r Cooling in high-density storage systems By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 25 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST In one embodiment an enclosure for a high-density storage system, comprises a backplane to which a plurality of data storage devices may be coupled, a front panel opposite the backplane and defining a first airflow channel adjacent a front side of the data storage devices, a back panel opposite the front panel and comprising a second airflow channel adjacent the backplane, a floor panel and a top panel, a first side panel comprising an array of air flow inlets, a second side panel comprising at least one air flow outlet, and a fan assembly to expel air from the at least one air outlet. Full Article
r Disc drive unit and apparatus having the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 25 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST A disc drive unit is configured with a plurality of disc drives as one unit. At least one of a pair of opposed disc drives arranged on an identical horizontal plane is provided with a tray support member for supporting a front end of a tray of the other disc drive when the tray is ejected. The tray support member is capable of protruding from the one disc drive and withdrawing into the same. Full Article
r Optical disc device including a carrier for holding optical discs in a stacked state By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 25 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST An optical disc device according to the present invention performs, in parallel, a first control to convey a first tray in the first optical disc drive group from the disc replacing position to the recording and reproducing position, and a second control to convey a second tray in the second optical disc drive group 40R from the recording and reproducing position to the disc replacing position. The second tray is opposed to the first tray. Full Article
r Loading mechanism for cartridge drive apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 25 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST A cartridge drive apparatus includes a holder, a lock plate, and a drive unit. The holder is configured to hold a cartridge inserted therein. The lock plate is attached with respect to the holder to be movable in one of an insertion direction and a discharge direction of the cartridge and includes a locking mechanism configured to lock the cartridge. The drive unit is configured to drive the holder and the lock plate in one of the insertion direction and the discharge direction of the cartridge. Full Article
r Fixing structure of optical component, fixing method of optical component, optical pick-up device, and module device with light sources of RGB three primary colors By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 02 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST A fixing structure of an optical component is composed of a device chassis; a holder holding an optical component; first and second plate parts for joint to the device chassis and a connecting part of both the plate parts are formed in the holder; a plurality of joint holes are formed in the second plate part; a U-groove into which the connecting part of the holder is fitted and a plurality of through-holes are formed in the device chassis; and an adhesive that is extended in a circular columnar shape and is made by inserting the holder into the U-groove of the device chassis, and applying a UV-curing adhesive in such a manner that the UV-curing adhesive is bonded to the first plate part of the holder and is continuous to the inside of the joint hole via the inside of the through-hole, and radiating UV light along the through-hole. Full Article
r Robot By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 16 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST A Robot includes a main body, a Portable device and a supporting structure. The supporting structure is disposed at the main body for detachably connecting the Portable device. The Portable device reads digital media data from the main body or the Portable device itself, and plays the digital media data as video. After the Portable device is detached from the supporting structure, the main body and the Portable device operate independently. Full Article
r CD player and method for ejection control thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 16 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST A compact disc (CD) player and method for ejection control thereof is provided. The CD player has: a CD tray, an eject button, a front-end module, a back-end module, and a fast response eject module, wherein the front-end module and the back-end module are coupled to each other and integrated in an integrated circuit (IC). The fast response eject module has a second tray control module for detecting a status of the eject button, and a second ejection detection module for controlling the ejecting/inserting of the CD tray according to the detected status of the eject button after the CD player is powered up and before initialization of the first ejection detection module is completed. Accordingly, the CD player of the invention may quickly respond to the status of the eject button and control ejecting/inserting of the CD tray immediately after the CD player is powered up. Full Article
r Media detection during disc insertion By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 30 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST An optical disc drive (ODD) includes one or more sensors which detect a user placing a disc in the loading path. In response, a process is triggered for sensing the thickness of a protective layer of the disc even while the disc is moving toward a turntable. An initial determination of the type of the disc (e.g. CD, DVD or Blu-ray®) can be determined based on the thickness and reported to a host computing device. The host, in turn, determines an application to load based on the disc type. The loading of the application can begin sooner than if the ODD waited until the disc was seated on the turntable to detect the disc type. A final determination of the disc type can be made while the disc is seated as well. The host is informed if there is a disagreement between the initial determination and the final determination. Full Article
