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US 2025/0000002 A1Published application
Automated leveling and depth control system of a work machine and method thereof
OwnerAdam D. Sporrer, Anthony Sikora +1inventors
InventorsAdam D. Sporrer, Anthony Sikora, Rick B. Theilen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An agricultural implement includes a transversely extending frame forming a first, a second, and a third frame section. A first actuator is coupled to the first frame section, a second actuator coupled to the second frame section, and a third actuator coupled to the third frame section. Sensors are coupled to each frame section to detect a height of the respective frame section relative to an underlying surface. A control unit is disposed in electrical communication with the sensors and operably controls the actuators to adjust the height of each frame section.
Claims20
An agricultural implement, comprising:
- a transversely extending frame forming at least a first frame section, a second frame section, and a third frame section, where the first frame section is disposed between the second and third frame sections;
- a first actuator and a second actuator coupled to the first frame section, a third actuator coupled to the second frame section, and a fourth actuator coupled to the third frame section;
- a fluid source for providing hydraulic fluid;
- a first control valve operably controllable between an open position and a closed position, the first control valve being fluidly coupled between the fluid source and the first and second actuators;
- a second control valve operably controllable between an open position and a closed position, the second control valve being fluidly coupled to the third actuator its open position;
- a third control valve operably controllable between an open position and a closed position, the third control valve being fluidly coupled to the fourth actuator in its open position;
- a control unit for controlling the first, second and third control valves between their respective open and closed positions;
- a plurality of sensors disposed in electrical communication with the electronic control unit, the plurality of sensors including a first sensor for detecting a position of the first frame section, a second sensor detecting a position of the second frame section, and a third sensor detecting a position of the third frame section;
- a first flow path defined between the fluid source and the third and fourth actuators, the first flow path fluidly coupling the first actuator, the second actuator, the third actuator, and the fourth actuator in series with one another when the first control valve is in its open position, the second control valve is in its closed position, and the third control valve is in its closed position;
- and
- a second flow path defined between the fluid source and the third and fourth actuators, the second flow path fluidly coupling at least the third and fourth actuators in parallel with one another when the first control valve is in its closed position, and either the second control valve or the third control valve is in its open position.
8 more elements
An agricultural implement, comprising:
- a transversely extending frame forming a plurality of frame sections;
- a plurality of actuators coupled to the plurality of frame sections;
- a plurality of control valves operably controllable between an open position and a closed position, the plurality of control valves including at least a first, second, and third control valves;
- the first control valve fluidly coupled to two of the plurality of actuators, the second control valve fluidly coupled to a third actuator of the plurality of actuators, and the third control valve fluidly coupled to a fourth actuator of the plurality of actuators;
- a control unit for controlling the plurality of control valves;
- a plurality of sensors disposed in electrical communication with the control unit, each of the plurality of sensors configured to detect a height of at least one of the plurality frame sections and communicate the height to the control unit;
- wherein, the control unit compares each height detected by the plurality of sensors to one another and determines if each height is equal to or within a threshold limit of one another;
- further wherein, if the height of one of the plurality of frame sections is determined by the control unit to not be equal to or within the threshold limit of the heights of the other frame sections, the control unit determines which frame section is uneven with the other frame sections and actuates the corresponding actuator that is coupled to the uneven frame section until the heights of the plurality of frame sections are equal or within the threshold limit of one another.
5 more elements
An agricultural implement, comprising:
- a transversely extending frame forming at least a first frame section and a second frame section;
- a first actuator coupled to the first frame section and a second actuator coupled to the second frame section;
- a first sensor coupled to the first frame section, the first sensor configured to detect a first height of the first frame section from an underlying surface;
- a second sensor coupled to the second frame section, the second sensor configured to detect a second height of the second frame section from the underlying surface;
- a control unit disposed in electrical communication with the first sensor and the second sensor, the control unit configured to operably control the first actuator and the second actuator;
- wherein, the control unit is configured to:
- receive a first signal indicative of the first height and a second signal indicative of the second height;
- compare the first height and the second height to one another;
- determine if the first and second heights are equal to or within a threshold limit of one another;
- and
- when one of the first height or second height is determined not to be equal to or within the threshold limit of the other height, determine which frame section is uneven with the other frame section and actuate the actuator that is coupled to the uneven frame section until the first height and the second height are equal or within the threshold limit of one another.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.