Regulator control

A system for the regulation of at least one operating parameter of an agricultural implement, the system comprising:

• an agricultural work vehicle coupled to the implement for moving the implement across an agricultural field, the vehicle including an operator's station;
• at least one closed loop control circuit including means for inputting a set point, means for receiving a feedback signal representative of the value of the parameter, means for providing a control signal, and means for varying the control signal to cause the value of the parameter to be substantially equal to that of the set point;
• at least one actuator means supported by the implement, connected to the at least one control circuit, and which is actuatable by the control signal to cause the value of the at least one parameter to correspond to that of the control signal and thereby of the associated set point;
• at least one sensor supported by the implement and configured to measure the actual value of the at least one parameter and to communicate the measured value to the control circuit;
• and
• a display device located at the operator's station, connected to the at least one control circuit and to the at least one sensor and configured to exhibit system information including at least the measured value of the at least one parameter.

A system for the control of depth of penetration into the soil of at least one agricultural tool, the system comprising:

• an agricultural work vehicle, including an operator's station;
• an agricultural implement connected to the vehicle and including a frame which remains at a substantially constant distance above the surface of the soil and at least one tool which is controllably movable with respect to the frame generally downwardly into the soil;
• a control circuit supported by the vehicle and including means for inputting a set point and means for providing a control signal;
• a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure;
• at least one hydraulic cylinder supported by the implement, having a first end connected to the frame and a second end connected to the at least one tool, and configured to move the at least one tool into the soil when presented with hydraulic fluid under pressure through a fluid port located in the cylinder;
• a hydraulic cylinder control valve located in the path of a hydraulic fluid conduit, coupling the hydraulic fluid source to the fluid port, and actuatable in correspondence to the control signal;
• a hydraulic cylinder extension measuring device supported by the implement, connected to the control circuit, and configured to measure the position of the at least one tool;
• and
• a display device supported by the tractor, connected to the control circuit, and configured to exhibit system information including at least measured present tool position data.