r Disk drive having chasses with rectifying plates By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 06 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST There is provided a disk drive apparatus including a first chassis unit that has a pickup base at which an optical pickup and a disk table have been disposed, and a first base chassis to which the pickup base has been attached, and a second chassis unit that has a second base chassis and at which a chucking pulley has been disposed. A first rectifying plate part is provided at the first base chassis. A second rectifying plate part is provided at the second base chassis. Full Article
r Optical disc drive having pickup integrated with disc insertion tray By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 06 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST A disc drive including a tray, a housing configured to receive the tray, a pickup device installed on the tray, and a main circuit board installed on the tray and connected to the pickup device. Full Article
r Disk-shaped information recording medium, disk cartridge, and information recording/reproducing apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 06 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST The disk-shaped information recording medium having an outer diameter and an inner diameter comprises a substrate having a predetermined thickness, a first side that is one side of the substrate, a second side that is the other side of the substrate, a cylindrical portion forming a through hole formed at a center of the substrate, and a thin portion formed so as to surround an outer diameter of the cylindrical portion. The thin portion is thinner than the predetermined thickness and includes a non-inclined surface and an inclined surface formed on an outer diameter side of the non-inclined surface. The inclined surface is inclined at a predetermined angle to the non-inclined surface and is larger than the non-inclined surface in the thin portion. Full Article
r Object lens driving device and optical disc drive including the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 20 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST Provided is an object lens driving device that includes a wire holder coupled to a support portion and on which an end of a plurality of suspension wires are fixed. The wire holder includes a first area supported on the support portion and a second area extending from the first area and on which the end of each of the plurality of suspension wires is fixed. In this example, a thickness of the second area is thinner than a thickness of the first area. Full Article
r CD player with vibration suppression By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST A compact disc (CD) player, which comprises playback substrates, a conveying roller, CD sensors, a CD stopper, a first trigger member, frame members, cam members and moving members, wherein the CD stopper has a major axis and abutting portions disposed at both ends of the axis; the first trigger member rotates when a minor-diameter CD stops at a mounting position on a turntable; the frame members receive the movement of the first trigger member; the cam members are coupled to the frame members; the moving members receive the rotation of the CD sensor and move along the outside diameter of a CD; the moving members are provided with clamping portions and abutted portions configured to be clamped with the abutting portions; and the cam members are provided with clamped portions configured to abut against the clamping portions. Full Article
r Apparatus for rotating disk with improved anti-slip torque By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST An apparatus for rotating disc is provided, the apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment is characterized in that an anti-slip torque that is applied to the upper face of the disc by using the clamp unit and the elastic member is stronger than a rotation torque that is generated by the turn table to inhibit slipping of the optical disc from the turn table. Full Article
r Lightweight audio system for automotive applications and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A lightweight radio/CD player for vehicular application is virtually “fastenerless” and includes a case and frontal interface formed of polymer based material that is molded to provide details to accept audio devices such as playback mechanisms (if desired) and radio receivers, as well as the circuit boards required for electrical control and display. The case and frontal interface are of composite structure, including an insert molded electrically conductive wire mesh screen that has been pre-formed to contour with the molding operation. The wire mesh provides EMC, RFI, BCI and ESD shielding and grounding of the circuit boards via exposed wire mesh pads and adjacent ground clips. The PCB architecture is bifurcated into a first board carrying common circuit components in a surface mount configuration suitable for high volume production, and a second board carrying application specific circuit components in a wave soldered stick mount configuration. The major components and subassemblies are self-fixturing during the final assembly process, eliminating the need for dedicated tools, fixtures and assembly equipment. The major components and subassemblies self-interconnect by integral guide and connection features effecting “slide lock” and “snap lock” self-interconnection. The radio architecture includes improved push buttons employing 4-bar living hinge linkage and front loaded decorative trim buttons. Full Article
r Wobble determining apparatus and method, optical disk device, and computer program By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A wobble determining apparatus is provided with: a calculating device for calculating (i) a first time required until reaching a number of revolutions of a motor which allows a predetermined linear velocity, and (ii) a second time required to move an optical head to a position which allows the predetermined linear velocity, on the basis of the number of revolutions of the motor and the position of the optical head; a judging device for judging whether to keep the optical head in accordance with the calculated first time and the calculated second time; and a controlling device for controlling a moving device not to move the optical head if it is judged to keep the optical head, and for controlling the moving device to move the optical head to the position which allows the predetermined linear velocity if it is judged not to keep the optical head. Full Article
