Control apparatus and method
AssigneeOxbo International Corporation
InventorsGreg Berg, Andrew Talbott, Christopher Schloesser
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A programmable viticulture management system includes a mechanized device for removing excess undesired portions of plants advances through a vineyard to perform control operations on two rows or half-rows of grape vines simultaneously. Accessories mount to the mechanized device and include various engagement members for engaging the vines. A control system automatically varies the velocity of the engagement members in relation to the vehicle speed. The control system also receives various inputs and provides information on multiple growth control practices.
Claims32
A programmable viticulture management system, comprising:
- a mechanized device for removing excess undesired portions of plants;
- a mechanized device propulsion system for advancing the mechanized device through a vineyard;
- a striker device having at least one engagement member for striking plants;
- a striker driver for impelling the striker device engagement member to strike the plants;
- a striker controller for automatically varying the speed of the thinning device with the speed of the striker driver.
A method of controlling a shoot and fruit thinner apparatus, comprising:
- providing a programmable controller for the shoot and fruit thinner apparatus;
- configuring the thinner apparatus for shoot thinning with a first engagement device;
- conducting shoot thinning at a rate maintained by the controller;
- configuring the thinner apparatus for fruit thinning with a second engagement device;
- conducting fruit thinning based on the results of shoot thinning at a rate maintained by the controller.
A method of viticulture management, comprising:
- providing a mechanized device for removing undesired portions of plants;
- a mechanized device propulsion system for advancing the mechanized device through a vineyard;
- a striker device having at least one engagement member for striking plants;
- a striker driver for impelling the striker device engagement member to strike the plants;
- a striker controller for automatically varying the speed of the striker driver with the speed of the mechanized device.
A vineyard management system, comprising:
- a vineyard mechanized vehicle having one or more accessories;
- a system manager providing control parameters for operating the mechanized vehicle, the control parameters including vehicle speed;
- accessory type, number of accessory strikers, striker speed, grape varietal, percentage of fruit desired to remain on plants.
A vineyard management system, comprising:
- a database having historical information on viticultural practices;
- a system manager providing a controller for setting operating parameters based on current conditions and the historical information.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.