Closed-loop log length control system for combine harvesters.

Abstract

Combine harvesters include feeding systems that can operate at specific feeding speeds and are strategically positioned. The design feeds the crop onto the blades, and the blades are arranged in a structure to cut the crop into sections. It can operate at cutting speeds, and the harvester includes a photosensitive sensor that is strategically positioned. To create a contract that corresponds to the length of the crop section and a control system with a processor, Memory, human-machine interface, and control system are arranged in a specific configuration. To receive signals and be programmed to adjust one or both of the cutting speeds or the speed. Input based on signals.

Claims

1. A combine harvester incorporating a feeding system capable of operating at a specific feeding speed and configured to feed crops toward blades configured to cut the crop into stalks. The blades can operate at a specific cutting speed, optical sensors configured to generate signals corresponding to the length of the stalks, and a control system including a processor, memory, and human-machine interface. The control system is configured to receive signals and is programmed to adjust one or both of the cutting speed or the feeding speed based on those signals.

2. A combine harvester of claim 1, where the control system is programmed to adjust one or both of the cutting speed or the feeding speed by adjusting the ratio of the cutting speed to the feeding speed. 3.The combine harvester of claim 1, where the control system is further configured to 1) receive input from the operator via a human-machine interface, inputs including the target log length, and 2) adjust one or both of the cutting speeds or feed speeds in such a way that the length of the crop logs approaches the target log length.

4. The combine harvester of claim 1, where the control system is further configured to 1) receive input from the operator via a human-machine interface, inputs including the target variation for log length, and 2) adjust one or both of the cutting speeds or feed speeds in such a way that the measured variation approaches the target variation.

5. The combine harvester of claim 1, where the blades include cylindrical cutting blades, where the cutting speed includes the cylinder rotation speed.

6. The combine harvester of claim 1, where the feeding system includes feed rollers, and where the feed speed includes the feed roller speed. 7.

8. Patent 1 harvester, in which the optical sensors include at least one stereoscopic camera, LIDAR device, structured optical stereoscopic scanner, or stereoscopic camera.

9. Patent 1 harvester, in which the optical sensors are configured to detect three-dimensional images of crop logs.

10. Patent 1 harvester, in which the optical sensors are configured to detect two-dimensional images of crop logs.

11. Patent 1 harvester, in which the control system is configured to use a neural network to measure the length of crop logs.A combine harvester incorporating a feeding system capable of operating at a feeding speed and configured to feed crops toward blades configured to cut the crop into logs; the blades can operate at a cutting speed; optical sensors configured to generate signals corresponding to log lengths; and a control system including a processor, memory, and human-machine interface. The control system is configured to 1) receive input from the operator via the human-machine interface, inputs including target log parameters; 2) receive signals from the optical sensors corresponding to log lengths; and 3) adjust one or both the cutting speed or the feeding speed in such a way that subsequent log parameters approach the target log parameter.

12. Combine harvesters of claim 11, where the target log parameter includes one or both of the desired log lengths or the desired variation for log length.13.

14. Harvester of Patent 11, in which the optical sensors are configured to detect three-dimensional images of crop logs.

15. Harvester of Patent 11, in which the optical sensors are configured to detect two-dimensional images of crop logs.

16. Harvester of Patent 11, in which the control system is configured to use a neural network to measure the length of crop logs.A combine harvester comprising a configurationd inlet for receiving crops; configurationd blades for cutting crops into logs and outer plant parts; a configurationd cleaning system for separating at least some outer plant parts from the logs; a cleaning system with a cleaning speed; a configurationd optical sensor for generating signals corresponding to the length of the log; and a control system including a processor, memory, and human-machine interface; a control system configured to receive signals from the optical sensors and programmed to adjust the cleaning speed based on the signal.

18. A combine harvester of claim 17, where an optical sensor is positioned between the blades and the cleaning system to detect logs before cleaning.

19. A combine harvester of claim 17, where an optical sensor is configured to detect logs after they have been cleaned by the cleaning system.

20. A combine harvester of claim 17, where the cleaning system includes at least one fan and where the cleaning speed includes the fan speed.