Patents Assigned to Raven Industries, Inc.
  • Patent number: 9584625
    Abstract: In a system and method for a web based system using events and pushed web content to interact with remote users for notifications and data collections operations may be performed including receiving, from a computing device, event data concerning a job being performed by a piece of agricultural equipment wherein the event data includes an identifier associated with the agricultural equipment. A database may be queried to determine a subscriber associated with the identifier. The event data may be transmitted to a network address associated with the subscriber. A response message may be received from the subscriber and forwarded to the computing device. The computing device may connect with the subscriber via a web application address included in the response message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Fowler, Mark Ingalls, Kelby R. Kleinsasser
  • Patent number: 9580256
    Abstract: This application discusses, among other things, granular spreaders. In an example, a granular spreader can include a blower configured to provide a flow of air, a metering device configured to provide a flow of granular material to the flow of air to provide a hybrid flow of air and granular material, a plurality of sections configured to release the granular material using the flow of air, wherein each section is configured to release an adjustable portion of the hybrid flow and a controller. The controller can be configured to receive control information for each section, to enable or disable each section responsive to the control information, and to adjust a speed of the blower based on the control information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse Lee Wagers, Jared Ernest Kocer, Nicholas O. Michael
  • Patent number: 9581394
    Abstract: A heat exchange unit for a heat exchanger system includes a heat exchange tube. The heat exchange tube including a heat exchange tube inlet and one or more heat exchange fins coupled along the heat exchange tube. The heat exchange tube extends from the heat exchange tube inlet to a refrigerant return. A heat exchange jacket is interposed between the heat exchange tube and a unit housing. The heat exchange jacket includes a jacket passage in communication with the refrigerant return. A first product passage extends from the product inlet to a product return. The heat exchange fins turbulate agricultural product in the first product passage while heat is transferred from the agricultural product to refrigerant in one or more of the heat exchange tube or the heat exchange jacket. Heat is transferred from the agricultural product to the refrigerant through the heat exchange jacket in the second product passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve S. Jensen, Patrick A. Hansen, Warren L. Thompson, Nicholas O. Michael
  • Patent number: 9576215
    Abstract: System and techniques for an image filter based on row identification are described herein. A crop row center represented in an image of a crop row can be calculated. A filter corresponding to a set of expected crop characteristics of the crop row can be obtained. Elements in the image can then be categorized based on applying the filter to the image when the filter anchored on the crop row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Edwin Ernest Wilson, Robert Leonard Nelson, Jr., David Anthony Fowler
  • Patent number: 9567055
    Abstract: An example can include a pod detachably coupled to a hull. At least one thrust generator can be fixed to the pod. A power source can be mounted to the pod and slideable fore and aft. A power source actuator can be coupled between the pod and the power source to translate the location of the power source with respect to the pod. A sensor can be coupled to the pod to detect a pitch of the hull and provide a pitch signal. A controller can be coupled to one or more of the power source, the power source actuator, the first and second thrust generators and the sensor. The controller can maintain a pitch of the hull by translating the power source within the pod in association with the pitch signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Scott Smith, Randy E. Scott
  • Patent number: 9504212
    Abstract: A system comprises a distribution boom, a first pump device configured to provide a flow stream of a carrier substance for the distribution boom, a second pump device configured to supply a chemical substance into the flow stream of the carrier substance, and a control module. The distribution boom includes a plurality of boom sections. A boom section includes one or more dispensers, a mixing device configured to provide a combination of chemical and carrier to the one or more dispensers, and a control valve configured to supply the chemical substance to the mixing device. The control module is configured to individually control a rate of supply of the chemical substance to the boom section by the control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Nick Michael, Diane Miller, Warren L. Thompson
  • Patent number: 9463861
    Abstract: A high altitude balloon system includes a dual chamber balloon extending from an upper apex to a lower apex with a circumferential edge between the upper and lower apexes. A deflectable diaphragm is within the dual chamber balloon and coupled along the circumferential edge. The deflectable membrane divides the dual chamber balloon into a lift gas chamber formed by an interior surface of the dual chamber balloon and the deflectable diaphragm, and a ballast chamber formed by the interior surface of the dual chamber balloon and the deflectable diaphragm. Optionally, the dual chamber balloon is constructed by interposing the deflectable diaphragm between an upper and lower balloon panels. Each of the upper and lower balloon panels and the deflectable diaphragm are then coupled together along the circumferential edge to form both the lift gas chamber and the ballast chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Smith, Kurt L. Sehnert, Randy E. Scott, Justin Lee Marsh, Mark L. West
