Abstract:
A contact lens storage case of limited life and predetermined usage to further the safe and effective use of contact lenses by ensuring patient compliance through both limiting case use over a set period of time and discouraging reuse and topping- off of the disinfecting and storage solution. Generally, the self-destruction consists of the case developing a leak in a pre-determined fashion as a result of the change in properties of a material in a limited area of the case following exposure of the case to the storage solution.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method is disclosed for controlling engagement of a power take-off (PTO) shaft (33) on a vehicle. The apparatus includes a clutch (18) including an input shaft (19) coupled to a power source (14) and an output shaft (32) coupled to the PTO shaft (33). The apparatus also includes an input sensor (56) for sensing a quantity related to the angular velocity of the input shaft (19), an output shaft speed sensor (56) for sensing angular velocity of the output shaft, and a clutch controller (20) for adjusting pressure of hydraulic fluid applied to the clutch (18) in response to control signals. Torque transmitted between the input shaft (19) and output shafts (32) is responsive to the control signals. The apparatus also includes a control circuit coupled to the speed sensors (56) and the clutch controller (20). The control circuit is configured to receive signals from the speed sensors (56) and to provide the control signals in response thereto. During engagement of the PTO shaft (33), the control circuit continuously determines an actual acceleration of the PTO shaft (33) based upon the output shaft velocity, and generates the control signals using a desired acceleration and the actual acceleration.
Abstract:
An improved seating and instrumentation arrangement for an off-road vehicle such as a tractor, combine or excavator is disclosed herein. The arrangement includes a seat (44) having an armrest attached thereto. Attached to the armrest is an electronic display (50) for displaying information to the vehicle operator. The armrest also includes control elements (48) which the operator manipulates to control vehicle and implement operation. The seat is moveable upon the vehicle to conform to a particular operator's positioning preferences, to respond to shock and vibrations and to permit the operator to rotate the seat to view vehicle components or operations which are substantially out of the line of sight of the operator when facing forward relative to the vehicle. This arrangement permits the operator to maintain visual contact with the electronic display and access to the control elements when the seat moves or is rotated from its normal (forward) operating position.
Abstract:
A multi-spectral imaging system (10) and method produces a vegetation image (78) for analysis of crop characteristics, such as nitrogen levels, from an area (12) having vegetation (14) and a non-vegetation (14) background. A light sensing unit (18) detects light reflected at multiple wavelengths. The image is segmented into images (70, 72, 74) at different wavelengths such as at the red, green, and near infrared wavelengths. The images are combined into a multi-spectral image (76) and segmented into a vegetation image by eliminating all non-vegetation images by using the images at two wavelengths. The vegetation image (78) is analyzed for nitrogen levels by calculating reflectance values at the green wavelength. The images may be stored for further analysis of crop characteristics.
Abstract:
A control system (100) for agricultural implements (10) (e.g. planters, air drills) is disclosed. The implement (10) has a frame (12) with multiple sections (18, 20), each section having row units (14) to apply product to multiple rows in a field. Implement (10) has global output devices to perform global implement functions in response to global control signals. Each section (18, 20) includes one or more local product metering devices for applying products at varying rates in response to local control signals. Control system (100) includes a global controller (152), and local controllers (154) corresponding to the sections. Global controller (152) receives the global commands and generates the global control signals therefrom. Local controllers (154) receive the local rate commands and generate the local control signals therefrom.
Abstract:
A sectional rate control unit for an agricultural implement is disclosed herein. The sectional rate control unit is preferably used with a planting system including a planting implement coupled to a work vehicle. The implement includes a frame having at least one section supporting multiple row units which are configured to apply a product (e.g., seed, fertilizer, insecticide, herbicide) to the rows in a field. Each section includes a product delivery apparatus having a target delivery rate controlled by a section application control signal and at least one product channel for delivering an amount of the product to each of the row units. The control unit includes an electronic product sensor coupled to each of the sections and the product channel. The product sensor is configured to generate a product rate signal representative of the amount of the product delivered to the row units. An electronic display located in the cab is configured to generate an image in response to a display signal. The display includes operator-actuatable switches configured to independently control the state of each of the sections and the target delivery rate of each product for each of the sections. A processor circuit is configured to monitor the product rate signal from each product sensor, to calculate product rate data for each product sensor, to generate and apply a display signal to the electronic display to generate the image on the display representing the product rate data for each product in each section, and to generate and apply the section application control signal to each product delivery apparatus in response to actuations of the switches on the electronic display.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method is disclosed for controlling engagement of a power take-off (PTO) shaft (33) on a vehicle. The apparatus includes a clutch (18) including an input shaft (19) coupled to a power source (14) and an output shaft (32) coupled to the PTO shaft (33). The apparatus also includes an input sensor (56) for sensing a quantity related to the angular velocity of the input shaft (19), an output shaft speed sensor (56) for sensing angular velocity of the output shaft, and a clutch controller (20) for adjusting pressure of hydraulic fluid applied to the clutch (18) in response to control signals. Torque transmitted between the input shaft (19) and output shafts (32) is responsive to the control signals. The apparatus also includes a control circuit coupled to the speed sensors (56) and the clutch controller (20). The control circuit is configured to receive signals from the speed sensors (56) and to provide the control signals in response thereto. During engagement of the PTO shaft (33), the control circuit continuously determines an actual acceleration of the PTO shaft (33) based upon the output shaft velocity, and generates the control signals using a desired acceleration and the actual acceleration.
Abstract:
A work vehicle includes a front, first and second opposite sides extending rearwardly from the front, first and second lower links extending forward the front and an upper link above and between the first and second lower links. The first and second lower links have first end portions pivotably supported about a first axis and second end portions configured for being coupled to an implement. The upper link includes a tongue and first and second arms extending from the tongue. The first and second arms are spaced apart from one another and receive the front and first and second sides of the vehicle therebetween. The first and second arms are pivotably coupled to the vehicle to pivotably support the tongue about an axis rearward of the front of the vehicle.
Abstract:
An air cleaning system for a vehicle includes an inertial separator (12) for filtering contaminated air, which then enters a vehicle cooling system (14) positioned to receive the filtered air exiting from the inertial separator (12), and a clean air diverter (16) positioned to receive a portion of the filtered air and direct the filtered air to an engine (20) and/or cab (44).
Abstract:
A contact lens storage case of limited life and predetermined usage to further the safe and effective use of contact lenses by ensuring patient compliance through both limiting case use over a set period of time and discouraging reuse and topping- off of the disinfecting and storage solution. Generally, the self-destruction consists of the case developing a leak in a pre-determined fashion as a result of the change in properties of a material in a limited area of the case following exposure of the case to the storage solution.