CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 1 19 to Provisional Application Serial No. 62/428, 196, filed on November 30, 2016, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to agricultural implements. More specifically, but not exclusively, the invention relates to an automatic grain flow gate control for grain carts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Agricultural wagons, such as grain carts, aid in the harvesting of agricultural products such as corn, beans, or other crop (collectively "particulate material"). The grain carts are configured to receive the harvested grain from a combine or other implement so that the combine can continue to harvest the grain. Many times, a grain cart will move alongside a combine as the combine harvests grain so that the combine can deliver harvested grain to the cart such that the combine will be able to continue to harvest without having to stop to empty its hopper or hoppers. Once the combine has transferred harvested grain to the grain cart, the grain cart is able to transport the grain to a storage or transport vessel, such as a semi-trailer.

Grain carts may include a flow gate, which is used to selectively block one or more augers within the cart. Augers are generally used to transport the grain from the grain cart to another vessel. A vertical or lift auger is positioned on or in the grain cart with one end in or near the grain, and the other end extending generally upwardly and outwardly from the cart. The positioning of the lift auger allows the grain to be moved from the storage area of the grain cart to the trailer. The lift auger may also be adjustable or movable such that the auger can be directed to aim the grain towards trailers of differing heights, sizes, or the like. The adjustability also allows the grain to be directed to exact locations within the trailer or area.

Grain carts may also include a floor auger that is positioned generally at the bottom of the storage area of the grain cart. The floor auger extends from the rear of the storage area to near the front, or at least to an area adjacent the lift auger. The floor auger aids in directing grain in the cart to the lift auger to increase the speed of transport for the grain from the grain cart to the storage vessel, i.e. semi -trailer.

However, the flow of grain from the grain cart to the storage or transport vessel may need to be regulated, for instance, so that the storage vessel does not fill up too fast or to prevent spillage of the grain. Flow gates have been added to selectively cover the floor auger in the grain carts. The flow gates regulate the amount of grain that is able to flow into the floor auger and corresponding lift auger.

Grain cart systems today rely completely on the operator to close the grain flow gate and to open the flow gate to the correct setting for the crop conditions. Dual auger grain carts, due to their high flow capacity, risk failing to start the augers if the flow gates are left open while the grain bin is filled. Manually dumping grain out of the system is required to relieve the torque on the system.

Therefore, there exists in the art a need to provide better control over the flow gates that removes a farmer from having to watch and alter the position of the gate during removal of the grain from the cart.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is a primary obj ect, feature, and/or advantage of the invention to improve on and/or overcome the deficiencies in the art.

An agricultural wagon, comprising a storage bin supported by wheels and adapted to connect to a vehicle, the bin including front, rear, and side walls. A lift auger operatively connected to the interior of the storage bin and configured to move the particulate material at least partially upward and out of the storage bin. At least one flow gate movable between a closed positioned to substantially block access to the lift auger and an open position to allow grain to be in communication with the lift auger. An actuating mechanism operatively connected to the flow gates. A linkage operatively connected to the actuating mechanism. A visual indicator operatively connected to the linkage. A sensor associated with the visual indicator. A sensor associated with the actuating mechanism. A rotation sensor associated with the lift auger and a control system operatively to each sensor.

Wherein, the flow gate will remain closed until a minimum auger speed is met, at which point the flow gate will begin to open. As the operator throttles the PTO speed down past the minimum auger speed, the gates will automatically close. Additionally, this device will govern PTO load by adjusting the flow gates closed when there is too much PTO load or open when the PTO load is light.

It is yet another object, feature, and/or advantage of the invention wherein the visual indicator sensor is a proximity sensor.

It is a further object, feature, and/or advantage of the invention wherein the visual indicator sensor is a linear encoder.

It is still a further object, feature, and/or advantage of the invention wherein the visual indicator sensor is a rotary encoder.

These and/or other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The invention is not to be limited to or by these objects, features and advantages. No single embodiment need provide each and every object, feature, or advantage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is an isometric view of an exemplary grain cart.

Figure 2 is a cross section view of a grain cart.

Figure 3 is a front view of a grain cart flow gate visual position indicator location. Figure 4 is a view of a flow gate visual position indicator and associated sensor. Figure 5 is an electromechanical schematic of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a flow chart of the control system operation.

