Patents Assigned to Precision Planting LLC
  • Method of calibrating a pump output
    Patent number: 10954930
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure includes a method of calibrating a pump in a system to determine a minimum pump duty cycle needed. The system comprises a pump, a plurality of application lines downstream of the pump, and a flow control device in each application line. The method determines the minimum pump duty cycle to achieve total flow in the system, achieves a minimum pressure in the system, and ensures that the flow control device is not at or beyond a maximum open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Adam Vaccari, Brendan O'Rourke, Ben Schlipf, Justin McMenamy
  • Application control and monitoring apparatus, systems and methods
    Patent number: 10952367
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for determining corrected population based on a meter drive signal. Systems, methods, and apparatus are additionally provided for determining a stability metric based on a meter drive signal. A method for monitoring a seed application rate of a seed planter includes measuring a rotation of a seed disc of a seed meter, measuring a performance value corresponding to the seed meter, and calculating the population value based on the rotation and the meter performance value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Derek Sauder, Phil Baurer, Ryan Allgaier
  • Seed trench closing sensors
    Patent number: 10932405
    Abstract: A trench closing sensor adapted to mount to an agricultural implement to detect whether a seed trench is sufficiently closed with soil to ensure good seed to soil contact. The trench closing sensor may also detect the amount of compaction of the soil over the seed within the seed trench. The trench closing sensor may be in the form of a seed firmer from which a drag wire extends. As the open seed trench and drag wire are covered with soil, instrumentation measures or detects whether the seed trench is being adequately closed with soil by measuring the amount of force required to pull the wire through the soil or by measuring the amount of strain, pulling force or tension in the wire or by measuring the amount of soil pressure acting on the wire. The trench closing sensor may include other sensors for detecting soil characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Dale Koch, Jeremy Hodel, Timothy Kater, Douglas Urbaniak
  • Air seeder downforce control
    Patent number: 10925203
    Abstract: A method of controlling the downpressure on an air seeder that has a plurality of seed assemblies and a plurality of fertilizer assemblies each applying an adjustable downforce, wherein the method includes keeping a total downforce applied by all of the plurality of seed assemblies and all of the plurality of fertilizer assemblies less than a maximum downforce. The method may also include keeping the downforce applied by each of the fertilizer assemblies less than the downforce applied by each of the seed assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventor: Chad Plattner
  • Seed trench depth detection systems
    Patent number: 10874042
    Abstract: A seed trench depth sensor is adapted to mount to an agricultural implement. The trench depth sensor comprises an elongate member which drags within the seed trench and a second part which detects the distance to the elongate member within the seed trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Michael Strnad, Jeremy Hodel, Dale Koch, Todd Swanson, Dillon Sloneker
  • Systems and devices for controlling and monitoring liquid applications of agricultural fields
    Patent number: 10863667
    Abstract: Described herein are systems and devices for controlling and monitoring liquid applications of agricultural fields. In one embodiment, a flow device for controlling flow during an agricultural operation includes an offset ball valve having multiple openings that rotate in position to control flow of a liquid through the offset ball valve to an outlet passage. The flow device also includes a first passage that provides a first flow path from an inlet to at least one opening of the offset ball valve and second passage that provides a second flow path from the inlet to at least one opening of the offset ball valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Ben Schlipf, Brent Wiegand, Justin McMenamy, Jason Stoller
  • Seed meter with floating singulator
    Patent number: 10863665
    Abstract: A seed meter for an agricultural planter in which the seed disc is rotatably mounted within a seed meter housing. As the seed disc rotates, the apertures in the disc rotate along a seed aperture path through a horizontally adjacent seed pool area. The seed disc includes cavities disposed along the seed aperture path to agitate the seeds in the seed pool area. A singulator having multiple co-planar singulator surfaces is biased against the seed side surface of the seed disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Derek Sauder, Tim Schaefer
  • Systems and methods for customizing scale and corresponding views of data displays
    Patent number: 10860189
    Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for customizing scale and corresponding field views of agricultural fields with expand and panning operations. In one embodiment, a computer implemented method includes displaying a user interface having a scale region and a field region on a display device. The method further includes receiving, with the scale region, a user input to modify a scale of the scale region for a parameter and generating a modified scale region and also a corresponding modified field region based on the user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Allgaier, David Aaron Wilcoxson
  • Apparatus, systems and methods for row unit downforce control
    Patent number: 10834863
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for controlling the downforce applied to a row unit of an agricultural implement having multiple row units. A downpressure control device in fluid communication with a down chamber of the least one actuator maintains as a selected downpressure, any one of a continuous range of pressures in the downpressure chamber. Pressure in the down chamber tending to oppose pressure in the lift chamber of the at least one actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Derek A. Sauder, Ian R. Radtke, Jason J. Stoller
  • AGRICULTURAL TOOLBAR APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20200344937
