frequency for lower-range loads and upper-range loads. | 09-18-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090199529 | Sickle guard with integral streamlined air discharge system for blowing plant material toward a header of an agricultural plant cutting machine - A guard for a sickle of an agricultural plant cutting machine includes a forwardly extending finger including a longitudinally extending, upwardly facing surface extending over the sickle, which includes a rearwardly facing air discharge nozzle therein located above and/or forwardly of the sickle, and the finger includes an air flow passage extending internally therethrough from an air inlet adjacent to a base of the finger to the nozzle, for delivering a flow of pressurized air thereto, the nozzle being at least mostly flush with or recessed into the upwardly facing surface. As a result, the nozzle is operable for discharging the flow of air rearwardly over the finger without obstructing plant material flow thereover, the air flow being sufficient to blow at least a substantial amount of loose grain and other plant material located forwardly of the front edge of a header floor of the machine, onto the floor for collection by a conveyor of the header for processing. | 08-13-2009 |
20090272619 | Grain saving, directable unloader boot assembly - A pivoting boot is disclosed for attachment to the unloading auger tube of combine harvesters, and serves as both a grain saving dam against unwanted grain spillage, and a directable spout. The boot permits evenly unloading grain onto, or completely filling, transportation vehicles or storage containers, without having to change the combine position, once it is staged for unloading. | 11-05-2009 |
20110028193 | SPREADER DISK ASSEMBLY CONVERTIBLE FOR WINDROWING - A spreader disk assembly for spreading crop residue such as straw discharged from an agricultural harvesting machine, and more particularly, which has a bat support mechanism that enables the bats to be quickly and easily hingedly or pivotally convertible from a deployed spreading mode to a flattened stowed mode for windrowing, which does not require removal of the bats, or the disk from the spreader. A locking mechanism is provided that enables the quick and easy conversion and securely holds the bats in both modes. | 02-03-2011 |
20110213531 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING HARVEST OPERATIONS - A system and method for monitoring and coordinating harvest operations is disclosed. The system and method includes a control system to real time monitor the grain capacity of one or more harvesters to optimize harvest operations. The control system may also monitor harvest and offload vehicle positions and provide instructions for optimizing harvest operations. | 09-01-2011 |
20150033692 | HEADER LATERAL TILT CONTROL WITH AUTOMATIC OPERATION IN FREE FLOAT AND CONTROLLED TILT MODES - A method and system for controlling lateral tilt of a header of an agricultural machine, uses gauge wheels or skids on lateral ends of the header in combination with operation in a free float mode for maintaining uniform cut height across the header, and automatically changes to a controlled tilt mode when one or more conditions for that mode is present. During operation in the controlled tilt mode, if a condition or conditions for free float is present, the system will operate in that mode. The system can also optionally damp relative up and down movements of the gauge wheels or skids and the header on each end, and can limit the tilt in the free float mode. | 02-05-2015 |
20150305240 | HEADER FOR AN AGRICULTURAL HARVESTER WITH INDEPENDENT SUB-SYSTEM DRIVES - A header for an agricultural harvester includes a plurality of row units, a plurality of feed/snapping units, and a plurality of chopping units. Each feed/snapping unit is associated with a respective said row unit and operable at a first operating speed. Each chopping unit is associated with at least one respective feed/snapping unit and operable at a constant second operating speed, independent of the first operating speed. | 10-29-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110072773 | AUTOMATIC DISPLAY OF REMOTE CAMERA IMAGE - A farm vehicle includes a crop gathering mechanism to convey harvested crop material to a crop flow path passing internally through at least part of the vehicle. The vehicle includes a vehicle data bus and a plurality of control modules operatively connected to the vehicle data bus and configured to monitor information on the vehicle data bus and to act according to such information. An electronic operator module is configured to monitor the states of operator controls and to broadcast information on the vehicle data bus specifying such states. Additionally, video cameras positioned within the vehicle face the crop flow path and are operably connected to a graphic display. A graphic display control module includes a processor configured to control the display of images on the graphic display for selective display of images from the video cameras based upon information from the vehicle data bus. | 03-31-2011 |
20110093169 | Apparatus and Method for Automatically Controlling the Settings of an Adjustable Crop Residue Spreader of an Agricultural Combine - An apparatus and method for automatically controlling the settings of an adjustable crop residue discharge system of an agricultural combine is provided. The apparatus includes a sensor, an actuator, and a controller. The sensor detects a position of a residue deflector and/or a speed of the residue discharge system. The actuator operatively controls the residue deflector to adjustably position the residue deflector. The controller is operatively connected to the sensor and actuator. The controller includes a memory, a speed input device, a position input device, and a mode input device. The controller is configured to store in memory a plurality of positions and speeds of the residue discharge system and automatically adjust the positions and speeds of the residue discharge system upon receiving an input to change to headland mode. | 04-21-2011 |