r Optical disk drive having a carrying roller that contacts a surface of an optical disk By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST Provided is an optical disk drive including a carrying roller for carrying an optical disk in a first direction. The carrying roller includes a first roller portion and a second roller portion which are aligned in a second direction along the optical disk and orthogonal to the first direction and which are so disposed as to make contact with a surface on one side of the optical disk. An axis of the first roller portion is so inclined that a distance between the axis of the first roller portion and the one-side surface of the optical disk gradually increases toward a central portion of the carrying roller. An axis of the second roller portion is so inclined that a distance between the axis of the second roller portion and the one-side surface of the optical disk gradually increases toward the central portion. Full Article
r Disc cartridge and changer By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST There is provided a cartridge including a plurality of optical information recording media having unique information recorded thereon, an accommodation body configured to accommodate the plurality of optical information recording media, and an identification device configured to store the unique information of the plurality of optical information recording media and supply the unique information to a changer in a non-contact manner, the identification device being provided in the accommodation body. Full Article
r Adjustable medium holding unit and medium processing apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A holding portion includes at least three pressing members which are operable to press an inner peripheral of a hole formed on the medium. The pressing members are movable between first positions where the pressing members do not come in contact with the inner peripheral and second positions where the pressing members come in contact with and press the inner peripheral. Each of the pressing members is adapted to interlockingly move with each other when moving toward the first positions and to press the inner peripheral independently from the other members when positioning the second positions. Full Article
r Disc drive and a housing thereof including penetration hole By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A disc drive that includes: a housing configured to receive a tray, a pickup mounted on the tray; a connector installed on the housing for outputting signals obtained from the optical pickup; a ribbon cable that includes a first end which is connected to the connector, including a plurality of wire layers, and a part installed adjacent to a side of a body of the housing; and at least one penetration hole formed in a side of the body of the housing so as to reduce a capacitive coupling between the ribbon cable and the body of the housing. Full Article
r Electromagnetic interference absorber, display device and electronic device having the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST An electromagnetic interference (EMI) absorber includes an EMI conductive sheet having first and second portions, the first portion absorbing EMI from an EMI absorption target and the second portion for conducting EMI to an EMI discharge target, and an elastic member covered by the first portion. Full Article
r Cartridge for accomodating a disc-shaped recording medium By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT There is provided a cartridge including a running portion which causes both end portions of a disc-shaped recording medium to run, and a pressing portion which presses one end portion of the disc-shaped recording medium to press the other end portion against the running portion. Static friction coefficients of a portion of the pressing portion coming in contact with the one end portion and a portion of the running portion coming in contact with the other end portion are different. Full Article
r Multi-layer recording lamination for solid immersion mirror servo track writing By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A data storage media may have at least a multi-layer recording lamination with a predetermined coercivity. The multi-layer recording lamination can be configured to record at least one servo format mark for a plurality of data tracks with a solid immersion mirror and program a data bit on the multi-layer recording lamination with a near field transducer. Full Article
r Beam controlling method and optical pickup device for performing the method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT Provided is an optical pickup device that compensates for an aberration caused by a beam splitter. When a beam of light is reflected from a disc and proceeds towards a beam splitter, the beam splitter is designed to allow the reflected beam to pass therethrough. However, the beam splitter can cause an astigmatism in the reflected beam due to diffraction. According to various aspects herein, an optical pickup device may include a compensation device that generates an inverse astigmatism to compensate for the astigmatism generated by the beam splitter. Full Article
r CD player adapted for major-diameter and minor-diameter CD detection By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A CD player, which comprises a conveying roller, a first sensing rod, a second sensing rod, a linkage member, a first switch and a second switch; wherein the linkage member is used for transmitting the rotation of the first sensing rod to the second sensing rod and provided with a first retaining part, a first clamping part, a second retaining part, a second clamping part; the two retaining parts are respectively arranged on both sides of a centerline of a CD conveying path; when the first sensing rod is prevented from rotating by the first retaining part, the second sensing rod is used for releasing the behavior; and when the second sensing rod is prevented from rotating by the second retaining part, the first sensing rod is used for releasing the behavior. The player can avoid the malfunction of a major-diameter CD detection switch and has a very simple structure. Full Article