  • Patent number: 9446791
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for refined row guidance parameterization with Hough transform are described herein. An electronic representation of a field (ERF) can be received. A steering variable calculation can be performed by executing a cascaded Hough transform on the ERF. An intermediate value used in calculating the steering variable can be selected. A refined intermediate value can be identified from the intermediate value by measuring a difference between the intermediate value and an anchor value. The steering variable calculation can be adjusted using the refined intermediate value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Leonard Nelson, Jr., Edwin Ernest Wilson
  • Patent number: 9410840
    Abstract: A dynamic yield monitor system includes a plurality of instruments to measure harvested crop characteristics while a crop is in-flow within a harvester elevator. The system includes a volume instrument that measures a harvested crop volume from the in-flow harvested crop within the harvester elevator, and a weight instrument that measures a harvested crop weight from the in-flow harvested crop within the harvester elevator. Optionally, the system includes other instruments including a moisture and temperature instrument. A receiver and processing node communicates with the instrument. The receiver and processing determines variable harvested crop test weight based on at least the measured harvested crop volume and measured harvested crop weight of the in-flow crop. The receiver and processing node further determines a variable yield of the harvested crop based on the measured harvested crop volume, the measured harvested crop weight, and the variable harvested crop test weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John Earl Acheson, Stephen Filip Fjelstad, Douglas Samuel Prairie
  • Patent number: 9405010
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of calculating a geospatial position by a mobile device by monitoring with the mobile device a first control channel from a first cell of a cellular communications system; monitoring with the mobile device a second control channel from a second cell of the cellular communications system at the same time as the first cellular control channel; receiving with the mobile device a first correction value sent over the first control channel; receiving with the mobile device a second correction value sent over the second control channel; receiving with the mobile device a signal from a global navigation satellite system; calculating with the mobile device the geospatial position based upon the signal from the global navigation satellite system and at least one of the first correction value and the second correction value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kirk Appleford, Clinton H. Mundt
  • Patent number: 9380738
    Abstract: Leading vehicle position information can be used to determine a location and heading of one or more implements of a trailing vehicle in an implement train that includes the leading vehicle. In an example, the leading vehicle pulls one or more trailing vehicles, and information about the leading vehicle position or heading is used to update a function of one or more implements associated with trailing vehicles of the implement train. In an example, the present subject matter includes identifying a heading of a trailing vehicle based on its initial location, an intermediate location, and a destination location. In an example, the present subject matter includes identifying a speed of one or more points on a trailing vehicle. In some examples, the present subject matter includes determining a location, heading, or speed of multiple implements associated with multiple trailing vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Leonard Nelson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9380773
    Abstract: This application discusses, among other things, agricultural equipment and more particularly agricultural chemical applicators. In an example, an agricultural sprayer system can include a first boom section configured to receive a carrier material and a chemical material and to provide an agricultural chemical mixture, the boom section having a plurality of nozzles for spraying the chemical mixture; and a first rod insert coupled to an end cap of the boom section, the rod insert configured to reduce the volume of the boom section and to provide increased flow velocity of the chemical mixture to each of the plurality of nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Amanda Marie Hebbert, Michael Jordan Sukalski, Colin James Taylor, Jaclyn Marie Clark, Nicholas O. Michael
  • Patent number: 9374940
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for row guidance parameterization with Hough transform are described herein. An electronic representation of a field (ERF) can be received. The ERF can include a set of feature sets including one of a set of crop row features or a set of furrow features. A first parameter space can be produced by applying a slope-intercept Hough transform (SLIHT) to members of a feature set. Peaks in the first parameter space can be identified. A second parameter space can be produced by application of the SLIHT to the peaks. A vanishing point can be calculated based on a vanishing point peak in the second parameter space. A track-angle error can be calculated from the vanishing point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Leonard Nelson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9359588
