Patents Assigned to Raven Industries, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11236841
    Abstract: In an example, a system for applying an agricultural product includes a valve and a solenoid. For instance, the valve includes a coil that generates a magnetic flux. The system includes a valve controller. The valve controller is configured to measure one or more electrical characteristics of at least one of the coil or a dissipation element. In some examples, the valve controller determines an actual duty cycle of a valve operator of the valve using the measured electrical characteristics. The valve controller determines a magnetic flux correction, for instance based on a difference between the actual duty cycle and a specified duty cycle. The valve controller operates the valve operator according to the specified magnetic flux and the magnetic flux correction to guide the actual duty cycle toward the specified duty cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Krosschell, Travis Burgers, Jacob Deines
  • Patent number: 11184507
    Abstract: System and techniques for adaptive color transformation to aid computer vision are described herein. Colors from an image are mapped into a multi-dimensional space to create a distribution of colors in the image. A line can be fit to the distribution. Here, the line includes an angle relative to a coordinate system of the multi-dimensional space. A transformation to colors can then be applied to the image based on the angle of the line. The transformation producing a reduced image where a color complexity of the original image is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuri Sneyders, John D. Preheim, Jeffrey Allen Van Roekel
  • Patent number: 11170530
    Abstract: System and techniques for calibrating a crop row computer vision system are described herein. An image set that includes crop rows and furrows is obtained. Models of the field are searched to find a model that best fits the field. A calibration parameter is extracted from the model and communicated to a receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuri Sneyders, John D. Preheim, Jeffrey Allen Van Roekel
  • Patent number: 11160204
    Abstract: A localized product injection system for use with a product dispensing system includes a product injection reservoir coupled with an injection header. One or more injection boom tubes are coupled with the injection head. A plurality of localized injection interfaces are configured for coupling at corresponding product dispensers of a plurality of product dispensers. The plurality of localized injection interfaces in communication with the one or more injection boom tubes. Each of the localized injection interfaces includes an interface valve and an injection port in communication with the interface valve. The injection port is configured for localized coupling and injection to the corresponding product dispenser. The plurality of localized injection interfaces maintains a controlled pressurized environment of an injection product to the plurality of product dispensers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas O. Michael
  • Patent number: 11154011
    Abstract: A system and method for sensing an edge of a region includes at least one distance sensor configured to detect a plurality of distances of objects along a plurality of adjacent scan lines. A controller is in communication with the at least one distance sensor and is configured to determine a location of an edge of a region within the plurality of adjacent scan lines. The controller includes a comparator module configured to compare values corresponding to the detected plurality of distances, and an identification module configured to identify the location of the edge of the region according to the compared values. In one example, the values corresponding to the detected plurality of distances include couplets of standard deviations that are analyzed and selected to identify the location of the edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: James Edward Slichter, Andrew Joseph Pierson, Derek Michael Stotz, Jonathan William Richardson
  • Patent number: 11134668
    Abstract: In an example, a system for nozzle control includes an overall system pressure valve, configured to adjust the pressure of an agricultural product within a boom. A master node is configured to receive an overall system flow rate measurement, an overall target flow rate, and an overall system pressure measurement, the master node configured to adjust the overall system pressure valve to control the pressure of the agricultural product. A plurality of smart nozzles are configured to dispense the agricultural product, the plurality of smart nozzles each associated with an electronic control unit (ECU) and one or more individual nozzle, the smart nozzle is configured to control a nozzle flow rate of the associated one or more individual nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Preheim, Brent A. Driesen, Jared Ernest Kocer
  • Patent number: 11125681
    Abstract: An agricultural composition sensor includes a sensor housing including a flow passage configured to conduct an agricultural product. A sensor assembly is coupled with the sensor housing. The sensor assembly is configured to detect one or more injection products in the agricultural product. The sensor assembly includes an emanator configured to generate at least one light beam and a sensing element configured to receive the at least one light beam. A directing element is configured to deliver the light beam through the flow of the agricultural product. The sensing element is configured to generate a spectral plot from the light beam delivered through the flow of the agricultural product having one or more spectral signatures corresponding to the one or more injection products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Harry Harlow, Jared Ernest Kocer, Nicholas O. Michael
  • Patent number: 11100648
    Abstract: System and techniques for detecting a crop related row from an image are described herein. An image that includes several rows where the several rows including crop rows and furrows can be obtained. The image can be segmented to produce a set of image segments. A filter can be shifted across respective segments of the set of image segments to get a set of positions. A line can be fit members of the set of positions, the line representing a crop row or furrow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuri Sneyders, John D. Preheim, Jeffrey Allen Van Roekel
  • Patent number: 11071247
    Abstract: Metering devices for an agricultural implement are present for applying a field input, for example, pneumatically delivered granular product including seed or fertilizer or sprayed liquid product including fertilizer and the like, to an agricultural field. In the applying of the field input, the rate of application of the dispensers of one section of the implement can be collectively varied in relation to the rate of application of the dispensers of a different section of the implement frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanislaus Montgomery Shivak, Jared Ernest Kocer
  • Patent number: 10850483
    Abstract: A barrier tape comprises a barrier section comprising one or more barrier layers and one or more adhesive layers adhered to a face of the barrier section. The barrier tape can be used to join together adjacent barrier sheets or to patch a breach in a barrier sheet to form a barrier assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Kolbasuk, Tom Stoebner, Dan Smith
