IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,602,135
Granted Patent B2
US 8,602,135 · App. 12/491,331 · Granted Dec 10, 2013

Drive quad module

Inventor: Timothy J. Kraus (Blakesburg, IA)
Assignee: Deere & Company
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,602,135
App. No.
12/491,331
Granted
Dec 10, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

A combination including a harvester, a generator vehicle, and a transport vehicle including a chassis, a motor, a plurality of traction devices, and a control unit aligning the transport vehicle in relation to at least one of the harvester and a previous path of the harvester. A method of positioning a train of transport vehicles in relation to a path of the harvester.

Claims (38)

1. A harvesting combination comprising:

a harvester configured to harvest a crop from a field,

a generator vehicle configured to generate power,

a transport vehicle including:

a chassis,

a motor supported by the chassis, the motor being powered by the generator vehicle,

a plurality of traction devices supporting the chassis, and

a control unit aligning the transport vehicle in relation to at least one of the harvester and a previous path of the harvester; and

a carrier supported by the transport vehicle to receive the crop harvested by the harvester.

2. The combination of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of traction devices of the transport vehicle is operably coupled to a steering system of the transport vehicle to provide a plurality of steering modes that control the direction of travel of the transport vehicle.

3. The combination of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of steering modes includes at least one of crab steer mode.

4. The combination of claim 2 , wherein the control unit of the transport vehicle is operably coupled to the steering system of the transport vehicle.

5. The combination of claim 1 , wherein the transport vehicle includes a port supported by the chassis and the port is configured to provide power from the generator vehicle to the motor.

6. The combination of claim 1 , wherein the motor is an electric motor.

7. The combination of claim 1 , wherein the motor is a hydraulic motor.

8. The combination of claim 1 , wherein the carrier is a conveyor.

9. The combination of claim 1 , wherein the carrier is a container.

10. The combination of claim 1 , further comprising an electric conductor coupled between the generator vehicle and the transport vehicle.

11. The combination of claim 10 , wherein the electric conductor is coupled to the carrier.

12. The combination of claim 1 , wherein the transport vehicle includes a hitch supported by the chassis, the hitch supports the carrier, and the hitch couples the carrier to the transport vehicle.

13. The combination of claim 1 , wherein the harvester travels along a current path substantially parallel to the previous path.

14. The combination of claim 1 , wherein the control unit includes GPS-based guidance.

15. The combination of claim 1 , wherein the control unit includes radio-based guidance.

16. The combination of claim 1 , wherein the control unit includes a row recognition system being configured to trace the previous path of the harvester.

17. The combination of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the harvester and the transport vehicle includes a tracking system configured to locate the previous path.

18. The combination of claim 1 , wherein the transport vehicle is self-propelled.

19. The combination of claim 1 , wherein the generator vehicle is self-propelled.

20. The combination of claim 1 , wherein the generator vehicle powers the transport vehicle by supplying at least one of electrical power, hydraulic power, and mechanical power to the transport vehicle.

21. A harvesting combination comprising:

a harvester configured to harvest a crop from a field,

a generator vehicle configured to generate power,

a transport vehicle powered by the generator vehicle, and the transport vehicle including:

a steering system aligning the transport vehicle along a previous path of the harvester,

a control unit controlling the steering system, and

a receiving unit in communication with the control unit, the receiving unit receiving position data of at least one of the harvester and the previous path of the harvester;

a carrier supported by the transport vehicle to receive the crop harvested by the harvester,

a second transport vehicle, and

a second carrier supported by the second transport vehicle, wherein both the transport vehicle and the second transport vehicle are powered by the generator vehicle.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 25, 2009
From: KRAUS, TIMOTHY J, MR.
To: DEERE & COMPANY
Reel/Frame 022873/0736 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20100326746A1 · Dec 30, 2010