ow Mixed mode power generation architecture By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 06 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST An electric power generation system (EPGS) employs both a wild-source generator and a variable and/or constant frequency generator. The wild-source generator is coupled to receive mechanical power from a low-pressure spool on an aircraft engine and to generate in response a wild-source output for consumption by voltage and frequency-tolerant loads. The variable and/or constant frequency generator is coupled to receive mechanical power from a high-pressure spool on the aircraft engine and to generate in response a variable and/or constant frequency output for consumption by voltage and frequency-intolerant loads. Full Article
ow Multiple voltage generator and voltage regulation methodology for power dense integrated power systems By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 06 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST An integrated power system suitable for simultaneously powering marine propulsion and service loads. The system includes: (a) at least one generator configured with at least first and second armature windings configured to output respective first and second alternating current power signals of different voltages, the at least two armature windings positioned within the same stator slots so that they magnetically couple; (b) at least first and second rectifier circuits coupled to said generator to convert said first and second alternating current power signals into first and second direct current power signals; and (c) a first load to which said first direct current power signal is coupled and a second load to which said second direct current power signal is coupled. Full Article
ow On-demand electric power system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST An on-demand electric power system for providing on-demand electric power in remote locations. The on-demand electric power system generally includes a protective housing, an engine-generator within the protective housing, a control switch electrically positioned between the engine-generator and an electric load, and a control unit in communication with the engine-generator and the control switch to control operation of the engine-generator along with electrical power to the electric load. The control unit detects when electrical power is required by an electric load and then first starts the engine-generator. After a period of time, the control unit then closes the control switch to provide electrical power to the electric load. Full Article
ow Pressure powered impeller system and related method of use By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST This invention is directed to a system that generates a sufficient level of electricity through access to a municipal water supply line to run a furnace during below freezing temperatures. The system includes an inlet that draws water from a water supply line. A first conduit, in communication with the inlet, transports the water into a DC generator that includes an impeller to generate electricity. Water is then routed through a second conduit which then returns the water to the water supply line through an outlet. A solenoid valve may be positioned between the inlet and first conduit which remains closed when the electric grid runs normally but will open during a power outage to supply water to the DC generator. A lithium battery stores power created by the DC generator, which may include a voltage regulator and inverter to convert to DC. Full Article
ow Magnetic controlled power generator By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A magnetic controlled power generator provides a magnetic controlled loading device, power generator and flywheel device to form two independent modules which are easily assembled and disassembled for easy manufacture and maintenance. Besides, the magnetic controlled power generator has simple installation and lightweight components to generate a radial displacement for magnetic flux control, achieving continuous adjustment of the load resistance, thereby having the effect of reducing the cost and weight. Full Article
ow Overvoltage limiter in an aircraft electrical power generation system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EST A generator includes a permanent magnet generator, an exciter and a main generator mounted for rotation on a shaft. The main generator is configured to produce a voltage output. A generator control unit includes a circuit configured to provide current from the permanent magnet generator to the exciter. A switch is provided in the circuit and is configured to change between open and closed conditions. The switch is configured to flow current in the circuit in the closed condition and interrupt current flow in the open condition. An overvoltage limit controller is programmed to determine an amount of overvoltage of the output voltage exceeding a desired voltage. Either a fixed reference threshold is used or a reference threshold voltage is calculated based upon the duration in over voltage condition, and the switch is modulated between the open and closed conditions according to error between the actual output voltage and the reference threshold voltage to limit the output voltage to the desired reference threshold voltage. Full Article
ow Power supply system for motor vehicle provided with control device of voltage applied to field coil of generator By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A power supply system for a motor vehicle includes a generator that includes a rotor having a field coil and a stator having an armature coil; a rectifier that rectifies AC power generated in the armature coil; an excitation control circuit that takes control of a voltage applied to the field coil; a capacitor that is connected to the DC side of the rectifier, and receives and transfers the rectified power; a battery connected to an electric load of the motor vehicle; a DC-DC converter that is connected between the capacitor and the battery and capable of converting unidirectionally or bidirectionally an input DC voltage into any DC voltage; and a selection switch which connects the capacitor or the battery to the excitation control circuit as a power supply source. Full Article
