Diagnostic System for Compactor/Baler Apparatus
First Claim
1. A diagnostic system for a compactor/baler apparatus comprising:
- (a) a controller having a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs;
(b) a plurality of switches each coupled to a respective one of the plurality of inputs of the controller,(i) a first of the plurality of switches being in a first position when a ram of the compactor/baler apparatus is below a predetermined location and being in a second position when the ram reaches the predetermined location,(ii) a second of the plurality of switches being in a first position when a pressure driving the ram is below a predetermined pressure limit and being in a second position when the ram exceeds the predetermined pressure limit;
(c) a communication port operatively coupled to a first output of the plurality of outputs of the controller; and
(d) a display operatively coupled to a second output of the plurality of outputs of the controller,the controller being configured to;
(i) upon actuation of the first switch to the first position, activate a ram timer to count to a predetermined timer setting, and(ii) if the second switch is actuated to the second position before the ram timer reaches the predetermined timer setting, output an alert indicating a full bale condition to at least one of the communication port and the display.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A diagnostic system for a compactor/baler includes a controller and a plurality of switches coupled to inputs of the controller. A first switch is in a first position when a ram of the compactor/baler is below a predetermined location, and a second position when the ram reaches the location. A second switch is in a first position when pressure driving the ram is below a predetermined pressure limit, and a second position when the ram exceeds the pressure limit. A communication port and display are operatively coupled to outputs of the controller. The controller is configured to, upon actuation of the first switch to the first position, activate a ram timer to count to a predetermined timer setting, and, if the second switch is actuated to the second position before the ram timer reaches the timer setting, output an alert of a full bale condition the communication port and/or display.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A diagnostic system for a compactor/baler apparatus comprising:
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(a) a controller having a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs; (b) a plurality of switches each coupled to a respective one of the plurality of inputs of the controller, (i) a first of the plurality of switches being in a first position when a ram of the compactor/baler apparatus is below a predetermined location and being in a second position when the ram reaches the predetermined location, (ii) a second of the plurality of switches being in a first position when a pressure driving the ram is below a predetermined pressure limit and being in a second position when the ram exceeds the predetermined pressure limit; (c) a communication port operatively coupled to a first output of the plurality of outputs of the controller; and (d) a display operatively coupled to a second output of the plurality of outputs of the controller, the controller being configured to; (i) upon actuation of the first switch to the first position, activate a ram timer to count to a predetermined timer setting, and (ii) if the second switch is actuated to the second position before the ram timer reaches the predetermined timer setting, output an alert indicating a full bale condition to at least one of the communication port and the display. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A diagnostic system for a compactor/baler apparatus comprising:
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(a) a controller having a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs; (b) a plurality of switches each coupled to a respective one of the plurality of inputs of the controller, (i) a first of the plurality of switches being in a first position while a start down button is actuated to initiate downward motion of a ram of the compactor/baler apparatus in a downward direction, and otherwise being in a second position, (ii) a second of the plurality of switches being in a first position when a ram gate of the compactor/baler apparatus is closed and being in a second position when the ram gate is open, and (iii) a third of the plurality of switches being in a first position when a feed gate of the compactor/baler apparatus is open and in a second position when the feed gate is closed, (c) a communication port operatively coupled to a first output of the plurality of outputs of the controller; (d) a display operatively coupled to a second output of the plurality of outputs of the controller; (e) a down solenoid selectively connectable to a power supply of the compactor/baler apparatus by a third output of the plurality of outputs of the controller, the down solenoid being configured to move the ram in a downward direction when connected to the power supply; and (f) an up solenoid selectively connectable to the power supply by a fourth output of the plurality of outputs of the controller, the up solenoid being configured to move the ram in an upward direction when connected to the power supply, the controller being configured to; (i) increment a cycle counter following completion of a sequence wherein the down solenoid is connected to the power supply for a first period of time and subsequently the up solenoid is connected to the power supply for a second period of time, and (ii) output an alert to at least one of the communication port and the display based upon detection, by the controller, of a predetermined configuration of the plurality of switches. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification