US 11,849,661 B2
Autonomous agricultural system
David Disberger, Salina, KS (US); Benjamin M Smith, Yorktown, VA (US); Rye DeGarmo, Salina, KS (US); Gregory W. Arnett, Solomon, KS (US); Craig A Reed, Salina, KS (US); and Chris Coleman, Salina, KS (US)
Assigned to Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc., Salina, KS (US)
Filed by Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc., Salina, KS (US)
Filed on Aug. 24, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/001,217.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/890,345, filed on Aug. 22, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0051838 A1, Feb. 25, 2021
Int. Cl. A01B 69/00 (2006.01); A01B 69/04 (2006.01); G05D 1/02 (2020.01)
CPC A01B 69/008 (2013.01) [G05D 1/0278 (2013.01); G05D 2201/0201 (2013.01)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An autonomous agricultural system comprising:
a mobile power unit including a frame, a drive mechanism, and a power supply, wherein said mobile power unit further includes a load sensor associated with the drive mechanism of said mobile power unit and configured to measure loads imparted by said mobile power unit,
wherein a position of said power supply is shiftable in at least two dimensions with respect to said frame of said mobile power unit;
an implement releasably secured to said mobile power unit, wherein said implement includes a drive mechanism, and wherein said implement further includes a load sensor associated with the drive mechanism of said implement and configured to measure loads imparted by said implement,
wherein said mobile power unit is configured to transport said implement, and wherein said mobile power unit is further configured to provide power from said power supply to said implement; and
a control system configured as a monitoring system to monitor loads, via the load sensors, at each of the drive mechanisms of said mobile power unit and said implement and to adjust a position of the power supply based on the monitored loads to optimize traction or soil compaction of said autonomous agricultural system.