Tree location sensing system and process for agricultural tree harvesting
US10178830B2 · kind B2 · utility
2Cited by
9References
9Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 1, 2015 |
| Grant date | Jan 15, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 1, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA01D46/26
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An improved system and method for sensing the location of a tree trunk relative to an orchard harvester machine that generally includes a distance sensor, a vegetation pushing device that functions to displace vegetation, such as low-hanging tree branches, grass or other upward-growing vegetation which may obscure the sensor's detection of the tree trunk, and a controller in communication with the distance sensor, which system may be incorporated into existing tree harvesters such as those with mechanized tree shakers, and may also be incorporated into a catching frame vehicle or a nut sweeping vehicle.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.