    Abstract: The present invention relates to multilayered structures. In various embodiments, the present invention provides an at least partially transparent multilayered structure that includes at least one first layer including at least one polyolefin, and at least one second layer including at least one of a cyclic olefin copolymer and a cyclic olefin polymer. In various embodiments, the present invention provides methods of making such multilayered structures, and photobioreactors having compartments including such multilayered structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel S. Smith
  • Patent number: 9352819
    Abstract: An example can include a pod detachably coupled to a hull. At least one thrust generator can be fixed to the pod. A power source can be mounted to the pod and slideable fore and aft. A power source actuator can be coupled between the pod and the power source to translate the location of the power source with respect to the pod. A sensor can be coupled to the pod to detect a pitch of the hull and provide a pitch signal. A controller can be coupled to one or more of the power source, the power source actuator, the first and second thrust generators and the sensor. The controller can maintain a pitch of the hull by translating the power source within the pod in association with the pitch signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Scott Smith, Randy E. Scott
  • Patent number: 9310329
    Abstract: A system for measuring crop moisture content in a harvester elevator includes a receiver and processing node and one or more moisture sensing instruments coupled to one or more paddles of the harvested elevator, respectively. The moisture sensing instruments each include a moisture sensor and a transmitter in communication with a receiver and processing node. The moisture sensor is configured to dynamically measure the moisture content of a static harvested crop, relative to the sensor and corresponding paddle, at ascends in the harvester elevator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John Earl Acheson, Stephen Filip Fjelstad, Douglas Samuel Prairie
  • Patent number: 9259745
    Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, apparatus and methods for a multi-section applicator having variable-rate sections. In an example, an apparatus can include at least one distribution manifold, a user interface, and an applicator controller. The at least one distribution manifold distributes a substance and can include an inlet port configured to receive the substance, a plurality of outlet ports, one or more sensors located at an outlet port, a controllable valve that supplies the substance to the inlet port. The applicator controller measures a value of the distribution parameter using the sensor signal produced by the at least one sensor of an outlet port, detects when the measured value differs from a specified target value by more than a specified error threshold value, and presents an indication, using the user interface, that the measured value differs from the target value according to the detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jared Ernest Kocer, Joshua D. Grabow, Warren L. Thompson, Steve S. Jensen, Patrick A. Hansen, Nicholas O. Michael, Scott Porter, Clarence Walt Fowler, David Anthony Fowler
  • Patent number: 9193480
    Abstract: A high altitude balloon system includes a dual chamber balloon extending from an upper apex to a lower apex with a circumferential edge between the upper and lower apexes. A deflectable diaphragm is within the dual chamber balloon and coupled along the circumferential edge. The deflectable membrane divides the dual chamber balloon into a lift gas chamber formed by an interior surface of the dual chamber balloon and the deflectable diaphragm, and a ballast chamber formed by the interior surface of the dual chamber balloon and the deflectable diaphragm. Optionally, the dual chamber balloon is constructed by interposing the deflectable diaphragm between an upper and lower balloon panels. Each of the upper and lower balloon panels and the deflectable diaphragm are then coupled together along the circumferential edge to form both the lift gas chamber and the ballast chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Smith, Kurt Sehnert, Randy Scott, Justin Lee Marsh, Mark L. West
  • Patent number: 9123113
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for row guidance parameterization with Hough transform are described herein. An electronic representation of a field (ERF) can be received. The ERF can include a set of feature sets including one of a set of crop row features or a set of furrow features. A first parameter space can be produced by applying a slope-intercept Hough transform (SLIHT) to members of a feature set. Peaks in the first parameter space can be identified. A second parameter space can be produced by application of the SLIHT to the peaks. A vanishing point can be calculated based on a vanishing point peak in the second parameter space. A track-angle error can be calculated from the vanishing point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Leonard Nelson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9113591
    Abstract: Metering devices for an agricultural implement are provided 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: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stanislaus Montgomery Shivak