ow Power control method and device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention discloses a method and an apparatus for power control. An apparatus for power control in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention can include: a voltage comparing part configured to compute an error voltage by using a measured voltage measured at the generator and a reference voltage that is designated; a control module configured to compute a first reactive power value for power control of the generator by being inputted with the error voltage; and a driving module configured to compute a reference reactive power value by using the first reactive power value and a second reactive power value computed using an active power value of the power converter and configured to control the power converter in correspondence with the computed reference reactive power value. Full Article
ow Method and system for automatically adapting end user power usage By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system, method and apparatus for automatically adapting power grid usage by controlling internal and/or external power-related assets of one or more users in response to power regulation and/or frequency regulation functions in a manner beneficial to both the power grid itself and the users of the power grid. Full Article
ow Wireless power feeder and wireless power receiver By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 08:00:00 EDT A wireless power feeder 116 feeds power from a feeding coil L2 in the ground to a receiving coil L3 incorporated in an EV by wireless using a magnetic field resonance phenomenon between the feeding coil L2 and receiving coil L3. A plurality of feeding coils L2a to L2d are buried in the ground. Receivers 112a to 112d are buried in corresponding respectively with the feeding coils L2a to L2d. The plurality of receivers 112 each receive a position signal transmitted from a transmitter 110 of the EV. A feeding coil circuit 120 supplies AC power to the feeding coil L2 corresponding to the receiver 112 that has received the position signal to allow the feeding coil L2 to feed power to the receiving coil L3 by wireless. Full Article
ow Power supply device, power acquisition device and safety system for electromagnetic induction-powered electric vehicle By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 Aug 2014 08:00:00 EDT It is provided a power supply device and a power acquisition device for an electromagnetic induction-powered electric vehicle that increase a power transfer efficiency by maximizing a lateral deviation tolerance and by minimizing a gap between the power acquisition device and the power supply device while preventing the power acquisition device from colliding with an obstacle present on a road and being damaged by the collision. Full Article
ow Auxiliary and motive electric power pick-up structure for land vehicles By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 02 Sep 2014 08:00:00 EDT An auxiliary and motive electric power pick-up structure for articulated and non-articulated land vehicles, such as electric public transport vehicles, that pass close to a collector-shoe-type power supply member mounted on a stationary support (17) along the route of the vehicle and positioned at intervals along the length of the route in order to provide auxiliary and motive electric power to the vehicle by way of the shoe (16). The structure comprises at least one conductor rail mounted on insulating supports (11) attached to the vehicle by suspension points (34), each including an elastic suspension unit (30) and a pneumatic, hydraulic or other type active suspension unit (33). In the case of articulated vehicles, the pick-up structure is divided into power supply segments (14) separated by a conducting link (19) at each articulated unit of the vehicle. Full Article
ow ***WITHDRAWN PATENT AS PER THE LATEST USPTO WITHDRAWN LIST***Low friction sheave bracket By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 09 Sep 2014 08:00:00 EDT An electrically powered mining vehicle including a frame rollingly supported on a surface for movement over the surface. An electric motor is coupled to the frame for proving power to the vehicle. A cable is electrically coupled to the electric motor for supplying electricity thereto and a cable management system is coupled to the frame and arranged to receive and payout the cable as the vehicle moves over the surface. A sheave bracket is coupled to the frame and arranged to direct the cable into the cable management system and includes a lower plate arranged substantially horizontally, a plurality of vertical rollers that are coupled to the lower plate and are arranged to guide the cable into the cable management system, and a horizontal roller that is coupled to the lower plate and arranged to elevate the cable above the lower plate. Full Article
ow Ultra slim power supply device and power acquisition device for electric vehicle By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 16 Sep 2014 08:00:00 EDT An ultra slim power supply device for supplying power to an electric vehicle in a contactless manner includes at least one power supply track buried in a road. Each power supply track includes a plate-shaped magnetic core extending along the road, a plate or strip shaped magnetic field generator arranged above the magnetic core through which an alternating current is supplied to generate a magnetic field, a plate or strip shaped insulating body positioned between the magnetic core and the magnetic field generator to isolate them from each other, and a housing for enclosing the magnetic core, the magnetic field generator and the insulating body. Full Article
