Depth indicating and depth controlling devices for earth moving machines
OwnerWayland D. Keithinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A depth indicator and automatic control device to indicate and control the position of an earth cutting blade, being drawn by a tractor, with respect to the surface of the terrain over which the tractor wheels of the prime mover pass, as it draws the blade through the ground. Provision is made to readily compensate the position of the cutting edge of the blade with respect to the normal surface of the ground over which the tractor wheels move, so as to enable the depth of the cut to be accurately determined and also enable the adjusting of the device remotely from the earth moving blade, and while the earth moving device is in operation. Provision is also made to enable the blade to be maintained a controlled distance above the ground for spreading material that is being discharged.
Claims1
An attachment for an earth moving machine having a ground engaging blade and a hydraulic system for raising and lowering the ground engaging blade, which attachment comprises:
- (a) a first electrical circuit,
- (b) a first selsyn motor mounted on the earth moving machine and being connected within said first electrical circuit, which selsyn motor is capable of receiving electro-magnetic impulses,
- (c) a selsyn generator connected with said first electrical circuit, which selsyn generator is capable of generating electro-magnetic impulses to be transmitted to a receiving motor for synchronous rotation therewith,
- (d) an indicator means connected with the shaft of said first selsyn motor,
- (1) a dial surrounding said shaft and being readable with respect to said indicator means,
- (2) circumferentially spaced indicia on said dial of said indicator means to indicate the relative position of said first selsyn motor with respect to said selsyn generator to indicate the position of the ground engaging blade with respect to the surface of the terrain,
- (e) an electrical circuit associated with said indicator means,
- (f) a bulb mounted on said indicator means and being connected within said electrical circuit,
- (g) said dial having circumferentially spaced holes formed therein adjacent said indicia,
- (h) said bulb on said indicator means being adapted to swing arcuately in register with the holes formed in said dial,
- (i) an electrical circuit associated with said indicator means,
- (j) said indicator means having an electrical brush mounted thereon and connected with said electrical circuit,
- (k) circumferentially spaced contact points on said dial, which points are adapted to register with said brush on said indicator means when moved arcuately,
- (l) circuits leading from each said contact points,
- (m) a double throw limit switch associated with each of said circuits leading from said contact points,
- (n) an electrically controlled valve associated with the hydraulic system to control the flow of hydraulic fluid therein to move the ground engaging blade with respect to the surface of the terrain,
- (o) said electrically controlled valve having two circuits leading thereto for movement of the valve to different positions,
- (p) a switch contact on opposite sides of each said double throw limit switch,
- (q) a circuit leading from each contact on one side of each said limit switch to said electrically controlled valve,
- (r) a second set of electrical contacts leading from the other of said contacts of said double throw limit switches, which contacts lead to another circuit associated with said electrically controlled valve so as to move the valve in the opposite direction from the movement accorded by the first mentioned circuit,
- (1) a source of electricity,
- (2) the other side of each circuit leading from said electrically controlled valve being connected with said source of electricity, and
- (s) said limit switches actuating said electrically controlled valve to admit fluid therethrough in one direction or to direct fluid therethrough in the opposite direction, in accordance with the setting of said limit switches, to maintain the ground engaging blade within certain limits with respect to the terrain.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.