Patents Assigned to Winfield Solutions, LLC
  • Patent number: 11460371
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a test section comprises at least one surface defining an at least partially enclosed space. The at least partially enclosed space defines an airflow path for air to flow. The test section also comprises a nozzle disposed in the at least partially enclosed space. The nozzle is configured to spray an agricultural spray and is positioned to emit the agricultural spray such that at least a section of the agricultural spray exhibits a non-parallel angle relative to the airflow path defined by the at least partially enclosed space. The test section further comprises at least one stimulus source positioned to illuminate at least a portion of the agricultural spray adjacent to the nozzle. Additionally, the test section comprises at least one detector positioned to image at least the portion of the agricultural spray adjacent to the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: WINFIELD SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Bissell, Lee Boles, Andrea Clark
  • Patent number: 11363813
    Abstract: Hydrogels are blended with water to produce a hydrogel solution. Viscosity of the hydrogel solution is controlled by adjusting the ratio of hydrogel to water and/or by adjusting the blending conditions. The hydrogel solutions may be used to modify the rheology of agricultural compositions. The hydrogel may include lactose, which may be provided by a milk permeate waste stream from the dairy or food processing industry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: WinField Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Danny Brown, Christine Colby, Lillian Magidow, Megan Barta
  • Patent number: 11268879
    Abstract: A wind tunnel device may include a waste disposal unit configured to collect fluid from a droplet extractor positioned in a wind tunnel. The waste disposal unit may include a drain line and a liquid trap integrated in the drain line. The liquid trap may be adjustable during operation of the wind tunnel to accommodate different tunnel operating conditions (e.g., wind speeds) such that liquid waste does not backflow into the wind tunnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: WinField Solutions LLC
    Inventors: William Hambleton, Daniel C. Bissell
  • Patent number: 11242517
    Abstract: Methods of extracting ribonucleic acid from plant tissue involve treating multiple groups of plant seeds with different plant growth regulators. Each group of plant seeds can be treated with a different plant growth regulator. Methods further involve germinating the plant seeds to form seedlings, harvesting tissue samples from subgroups within each group of plant seeds and seedlings at different timepoints, and extracting total RNA from each harvested tissue sample. Methods can also involve sequencing the extracted RNA, determining an expression level of a plurality of genes relative to a negative control, and identifying a subset of differentially expressed genes at each distinct timepoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: WinField Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Zuk, Stephanie Wedryk
  • Patent number: 11113992
    Abstract: The present application relates generally to a demonstration kit for various nozzles. The demonstration kit may include a spray assembly and a control assembly. The spray assembly may include a case having a base and a cover rotatably coupled to the base, a plurality of back wall panels configured to be secured to a sidewall of the base, a boom connected to an interior surface of the case, and one or more nozzles connected to the boom and repositionable along a length of the boom. The control assembly includes at least one pump that when in an operating orientation is fluidly connected to the one or more nozzles and a portable power supply in electrical communication with the at least one pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: WinField Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Eric P. Spandl, Mark Ledebuhr, Ryan Wolf
  • Patent number: 11051448
    Abstract: A method to reduce bag rupture in an agricultural spray dispensed from a nozzle is disclosed. The method comprises dispensing the agricultural spray from the nozzle. The agricultural spray comprises water, at least one polymer, and at least one perforation-aid type adjuvant. The agricultural spray exhibits fewer fine droplets exhibiting a diameter less than about 150 ?m formed via the bag rupture approach to droplet formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: WINFIELD SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Bissell, Lee Boles, Andrea Clark
  • Patent number: 11047764
    Abstract: A wind tunnel device is provided herein that enables the wind tunnel to transform between two modes of operation and/or to refresh/recondition air within the tunnel. The wind tunnel device may provide selective diversion of airflow within the wind tunnel. The diversion of airflow may enable the wind tunnel device to include a multi-configurable wind tunnel that can be operated as either an open-return wind tunnel or a closed-return wind tunnel. Additionally, or alternatively, the diversion of airflow may enable the wind tunnel device to recondition air within a closed-return wind tunnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: WINFIELD SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: William Hambleton, Daniel C. Bissell
  • Patent number: 10899675