r Wire holder and wiring layers included in an objective lens driving unit By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT Provided is an objective lens driving unit that prevents an electrical short circuit between very closely spaced second terminals in the objective lens driving unit. The objective lens driving unit is capable of being used in a slim-type optical disc drive. Full Article
r Optical disc drive By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT Provided is an optical disc drive including a tray disposed in a case of the optical disc drive. The tray includes a guide fixed to the case, and a rail connected with the tray. The guide guides the rail as the tray is moved in and out of the optical disc drive. The rail further includes a supporter that is configured to stably support the rail with respect to the guide to prevent derailment of the rail from the guide. Full Article
r Medium transporting unit and medium processing apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A holding mechanism is operable to hold a top medium from a plurality of plate-shaped media accommodated in a stacker in a stacked manner. A transport arm supports the holding mechanism. When the lift mechanism lifts down the transport arm, one of a first elastic pressing force and a second elastic pressing force greater than the first elastic pressing force is selectively applied from the holding mechanism to an upper surface of the top medium. Full Article
r Optical disc drive having a cable for connecting electric devices By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT An optical disc drive (ODD) including a tray having a spindle motor, an optical pickup unit, and a transfer motor, may have first and second flat cables. The first flat cable may be connected to the transfer motor, and the second flat cable may have a first terminal part connected to the first flat cable and a second terminal part connected to a circuit board. The circuit board may be arranged at the front of the tray. The second flat cable may include a plurality of signal lines covered by an insulator. One or more exposure parts may be formed in the second flat cable to expose at least one of the plurality of signal lines. An electric actuator of a locking unit may be connected to the one or more of the plurality of signal lines through the one or more exposure parts. Full Article
r Disk cartridge for storing disk-shaped recording media By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT There is provided a disk cartridge including a case body in which a plurality of disk-shaped recording media are configured to be able to be received in an axial direction of a central shaft in parallel, and a first shell having a base surface section parallel to a recording surface of the disk-shaped recording medium and a second shell having a basal surface section parallel to the recording surface of the disk-shaped recording medium are coupled and separated through separation and connection in the axial direction, and a presser spring having a section to be attached, which is attached to the case body, and a pressing section configured to come in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the disk-shaped recording medium and to press the disk-shaped recording medium. The presser spring is formed of a resin material. Full Article
r Spindle structure and optical disc drive including the spindle structure By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A spindle structure for an optical disc and an optical disc drive employing the spindle structure are provided. The spindle structure includes a spindle motor having a rotation axis, a spindle that is coupled to the rotation axis, and a sliding cone coupled to the spindle and inserted into a center hole of the optical disc. The sliding cone includes a plurality of hook-shaped guide rods extended toward the spindle, and the spindle includes guide holes, to which the plurality of hook-shaped guide rods are inserted into and coupled. Full Article
r Disk device and method of driving tray of disk device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A disk device and a method of driving a tray of the disk device. The method includes outputting a tray driving control signal in response to a tray opening instruction, and maximizing an output voltage of the tray driving control signal during a time period in which the tray is expected to be stalled. Full Article
r Library system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to a library system including a disc recording/reproducing unit, a disc container, and a disc transport unit for transporting a disc between the disc recording/reproducing unit and the disc container. In order to improve the reliability of the operation of moving the disc from the disc recording/reproducing unit to the disc transport unit, a disc transport controller determines the situation in both the disc recording/reproducing unit and the disc transport unit, and error-stops the operation according to the result of the determination. Alternatively, the disc transport controller retries the movement of the disc, by pulling the disc into the disc transport unit or returning the disc to the disc recording/reproducing unit, and by finely adjusting the relative positions of the disc recording/reproducing unit and the disc transport unit if necessary, in order to solve the problem of damage to a surface of the disc. Full Article
r Lightweight audio system for automotive applications and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A lightweight radio/CD player for vehicular application includes a case and frontal interface formed of polymer based material molded to provide details to accept audio devices and radio receivers, as well as the circuit boards required for electrical control and display. The case and frontal interface are of composite structure, including an insert molded electrically conductive wire mesh screen that has been pre-formed to contour with the molding operation. The wire mesh provides shielding and grounding of the circuit boards via exposed wire mesh pads and adjacent ground clips. Full Article