ow Pressure plate assembly and method for power transmission By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 23 Sep 2014 08:00:00 EDT A pressing device for a current collector moves a contact shoe unit is movable relative to a current rail. The pressing device includes a rocker unit and a spring unit. The spring unit having a helical spring rotatably biasing rocker unit is rotatable such that the contact shoe unit is movable into a sliding contact position in only one direction spring unit. Full Article
ow Tile for forming a ground power supply line By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 04 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST A ground power supply line for electric traction vehicles is provided with two conductors carried by a series of tiles aligned to one another; each tile has a conductive plate and a lower supporting structure, which is made of insulating material and accommodates electric connectors, normally open switches, and a control and command unit, which switches the switches for selectively electrically connecting the conductive plate to the conductors in response to a signal deriving from an electric traction vehicle passing over said external conductive plate; the upper surface of the conductive plates is flushed with the remaining part of a road surface. Full Article
ow System adapted for one or more electrically propellable vehicles (a snow plough arrangement) By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 04 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST A snow plough arrangement comprising a least one snow plough unit and related to a system for driving an electrically propellable vehicle along a roadway. The vehicle has three sources of power: a vehicle-related power generator, a set of batteries and vehicle-external electric stations. The vehicle is provided with a current collector which is displaceable up and down and sideways in relation to the direction of transportation, in order to be brought into mechanical and electrical contact with elongated tracks positioned below the roadway and comprising a conductor adapted to be connected with an electric station. The snow plough unit is rotatably fastened to the contact means in an upper area thereof about a horizontally oriented axis of rotation and adapted to clear loose obstacles from the track and yield to solid obstacles. The snow plough unit and the axis of rotation are movably disposed in a vertical direction by means of a resilient member. The snow plough unit comprises a forwardly directed edge portion oriented in the direction of travel, the edge portion comprising a point, which may be brought into contact with the bottom of the track and/or the conductor. Full Article
ow Automated pantograph control for mining truck power system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 25 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST Controlling a power system in a mining truck includes receiving data indicative of an expected change in suitability of the mining truck for on-trolley operation, and outputting a control command to an actuating mechanism for a pantograph responsive to the data and prior to occurrence of the expected suitability change. A mining truck and power system are further provided, wherein a pantograph having an electrical contactor is adjusted between a first configuration contacting an overhead trolley line, and a rest configuration, responsive to data indicative of the expected suitability change. Full Article
ow Upper lateral structure for the occasional or continuous collection of main-drive or auxiliary electrical power by a land vehicle By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT The upper lateral collection structure (8) is mounted on a land vehicle (1), notably an urban public transport vehicle, and cooperates, for the purpose of overhead electrical power supply to the vehicle, with fixed contact slippers (16) located along its route. This structure comprises: a conducting track (14) arranged longitudinally (NEW) the upper lateral part of the vehicle and comprising a contact region (15) for the contact slipper; an electrical connection connecting the conducting track to the electrical circuit of the vehicle; an insulating support (24) on which the conducting track is mounted; a means of mechanical connection of the collecting structure to the vehicle; and a damping device which damps out the shocks resulting from the contact slipper and ensures satisfactory contact between the conducting track and the contact slipper. This invention is of benefit to the manufacturers of electrically powered public transport vehicles. Full Article
ow Low friction sheave bracket By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT An electrically powered mining vehicle including a frame rollingly supported on a surface for movement over the surface. An electric motor is coupled to the frame for proving power to the vehicle. A cable is electrically coupled to the electric motor for supplying electricity thereto and a cable management system is coupled to the frame and arranged to receive and payout the cable as the vehicle moves over the surface. A sheave bracket is coupled to the frame and arranged to direct the cable into the cable management system and includes a lower plate arranged substantially horizontally, a plurality of vertical rollers that are coupled to the lower plate and are arranged to guide the cable into the cable management system, and a horizontal roller that is coupled to the lower plate and arranged to elevate the cable above the lower plate. Full Article
