Hydraulic control system of an implement for a work machine and method thereof

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9961823-B2
Application number	US-201615058745-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 2, 2016
Priority date	Mar 2, 2016
Publication date	May 8, 2018
Grant date	May 8, 2018

Abstract

An agricultural implement includes a transversely extending frame forming a first, a second, and a third frame section. A hydraulic control system controls a raising or lowering movement of each frame section. A first actuator and a second actuator are coupled to the first frame section, a third actuator is coupled to the second frame section, and a fourth actuator is coupled to the third frame section. A first control valve is fluidly coupled between a fluid source and the first and second actuators. A second control valve is fluidly coupled to the third actuator and a third control valve is fluidly coupled to the fourth actuator. A first flow path fluidly couples the first actuator, the second actuator, the third actuator, and the fourth actuator in series and a second flow path fluidly couples at least the third and fourth actuators in parallel with one another.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An agricultural implement, comprising:
a transversely extending frame forming at least a first frame section, a second frame section, and a third frame section, where the first frame section is disposed between the second and third frame sections;
a hitch member configured to couple to a work machine, the hitch member being coupled to at least one of the first, second, and third frame sections; and
a first actuator and a second actuator coupled to the first frame section, a third actuator coupled to the second frame section, and a fourth actuator coupled to the third frame section;
a fluid source for providing hydraulic fluid;
a first control valve operably controllable between an open position and a closed position, the first control valve being fluidly coupled between the fluid source and the first and second actuators;
a second control valve operably controllable between an open position and a closed position, the second control valve being fluidly coupled to the third actuator its open position;
a third control valve operably controllable between an open position and a closed position, the third control valve being fluidly coupled to the fourth actuator in its open position;
a first flow path defined between the fluid source and the third and fourth actuators, the first flow path fluidly coupling the first actuator, the second actuator, the third actuator, and the fourth actuator in series with one another when the first control valve is in its open position, the second control valve is in its closed position, and the third control valve is in its closed position; and
a second flow path defined between the fluid source and the third and fourth actuators, the second flow path fluidly coupling at least the third and fourth actuators in parallel with one another when the first control valve is in its closed position, and either the second control valve or the third control valve is in its open position.

2. The agricultural implement of claim 1 , further comprising:
a fluid reservoir; and
a third flow path fluidly coupling the third actuator and the fourth actuator to the fluid reservoir.

3. The agricultural implement of claim 1 , wherein the hydraulic control system comprises:
a first node fluidly coupling the first and second flow paths to one another;
a second node fluidly coupling the first control valve, the first actuator and the second actuator to one another;
a third node fluidly coupling the first fluid path, the second fluid path, the second control valve and the third actuator to one another; and
a fourth node fluidly coupling the first fluid path, the second fluid path, the third control valve, and the fourth actuator to one another.

4. The agricultural implement of claim 1 , further comprising:
a first sub-frame coupled to and positioned below the first frame section, where the first actuator is coupled between the first frame section and the first sub-frame;
a second sub-frame coupled to and positioned below the first frame section, where the second actuator is coupled between the first frame section and the second sub-frame;
a third sub-frame coupled to and positioned below the second frame section, where the third actuator is coupled between the second frame section and the third sub-frame;
a fourth sub-frame coupled to and positioned below the third frame, section, where the fourth actuator is coupled between the third frame section and the fourth sub-frame;
a plurality of tools coupled to each of the first, second, third, and fourth sub-frames;
wherein:
actuation of the first actuator operably pivots the first sub-frame relative to the first frame section for adjusting an angle of the plurality of tools coupled to the first sub-frame;
actuation of the second actuator operably pivots the second sub-frame relative to the first frame section for adjusting an angle of the plurality of tools coupled to the second sub-frame;
actuation of the third actuator operably pivots the third sub-frame relative to the second frame section; and
actuation of the fourth actuator operably pivots the fourth sub-frame relative to the third frame section.

5. The agricultural implement of claim 1 , further comprising:
a first sub-frame coupled to and positioned below the first frame section, where the first actuator is coupled between the first frame section and the first sub-frame;
a second sub-frame coupled to and positioned below the first frame section, where the second actuator is coupled between the first frame section and the second sub-frame;
a third sub-frame coupled to and positioned below the second frame section, where the third actuator is coupled between the second frame section and the third sub-frame;
a fourth sub-frame coupled to and positioned below the third frame section, where the fourth actuator is coupled between the third frame section and the fourth sub-frame;
a plurality of tools coupled to each of the first, second, third, and fourth sub-frames;
wherein:
actuation of the first actuator operably moves the first sub-frame relative to the first frame section for adjusting, a depth of the plurality of tools coupled to the first sub-frame;
actuation of the second actuator operably moves the second sub-frame relative to the first frame section for adjusting a depth of the plurality of tools coupled to the second sub-frame;
actuation of the third actuator operably moves the third sub-frame relative to the second frame section for adjusting a depth of the plurality of tools coupled to the third sub-frame; and
actuation of the fourth actuator operably moves the fourth sub-frame relative to the third frame section for adjusting a depth of the plurality of tools coupled to the fourth sub-frame.

6. The agricultural implement of claim 1 , further comprising:
an electronic control unit coupled to the frame for controlling the first, second and third control valves between their respective open and closed positions
a first sensor disposed in electrical communication with the electronic control unit, the first sensor detecting a position of the first frame section;
a second sensor disposed in electrical communication with the electronic control unit, the second sensor detecting a position of the second frame section; and
a third sensor disposed in electrical communication with the electronic control unit, the third sensor detecting a position of the third frame section.

7. The agricultural implement of claim 6 , wherein each frame section includes a plurality of tools for penetrating a soil upon which the implement travels;
further wherein, each of the first, second, and third sensor operably detects a depth of penetration of the plurality of tools coupled to each frame section and communicates the detected depth to the electronic control unit, the electronic control unit compares the detected depth to a target depth and operably controls the position of each control valve until the depth of the plurality of tools on each frame section is at the target depth.

8. The agricultural implement of claim 7 , wherein, when the depth of the plurality of tools coupled to the second frame section, or the third frame section is not at the target depth, the electronic control unit operably controls fluid flow through the third or fourth actuator via the second flow path until the depth is detected at the target depth.

9. The agricultural implement of claim 5 , further comprising:
a fourth frame section coupled to the second frame section, the fourth frame section including a fifth actuator for controlling a raising or lowering movement of the fourth frame section;
a fifth frame section coupled to the third frame section, the fifth frame section including a si

Assignees

• Deere & Co

Inventors

• Sporrer Adam D
• Ruckle Jarrod R

Classifications

• A01B63/008

  Vertical adjustment of tools (A01B63/10 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A01B79/00

  Methods for working soil · CPC title

• A01B63/32 Primary

  operated by hydraulic or pneumatic means {without automatic control} · CPC title

• A01B63/22 Primary

  operated by hydraulic or pneumatic means · CPC title