Methods and apparatus to determine work paths for machines
AssigneeDeere & Company
InventorNoel Wayne Anderson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for determining a work path for a machine. An example method disclosed herein includes determining whether the auxiliary machine is to assist the host machine in a plurality of work cells in a work area; based on determining whether the auxiliary machine is to assist the host machine in one of the plurality of work cells, assigning an auxiliary power mode for the one of the plurality of work cells, the auxiliary power mode comprising one of a neutral mode or a power assist mode; and in power assist mode, controlling the auxiliary machine to provide auxiliary tractive power in one of the plurality of work cells, and in neutral mode, controlling the auxiliary machine to free wheel in another one of the plurality of work cells.
Claims21
A method of controlling an auxiliary machine connected to a host machine, the method comprising:
- determining whether the auxiliary machine is to assist the host machine in a plurality of work cells in a work area;
- based on determining whether the auxiliary machine is to assist the host machine in one of the plurality of work cells, assigning an auxiliary power mode for the one of the plurality of work cells, the auxiliary power mode comprising one of a neutral mode or a power assist mode;
- and
- in power assist mode, controlling the auxiliary machine to provide auxiliary tractive power in one of the plurality of work cells, and in neutral mode, controlling the auxiliary machine to free wheel in another one of the plurality of work cells.
An apparatus for controlling an auxiliary machine connected to a host machine, the apparatus comprising:
- a power selector to determine whether the auxiliary machine is to assist the host machine in a plurality of work cells in a work area, and, based on whether the auxiliary machine is to assist the host machine in one of the plurality of work cells, to assign an auxiliary power mode for the one of the plurality of work cells, the auxiliary power mode comprising one of a neutral mode or a power assist mode;
- and
- a controller to control the auxiliary machine in power assist mode to provide auxiliary tractive power in one of the plurality of work cells and to control the auxiliary machine in neutral mode to free wheel in another one of the plurality of work cells.
A tangible computer readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed, cause a machine to at least:
- determine whether the auxiliary machine is to assist the host machine in a plurality of work cells in a work area;
- based on determining whether the auxiliary machine is to assist the host machine in one of the plurality of work cells, assign an auxiliary power mode for the one of the plurality of work cells, the auxiliary power mode comprising one of a neutral mode or a power assist mode;
- and
- in power assist mode, control the auxiliary machine to provide auxiliary tractive power in one of the plurality of work cells, and in neutral mode, control the auxiliary machine to free wheel in another one of the plurality of work cells.
21-65. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.