ow Mobile power pack with built-in retractable cable By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A mobile power pack includes a cover over a guide track which includes first, second, third, and fourth turning points. A sliding block defines a sliding groove to receive a ball, and the slotted ball interacts with the guide track. An elastic element is connected to the sliding block. When a cable is pulled out, the sliding block slides from the first turning point to the second turning point. When the pull on the cable is released, the elastic element restores to cause the sliding block to move until the ball reaches the third turning point, to lock the cable in position. When the cable is pulled and released, the sliding block slides until the ball reaches the fourth turning point, allowing the cable to be retracted into the body of the power pack. Full Article
ow Vehicle electric power supply system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention is vehicle electric power supply system (A) that supplies electric power wirelessly to a vehicle (M) that is positioned within an electric power supply area (X). The vehicle electric power supply system (A) has: a power-receiving device (m1) that is provided in the vehicle; a plurality of power-transmitting devices (1a1, 1a2, 1a3, 1b1, 1b2, 1b3, 1c1, 1c2, 1c3) that are provided at mutually different positions within the electric power supply area; a position detecting device (4) that detects the position of the power-receiving device within the electric power supply area; and a control device (4) that, based on detection results from the position detecting device, selects from among the plurality of power-transmitting devices the power-transmitting device that is located in a position that corresponds to the power-receiving device, and then causes power to be supplied wirelessly from the selected power-transmitting device. Full Article
ow Method for sootblowing optimization By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 30 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST A controller determines and adjusts system parameters, including cleanliness levels or sootblower operating settings, that are useful for maintaining the cleanliness of a fossil fuel boiler at an efficient level. Some embodiments use a direct controller to determine cleanliness levels and/or sootblower operating settings. Some embodiments use an indirect controller, with a system model, to determine cleanliness levels and/or sootblower settings. The controller may use a model that is, for example, a neural network, or a mass energy balance, or a genetically programmed model. The controller uses input about the actual performance or state of the boiler for adaptation. The controller may operate in conjunction with a sootblower optimization system that controls the actual settings of the sootblowers. The controller may coordinate cleanliness settings for multiple sootblowers and/or across a plurality of heat zones in the boiler. Full Article
ow Water heater having upstream and downstream manifolds By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A water heater system comprises a water tank, a burner plenum, a flue, a blower, a combustion air passageway, a dilution air passageway, an upstream manifold, and a downstream manifold. The upstream manifold divides air from the blower so that some air flows through the combustion air passageway to the burner plenum and some air flows through the dilution air passageway to the downstream manifold. The downstream manifold combines the air from the dilution air passageway with combustion products from the flue. Full Article
ow Water heater and flow rate control method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A water heater in which by applying pulsation of a liquid to be heated which circulates between a tank and a heat exchanger, scale that has been deposited on the inner wall (heat-transfer surface) of a to-be-heated liquid flow channel in a heat exchanger is detached, and the number of times of circulation of the liquid to be heated which circulates between the tank and the heat exchanger is controlled to be three times or less. The number of times of circulation is determined, based on the entire volume of the to-be-heated liquid stored in the tank, a boiling time to be taken for the entire volume of the to-be-heated liquid in the tank to reach a predetermined temperature, and the flow rate of the to-be-heated liquid which passes through the to-be-heated liquid flow channel. Full Article
ow Domestic combined heat and power system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A domestic combined heat and power system including a power unit, a heat-storage tank which receives waste heat of the power unit for storing heat in direct water, and a main heat exchanger connected to the heat-storage tank, being heated by a burner so as to use the water as hot water. A waste-heat heat exchanger filled with a heat-transfer medium is installed between the power unit and the heat-storage tank such that a waste-heat pipe is arranged in the form of a coil at one side inside the waste-heat heat exchanger, and a heat-storage pipe of the heat-storage tank is arranged in the form of a coil at the other side. Waste heat of the power unit is indirectly heat exchanged to the heat-storage tank through the heat-transfer medium. Costs and waste of energy consumption are reduced, and there is sharing of functions that are duplicated across the heat-storage tank. Full Article
ow Ultra low NOx burner using distributed direct fuel injection By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A burner box includes a housing, a fuel tube and a porous heat dissipating surface. The housing is bounded by a sidewall and has a top and an opposite bottom that are each open so that the sidewall defines an open passage that allows unimpeded vertical airflow. The fuel tube extends into the passage and defines a plurality of spaced apart orifices that distribute fuel into the open passage. The fuel tube is at a distance from the top of the housing so that substantially all of the fuel is entrained by the combustion air before the fuel reaches the top. The heat dissipating surface is disposed across the top of the housing and supports a flame. The heat dissipating surface includes enough open area so that the fuel/air mixture passes through the porous heat dissipating surface unimpeded. The heat dissipating surface dissipates heat from the flame and prevents flashback. Full Article