20120174549 | AUTOMATIC HEADER LATERAL TILT TO GROUND SPEED RESPONSE - A method for adjusting the lateral tilt of a combine header. The method includes receiving, at a control system, a plurality of output voltages from a plurality of potentiometers; determining, by the control system, at least one adjustment signal; determining, by the control system, a rate for transmitting the at least one adjustment signal; transmitting, by the control system, the at least one adjustment signal at the determined rate to at least one adjustment mechanism operably connected to control system; and adjusting, by the at least one adjustment mechanism, the lateral tilt of the combine header in response to the at least one adjustment signal. The rate for transmitting the signal is determined based upon one or more of a forward speed of the combine, the weight of the combine head, and an input selection made by an operator of the combine. | 07-12-2012 |
20150089915 | FEEDING MECHANISM OF A HEADER FOR A COMBINE HARVESTER - A header for a combine harvester capable of improving the flow of grain from the header to a feeder house and reducing grain buildup about a void proximate an aft section of the header is disclosed. The header includes a chassis and a cross auger extending in a widthwise direction of the chassis. The header also includes a feed mechanism mounted on the chassis proximate a posterior end of the cross auger and within the void of the header. | 04-02-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090045185 | FOOD HOLDING OVEN WITH MATTE FINISH FOOD HOLDING TRAY - A food holding oven, which is used to keep previously-prepared foods hot until they are served, is provided with a food holding tray having a roughened or matte finish. The matte finish keeps the tray's service temperature lower and easier to handle than prior art trays with highly reflective, shiny surfaces. When the matte-finish tray is held under a principally pure infrared heat source for long periods of time, the tray's surface temperature prevents food from being burned and reduces the likelihood of a user being burned. | 02-19-2009 |
20090057293 | FOOD HOLDING OVEN AND TRAY WITH INFRARED HEAT WEIGHTED AROUND THE TRAY PERIPHERY - A food holding oven holds pre-cooked food at a selected temperature by heating the food in a food-holding tray using infrared energy obtained from a multi-layer planar infrared energy source above the food. The infrared emitted from the planar IR source is produced by electrically heated windings in either a boustrophedonic or crenellated pattern, the loops and crenellations of which are more closely spaced near the edge of the heater than they are away from edges of the heater. The IR from the heater is directed toward the tray such that there is more IR directed at the tray edges than is directed toward the tray interior regions. | 03-05-2009 |
20090114636 | CONTROLLER FOR A FOOD HOLDING OVEN - A controller for a food holding oven determines one or more time periods during each of which heat is directed at a pre-cooked food item. By controlling the heat intensity and the time over which different amounts of heat are provided to different types of pre-cooked food items, the time during which a particular type of pre-cooked food item can be kept palatable is maximized. | 05-07-2009 |
20090125682 | Memory Card Programmable Timer Device and Method - A timing device, that may be used in connection with food preparation, holding or service equipment, is programmable via a portable, replaceable media. In particularly, the timing device may be adapted to receive or associate with a media containing a set of instructions to affect operation of the timing device. Upon association with the timing device, transfer of the programming instructions from the media to the timing device occurs affecting programming of the timing device. | 05-14-2009 |
20110114624 | FOOD HOLDING CABINET POWER SUPPLIES WITH DOWNLOADABLE SOFTWARE - A universal food holding cabinet has multiple compartments, the temperatures of which are under software control by microprocessors or microcontrollers located on power supply circuit boards for corresponding compartments. Each compartment can have different temperature control requirements with different requirements being met by different programs in different processors, or different operating parameters for the same program. The cabinet is configured to prevent the power supply boards from being installed incorrectly, to provide an address to a power supply circuit board when it is installed and by which a power supply circuit can be addressed by a master controller to receive downloads of executable instructions and/or data. | 05-19-2011 |
20110114625 | FOOD HOLDING CABINET WITH SELF-ALIGNING AND ADDRESSABLE POWER SUPPLIES - A universal food holding cabinet has multiple compartments, the temperatures of which are under software control by microprocessors or microcontrollers located on power supply circuit boards for corresponding compartments. Each compartment can have different temperature control requirements with different requirements being met by a different program in different processors, or different operating parameters for the same program. The cabinet is configured to prevent the power supply boards from being installed incorrectly, to provide an address to a power supply circuit board when it is installed and by which a power supply circuit can be addressed by a master controller. | 05-19-2011 |