r Turn table for spindle motor and spindle motor having the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A turn table for a spindle motor and a spindle motor having the turn table are provided, the turn table for a spindle motor according to an exemplary embodiment comprising a clamping plate configured to have a locking protrusion protruding from an inner surface of a first recess thereof, the first recess being concavely formed in an outer circumference of the clamping plate; and a turn-table body configured to have a second recess to receive the clamping plate, and a plurality of protrusions protruding from an inner surface defined by the second recess towards the first recess to lock the locking protrusion. Full Article
r Disk-shaped information recording medium, disk cartridge, and information recording/reproducing apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The disk-shaped information recording medium having an outer diameter and an inner diameter comprises a substrate having a predetermined thickness, a first side that is one side of the substrate, a second side that is the other side of the substrate, a cylindrical portion forming a through hole formed at a center of the substrate, and a thin portion formed so as to surround an outer diameter of the cylindrical portion. The thin portion is thinner than the predetermined thickness and includes a non-inclined surface and an inclined surface formed on an outer diameter side of the non-inclined surface. The inclined surface is inclined at an angle greater than or equal to 25 degrees and less than or equal to 35 degrees with respect to the non-inclined surface. Full Article
r Apparatus for protecting optical disc drives By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Provided are apparatuses for grounding the objective lens driving unit of an optical pickup device. An optical pickup device includes an objective lens driving unit and a base that supports the objective lens driving unit, and wherein the objective lens driving unit includes a moving structure including an objective lens and a plurality of drive coils; a static structure comprising magnets corresponding to the plurality of drive coils, a yoke that supports the magnets, and a wire holder that has a plurality of wiring layers including a ground wiring layer; a plurality of suspension wires that connect the plurality of drive coils to the plurality of wiring layers; a supporting portion connected to the yoke and fixed to the wire holder; a projection extending from the supporting portion and disposed adjacent to the ground wiring layer; and conductive bonding material connects the ground wiring layer with the projection. Full Article
r Optical disc drive configured to discharge static electricity By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Provided is an optical disc drive that may discharge static electricity externally. The optical disc drive may include a step motor that is configured to move an optical pickup back and forth and a cover disposed below the optical pickup. In one aspect, the cover includes an electrostatic discharge mechanism for moving static electricity generated on the step motor through the cover. Full Article
r Turn table for spindle motor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A turn table of a spindle motor is provided, wherein an outer diameter of a vertical portion at the disk insertion unit facing an inner periphery of a small-diameter disk is smaller by 0.01% to 0.15% than the inner periphery of the small-diameter disk to enable a chucking of the small-diameter disk having an inner diameter of an inner periphery smaller than 15 mm. Full Article
r Medium processing device and flexible cable By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A medium processing device may include a head which reads or writes data to a recording medium; and a flexible cable which is connected with the head. The flexible cable may be formed in a multilayer structure including a data signal layer formed with a data signal pattern and disconnection detecting signal layers which cover a front face and a rear face of the data signal layer and are formed with a disconnection detecting signal pattern. The flexible cable may also include a terminal connecting part formed with a through hole into which a signal terminal of the head is inserted and a terminal covering part folded to cover the terminal connecting part and fixed to the terminal connecting part. Full Article
r Unplugging control for a feeding system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Jun 2014 08:00:00 EDT Hay equipment is provided, having a plurality of unplugging devices operatively connected to the equipment. The plurality of unplugging devices are configured to move to remove a plug of material in the equipment. A controller is configured to activate substantially simultaneously the plurality of unplugging devices and to return the plurality of unplugging devices to normal operating positions once the plug of material is removed. Full Article
r Methods and apparatus for stripping leaves from a stalk cured tobacco plant By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Jun 2014 08:00:00 EDT A machine which provides for both leaf stripping and grading can be used to process plants, such as burley tobacco plants, by continuously moving the plants in a first direction while simultaneously varying the position of the plants in a second direction relative to a defoliating apparatus. The plants may be moved horizontally through a machine by a transporter engaging the plant stalks while the vertical distance between the transporter (and thus the plants) is varied relative to the defoliating apparatus. The transporter and defoliating apparatus may be positioned at an angle to one another. Due to the changing amount of vertical distance, leaves from different sections of the plants, such as leaves at different stalk heights, can be contacted and removed at different corresponding horizontal locations in the machine. Accordingly, leaves can be graded based on the location(s) from which they are retrieved after removal. Full Article
r Auger bed for a lateral leveling cleaning system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 15 Jul 2014 08:00:00 EDT A cleaning system for use in a combine harvester including an auger bed mounted within a frame such that when the combine harvester is laterally inclined from the horizontal, the cleaning system, including the auger bed and a sieve, may be leveled or substantially leveled to a generally horizontal position. The auger bed can include a plurality of augers located side by side with their axes positioned generally longitudinally in the combine harvester. Full Article