ow Enhanced electrical shocking device with improved long life and increased power circuitry By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Oct 1989 08:00:00 EDT An improved stun-gun or electrical shock device which includes improved circuit elements to eliminate the frequent product failure due to corrosion and pitting of an internal spark gap as found in prior art electrical shocking devices. The conventional internal spark gap found in prior art stun-guns is replaced with a pair of surge arrestors, thereby eliminating the problems caused by corrosion and pitting of the internal spark gap which has caused prior art stun-guns to have a limited life and fail. Full Article
ow Paper towel cabinet with paper towel module By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A paper towel cabinet includes a first side wall and a second side wall, a pivotally mounted front wall defining a door, a back wall extending between the side walls, and a paper towel tray having an opening to provide access to paper towels. The paper towel cabinet also includes a module assembly comprising a first module having a front surface extending transversely relative to the first side wall and toward the second side wall. When the door is in an open position, the front surface prevents paper towels leaning toward the door from falling out of the cabinet. The cabinet also includes a bar mounted proximate to the opening and having a length extending between the side walls. The bar is positioned between a stack of paper towels and the opening when the stack of paper towels is placed on the paper towel tray. Full Article
ow Flower vending machine and method of use of the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT Flower vending machine and method of use of the same, with the object of preventing fogging of a display space comprised within said machine, said display space being accessible by means of at least one hatch covered by a transparent sheet to which is directed a flow of air to preventing fogging of the interior of the display space. In the method of use of said machine the cooling system is stopped, the flow of air is introduced and an air extractor external to the display space is activated. All this prevents the fogging of the display space, thereby guaranteeing excellent visibility of the flowers as well as their optimum preservation. Full Article
ow Black powder pellet loader for a revolver By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A black powder pellet loader for a revolver. Tip ends of a number of fingers are movable from a closed position to an open position by sliding a thumb bracket toward a main bottom right end tube. One end of a penetrating tube may penetrate through the second end of a sliding raised rib tube, through a reducer adapter and a finger retaining nut until the end of the penetrating tube strikes a downward bend of each of the fingers. The downward bend of the fingers may continue to slide over the penetrating tube, which may force the tip ends of the fingers diverge from the closed position to the open position. Black powder pellets may be inserted between the fingers when in the open position, and upon release of the thumb bracket may be retained in the fingers when in the closed position. Full Article
ow Power saw having a dust cleaning system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 08 Jul 2014 08:00:00 EDT A table saw includes a base assembly having a base structure and side walls, a table top assembly top surface, and an undercarriage assembly including a motor. The undercarriage assembly is configured to adjust the vertical and angular position of a blade relative to the table top assembly, and includes an undercarriage frame and cover together defining a narrow housing configured and sized to enclose substantially all of an installed blade under the top surface. The housing has an upper pivot for adjusting the angular position of the blade and is configured to have the motor slidably mounted therein to adjust the vertical position of the blade. A removable port structure attached to a bottom portion of the undercarriage assembly has an outlet port at an outer end that is configured to be connected to a vacuum source. Full Article
ow Low-temperature heat-generating solid wood laminate floor and preparation method thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Oct 2014 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed is a low-temperature heat-generating solid wood laminate floor, which comprises: an exterior finished layer, an upper base material layer, a heat-generating layer, and a lower base material layer, which are stacked in sequence and hot-pressed. The upper base material layer, heat-generating layer and lower base material layer comprise 9 layers in total after hot-pressing, the heat-generating layer being positioned at the 5th to the 7th layer, the upper base material layer being above the heat-generating layer, the lower base material layer being below the heat-generating layer, the upper base material layer consisting of 3 to 5 layers, the lower base material layer consisting of 4 to 6 layers, and the exterior finished layer being provided on the upper base material layer by hot-pressing. Full Article
ow Support stands for movable support of power tools By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 13 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST A support stand for movable support of a power tool features the use of rollers to support a tool mount along an elongated track. The track features a cover arrangement disposed over the surfaces on which the rollers move so as to avoid sawdust or other debris from building up on the track and interfering with smooth rolling motion of the tool mount. The stand is assembled in a working position by attaching two stand sections end to end to form the track, and is also configured for arrangement into a collapsed condition in which the stand sections stack one atop the other for space efficient storage and convenient transport. Full Article