20110171355 | FOOD WARMING CABINET - A food warming cabinet keeps food warm and on display in serving trays using infrared heaters instead of hot water. The infrared heaters are located below the trays and direct IR at the trays. In an alternate embodiment, the IR heaters can also conduct heat into the trays. Using IR instead of water saves energy because it shortens warm-up time. Using IR also eliminates contaminated water and enables separate and individual temperature control of each tray. Tray temperature is maintained under computer control using contact or optical/IR temperature sensors. | 07-14-2011 |
20110252984 | Temperature Sensor for a Food Holding Cabinet - The temperature of shelves used in a food holding cabinet are measured using a transistor. The voltage across a PN junction being known to be temperature dependent, the shelf temperature can be inferred from a calculated temperature of a PN junction of a transistor thermally coupled to a heated or refrigerated shelf. No calibration of the measurement device is required since the PN junction voltage, current and temperature relationship is well known. | 10-20-2011 |
20120261426 | Universal Food Holding Cabinet with Buttoned-in Escutcheons - Escutcheons for a temperature-controlled food holding cabinet are removable and field replaceable by the use of interlocking keys and keyholes that hold the escutcheon in place and align the escutcheon to electrical connectors. The escutcheons are provided with illuminated user interfaces. A key formed on either the escutcheon or chassis of the cabinet, engages a corresponding keyhole formed on either the cabinet chassis or the escutcheon. | 10-18-2012 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080302778 | Apparatus and Method for Maintaining Cooked Food in a Ready-to-use Condition - A food warming apparatus includes a heating compartment that can hold one or more trays containing previously cooked food portions. A rack in the heating compartment includes a support member, a channel, and a stop that blocks the front end of the channel. A cover that includes a horizontal section and a vertical section is mounted on the support such that the horizontal section is supported on one side by the support member and on the other side by the vertical section, which is positioned in the channel behind the stop. When a tray is inserted into the receiving space defined by the cover and support member, the cover is lifted up so that the horizontal section rests on the tray and at least partially blocks the open top of the tray, thereby restricting evaporation of liquids from the previously cooked food portions contained in the tray. | 12-11-2008 |
20090199725 | Apparatus And Method For Maintaining Cooked Food In A Ready-To-Use Condition - A food warming apparatus includes a heating compartment that can hold one or more trays containing previously cooked food portions. A cover for a tray has a horizontal section and a vertical section extending downwardly from one side of the horizontal section. A rack in the heating compartment includes a channel and a stop that blocks the front end of the channel. The vertical section of the cover fits securely in the channel behind the stop such that the rack supports the cover substantially only through the vertical section. When a tray is inserted into the receiving space cooperatively defined by the cover and rack, the cover is lifted up so that the horizontal section rests on the tray and at least partially blocks the open top of the tray, thereby restricting evaporation of liquids from the previously cooked food portions contained in the tray. | 08-13-2009 |
20120079699 | Apparatus and Method for Maintaining Cooked Food in a Ready-to-use Condition - A food warming apparatus includes a heating compartment that can hold one or more trays containing previously cooked food portions. A cover for a tray has a horizontal section and a vertical section extending downwardly from one side of the horizontal section. A rack in the heating compartment includes a channel and a stop that blocks the front end of the channel. The vertical section of the cover fits securely in the channel behind the stop such that the rack supports the cover substantially only through the vertical section. When a tray is inserted into the receiving space cooperatively defined by the cover and rack, the cover is lifted up so that the horizontal section rests on the tray and at least partially blocks the open top of the tray, thereby restricting evaporation of liquids from the previously cooked food portions contained in the tray. | 04-05-2012 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100126073 | ACTUATOR FOR ELEVATOR DOORS, ELEVATOR DOOR ARRANGEMENT INCLUDING SAME AND METHODS - A double door actuation system is provided. The actuation system includes a base frame, a drive motor, first and second guide rails and a pair of rail support arrangements. The drive motor is mounted to the base frame and includes a pinion gear rotatable about an axis of rotation. The guide rails include opposed raceways and a gear rack. The gear rack engages the pinion gear opposite sides such that the pinion gear simultaneously drives the guide rails in opposite directions parallel to a drive axis. The rail support arrangements are mounted to the base frame and support guide rails. The rail support arrangements maintain a substantially constant lateral location of the guide rails in a direction perpendicular to both the drive axis and axis of rotation to maintain a substantially constant mesh between the pinion the gear racks. | 05-27-2010 |
