IP Library Granted Patent US 11,337,359
Granted Patent B2
US 11,337,359 · App. 16/618,702 · Granted May 24, 2022

Ground bearing capacity

Inventors: Glenn Aesaert (Izegem, BE); Christopher A. Foster (Mohnton, PA); Bart M. A. Missotten (Herent, BE); John H. Posselius (Ephrata, PA)
Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
A01B79/005A01D41/127G01B21/32G01N33/24G05D1/0227G05D2201/0201
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,337,359
App. No.
16/618,702
Granted
May 24, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

A combine harvester comprising a controller, at least one first sensor adapted to measure a first parameter related to soil deformation, and at least one second sensor adapted to measure a second parameter related to wheel slip. The first sensor is adapted to provide a first output to the controller. The second sensor is adapted to provide a second output to the controller. The controller is configured to determine a ground bearing capacity based on a combination of the first output and the second output.

Claims (28)

1. A combine harvester comprising:

a header;

a controller;

a first sensor adapted to measure a first parameter indicating soil deformation and output a first output to the controller; and

a second sensor adapted to measure a second parameter indicating wheel slip and output a second output to the controller,

wherein the controller is configured to:

receive the first output and the second output; and

determine a ground bearing capacity based on a combination of the first output and the second output, and

wherein the header comprises at least one further sensor adapted to measure a further parameter related to the ground bearing capacity, the further sensor adapted to provide a further output to the controller.

2. The combine harvester according to claim 1 , further comprising a ground drivability module, at least partially incorporating the controller, wherein the ground drivability module is configured to determine combine driving parameters based on the ground bearing capacity determined by the controller.

3. The combine harvester according to claim 2 , wherein the ground drivability module is further configured to:

predict the ground bearing capacity of ground in front of the combine harvester, and

stop the combine harvester when the ground in front of the combine harvester is not able to carry the combine harvester.

4. The combine harvester according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one further sensor comprises multiple sensors distributed over a width of the header at intermitting distances.

5. The combine harvester according to claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to recursively calibrate the at least one further sensor based on the output of the first sensor or second sensor, respectively, so as to obtain an estimated ground bearing capacity for ground under the header.

6. The combine harvester according to claim 5 , further comprising a ground drivability module, at least partially incorporating the controller, wherein the ground drivability module is configured to determine combine driving parameters based on the ground bearing capacity determined by the controller, wherein the ground drivability module is further configured to adapt the combine driving parameters based on the estimated ground bearing capacity.

7. The combine harvester according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one further sensor is a soil density sensor, a soil humidity sensor, or a soil conductivity sensor.

8. The combine harvester according to claim 1 , further comprising a third sensor adapted to measure a third parameter, the third parameter indicating a geographical position of the combine, the third sensor adapted to provide the third parameter to the controller, the controller further configured to relate the third parameter to the determined ground bearing capacity so as to obtain a ground bearing capacity mapping.

9. The combine harvester according to claim 8 , wherein the ground bearing capacity mapping is broadcasted to agricultural vehicles in a proximity of the combine thereby allowing the agricultural vehicles to adapt their driving parameters based on the ground bearing capacity mapping.

10. The combine harvester according to claim 1 , wherein the second sensor is a wheel slip sensor.

11. A combine harvester comprising:

a controller;

a first sensor adapted to measure a first parameter indicating soil deformation and output a first output to the controller; and

a second sensor adapted to measure a second parameter indicating wheel slip and output a second output to the controller,

wherein the controller is configured to:

receive the first output and the second output; and

determine a ground bearing capacity based on a combination of the first output and the second output, and

wherein the first sensor is a header position sensor, a driving power sensor, or a pair of soil density sensors, wherein a first one of the pair is arranged in front of a wheel and a second one of the pair is arranged behind the wheel.

Assignments (6)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 22, 2022
From: CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLC
To: BLUE LEAF I.P., INC.
Reel/Frame 061987/0305 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Apr 20, 2022
From: CNH BELGIUM N.V.
To: CNH INDUSTRIAL BELGIUM NV
Reel/Frame 059847/0787 →
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 25, 2022
From: AESAERT, GLENN
To: CNH BELGIUM N.V.
Reel/Frame 059657/0117 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 25, 2022
From: MISSOTTEN, BART M.A.
To: CNH INDUSTRIAL BELGIUM N.V.
Reel/Frame 059101/0680 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 25, 2022
From: FOSTER, CHRISTOPHER A.; POSSELIUS, JOHN H.; CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLC
To: CNH INDUSTRIAL BELGIUM N.V.
Reel/Frame 059102/0089 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 25, 2022
From: CNH INDUSTRIAL BELGIUM N.V.
To: CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLC
Reel/Frame 059102/0234 →
Priority Claims (1)
BE 2017/5397 · Jun 2, 2017 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20200093054A1 · Mar 26, 2020