ow Power tool with integral pencil sharpener By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT In one embodiment of the present invention, a power tool includes a housing having a first opening formed therein with a motor being contained within the housing. The tool includes a device for sharpening a writing implement. The sharpening device is at least partially contained within the housing and accessible through the first opening which permits the writing implement to be inserted into the sharpening device. The sharpening device is operatively connected to the motor such that operation of the motor drives the sharpening device. Full Article
ow Extension table assembly for power tools By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT An extension table assembly for a power tool having a working surface for supporting a piece of material to be modified, and a working area where the power tool can modify a piece of material. The extension table assembly comprising a frame portion, at least one arm portion, a drive system, and a measurement system. Full Article
ow Electrical power tools By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An electrical power tool may include a base capable of contacting the work-piece, a tool main body detachably attached to the base, and an elevating mechanism that is capable of changing a relative position of the tool main body to the base. The elevating mechanism includes a male elevating member that is releasably integrated with the tool main body, a female elevating member that is attached to the base and is capable of relatively raising and lowering the male elevating member, and an integrating mechanism that is capable of releasably integrating the male elevating member with the tool main body. The tool main body is capable of being removed from the base while the male elevating member is left in the base when the male elevating member is released from the tool main body by operating the integrating mechanism. Full Article
ow Lift device for power tool By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A lift device for selectively adjusting a vertical position of a power tool relative to a working surface of a plate of a work bench includes a carriage assembly securable to an underside of the plate. The carriage assembly includes a securement mechanism selectively adjustable for interchangeably securing a plurality of power tools of different cross-sectional dimensions to the carriage assembly. A drive assembly selectively moves the securement mechanism upward and downward relative to the plate to adjust the vertical position of the power tool relative to the working surface when the power tool is secured to the carriage assembly. A drive-locking mechanism selectively locks the drive assembly. The drive-locking mechanism includes a cam lock for selectively engaging the drive shaft to inhibit rotation of the drive shaft. Full Article
ow System for controlling air flow within an agricultural product metering system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 25 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST A system for controlling air flow within an agricultural product metering system is provided. One system for distributing an agricultural product includes an air conveyance system having a blower configured to provide an air stream for moving metered product toward a distribution device. The air conveyance system is mounted on an air cart. The system also includes control circuitry mounted on an agricultural vehicle, and configured to adjust a speed of the blower based at least partially on a product flow rate from the air cart. Full Article
ow Remote adjustment of a row unit of an agricultural device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 09 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST Agricultural devices, row unit adjustment systems, and methods of adjusting a depth of a furrow are provided. In some aspects, an agricultural device is adapted to plant seeds and includes a frame, a furrow opener coupled to the frame and adapted to cut a furrow including a depth, a sensor adapted to sense a characteristic associated with planting seeds and generate a signal associated with the sensed characteristic, and a processing unit receiving the signal associated with the sensed characteristic. The depth of the furrow is adjustable based on the signal associated with the sensed characteristic. Such characteristic may be a characteristic of the soil, a force applied to the agricultural device, or a position of a portion of the agricultural device. Full Article
ow Row unit for a seeding machine having active downforce control for the closing wheels By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 16 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST A planter row unit is disclosed having an active downforce control system for the closing wheels. This separate control of the downforce pressure for the closing wheels is provided from the row unit downforce control. A single operator input is used to set a desired downforce for all row units. The control system then operates to produce the desired downforce. Alternatively, the control system may display a downforce load to the operator who then manually makes adjustments as desired. Full Article
ow Seeder with metering system having selectively powered metering sections By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 23 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST A metering system for a seeding machine is provided. The metering system includes selectively powered metering sections operable to individually allow or restrict seed dispensation. A damper arrangement is also provided so that pneumatic conveying of the particulate within the machine is consistently maintained when particulate flow is varied between the metering sections. Full Article