r Spreader with GPS guided spread pattern By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 15 Jul 2014 08:00:00 EDT A spreader (100) has a hopper or bin (1) for storing a spreadable material (2), a plurality of spinners (5, 6) adapted to receive the material from the hopper or bin and to spread the material (2) on the ground, and a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver (8) for sensing the position of the spreader (100) and providing an output signal indicative of a position of the spreader to a controller (7). The controller (7) calculates a required pattern and density of material (2) to be spread by the spinners (5, 6) based on a comparison of the actual position of the spreader (A) to a preferred position of the spreader (I), and controls the spinners (5, 6) in order to obtain the required pattern and density of spread material (2). A method of controlling the pattern and density of material spread by a spreader is also disclosed. Full Article
r Method for measuring air efficiency and efficacy in a combine harvester By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 08:00:00 EDT The airflow through a harvesting machine is adjusted by calculating a G-factor at a first point on an upper chaffer to determine if it is greater than 1+n, where n represents a desired factor. A blower is adjusted to reduce an airstream if the G-factor is greater than 1+n. A MOG factor is calculated if the G-factor is less than 1+n. The blower is adjusted to increase the airstream if the MOG-factor is less than 1+x, where x represents a desired factor. A MOG-factor is calculated at a second point if the MOG-factor at the point is greater than 1+x and the blower is adjusted to reduce the airstream if the MOG-factor at the second point is greater than 1+y, where y represents a desired factor or adjusted to increase the airstream if the MOG-factor at the second point is less than 1+y. Full Article
r Corn cob conveying and cleaning system using induction and air flow from a harvester for separating and spreading light crop residue By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 08:00:00 EDT A cob conveying and cleaning system for use with a corn harvester, incorporating air induction in cooperation with an air flow from the harvester, for cleaning and separating lighter crop residue to be returned to the field from a mixed flow of the residue and cobs, such that the cleaned cobs can be collected, and the lighter residue optionally spread on the field. The air flow and induction are combined to cooperatively lift or draw the lighter residue from the mixed flow, and to optionally spread the removed lighter residue over a field. The induction apparatus can be located on the harvester, and used as a residue spreader when cobs are not collected. Full Article
r Grain conveyor for a combine harvester By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 08:00:00 EDT A grain conveyor for a combine harvester capable of increasing capacity and reducing component wear is disclosed. The grain conveyor includes a grain elevator, a transition chamber and an auger assembly. The grain elevator has an inlet for receiving a flow of grain. The transition chamber includes an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with the transition chamber inlet and the grain elevator inlet. The transition chamber outlet has an asymmetric non-circular opening larger than the non-cylindrical opening of the transition chamber inlet. The auger assembly is operatively connected to the transition chamber and includes an inlet for receiving a flow of grain and an outlet in fluid communication with the transition chamber inlet. Full Article
r Harvesting device and collecting container with improved filling device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 Aug 2014 08:00:00 EDT A harvesting system includes a self-propelled harvesting machine and a drivable collecting container equipped with a drive unit, which can be positioned relative to the harvesting machine and moved in parallel therewith. Crop is fed directly or indirectly to the collecting container during harvesting operation from the harvesting machine using a feed pipe equipped with an outlet chute. The collecting container is equipped with a device for loading it with crop in a uniform manner. The collecting container is moved in a constant position relative to the harvesting machine by way of a control device while the crop is being conveyed. The collecting container is preferably a filling device, by way of which uniform distribution of the crop in the collecting container (8) can be attained. Full Article
r Cornhead crop loss detection By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 02 Sep 2014 08:00:00 EDT A cornhead row unit including first and second longitudinally extending stripper plates mounted on a frame and having opposed stripping edges which define a gap between them. The frame further includes an adjusting arrangement operatively connecting the frame and at least one of the first and second stripper plates to selectably and transversely move at least one of the first stripper plate and second stripper plate with respect to the other stripper plate to vary the width of the gap. A loss detection device is operatively connected to the frame for permitting measurement of corn kernels lost as a result of drawing corn stalks through the gap to separate corn ears from the stalks. Full Article
r Grain cleaning system for an agricultural combine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 02 Sep 2014 08:00:00 EDT A grain cleaning system of an agricultural combine directs a flow of high velocity air in a first direction about an inlet end of a cleaning shoe. The system further monitors the cleaning shoe in order to detect a change in an operational parameter of the cleaning shoe, wherein the operational parameter is one of a transient effect of a sieve of the cleaning shoe, a flow rate about and exit end of the cleaning shoe and a flow velocity about an exit end of the cleaning shoe. Further, the flow of high velocity air about the inlet end of the cleaning shoe can be redirected in a second direction in response to a detected change in the operational parameter. Full Article