Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for measuring ground height

US6791488B2 · kind B2 · utility

30Cited by

4References

22Claims

0Family size

Assignee

CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH · DE

Inventors

Norbert Diekhans · Gütersloh, DE
Helmut Homburg · Harsewinkel, DE
Jochen Huster · Vellmar, DE
Manfred Pollklas · Rheda-Wiedenbrück, DE

Key dates

Filing date	Apr 1, 2003
Grant date	Sep 14, 2004
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Apr 1, 2023

Classification

Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
CPC primaryA01D41/141
WIPO fieldOther special machines
WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A method and apparatus for determining the distance between an agricultural machine and a surface such as the ground, wherein at least one sensor contactlessly determines the distance between the sensor and the surface. The sensor uses electromagnetic waves to penetrate through the field vegetation. The sensor may be a radar, a microwave or a laser sensor. The electromagnetic wave is emitted in a vertical direction toward the ground and reflected back to the sensor. The determined distance is used for automatically maintaining a working height of a front attachment, such as a cutterbar.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.