×

Automatic Control of Passive, Towed Implements

  • US 20100324772A1
  • Filed: 08/25/2010
  • Published: 12/23/2010
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2008
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A method for guiding a passive implement along a desired path comprising:

  • providing a tractor guided by an autopilot having a nudge input;

    introducing a test input to the tractor autopilot;

    providing a GNSS receiver fixed to the implement;

    towing the implement behind the tractor via a hitch;

    using a model of the tractor-hitch-implement system to provide feedback to a control system that provides nudge inputs to the autopilot-controlled tractor and to the model;

    wherein,the model estimates the immediate implement offset from the path;

    tractor, hitch and implement elements within the model are arranged such that nudge inputs from the control system are applied to the implement element directly;

    the tractor element of the model includes information obtained from measurements of the motion of the tractor in response to the test input; and

    ,the control system nudge inputs cause the difference between the actual implement path and the desired path to be minimized.

View all claims
  • 1 Assignment
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×