Various embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the invention. Figures represented herein are not limitations to the various embodiments according to the invention and are presented for exemplary illustration of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosure is directed towards agricultural wagons used to receive, store, and transport a particulate material, such as grain. The wagons of the disclosure may also be referred to as grain wagons or grain carts. Grain carts are used generally to receive the grain or other material from a vehicle such as a combine harvester. The combine, which is used to harvest an agricultural product, separates the product and dispenses the grain therefrom. The dispensed grain can be stored within the grain cart and the grain cart can be filled subject to a measurement, such as a weight or volume. Once filled, the grain cart, which is generally pulled by a vehicle such as a tractor, can be transported to another location within, around, or away from a field. The product within the cart, e.g., grain, can be stored in the cart for a later use, or can be dispensed from the cart to another storage vessel. For example, a storage vessel may be a semi- trailer or other trailer for hauling the product to a final storage location. Otherwise, the grain cart can dispense the material directly from the cart and into a final storage vessel. To accomplish the dispensing, the grain cart utilizes one or more augers to move the product from within a storage bin of the grain cart to a location outside the grain cart.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary grain cart. The grain cart 10 includes a storage bin 12 defined, in part, by walls. For example, the walls may include a front wall 14, rear wall 16, right wall 18, and left wall 20. The walls may include lower walls 42, 46, and 44, 48 (not Shown) respectively, which are angled towards a sump, as shown in FIG. 2-3. The designations of left and right are relative to the direction of travel of the grain cart 10. However, it will be appreciated that the terms could be reversed if viewed by looking at the grain cart 10 head on. The storage bin may utilize one or more structural members 40, which allow the grain cart 10 to maintain the bin shape. The storage bin 12 receives the grain or other material and holds said material therein until time of dispensing. Also shown is a tongue 22 extending from a frame 24, which supports the storage bin 12. The frame 24 may be a unitary member, or can comprise multiple members, such as to allow independent steering of multiple sets of wheels. For example, when forward and rear wheels are included, the axles of the wheels may be able to move or turn independent of one another. At a forward end of the tongue 22 is a hitch, not shown, for attaching the agricultural wagon or grain cart 10 to a towing vehicle, such as a tractor. The grain cart 10 is also supported and movable by the inclusion of wheels 26. While the figure shows the use of only two wheels, it should be appreciated that the present invention contemplates any number of wheels may be used to support and allow movement for the grain cart 10, and also that tracks be used in place of the wheels.

The grain cart 10 can be connectable to a tractor or other towing vehicle via the control box, not shown. The control box may include a hook up to a power support, such as a PTO (power take off) of a tractor, an electrical supply, a pneumatic supply, a hydraulic supply, or some combination thereof. The control box may also include controls such as electronic controls, hydraulic controls, pneumatic controls, or the like. These controls may operate the various aspects of the grain cart 10. For example, the control box may include electric controls to control the movement of an auger. Sensors may also be included to constantly update the weight or volume of the product within the storage bin 12.

Furthermore, additional aspects such as fans for drying the product and hydraulic controls for controlling hydraulic actuators for the augers and other components of the grain cart 10 may be operated and controlled by the control box.

To move the product from within the storage bin 12 to another vessel, the grain cart

10 incorporates the use of at least one auger 28, which may be known as a lift auger, and an optional second auger 50, which may also be known as a floor auger. The auger 28 operates in utilizing a rotational movement of the auger to move the material in a rear to front manner. Thus, the operation of the optional auger 50 will move the material from the direction from the rear wall 16 towards the front walls 14 and 42. The optional auger 50 is positioned generally at a left front comer of the storage bin 12, and being outside the storage bin 12. This allows for the greatest amount of volume within the storage bin 12. The auger 28 moves the material from a lower position to an upper position and out the location of the auger 28 designated by the hood 30. The hood 30 is utilized to direct the flow of the dispensing of the grain from the auger 28. The auger 28, as shown in the figures, can be a pivoting or folding style auger. For example, the auger 28 may be folded for transport wherein an upper portion 32 of the auger 28 is pivoted at a pivot point 36 relative to a lower section 34 of the auger 28. This pivoting of the upper and lower portions of the auger 28 may be done such that the fully folded auger 28 fits substantially within the front profile of the grain cart 10. Providing so allows an operator of the tow vehicle to be sure that the portions of the auger will not run into an obstruction during transport of the grain cart 10. When the auger 28 needs to be operated to move the grain, however, the upper portion 32 can be pivoted relative to the lower portion 34 to a position with the upper and lower sections 32 and 34 substantially aligned and in communication with one another to be able to extend the auger 28 and the hood 30 above a top of a storage vessel to dispense the grain into said vessel. The hood 30 can be positioned at the upper end of the upper section 32 of the auger 28. The hood 30 is utilized to aid in directing the grain or other material moved by the auger 28 in a direction towards a storage vessel. Thus, the shape and configuration of the hood 30 may be varied in order to best control the direction and speed dispensement of the material.

