Remotely operable motorized doffer adjustment assembly
US6415589B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 6, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jul 9, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 6, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA01D46/14
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A remotely controlled motorized assembly for adjusting the vertical position of the doffer support shaft in the harvesting units a cotton harvesting machine. The assembly is retrofittable for use on existing harvesting units of cotton harvesting machines the doffers of which are designed to be adjusted using a manual adjustment screw. The invention includes a motor which is attached to the harvesting unit, intermediate gears, and a special opening or collar which fits onto the head of the manual adjustment screw of the doffer support shaft. The motorized assembly allows automatic or semi-automatic adjustment of the doffer support shaft without opening the harvesting units or shutting down the harvesting machine, saving considerable time and energy and promoting safety. Bipolar motors may be employed to allow for adjustment in either direction. A microprocessor and sensors may also be employed for automatic monitoring and adjustment of the doffer support shafts.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.