20100129013 | Guide Rail Having Base Rail And Gear Rack, Method Of Making Same, Guide Assembly Including Same - A guide rail is provided. The guide rail includes a base rail and a gear rack mounted to the base rail. The guide rail also provides at least one race upon which a guide roller can ride. The guide rail defines a reference point related to the raceway that has a parallelism relative to the gear rack of less than or equal to 0.005 inches per foot along the length of the guide rail. Preferably, the reference point is defined directly by the raceway and the parallelism is less than or equal to 0.001 inches per foot. A method of forming the guide rail is also provided. The method includes machining the reference point into the guide rail and using the reference point to locate machining a seat for mounting the gear rack. A guide assembly including a guide rail and a carriage or frame structure is also provided. | 05-27-2010 |
20110029911 | Method for Configuring an Actuation System - A method of configuring a linear actuation system that includes establishing a connection via an electronic communication network with a linear actuation system customer, and receiving data that includes customer requirements for a linear actuation system, the data transmitted over the communication network. The method also includes presenting the customer with a series of options, based on the customer requirements, to select components for the linear actuation system, and displaying a scaled representation of the linear actuation system with those components selected by the customer. | 02-03-2011 |
20110232216 | BEAM HAVING INTERNAL TENSIONING AND METHODS - A structural support member is provided. The structural support member includes a tensioning mechanism for applying a preload to a beam member of the structural support member. The tensioning mechanism acting on a loading pin causing the beam member to bend. | 09-29-2011 |
20120186374 | LINEAR SLIDE HAVING INTEGRAL CARRIAGE AND NUT ASSEMBLY - A linear slide is provided. The linear slide includes a guide rail, a carriage arrangement and a drive mechanism. The carriage arrangement includes a sidecar or nut arrangement for engagement with a screw of the drive mechanism. The nut arrangement is laterally offset from a carriage of the carriage arrangement. | 07-26-2012 |
20120213457 | Linear Guide Unit - A linear guide is provided including a carriage configured to ride on a rail for linear motion along an axis of travel. The rail includes a base rail and a pair of side rail portions each coupled to a respective side of the base rail by an attachment portion. The surface of the each of the attachment portions forms an obtuse angle with the surface of the base rail portion. | 08-23-2012 |
20130133448 | INVERTED SPLINE RAIL SYSTEM - A inverted spline rail system is provided. The inverted spline rail system includes a drive motor that rotates a drive screw. The drive screw has a associated nut body. The nut body includes a attachment portion that a user can attach a device that requires linear motion control. Furthermore, the nut body is located inside of a cylindrical body that encases the drive screw. The nut body has guide teeth that mate with an internally splined guide rail of the cylindrical body that contains both the nut and the drive screw. The reciprocating nature of the guide teeth of the nut and the internally splined guide rail of the cylindrical body translate the rotational motion of the drive screw into linear motion of the nut body. The inverted spline rail system is protected from its operating environment by a seal. | 05-30-2013 |
20130160585 | Nut with Flexible Fingers and Radial Compression Members - A nut and lead screw assembly is disclosed. The nut includes a plurality of flexible fingers for adjusting the engagement of a threaded or unthreaded portion of the nut with corresponding threads of a lead screw. The engagement between the nut and the lead screw is adjusted by installing at least one radial compression member into a circumferential groove formed in the outer surface of the flexible fingers. | 06-27-2013 |
20150007676 | FLOATING NUT AND CARRIAGE ASSEMBLY - A linear guide including a guide rail, a carriage, a drive screw and a connection arrangement is provided. The guide rail defines a linear travel path. The carriage is mounted to the guide rail for motion along the linear travel path. The drive screw is operably mounted to the guide rail. The connection arrangement couples the drive screw to the carriage to convert rotary motion of the drive screw to linear actuation of the carriage along the linear travel path. The connection arrangement provides a single degree of linear freedom between the drive screw and the carriage in a direction that is generally perpendicular to the linear travel path. The single degree of linear freedom permits relative motion between the screw and the carriage to relieve internal binding between the relative components. | 01-08-2015 |
20150236562 | Motor with Integrated Coupler - Couplings between driven shafts of an actuator and a motor of an actuator are provided. The coupling may be directly integrated into a rotor of the motor. The coupling may be provided by an adaptor that includes a shaft that extends into a central bore of the rotor of the motor. The adaptor can include a collar that defines a coupling recess that receives a distal end of the driven shaft of the actuator. The collar may take the form of a clamp. | 08-20-2015 |