Methods and systems for automatic control of bulk material removal
AssigneeDeere & Company
InventorsTIMOTHY J. KRAUS, AUSTIN J. KARST
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and method for forming a stable silo face in bulk material are disclosed. Particularly, systems and methods for forming a negative rake angle in a silo face of bulk silage are disclosed. Rotation of an articulated arm (e.g., raising and lowering), altering a length of the articulated arm (e.g., extension or retraction), and movement of a machine relative to the silo face (towards and away from) may be automatically controlled to form the negative rake angle. Different implementations contemplate automated control of all or fewer than all of these operations.
Claims24
A method for facing bulk material, the method comprising:
- engaging a defacer with a silo face of a bulk material;
- and
- simultaneously displacing the defacer to move across the silo face of the bulk material to define a negative rake angle in the silo face by use of an electrical or mechanical coupling that coordinates horizontal and vertical movement of the defacer.
The method of claim 9, further comprising collecting bulk material removed while defining the negative rake angle in the silo face.
A system for forming silo face of a bulk material with a negative rake angle, the system comprising:
- a machine comprising:
- a frame;
- and
- an articulating arm pivotably coupled to the frame;
- a defacer coupled to a distal end of the articulating arm;
- and
- a controller communicably coupled to the machine that controls the articulating arm to define a negative rake angle in the silo face of the bulk material.
A hydraulic system for coordinated, simultaneous control of extension or retraction and rotation of an articulating arm of a vehicle to form a negative rake angle in a silo face, the system comprising:
- a pump that pumps hydraulic fluid;
- a first hydraulic cylinder in fluid communication with the pump via a first hydraulic line, the first hydraulic cylinder operable to extend and retract the articulating arm;
- a second hydraulic cylinder in fluid communication with the pump via a second hydraulic line, the second hydraulic line in fluid communication with the first hydraulic line, the second hydraulic cylinder operable to rotate the articulating arm;
- a proportional valve disposed in the second hydraulic line;
- and
- a controller configured to adjust a position of the proportional valve to divide a flow of hydraulic fluid pumped by the pump into a first portion directed to the first hydraulic cylinder and a second portion directed to the second hydraulic cylinder, the position of the proportional valve selected to produce a desired rate of simultaneous movement of the first hydraulic cylinder and the second hydraulic that is operable simultaneously to produce a rate of rotation and a rate of extension or retraction of the articulated arm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.