Farm implements with capacitor for peak electric loads
First Claim
1. A farm implement configured for mechanical and electrical coupling with a vehicle for operation and comprising:
- at least one electrically actuated device mounted for operation;
an electric capacitor;
an electrical power conductor configured to releasably connect with and receive electricity from the vehicle through a releasable electrical connector; and
an electric control unit operably connected with the electrical connector through the electrical power conductor and with the capacitor and the at least one electrically actuated device so as to selectively control supply of the electricity from the electrical power conductor through the electrical connector to the capacitor and to the at least one electrically actuated device, the electric control unit further being configured to intermittently supply electric current from the capacitor to the at least one electrically actuated device such that the at least one electrically actuated device is supplied current at a rate in excess of a maximum rate electric current is supplied through the electrical connector to the farm implement.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A farm implement towed or pushed by a vehicle includes at least one electrically actuated device mounted for operation and a high capacitance capacitor connected in circuit with the device and with a source of electricity on the vehicle. Electric power is supplied from the vehicle to the implement at a nominal rate to charge the capacitor and/or operate the device. The capacitor is selectively discharged to either supplement the electric power supplied by the vehicle to the device or to completely power the device such that the device is provided with electric power for operation at a peak rate exceeding the nominal rate electric power is supplied from the vehicle to the capacitor and/or the device.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A farm implement configured for mechanical and electrical coupling with a vehicle for operation and comprising:
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at least one electrically actuated device mounted for operation; an electric capacitor; an electrical power conductor configured to releasably connect with and receive electricity from the vehicle through a releasable electrical connector; and
an electric control unit operably connected with the electrical connector through the electrical power conductor and with the capacitor and the at least one electrically actuated device so as to selectively control supply of the electricity from the electrical power conductor through the electrical connector to the capacitor and to the at least one electrically actuated device, the electric control unit further being configured to intermittently supply electric current from the capacitor to the at least one electrically actuated device such that the at least one electrically actuated device is supplied current at a rate in excess of a maximum rate electric current is supplied through the electrical connector to the farm implement. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of operating a farm implement configured for mechanical and electrical coupling with a vehicle for operation, the farm implement including at least one electrically actuated device mounted for operation, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing an electric connection on the farm implement to supply electricity to the farm implement from a source external to the implement for operation of the at least one electrically actuated device; supplying the electricity from the electrical connection to a capacitor on the farm implement to store the supplied electricity in the capacitor while the at least one electrically actuated device is not in operation; and intermittently supplying stored electricity from the capacitor to the at least one electrically actuated device to operate the at least one electrically actuated device to operate the at least one electrically actuated device. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. In a farm implement, a control apparatus for charging and discharging a capacitor comprising:
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a first branch including a first switch, said first branch extending between a source of electrical power off the implement and a node; a second branch including a second switch, said second branch extending between a load connected to a reference voltage off the implement and the node so as to make a complete circuit partially on and partially off of the implement; and a third branch including a capacitor in series with an inductor, said third branch extending between the reference voltage and the node; wherein; said first switch is activated for a plurality of first time periods to charge the capacitor to a predetermined voltage; and said second switch is activated for a plurality of second time periods to provide a current to the load. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
wherein; said first and third switches or said fourth and sixth switches are activated for a plurality of first time periods to charge the capacitor to a predetermined voltage; said second and third switches are activated for a plurality of second time periods to provide a forward current to the load; said fifth and sixth switches are activated for a plurality of third time periods to provide a reverse current to the load.
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Specification