System and method for performing cutting operations using an ultrasonic cutting member of an agricultural implement
AssigneeCNH Industrial America LLC
InventorRobert A. Zemenchik
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for performing cutting operations with an agricultural implement includes a cutting member capable of cutting plant material supported on the agricultural implement. A vibration source is operatively coupled to the cutting member. The vibration source is configured to generate a vibrational output at an ultrasonic frequency which is transmitted to the cutting member. The vibrational output is propagated through at least a portion of the cutting member to vibrate the cutting member as the plant material is being severed during the performance of the cutting operation.
Claims20
A system for performing cutting operations with an agricultural implement, the system comprising:
- a cutting member configured to be supported on the agricultural implement so as to be capable of performing a cutting operation during which a plant material is cut by the cutting member;
- and
- a vibration source operatively coupled to the cutting member, the vibration source configured to generate a vibrational output at an ultrasonic frequency that is transmitted to the cutting member,
- wherein the vibrational output is propagated through at least a portion of the cutting member to vibrate the cutting member as the plant material is being cut during the performance of the cutting operation.
A harvesting implement for an agricultural harvester, the harvesting implement comprising:
- a frame;
- a cutter bar supported relative to the frame such that the cutter bar is configured to perform a cutting operation as the harvesting implement is moved across a field during which the cutter bar severs a standing plant material from the field;
- a crop transport assembly configured to transport the severed plant material away from the cutter bar;
- and
- a vibration source operatively coupled to the cutter bar, the vibration source configured to generate a vibrational output at an ultrasonic frequency that is transmitted to the cutter bar,
- wherein the vibrational output is propagated through at least a portion of the cutter bar to vibrate the cutter bar as the standing plant material are being severed from the field during the performance of the cutting operation.
A method for performing cutting operations with an agricultural implement, the method comprising:
- moving an agricultural implement through a field, the agricultural implement including a cutting member;
- activating a vibration source operatively coupled to the cutting member such that the vibration source generates a vibrational output at an ultrasonic frequency that is transmitted to the cutting member;
- performing a cutting operation with the cutting member as the agricultural implement is moved through the field during which a plant material is cut by the cutting member, the vibrational output generated by the vibration source being propagated through at least a portion of the cutting member to vibrate the cutting member during the performance of the cutting operation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.