Patent classifications
A01D46/085
Self-propelled robotic harvester for selective picking of high quality agriculture row crops
The present invention relates to automatic and high throughput smart, robotic, autonomous or driver operated, self-propelled field crops harvester (SPFCH) device of row crops, characterized by the need of selecting harvesting ripen crop, during relative long period of time. Harvesting is done by one or more modular robotic harvesting arms hanged on modular booms. When harvesting orchards fruits the SPFCH comprise at least one hybrid robotic arms equipped with a grabbing hand aimed to grab one or more fruit of a an adjacent fruits and also cut its connecting stem, and arm transporting mechanism that gently collects the fruits and transport them to the SPFCH main accumulation area. When harvesting cotton, the SPFCH of the invention may further comprise vacuum sucking hoses and at least one ginning unit that gin the seed-cotton during harvesting and accumulate the seeds in a self-container, and the lint by bales processed, on board by self-press.
Systems and methods for improving fire safety in agricultural machinery
Systems for improving fire safety in agricultural machinery are configured for detecting, at least partially controlling, and/or suppressing adverse fire-related conditions. The adverse fire-related conditions can include sparks, embers, and/or flames in the agricultural machinery.
CROP YIELD DETERMINING APPARATUS
A cotton harvester estimates the mass of cotton as it is harvested using sensor devices and compares the mass of each module against the estimated mass of the module as determined by the sensors so that a calibration factor may be determined and actively updated for more accurate crop yield determination. The mass flow for a specific module is accumulated and processed during harvesting using a base calibration factor and the module is weighed and compared against the expected mass using the base calibration factor to develop a candidate updated calibration factor. The base calibration factor is selectively replaced by the candidate updated calibration factor for processing a subsequent module based on machine feedback information relating to the operation of the harvester. Harvested crop data determined using the calibration factor is used to generate highly accurate yield maps.
Independent doffer drive system for a cotton harvester row unit
A doffer assembly for a cotton harvester having at least one drum and a spindle. The doffer assembly includes an outer housing and a plurality of doffers adapted to remove cotton from the spindle. The assembly further includes a drive unit coupled to the outer housing for rotatably driving the plurality of doffers independently of at least one drum and spindle. A drive shaft is rotatably driven by the drive unit, and an interface adapter is coupled between the drive shaft and the plurality of doffers. The drive unit may be an electric motor, hydraulic motor, a mechanical drive system, or a combination thereof.
Cotton harvesting machine with automatically variable drum and spindle speed
A sensor input is detected on a cotton harvester. A performance characteristic value is identified based upon the detected sensor input. A speed control system controls cotton harvester drum speed and spindle speed, automatically, and separately from the ground speed of the cotton harvester, to improve the performance characteristic value, in a closed-loop fashion.
Systems and Methods for Improving Fire Safety in Agricultural Machinery
Systems for improving fire safety in agricultural machinery are configured for detecting, at least partially controlling, and/or suppressing adverse fire-related conditions. The adverse fire-related conditions can include sparks, embers, and/or flames in the agricultural machinery.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MODIFYING TIRE PRESSURE IN AGRICULTURAL EQUIPMENT
An agricultural vehicle is operable in a first state for transport and in a second state for field work and includes a frame supported by a plurality of tires. A processor is operable to receive a signal generated as a result of the agricultural vehicle transitioning from the first state to the second state or from the second state to the first state. A gas system is operable to modify the tire pressure of the plurality of tires of the agricultural vehicle in response to the signal.
System and method to reduce parasitic loads on an engine of a harvesting machine
A hydraulic power module for a crop harvester, and in particular a cotton harvester, having an engine. The hydraulic power module includes a main drive gear, a drive shaft extending through the main drive gear, and a clutch operatively connected to the drive shaft, wherein the clutch has an engaged position and a disengaged position. The engaged position of the clutch fixedly connects the main drive gear to the drive shaft and the disengaged position of the clutch disconnects the main drive gear drive from the drive shaft. The hydraulic power module further includes a first pump device directly coupled to the drive shaft, wherein the first pump device is driven by the drive shaft during rotation of the drive shaft. A second pump device is indirectly connected to the drive shaft through the clutch, and is driven by the drive shaft when the clutch is in the engaged position.
Systems and Methods for Improving Fire Safety in Agricultural Machinery
Systems for improving fire safety in agricultural machinery are configured for detecting, at least partially controlling, and/or suppressing adverse fire-related conditions. The adverse fire-related conditions can include sparks, embers, and/or flames in the agricultural machinery.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TERAHERTZ FREQUENCY OBJECT AND CROP CONTAMINATION AND CONSTITUENT DETECTION AND HANDLING
An agricultural system with an agricultural harvester has a terahertz sensor. The terahertz sensor includes at least one a terahertz source disposed to direct electromagnetic radiation toward a harvest material of the agricultural harvester. A terahertz detector is disposed to detect the terahertz electromagnetic radiation after the terahertz electromagnetic radiation interacts with the harvest material. A controller is operably coupled to the terahertz detector and is configured to detect a harvest-related parameter based on a signal from the terahertz detector and to perform an action based on a detected parameter.