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Fruit tree pruner and harvesting machine

a fruit tree and harvesting machine technology, applied in agriculture tools and machines, instruments, and image enhancement, etc., can solve the problems of limited success in some applications, no approach has been successful for premium commercial fruits grown for our commercial markets and fresh markets, and no approach has been successful for premium commercial fruits

Inactive Publication Date: 2011-03-03
HARVESTMOORE L L C
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0016]For the pruning operation the pruner and harvester utilizes the Self Propelled Vehicle (SPV), the robotic arms, Global Positioning System (GPS) and Digital Imaging Systems (DIS). It also uses a heavier duty branch power cutter mounted on the end effecter of the robotic arm. Each tree will be located by its GPS location, imaged from the machine and the machine will then prune the tree based on software pruning algorithms. The pruning algorithms will allow the trunk, a selected number of major branches, and a selected number of fruit bearing limbs to remain as part of the tree. The remainder will be pruned from the tree.

Problems solved by technology

Some success has been accomplished for very durable fruits and nuts, but unfortunately no approach has been successful for premium fruits grown for our commercial markets and our fresh markets.
This has not been successful for premium commercial fruits, due to fruit bruising and damage from striking branches and limbs on the way down to the catch mechanism.
There has been limited success in some applications with some of the harvesters, but currently there is no commercial harvester being utilized for the fresh market fruits, There is no dual purpose pruner and harvester developed for the tree fruit production.

Method used

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  • Fruit tree pruner and harvesting machine
  • Fruit tree pruner and harvesting machine
  • Fruit tree pruner and harvesting machine

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Embodiment Construction

[0036]The present invention relates to fruit harvesting generally as configured in the FIG. 1 indicated as 1 and relates to tree pruning generally and configured in FIG. 2 indicated as 2. The fruit pruner and harvester machine is propelled through the orchard on a Self-Propelled Vehicle (SPV) is generally indicated as 3. The SPV consists of a structural frame 4, hydrostatic drives 5, low profile wheels 6, operator platform 7, motor and hydrostatic transmission 8, and electrical generator 9. These items are generally commercially available. The SPV can be provided with self-leveling options that will keep the frame level for orchards on hill sides.

[0037]The robotic arms are shown in FIG. 1 through FIG. 5 and are indicated as forward arm 10, middle arm 11, and rear arm 12. There are six robotic arms two each of 10, 11, and 12 shown in these figures, but the number of arms may be varied depending on the type of fruit and picking rate desired. The arms are powered by hydraulic cylinders...

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PUM

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Abstract

An agriculture vehicle has a mobile body and an arm. The arm has a first end supported upon the mobile body and a second end movable relative the mobile body. A cutting tool is operatively supported upon the second end of the arm. The cutting tool includes a blade configured for rotation.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]None.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]No Federally sponsored Research or Development Grants, CRADAS, or other government funds have been utilized in developing this invention. Only the inventor's funds have been applied to developing this invention and submitting the invention for a patent.REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX[0003]Not ApplicableBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0004]1. Field of Invention[0005]This invention relates to methods and apparatus for pruning of fruit bearing trees such as apples, pears, peaches, plums, apricots, cherries, avocadoes and citrus. And also, this invention relates to methods and apparatus for harvesting of fruit from fruit bearing trees such as apples, pears, peaches, plums, apricots, cherries, avocadoes and citrus.[0006]The methods allow for individual removal of fruit that will meet the standards for the commercial...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): A01G3/08A01D46/00
CPCA01D46/24A01G3/08A01D46/30A01B69/008A01B79/02A01D34/008A01D46/005A01D69/02A01D69/03A01D2101/00A01G3/00G06T7/0004G06T2207/30128
Inventor MOORE, FRANCIS WILSON
Owner HARVESTMOORE L L C
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