IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,028,434
Granted Patent B2
US 10,028,434 · App. 15/428,679 · Granted Jul 24, 2018

Method for controlling upload of a mobile farm implement

Inventors: Michael D. Van Mill (Shell Rock, IA); Shawn W. Gerdeman (Delphos, OH); Ronald J. Schlimgen (Shell Rock, IA)
Assignee: Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.
A01D41/127A01D90/10G05B19/409G05B19/416G05B2219/37095G05B2219/45017
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,028,434
App. No.
15/428,679
Granted
Jul 24, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method of unloading mobile farm implements is presented. Unloading the mobile farm implement is accomplished by transmitting commands to unfold an auger arm and to open a container door and by monitoring weight measurements from the implement.

Claims (20)

1. A mobile farm implement coupled to a controller having a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, the controller being used for automating unloading of the mobile farm implement, the controller configured to:

receive a first command to assist the unloading of agricultural material from the mobile farm implement;

determine whether weight measurements from the mobile farm implement have reached a steady value;

open a container door, in response to a determination that the weight measurements have reached a steady value;

determine whether a subsequent weight measurement from the mobile farm implement is below a first threshold; and

close the container door, in response to a determination that the subsequent weight measurement is below the first threshold.

2. The mobile farm implement of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to receive a user selection before the first command to assist the unloading of the mobile farm implement is received.

3. The mobile farm implement of claim 2 , wherein the controller is further configured to receive user input specifying the first threshold before the first command to assist the unloading of the mobile farm implement is received.

4. The mobile farm implement of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to engage an auger of the auger arm with a power takeoff.

5. The mobile farm implement of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to record subsequent weight measurements from the mobile farm implement in response to the determination that the weight measurements from the mobile farm implement has reached a steady value.

6. A mobile farm implement coupled to a controller having a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, the controller being used for automating unloading of the mobile farm implement, the controller configured to:

receive a first command to assist the unloading of agricultural material from the mobile farm implement;

determine whether a power takeoff speed is above a first threshold;

open a container door, in response to a determination that the power takeoff speed is above the first threshold;

determine whether a weight measurement from the mobile farm implement is below a second threshold; and

close the container door, in response to a determination that the subsequent weight measurement is below the second threshold.

7. The mobile farm implement of claim 6 , wherein the controller is further configured to receive a user selection before the first command to assist the unloading of the mobile farm implement is received.

8. The mobile farm implement of claim 7 , wherein the controller is further configured to receive user input specifying the first threshold, or the second threshold, before the first command to assist the unloading of the mobile farm implement is received.

9. The mobile farm implement of claim 6 , wherein the controller is further configured to engage an auger of the auger arm with a power takeoff.

10. The mobile farm implement of claim 6 , wherein the controller is further configured to determine whether weight measurements from the mobile farm implement have reached a steady value and to record subsequent weight measurements from the mobile farm implement in response to the determination that the weight measurements from the mobile farm implement has reached a steady value.

Continuity (4)
Continuation 14942500 · Nov 16, 2015
Continuation 14213246 · Mar 14, 2014
Provisional Application 61799957 · Mar 15, 2013
Related Publication 20170150679A1 · Jun 1, 2017
Cited By (11)
US 12,356,894 US 12,419,217 US 12,472,911 US 12,543,655 US 12,582,033 US 12,588,589 US 12,588,593 US 12,650,701 US 12,669,361 US 12,696,845 US 12,717,327