Automated cart operation
AssigneeUnverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.
InventorsMichael D. VAN MILL, Ron SCHLIMGEN, Jacob Paul MASON
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system is provided. The system includes a cart including a hopper and an unload auger, the hopper having a flow door configured to release material stored in the hopper into the unload auger when in an open condition. The system includes one or more sensors, at least a first sensor of the one or more sensors being configured to measure a rotation rate of the unload auger. The system includes a controller. The system includes processing circuitry configured to: (1) prevent the flow door from opening if the rotation rate of the unload auger is below a threshold and/or the unload auger is in a folded position; and/or (2) close the flow door if the rotation rate of the unload auger is below the threshold.
Claims15
A system comprising:
- a cart including a hopper and an unload auger, the hopper having a flow door configured to release material stored in the hopper into the unload auger when in an open condition;
- one or more sensors, at least a first sensor of the one or more sensors being configured to measure a rotation rate of the unload auger;
- a controller;
- and
- processing circuitry configured to:
- (1) prevent the flow door from opening if the rotation rate of the unload auger is below a threshold and/or the unload auger is in a folded position;
- and/or (2) close the flow door if the rotation rate of the unload auger is below the threshold.
A system comprising:
- a cart including a hopper and an unload auger, the hopper and/or auger comprising one or more access points (e.g., cleanout doors, hopper access doors, ladders);
- one or more sensors, at least a first sensor being configured to detect if the one or more access points are in a closed position;
- a controller;
- and
- processing circuitry configured to:
- (1) determine that any of the one or more access points is in the open position;
- and (2) in response to determining that any of the one or more access points is in the open position, perform one or more of:
- (i) preventing a tractor power takeoff (PTO) from starting;
- (ii) stopping the tractor PTO;
- (iii) engaging one or more clutches to prevent the unload auger from rotating;
- and
- (iv) signaling an alert that any of the one or more access points is in the open position.
A system comprising:
- a cart including a hopper and an unload auger, the hopper having a flow door configured to release material stored in the hopper into the unload auger when in an open condition;
- one or more sensors, at least a first sensor of the one or more sensors being configured to measure a tractor power takeoff (PTO) speed and a gearbox PTO speed;
- a controller;
- and
- processing circuitry configured to:
- compare the tractor PTO speed and the gearbox PTO speed and (1) adjust the flow door based on the comparison;
- and/or (2) adjust the tractor PTO speed based on the comparison.
A system comprising:
- a cart including a hopper and an unload auger, the hopper having a flow door configured to release material stored in the hopper into the unload auger when in an open condition;
- one or more sensors configured to measure a tractor power takeoff (PTO) speed;
- a controller;
- and
- processing circuitry configured to:
- (1) prevent the tractor PTO from starting if the unload auger is not in an unload position;
- and/or (2) move the unload auger to an unload position prior to allowing the tractor PTO to start.
A system comprising:
- a cart including a hopper and an unload auger;
- one or more sensors, at least a first sensor of the one or more sensors being configured to detect obstacles;
- a controller;
- and
- processing circuitry configured to:
- (1) detect an obstacle that may contact and/or damage the unload auger when the unload auger is in an operating position;
- and (2) stop the cart and/or fold the unload auger in response to detecting an obstacle that may contact and/or damage the unload auger when the unload auger is in an operating position.
A system comprising:
- a cart including a hopper and an unload auger;
- one or more sensors, at least a first sensor of the one or more sensors being configured to detect a position of the unload auger and a position of the cart;
- a controller;
- and
- processing circuitry configured to:
- (1) determine if the cart is operating on a field or a road;
- and (2) adjust a position of the unload auger based on whether the cart is operating on a field or a road and/or signal an alert about whether the cart is operating on a field or road.
The system of 14, wherein adjusting a position of the unload auger based on whether the cart is operating on a field or a road comprises moving the unload auger to a transport position for traveling on a road.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.