FIG. 2 shows the exemplary grain cart as viewed from the rear towards the front. One or more flow gates 62 encompass at least a portion of an auger 50. The flow gate 62 may be a single unit or multiple units that encompass the auger 50. The flow gate 62 is actuated by a hydraulic cylinder 64. However, other cylinders, such as pneumatic, electric, electro-hydraulic, or some combination thereof may be utilized. The cylinder 64 has interconnected linkages for each flow gate 62 to open and close. Visual indicator actuator linkages 66A-C transfer the open/closed positon of flow gates 62 to the flow gate visual position indicator 52, as shown in FIG. 3. Flow gate visual position indicator 52 is generally located on the front upper wall 14 of grain cart 10. Flow gate visual position indicator 52, as best shown in FIG. 4, is envisioned to comprise an indicator plate 58, a position dial 54, a position sensor 60, and a position indicator 56 with reference numerals. The position indicator plate 58 and position sensor 60 provide feedback to the control system. Position indicator plate 58 is a moving member with a plurality of apertures 114 and/or protrusions 116 and a pivot point 1 18. Position indicator dial 54 and indicator plate 58 move about pivot point 118 as flow gate(s) 62 close and open, e.g., 1 equals minimally opened, and 6 equals fully opened. The visual position indicator 56 shows closed to open from left to right, i.e., 1-6. Position sensor plate 58 indicates close to open from right to left. Additional embodiments envision multiple proximity sensors 60 in communication with a moving member 58 with one aperture 1 14 or protrusion 16, wherein only the sensor in proximity to the aperture 114 or protrusionl 16 would indicate position, thus allowing the control system determine flow gate position more accurately. A further embodiment utilizes a linear encoder or transducer. A linear encoder is a sensor, transducer, or read head paired with a scale that encodes position. The sensor reads the scale in order to convert the encoded position into an analog signal or digital signal, which can then be decoded into position by a digital readout (DRO) or motion controller. And yet a further embodiment utilizes a rotary encoder or transducer. A rotary encoder, also called a shaft encoder, is an electro-mechanical device that converts the angular position or motion of a shaft or axle to an analog or digital code. The control system 112, shown in FIG. 5, comprises a hydraulic valve 72, an actuating cylinder 64, a flow gate position sensor 60, a control module 86, and a PTO shaft rotation sensor 82. A tractor interface 70 provides hydraulic and electrical power. Control module 86, solenoid 74, position sensor 60, and rotation sensor 82 are powered via electrical line 88. Hydraulic supply lines 76A-B provide hydraulic valve 72 and thus actuating cylinder 64 via hydraulic supply lines 78 and 80 with the required hydraulic flow to open and close flow gate 62.

The speed of PTO shaft 84 is measured by rotation sensor 82. The preferred speed sensor embodiment utilizes a proximity sensor that measures apertures on the shaft, such as a sprocket. A further shaft sensor embodiment may utilize an optical sensor which "sees" a moving pattern on the PTO shaft 84. Another speed sensor embodiment may measure torque utilizing strain gauges applied to shaft 84 or other torque measurement devices. And yet a further embodiment may utilize a combination of torque and speed sensing to measure true power to augers 50 and 28.

Control module 86 measures rotation sensor 82 and flow gate position sensor 60 and calculates what position flow gate(s) 62 need to be to maintain grain flow, i.e., 0-100 percent open. Hydraulic valve 72 is controlled by solenoid 74. Solenoid 74 is opened and closed by control module 86 based rotation sensor 82 and flow gate position sensor 60 feedback. To open flow gate 62 hydraulic valve 72 allows flow through hydraulic line 78. Hydraulic line 78 forces actuating cylinder 64 to extend, thus opening flow gate 62. To close flow gate 62 hydraulic valve 72 allows flow through hydraulic line 80, thus closing flow gate 62.

An example flow diagram for control system 112 is shown in FIG. 6. The control system is configurable to allow the operator to make adjustments to suit his operating style and the parameters of his tractor. Maximum gate open position and minimum auger speed are two basic settings that can be utilized. Additionally, a deceleration sensitivity setting would adjust the response of the gate closing when PTO load is high. This could be set by the operator or automatically controlled by control module 86.

Process block 90 measures PTO speed via rotation sensor 82. Based on the measured PTO speed at block 90, decision block 92 requires a minimum PTO measured speed. If the PTO speed is less than the minimum requirement, decision block 94 determines if flow gate 62 is closed. If flow gate 62 is closed, then process block 98 requires no action. If flow gate 62 is not closed, then process block 96 will initiate the closing of flow gate 62. Thus, as the operator throttles the PTO 84 speed down below minimum auger 50 speed, the gates 62 will automatically close. Additionally, this control system will govern PTO load by adjusting the flow gates 62 closed when there is too much PTO load or open when the PTO load is light. Decision block 100 determines PTO deceleration sensitivity. If deceleration sensitivity is exceeded, decision block 102 determines if gate 62 is closed. If gate 62 is closed process block 98 will take no action. If gate 62 is open, process block 104 will adjust gate 62 closed. If PTO deceleration does not exceed sensitivity at decision block 100, decision block 106 will determine if flow gate 62 is opened to its allowed maximum setting. If flow gate 62 is opened to its maximum setting, then process block 108 will take no action. If gate 62 is not opened to its maximum, then process block 110 will adjust gate 62 open until its maximum opening is reached.

