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US 11,825,765 B2Granted
Method for controlling unload of a mobile farm implement
AssigneeUnverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.
InventorsMichael D. Van Mill, Shawn W. Gerdeman, Ronald J. Schlimgen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of unloading mobile farm implements is presented. Unloading the mobile farm implement is accomplished by transmitting commands to unfold an auger arm and to open a container door and by monitoring weight measurements from the implement.
Claims28
A system comprising:
- a mobile farm implement including a container and an auger;
- a door controller configured to open or close a door of the container of the mobile farm implement;
- a sensor system and a control device, the control device including a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, the sensor system comprising at least one of:
- a speed sensor configured to measure a speed of the mobile farm implement, wherein the control device is configured to compare the measured speed of the mobile farm implement with a first threshold;
- a power takeoff sensor configured to measure a rotational speed of a power takeoff, wherein the control device is configured to compare the measured rotational speed of the power takeoff with a second threshold;
- and
- a material sensor configured to measure a weight of material held by the container of the mobile farm implement, wherein the control device is configured to compare the measured weight of material held by the container of the mobile farm implement with a third threshold;
- and
- an auger arm controller configured to fold and unfold the auger of the mobile farm implement;
- wherein the control device is further configured to perform a step A) including at least one of:
- I) causing the auger arm controller to fold or unfold the auger of the mobile farm implement, and II) causing the door controller to open or close the door of the container of the mobile farm implement, and said step A) is based on at least one of:
- i) the comparison of the measured speed of the mobile farm implement with the first threshold, ii) the comparison of the measured rotational speed of the power takeoff with the second threshold, and iii) the comparison of the measured weight of material held by the container of the mobile farm implement with the third threshold.
9 more elements
A method comprising:
- using a sensor system and a control device including a processor and a memory coupled to the processor to perform at least one of:
- 1) using a speed sensor of the sensor system to measure a speed of a mobile farm implement and using the control device to compare the measured speed of the mobile farm implement with a first threshold;
- 2) using a power takeoff sensor of the sensor system to measure a rotational speed of a power takeoff and using the control device to compare the measured rotational speed of the power takeoff with a second threshold;
- and
- 3) using a material sensor of the sensor system to measure a weight of material held by a container of the mobile farm implement and using the control device to compare the measured weight of material held by the container of the mobile farm implement with a third threshold;
- and
- using the control device to perform a step A) including at least one of:
- I) causing an auger arm controller to fold or unfold an auger of the mobile farm implement, and II) causing a door controller to open or close a door of the container of the mobile farm implement, wherein said step A) is based on at least one of:
- i) the comparison of the measured speed of the mobile farm implement with the first threshold, ii) the comparison of the measured rotational speed of the power takeoff with the second threshold, and iii) the comparison of the measured weight of material held by the container of the mobile farm implement with the third threshold.
6 more elements
A control device for automating unloading of a mobile farm implement, the control device comprising:
- a processor;
- and
- a memory coupled to the processor;
- wherein the control device is configured to:
- at least one of:
- 1) compare a speed of the mobile farm implement as measured by a speed sensor of a sensor system with a first threshold;
- 2) compare a rotational speed of a power takeoff as measured by a power takeoff sensor of the sensor system with a second threshold;
- and 3) compare a weight of material held by a container of the mobile farm implement as measured by a material sensor of the sensor system with a third threshold;
- and
- perform a step A) including at least one of:
- I) causing an auger arm controller to fold or unfold an auger of the mobile farm implement, and II) causing a door controller to open or close a door of the container of the mobile farm implement, wherein said step A) is based on at least one of:
- i) the comparison of the measured speed of the mobile farm implement with the first threshold, ii) the comparison of the measured rotational speed of the power takeoff with the second threshold, and iii) the comparison of the measured weight of material held by the container of the mobile farm implement with the third threshold.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.