ow Down and/or up force adjustment system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 30 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST An agricultural device includes a number of row units that each includes a seed furrow opener that creates a furrow in the soil for seed placement. Each row unit is mounted to a toolbar of the device by a four-bar linkage which allows each row unit to move vertically to adjust to the contour of the soil independently of the other row units on the same toolbar. The four-bar linkages include one or more springs which work to transfer weight from the toolbar to the row unit. An actuator varies the tension in the spring thereby adjusting the down or up force applied to the row unit. Full Article
ow Dynamic supplemental downforce control system for planter row units By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 30 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST A dynamic supplemental downforce control system for a planter row unit. The system includes closed-loop feedback circuit that cooperates with a downforce actuator to dynamically control fluid flow to the downforce actuator to maintain balance between the actual gauge wheel downforce and a desired gauge wheel downforce during planting operations. Full Article
ow Low torque and vacuum seed meter By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 06 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST A seed meter is provided for use with a row crop planter or seed planter that includes a seed disk assembly that rotates within a meter housing cavity and that has a seed disk assembly cavity in which a vacuum pressure is applied for pulling seeds into seed pockets of a seed disk of the seed disc assembly. The vacuum pressure is applied to the seed disk assembly by pulling a vacuum airflow through a spindle that supports the seed disk assembly. A wiper seal is arranged in a fixed position within the seed disk assembly cavity and seals against the seed disk assembly as a support plate and seed disk of the seed disk assembly rotate over the wiper seal, so that the wiper seal creates a boundary between a vacuum zone and a non-vacuum zone inside of the seed disc assembly cavity. Full Article
ow Furrow closing assembly and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST Agricultural planter row units feature soil finishing assemblies for closing a seed groove after seed is placed in the soil. An adjustable furrow closing assembly enhances upper seed groove coverage and closure with soil resulting in sustained relative humidity levels and optimum seed-to-soil contact for faster seed germination. The furrow closing assembly includes a closing wheel assembly having at least one closing wheel and a press wheel assembly having a press wheel following behind the closing wheels. The closing wheels and press wheel are attached to the planter row unit in a manner allowing the press wheel to move vertically relative to the closing wheels. Adjustable down-force systems are provided to vary the down force applied to the closing wheels and the press wheel to maintain optimum soil contact in irregular terrain and in varying soil densities and conditions to provide optimum soil coverage and compaction of the seed bed. Full Article
ow Seed distribution tower with modular components By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST The seed distribution tower of an air seeder has a distribution head that splits a single, primary stream of conveying air and seeds into a plurality of secondary streams for delivery to openers that deposit the seeds into the ground as the seeder advances. The outlets through which the secondary streams exit the head are constructed as modules that can be individually installed and replaced without disassembling the entire head. Shut-off valves and/or flow sensors may or may not be incorporated into certain or all of the modules to provide optimum user flexibility. Full Article
ow Apparatus and method for no-till inter-row simultaneous application of herbicide and fertilizer, soil preparation, and seeding of a cover crop in a standing crop By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A no-till apparatus for application of herbicide and fertilizer, soil preparation, and seeding of a cover crop in a standing crop has inter-row assemblies configured to pass along inter-row areas between adjacent row lines of standing crop plants. Each assembly includes a fertilizer applicator, a no-till soil preparation element, a cover crop seed applicator, and a post-seeding element. Full Article
ow Soil deflector wing for furrow opener with replaceable winged tip body By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A paired row opener has a furrowing tip arranged to be selectively supported on a body of the opener. The furrowing tip includes a knife portion and a pair of wing portions extending rearwardly and outwardly therefrom where are separable together from the opener body. A pair of deflector wings are integrally formed on the opener body above inner edges of the respective wing portions which are abutted with the opener body so as to deflect disturbed soil away from a seam between the inner edge of the wing portions and the opener body. An insulated mounting block is fastened onto a rear bracket of the opener body which receives an anhydrous ammonia delivery tube therethrough so permit optional delivery of anhydrous ammonia at a location which is insulated and spaced rearwardly from the opener body. Full Article
ow Independent suspension for closing discs of an agricultural row unit closing assembly By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT One closing assembly of a row unit for an agricultural implement includes a frame configured to support ground-working tools of the row unit. Multiple arms are coupled to the frame, each arm of the multiple arms being independently rotatable about a common axis. Each arm is configured to be coupled to a closing disc configured to direct soil into a trench. Full Article