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for shifting weight between a tractor and toolbar and between sections of the toolbar, for controlling operative height of a toolbar and sections of a toolbar and for folding a toolbar between a work position and a transport position. A ground engaging wheel and an actuator are coupled to the toolbar. In one embodiment, a fluid control system is responsive to a command signal to modify the actuator pressure such that the actuator pressure corresponds to a desired pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Applicant: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Gregg A. Sauder, Dale M. Koch
  • Crop input variety selection systems, methods, and apparatus
    Patent number: 10820485
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for selection of crop-input varieties. In one embodiment multiple varieties of seeds may be planted utilizing a row unit seed hopper having a plurality of compartments for receiving seed, each compartment having a seed passage through which seeds pass under gravity. A seed transfer actuator is disposed within or below the row unit seed hopper and is in communication with each of the seed passages and is configured to selectively open the seed passage of one of the plurality of compartments thereby permitting the seeds therein to pass into the seed pool of a seed meter while closing the seed passage of other of the plurality of compartments preventing the seeds from the other plurality of compartments passing into the seed pool of the seed meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Todd Swanson, Luke Stuber, Timothy A. Schaefer
  • Apparatus, system and method for monitoring soil criteria during tillage operations and control of tillage tools
    Patent number: 10820476
    Abstract: A tillage implement comprising a frame operably supporting tillage tools, and a soil monitoring system comprising instrumentation operably supported from the frame and disposed to detect soil criteria before, after, or before and after the soil is tilled by the tillage tools. The soil criteria detected is at least one of surface residue criteria, soil clod size criteria and soil shatter criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Jason Stoller, Justin McMenamy, Matthew Morgan, Dale Koch
  • Seed delivery systems and mapping of row speeds
    Patent number: 10823748
    Abstract: A seed delivery apparatus and methods in which a seed conveyor delivers seed from a metering device to a furrow in a controlled manner to maintain seed placement accuracy within the furrow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventor: Ryan Allgaier
  • Liquid application apparatus comprising a seed firmer
    Patent number: 10785905
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for monitoring soil properties and applying fertilizer during a planting operation. Various sensors are disposed in ground engaging components for monitoring soil properties. The ground engaging components may have structure for opening a side trench in the sidewalls of the seed trench and may include liquid application conduits for injecting liquid into the sidewalls of the resulting side trenches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Jason Stoller, Justin Koch, Brian McMahon, Derek Sauder, Ian Radtke, Michael Strnad, Dale Koch, Matthew Morgan, Tracy Leman, Paul Wildermuth
  • Seed firmer with resilient insert
    Patent number: 10772255
    Abstract: A seed firmer for firming seeds deposited in the seed trench to ensure good seed-to-soil contact. A bracket mounts the seed firmer to the row unit frame such that the seed firmer is aligned with the seed trench. The seed firmer includes a resilient insert positioned in the firmer body to stiffen the seed firmer to more resiliently firm the seed into the soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy Hodel, Kent Levy
  • Systems, methods, and apparatus for multi-row agricultural implement control and monitoring
    Patent number: 10772256
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for monitoring and controlling an agricultural implement, including seed planting implements. Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for detecting seeds being conveyed by seed conveyor. Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for monitoring and controlling deposition of secondary crop inputs such as fertilizer and insecticide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventor: Luke Stuber
  • Seed delivery apparatus, systems, and methods
    Patent number: 10765057
    Abstract: A seed delivery apparatus and methods in which a seed conveyor delivers seed from a metering device to a trench in a controlled manner to maintain seed placement accuracy within the trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Ian Radtke, Todd Swanson
  • Agricultural toolbar apparatus, systems and methods
    Patent number: 10765054
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for shifting weight between a tractor and toolbar and between sections of the toolbar, for controlling operative height of a toolbar and sections of a toolbar and for folding a toolbar between a work position and a transport position. A ground engaging wheel and an actuator are coupled to the toolbar. In one embodiment, a fluid control system is responsive to a command signal to modify the actuator pressure such that the actuator pressure corresponds to a desired pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Gregg A. Sauder, Dale M. Koch
  • Planting trench closing systems, methods, and apparatus
    Patent number: 10743458
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for closing a planting trench. Embodiments include a disc assembly for loosening soil adjacent to the planting trench. In some embodiments a closing wheel assembly pivots relative to a subframe of a row unit of a planter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy Hodel, Douglas Urbaniak, Timothy Kater
  • Method of retrofitting a pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system and an improved pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system
    Patent number: RE48553
    Abstract: A pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system wherein seed from the auxiliary hopper enters the seed meter through an opening beginning rearward of the vertical axis of the seed meter. And a retrofit kit for existing on-demand seed delivery systems, and method of retrofitting such existing pneumatic on-demand seed delivery systems, so as to provide an auxiliary hopper that communicates seed to the seed meter through an opening beginning rearward of the vertical axis of the seed meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Derek A. Sauder, Chad E. Plattner