Prior to emptying the grain cart, the operator is required to set two basic settings: 1. maximum gate open position, and 2. minimum auger speed. Additionally, a deceleration sensitivity setting will adjust the response of the gate closing when PTO load is high. The deceleration sensitivity setting could be set by the operator or automatically controlled. The flow gate will remain closed until a minimum auger speed is met, at which point the flow gate will begin to open. As the operator throttles the PTO speed down past the minimum auger speed, the gates will automatically close. Additionally, this device will govern PTO load by adjusting the flow gates closed when there is too much PTO load or open when the PTO load is light. The control system is configurable to allow the operator to make adjustments to suit his/her operating style and the parameters of his tractor.

The control module may also be known as a controller, intelligent control, processing unit, or the like. Examples of such intelligent control units may be tablets, telephones, handheld devices, laptops, user displays, or generally any other computing device capable of allowing input, providing options, and showing output of electronic functions. Still further examples include a microprocessor, a microcontroller, or another suitable programmable device) and a memory. The controller also can include other components and can be implemented partially or entirely on a semiconductor (e.g., a field-programmable gate array ("FPGA")) chip, such as a chip developed through a register transfer level ("RTL") design process. The memory includes, in some embodiments, a program storage area and a data storage area. The program storage area and the data storage area can include combinations of different types of memory, such as read-only memory ("ROM"), random access memory ("RAM") (e.g., dynamic RAM ("DRAM"), synchronous DRAM

("SDRAM"), etc.), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory ("EEPROM"), flash memory, a hard disk, an SD card, or other suitable magnetic, optical, physical, or electronic memory devices.

A communications module can be included with the control system and can be configured to connect to and communicate with another controller, such as a computer, tablet, server, or other computing device. This could allow the control system (or wagon or tractor) to provide data or other information (e.g., warnings, status, notices, etc.) associated with the wagon to a remote location of the additional controller to allow the real-time information and stored information for the wagon. The information could be used to determine issues, forecast, or otherwise track information related to the wagon. The communication could also be in the form of inputs such that the communication could include a command to the wagon from a remote location.

In some embodiments, the wagon and/or control system includes a first communications module for communicating with a secondary device (other wagon/tractor or remote controller), and/or a second communications module for communicating with a central location (server, computer, or other master controller). For sake of simplicity, the term "communications module" herein applies to one or more communications modules individually or collectively operable to communicate with other devices.

The communications module communicates with the central location through the network. In some embodiments, the network is, by way of example only, a wide area network ("WAN") (e.g., a global positioning system ("GPS"), a TCP/IP based network, a cellular network, such as, for example, a Global System for Mobile Communications ("GSM") network, a General Packet Radio Service ("GPRS") network, a Code Division Multiple Access ("CDMA") network, an Evolution-Data Optimized ("EV-DO") network, an Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution ("EDGE") network, a 3GSM network, a 4GSM network, a Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications ("DECT") network, a Digital AMPS ("IS-136/TDMA") network, or an Integrated Digital Enhanced Network ("iDEN") network, etc.), although other network types are possible and contemplated herein. The network can be a local area network ("LAN"), a neighborhood area network ("NAN"), a home area network ("HAN"), or personal area network ("PAN") employing any of a variety of communications protocols, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, near field communication ("NFC"), etc., although other types of networks are possible and are contemplated herein. Communications through the network by the communications module or the controller can be protected using one or more encryption techniques, such as those techniques provided in the IEEE 802.1 standard for port-based network security, pre- shared key, Extensible Authentication Protocol ("EAP"), Wired Equivalency Privacy ("WEP"), Temporal Key Integrity Protocol ("TKIP"), Wi-Fi Protected Access ("WPA"), and the like.

The communications module can be powered by a dedicated power source, such as a battery, battery pack, or wired power (e.g., AC power socket or other power source).

The central location can include a centrally located computer, a network of computers, or one or more centrally located servers. The central location can be adapted to store, interpret, and communicate data from one or more wagons, and can also interpret the data and communicate the interpreted data to a user.

Therefore, a grain bin with flow gate position control has been shown and described. It should be appreciated that, while many aspects, embodiments, and the like have been shown and described, these are not to be limiting to the disclosure. Furthermore, any changes, modifications, improvements, and the like that are obvious to those skilled in the art are to be considered part of the present disclosure.