  • Patent number: 10842067
    Abstract: An automated implement control system includes one or more distance sensors configured for coupling with an agricultural implement. The one or more distance sensors are configured to measure a ground distance and a canopy distance from the one or more sensors to the ground and crop canopy, respectively. An implement control module is in communication with the one or more distance sensors. The implement control module controls movement of the agricultural implement. The implement control module includes a confidence module configured to determine a ground confidence value based on the measured ground distance and a canopy confidence value based on the measured canopy distance. A target selection module of the implement control module is configured to select one of the measured ground or canopy distances as a control basis for controlling movement of the agricultural implement based on the comparison of confidence values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Weidenbach, John D. Preheim
  • Patent number: 10795351
    Abstract: A system and method of controlling agriculture equipment which combines geographical coordinates, machine settings, machine position, path plans, user input, and equipment parameters to generate executable commands based of a variety of different in-field agricultural operation objectives for a vehicle equipped with an automatic or electronically controlled locomotion systems capable of reading and executing the commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Colin Josh Hurd
  • Patent number: 10788835
    Abstract: A framework for safely operating autonomous machinery, such as vehicles and other heavy equipment, in an in-field or off-road environment, includes detecting, identifying, classifying and tracking objects and/or terrain characteristics from on-board sensors that capture images in front and around the autonomous machinery as it performs agricultural or other activities. The framework generates commands for navigational control of the autonomous machinery in response to perceived objects and terrain impacting safe operation. The framework processes image data and range data in multiple fields of view around the autonomous equipment to discern objects and terrain, and applies artificial intelligence techniques in one or more neural networks to accurately interpret this data for enabling such safe operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Colin Josh Hurd, Rahul Ramakrishnan, Mark William Barglof, Quincy Calvin Milloy, Thomas Antony
  • Patent number: 10655329
    Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to a composite shingle. The composite shingle includes a particle layer and a polyketone layer proximate to the particle layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven G. Redford, Derek Lee Coover
  • Patent number: 10577177
    Abstract: A pond system includes a single-piece drop-in flexible liner sized and shaped to partially suspend within a rigid sidewall, creating a cavity that may function as a liquid reservoir. The single-piece drop-in flexible liner includes a base portion surrounded by a sidewall portion configured to rest adjacent to an interior-facing surface of the rigid sidewall. The single-piece drop-in flexible liner further includes multiple tensioning tabs each with a fixed end attached to the base portion and a free end opposite the fixed end. Each of the multiple tensioning tabs is configured to extend under the rigid sidewall and radially outward from the base portion. The pond system further includes a means for securing the free end of each of the multiple tensioning tabs at a location external to the perimeter enclosed by the rigid sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: RAVEN INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Andre A. Harvey
  • Patent number: 10568257
    Abstract: Metering device for an agricultural implement are present for applying a field input, for example, pneumatically delivered granular product including seed or fertilizer or sprayed liquid product including fertilizer and the like, to an agricultural field. In the applying of the field input, the rate of application of the dispensers of one section of the implement can be collectively varied in relation to the rate of application of the dispensers of a different section of the implement frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stanislaus Montgomery Shivak
  • Publication number: 20190350187
    Abstract: A configurable nozzle includes a nozzle body having a reception chamber configured to receive an application mixture. The nozzle body includes a nozzle orifice. At least one orifice assembly is coupled with the nozzle body, the at least one orifice assembly includes an orifice plate movably coupled with the nozzle body. The orifice plate extends along at least a portion of the nozzle orifice, and movement of the orifice plate changes one or more of the size or shape of the nozzle orifice. An orifice actuator is coupled with the orifice plate, and the orifice actuator is configured to move the orifice plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Applicant: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jared Ernest KOCER, Nicholas O. MICHAEL
  • Patent number: 10368538
    Abstract: A system and method for nozzle control includes an overall system pressure valve, configured to adjust the pressure of an agricultural product within a boom. A master node is configured to receive an overall system flow rate measurement, an overall target flow rate, and an overall system pressure measurement, the master node configured to adjust the overall system pressure valve to control the pressure of the agricultural product. A plurality of smart nozzles are configured to dispense the agricultural product, the plurality of smart nozzles each associated with an electronic control unit (ECU) and one or more individual nozzle, the smart nozzle is configured to control a nozzle flow rate of the associated one or more individual nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Preheim, Brent A. Driesen, Jared Ernest Kocer
  • Patent number: 10316874
    Abstract: A clip for securing one or more cover panels within a containment structure includes an annular portion partially-enclosing an internal space and two compressible legs adjoining opposite ends of the central portion. The clip further includes a clasp with first and second securing tabs configured to fixedly secure an object within the internal space and apply an outward force on the compressible legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Andre Alan Harvey
  • Patent number: 10261191
    Abstract: Disclosed in some examples are methods, systems, and machine-readable mediums to collect Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) corrections reliably via multiple network links. In some examples, the GNSS corrections are obtained at a GNSS correction server via multiple network links. The GNSS corrections are processed at the GNSS correction server via a voting algorithm that determines the optimal instance of the GNSS correction to forward to the remote GNSS Client.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Clinton Howard Mundt, Marc Roger Tibout, Joshua James Skanderup