Richard W Heiniger

US Patent:

6539303, Mar 25, 2003

Filed:

Dec 8, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/733641

Inventors:

John A. McClure - Scottsdale AZ 85260
Dennis M. Collins - Gilbert AZ 85296
Richard W. Heiniger - Hiawatha KS 66434

International Classification:

G01C 2100

US Classification:

701213, 701202, 701 36, 180204

Abstract:

A swathing guidance system includes a controller storing data defining a desired vehicle path, a position detector subsystem such as a differential GPS receiver, and a display to graphically display current spatial parameters and corrective steering actions to place the vehicle on the desired path or to maintain it on the path. The controller periodically selects a future intercept point on the path and calculates a steering correction angle to point the vehicle toward the intercept point. The display includes a steering guide which displays the steering correction angle relative to the current heading and the current track error or distance from the desired path. The steering correction angle can alternatively be applied to an automatic steering mechanism to automatically maintain the vehicle on the desired path. In agricultural applications, the system is applicable to both parallel and contour cultivation modes.

US Patent:

6711501, Mar 23, 2004

Filed:

Mar 25, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/396788

Inventors:

John A. McClure - Scottsdale AZ
Dennis M. Collins - Gilbert AZ
Richard W. Heiniger - Parkville MO

Assignee:

Satloc, LLC - Scottsdale AZ

International Classification:

G06F 700

US Classification:

701213, 701200, 701 50, 340588, 340990, 73178 R

Abstract:

A swathing guidance system includes a controller storing data defining a desired vehicle path, a position detector subsystem such as a differential GPS receiver, and a display to graphically display current spatial parameters and corrective steering actions to place the vehicle on the desired path or to maintain it on the path. The controller periodically selects a future intercept point on the path and calculates a steering correction angle to point the vehicle toward the intercept point. The display includes a steering guide which displays the steering correction angle relative to the current heading and the current track error or distance from the desired path. The steering correction angle can alternatively be applied to an automatic steering mechanism to automatically maintain the vehicle on the desired path. In agricultural applications, the system is applicable to both parallel and contour cultivation modes.

US Patent:

7142956, Nov 28, 2006

Filed:

Jun 24, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/875776

Inventors:

Richard W. Heiniger - Parkville MO, US
Kent D. Funk - Robinson KS, US
John A. McClure - Scottsdale AZ, US
Dennis M. Collins - Fountain Hills AZ, US
John T. E. Timm - Phoenix AZ, US

Assignee:

Hemisphere GPS LLC - Hiawatha KS

International Classification:

B62D 13/00
G01C 21/00

US Classification:

701 23, 180 91, 318587

Abstract:

An automatic steering system and method are provided for a vehicle including an hydraulic primary steering system. The automatic steering system includes a guidance module with a GPS receiver and a microprocessor adapted to process and store GPS data defining travel paths, which can be associated with a cultivated field in an agricultural vehicle application. An automatic steering module is connected to the guidance module and to a steering valve control block, which provides pressurized hydraulic fluid in parallel with the vehicle's primary hydrostatic steering system. The automatic steering system utilizes a constant factor, such as steering rate, for predictability and simplicity in the operation of the automatic steering system. A feedback loop from the vehicle hydrostatic steering system uses the vehicle's actual turning rate for comparison with a desired turning rate. The system is adapted for original equipment installation and retrofitting on vehicles, such as farm tractors, with various primary hydrostatic steering system configurations.

US Patent:

7162348, Jan 9, 2007

Filed:

Dec 11, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/733960

Inventors:

John A. McClure - Scottsdale AZ, US
Richard W. Heiniger - Parkville MO, US
John T. E. Timm - Tempe AZ, US
Kent D. Funk - Robinson KS, US
Richard B. Wong - Phoenix AZ, US

Assignee:

Hemisphere GPS LLC - Hiawatha KS

International Classification:

G06F 19/00

US Classification:

701 50, 701 41, 2804561

Abstract:

An articulated equipment position control system and method are provided for equipment consisting of motive and working components. The components are connected by an articulated connector, such as a pivotal hitch. GPS-derived positional data is utilized for power-articulating the hitch to maintain the working component, such as an implement, on a predetermined course. Operator-induced course deviations can thus be corrected. The working component can also be positioned to follow the course of the motive component. The system includes a microprocessor control subsystem, which interfaces with a steering guidance system.

