Earth working – Automatic power control – Draft responsive
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-01
2001-04-17
Pezzuto, Robert E. (Department: 3671)
Earth working
Automatic power control
Draft responsive
C172S004000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06216795
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates in general to a method and apparatus to provide an automatic depth and/or height control system, and more particularly to a method and apparatus to automatically control the depth or height position of an agricultural or other mobile tool using a hydraulic system.
2. Description of Related Art
This invention generally relates to the inventions disclosed within U.S. Pat. No. 4,646,620, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,825,655, which are both incorporated herein in their entirety, that relate to fluid cylinder systems and allow for control of piston stroke positions.
Historically, the depth of tool penetration for agricultural equipment, or other soil penetration equipment, has been set by mechanical devices which restrict the retraction or extension of hydraulic cylinders. The cylinder(s) is typically mounted between the frame of the implement and the leg of an implement carrier wheel. Thus, height of the frame above the ground, which determines tool penetration, could be hydraulically changed to a more shallow depth (i.e., less tool penetration) but not to a deeper depth typically because of mechanical restriction. The prior approach is still in use but does not offer good control of material discharge, liquid manure deposits, preparation tillage, ground cover, moisture retention, seed bed preparation or depth of seeding. The prior approach is less desirable because on hard ground the wheels ride up onto the surface, the tools are not set deeper, and this results in shallow tool penetration. On soft ground where the wheels ride deeper, hydraulic corrections can be made with use of manual hydraulics, but fine adjustments are difficult and continuous.
Similar issues also exist within similar mobile tools such as sprayer booms, road side grass mowers, and other earth moving, working or discharging equipment. In these other applications, both tool height and depth above the ground is to be controlled. The height and depth measurement for the tool as well as the control system used to the height and depth of these tools are improved by the present invention.
Recently, automatic depth control systems have been brought onto the market which control the extension and retraction of the implement carrier cylinders in order to hold a select depth. One such system is disclosed within U.S. Pat. No. 4,646,620. Automatic depth control is controlled by a microprocessor in the tractor cab, sensors on the implement frame and power beyond valving for hydraulic corrections to maintain a given tool penetration. Sensors for this system were depth gauge wheels.
Another such system sold by Raven Industries of Sioux Fall, S.D., has a rotary dial on the console to set the working depth. It is difficult to change depth settings on-the-go since selective depths are not programmed. Sensors are Piezo ultrasonic. Power beyond valving requires one of three separate and distinct manifold assembles, either gear pump, pressure compensated or load sensing. This requirement for three separate and distinct valving manifolds for different tractor hydraulic systems is costly; also, the valving is in-line but cannot accommodate manual return flows. Thus, changes from automatic to manual or vice versa require a hoses to be reconfigured.
Thus, there is a need for a more efficient system that is more adaptable to on-the-go farming practices and offers better control of depths for operations on varying soil textures (sand, silt and clay), weather affect upon these soils, and control for various implements, applications, and field conditions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To overcome the limitations in the prior art described above, and to overcome other limitations that will become apparent upon reading and understanding the present specification, the present invention discloses a console which can detect and switch methodology to either gauge wheel, or ultrasonic sensor. The Console has a LED readout of the rolling average of depth in conjunction with a bar graph depicting variation from the set depth. The bar graph flashes an light outside the WINDOW to denote a hydraulic correction under way. Depth of penetration can be set in inches and {fraction (1/10)} of an inch.
Further, a Controller uses a five position détente joy stick to select any of four programmed depths of tool penetration, plus a RAISE position. A Rocker Switch establishes working depths for temporary or permanent memory, with permanent memory made with a SET button. A toggle switch places the system in the RUN mode, where automatic depth corrections are made, or places the system in a HOLD mode wherein no hydraulic corrections can be made.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is a hydraulic integrated manifold that is located between the tractor hydraulics and the implement cylinders. This manifold has an arrangement of solenoids and valving that enable the manifold to accommodate all three tractor hydraulic systems presently on the market; namely, Constant Flow Pumps, Pressure Compensated Pumps, and Load Sensing Pumps. This manifold is an in-line mounting that permits double acting flows through it in either direction, manual or automatic operation. Slow flows for hydraulic corrections are set by either an orifice, an adjustable restrictor or proportional valve driven by the Console. An orifice or adjustable restriction incorporates programming which adjusts to overshooting or undershooting of the window by the tool in {fraction (1/10)} of a second increments. The programming adjusts the time in which the tool is connected either earlier or later than optimally necessary to eliminate the overshoot or undershoot.
According to still another aspect of this invention, an assembly consisting of a bracket, a potentiometer mechanism and an extending and hinged arm is mounted to the frame of a seeder. The hinged arm is mounted to the seeder leg which in turn is mounted to the seeder frame on one end and carries the seeding mechanism on the other end. This mounting enables a disclosure of angle between the seeder frame and the leg carrying the seeding mechanism. Variations of this angle translate into depth variations. This is a variation of the depth gage wheel.
Further, the gauge wheel is an inverted pyramid design which permits the wheel to run approximately two (2) feet ahead of the trailing wheel type. This permits the tire to run on unworked ground, thus preventing, to a degree, mud or soil buildup on the face of the tire which is not now running on worked soil; also the tire does not, then, interfere or inhibit the tools from working mulch.
The gauge wheel can be mounted above the implement frame for implements with low clearance (typically 24 inches) or below the frame for implements with high clearance (typically up to 32 inches).
Holes placed at one inch intervals permit tension to be placed on the shock absorber. This is a positive positioning, not subject to shipping of plates.
According to still another aspect of this invention, an ultrasonic housing is mounted to a swivel or hinge to keep it pointed, by gravity, toward the ground. The electro-static transducer has a cover, commercially referred to as Union Ocean Guard (UOG), over the transducer to protect it against weather, salt, caustic chemicals and overall contamination. It also incorporates a grill to protect it against roughage, such as corn stalks, that could damage the transducer. A vent is provided on the exterior of the transducer insert to prevent pressure buildup (typically 1½ to 2 psi) if the unit becomes hermetically sealed, and also enables ventilation to prevent moisture accumulation and resultant corrosion. Neither the UOG or the grill, ¼×¼, will substantially affect sound wave transmission. A Piezo quartz face transducer is an option for an electrostatic transducer.
Thus there have been outlined rather broadly the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art
Merchant & Gould P.C.
Pezzuto Robert E.
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