Cotton module program control using yield monitor signal
View Patent ↗A control and method for a cotton module building program for an on-board cotton module builder of a cotton harvester, which utilizes a signal or output from a yield monitor as a factor in determining and varying cotton module building parameters, which can include auger direction and duration of operation, compactor positions and compacting strokes for best compacting a cotton module under the yield conditions. A module complete signal which can be a visual or audio signal, can be outputted when the yield monitor detects a predetermined cotton module weight, for signaling approach of a required unloading of a cotton module.
1. A method of operation of an on-board cotton module builder of a cotton harvesting machine, comprising steps of:
determining a value representative of a cotton yield as a function of a signal outputted by a cotton yield monitor during a compaction cycle and as long as the conditions for a complete module block have not been satisfied;
determining a run time for an auger for distributing cotton within the module builder, at least partially as a function of the determined value;
determining a number of compaction strokes of a cotton compactor of the module builder, at least partially as a function of the determined value; and
setting the position of the cotton compactor within a compactor chamber of the cotton module builder, at least partially a function of the determined value.
2. The method of claim 1 , comprising a further step of outputting a module complete signal when a cotton module being built by the module builder is complete.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein a module being built by the module builder is determined to be complete when the module exceeds a predetermined weight.
4. The method claim 1 , comprising a step of determining a direction of operation of the auger at least partially as a function of the determined value.
5. A method of operation of an on-board cotton module builder of a cotton harvesting machine, comprising steps of:
providing a controller operable for controlling direction of rotation and run time for an auger for distributing cotton within the module builder and a number of compaction strokes of a cotton compactor of the module builder; and
determining a run time for the auger for distributing cotton within the module builder and a number of compaction strokes of the cotton compactor bused at least in part on a yield setting inputted to time controller, the yield setting is inputted to the controller during the compaction cycle and only as long as the conditions for a complete module block have not been satisfied, wherein the controller is operable for determining compacting positions for the cotton compactor as a function of the yield setting.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the yield setting is operator controlled.
7. The method of claim 5 , wherein the yield setting is determined at least in part by a cotton yield monitor.
8. The method of claim 5 , wherein the controller is operable for determining and changing directions of operation of the auger as a function of the yield setting.
9. The method of claim 5 , wherein the controller is operable for varying a frequency of the compaction strokes of the cotton compactor as a function of the yield setting.
10. The method of claim 5 , wherein the controller is operable for varying lengths of the compaction strokes of the cotton compactor as a function of the yield setting.
11. A method of operation of an on-board cotton module builder of a cotton harvesting machine, comprising steps of;
varying duration and direction of rotation of an auger for distributing cotton within the module builder, as a function of yield conditions during a compaction cycle wherein the conditions for a complete module block have not been satisfied;
varying a number and a duration of compaction strokes of a cotton compactor of the module builder, as a function of yield conditions during a compaction cycle wherein the conditions for a complete module block have not been satisfied; and
setting the position of the cotton compactor within a compacting chamber of the cotton module builder, as a function of yield conditions during a compaction cycle wherein the conditions for a complete module block have not been satisfied.
12. The method of claim 11 , comprising a further step of outputting a module complete signal when a cotton module being built by the module builder is complete or nearly complete.