US Patent:

7373231, May 13, 2008

Filed:

Jan 8, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/650784

Inventors:

John A. McClure - Scottsdale AZ, US
Richard W. Heiniger - Parkville MO, US
John T. E. Timm - Tempe AZ, US
Kent D. Funk - Robinson KS, US
Richard B. Wong - Phoenix AZ, US

Assignee:

Hemisphere GPS LLC - Calgary, Alberta

International Classification:

G06F 19/00

US Classification:

701 50, 701 41, 2804561

Abstract:

An articulated equipment position control system and method are provided for equipment consisting of motive and working components. The components are connected by an articulated connector, such as a pivotal hitch. GPS-derived positional data is utilized for power-articulating the hitch to maintain the working component, such as an implement, on a predetermined course. Operator-inducted course deviations can thus be corrected. The working component can also be positioned to follow the course of the movive component. The system includes a microprocessor control subsystem, which interfaces with a steering guidance system.

US Patent:

7689354, Mar 30, 2010

Filed:

Jul 19, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/184657

Inventors:

Richard W. Heiniger - Parkville MO, US
John A. McClure - Scottsdale AZ, US

Assignee:

Hemisphere GPS LLC - Calgary, Alberta

International Classification:

G01C 21/00
G06G 7/76

US Classification:

701213, 701 50

Abstract:

An adaptive guidance system for a vehicle includes an on-board GPS receiver, an on-board processor adapted to store a preplanned guide pattern and a guidance device. The processor includes a comparison function for comparing the vehicle GPS position with a line segment of the preplanned guide pattern. The processor controls the guidance device for guiding the vehicle along the line segment. Various guide pattern modification functions are programmed into the processor, including best-fit polynomial correction, spline correction, turn-flattening to accommodate minimum vehicle turning radii and automatic end-of-swath keyhole turning.

US Patent:

RE41358, May 25, 2010

Filed:

Feb 6, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/026797

Inventors:

Richard W. Heiniger - Parkville MO, US
Kent D. Funk - Robinson KS, US
John A. McClure - Scottsdale AZ, US
Dennis M. Collins - Fountain Hills AZ, US
John T. E. Timm - San Jose CA, US

Assignee:

Hemisphere GPS LLC - Calgary, Alberta

International Classification:

B62D 13/00
G01C 21/00

US Classification:

701 23, 180 91, 318587

Abstract:

An automatic steering system and method are provided for a vehicle including an hydraulic primary steering system. The automatic steering system includes a guidance module with a GPS receiver and a microprocessor adapted to process and store GPS data defining travel paths, which can be associated with a cultivated field in an agricultural vehicle application. An automatic steering module is connected to the guidance module and to a steering valve control block, which provides pressurized hydraulic fluid in parallel with the vehicle's primary hydrostatic steering system. The automatic steering system utilizes a constant factor, such as steering rate, for predictability and simplicity in the operation of the automatic steering system. A feedback loop from the vehicle hydrostatic steering system uses the vehicle's actual turning rate for comparison with a desired turning rate. The system is adapted for original equipment installation and retrofitting on vehicles, such as farm tractors, with various primary hydrostatic steering system configurations.

US Patent:

7878422, Feb 1, 2011

Filed:

Aug 28, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/200452

Inventors:

Richard W. Heiniger - Hiawatha KS, US
Don Patrick Meenen - Hiawatha KS, US
David C. Benson - Hiawatha KS, US
James B. Prohaska - Prior Lake MN, US

Assignee:

Bestway, Inc. - Hiawatha KS

International Classification:

B05B 1/20

US Classification:

239163, 239159, 239160, 239167, 91405, 92 85 B

Abstract:

A variable rate suspension system for a boom sprayer including a lift assembly and chassis. The suspension system includes a needle valve fluidly connected to a hydraulic accumulator and a first and second lift arm cylinder. A control block provides hydraulic fluid to the system and lift arm cylinders. Dampening of vertical accelerations encountered by the chassis and transmitted to the boom sprayer through the lift assembly is controlled by adjusting the rate hydraulic fluid flows from the cylinders into the accumulator using the needle valve.