    Abstract: An agricultural spray may be produced by admixing citric acid and glutamic acid with a metal salt and a pesticide or other agricultural chemical containing components capable of precipitating with the metal salt in the admixture. The citric acid and the glutamic acid chelate with the metal salt to provide a stability and compatibility-enhancing composition, thereby preventing the metal salt from forming an insoluble solid within the admixture. Such a composition may be produced by admixing citric acid and glutamic acid at a molar ratio of about 6.8:0.5 to about 1:0.29. The composition may include a metal sat, citric acid and glutamic acid in a molar ratio of about 1:6.8:0.5 to about 1:1:0.29 and a pesticide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: WINFIELD SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Danny Brown, Jessica Drangeid
  • Patent number: 10807918
    Abstract: A chelated zinc adjuvant composition includes water, an effective amount of a micronutrient consisting of zinc chelated with an organic acid and an organic amine, a mono-, di- or polysaccharide and an alkyl polysaccharide. The adjuvant has a pH of up to 6.5. When admixed with a pesticide capable of precipitating with the zinc, due to the zinc being chelated, the zinc is prevented from precipitating with the pesticide and is available for uptake. When the adjuvant composition is applied in seed, soil, foliage or fruit applications, zinc uptake is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: WINFIELD SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: James Dwight Scott, Danny Brown
  • Patent number: 10775264
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a test section comprises at least one surface defining an at least partially enclosed space. The at least partially enclosed space defines an airflow path for air to flow. The test section also comprises a nozzle disposed in the at least partially enclosed space. The nozzle is configured to spray an agricultural spray and is positioned to emit the agricultural spray such that at least a section of the agricultural spray exhibits a non-parallel angle relative to the airflow path defined by the at least partially enclosed space. The test section further comprises at least one stimulus source positioned to illuminate at least a portion of the agricultural spray adjacent to the nozzle. Additionally, the test section comprises at least one detector positioned to image at least the portion of the agricultural spray adjacent to the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: WINFIELD SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Bissell, Lee Boles, Andrea Clark
  • Patent number: 10712232
    Abstract: A wind tunnel device is provided herein that enables the wind tunnel to transform between two modes of operation and/or to refresh/recondition air within the tunnel. The wind tunnel device may provide selective diversion of airflow within the wind tunnel. The diversion of airflow may enable the wind tunnel device to include a multi-configurable wind tunnel that can be operated as either an open-return wind tunnel or a closed-return wind tunnel. Additionally, or alternatively, the diversion of airflow may enable the wind tunnel device to recondition air within a closed-return wind tunnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: WINFIELD SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: William Hambleton, Daniel C. Bissell
  • Patent number: 10641756
    Abstract: A filtration system for a soil analysis device and methods of pressure filtration and automated cleaning are disclosed for generating filtrate used in measuring characteristics of a soil sample and preparing the filtration system for repeated measurements. A mixing chamber combines a soil sample and an extractant into a liquid mixture. The filtration system receives and pressure filters the liquid mixture to quickly generate filtrate used to measure characteristics of the sample. The filtrate is passed to a measurement cell for analysis. Once the analysis is complete, the filtration system performs a cleaning process in preparation to receive a subsequent liquid mixture from another soil sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: WINFIELD SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Bevan Gerber-Siff, Justin White, Stephen Prouty, Robert Tirrell, Michael Preiner, Nicholas Koshnick
  • Patent number: 10627308
    Abstract: A wind tunnel device defines a cyclical tunnel to receive continuous airflow. Airflow is delivered through the tunnel to a testing region that includes a first portion carrying an arm including a spray tip configured to spray particulates in the testing region at an angle, and a second portion including an enlarged cutout region configured to receive the angled sprayed particulates. As airflow carries the angled spray particulates into the second portion, the enlarged cutout region enables the spray particulates to pass through and exit the second portion of the testing region. Analysis in the second region may be conducted through transparent walls free of openings to minimize exposure of the spray particulates to the exterior of the device. A scrubber is adapted to extract spray mist from the airflow as the airflow exits the testing region and is re-circulated through the cyclical tunnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: WINFIELD SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Eric P. Spandl, Jon Martin Gehring, Gregory Keith Dahl, Joe V. Gednalske, William Thomas Hambleton, Lillian C. Magidow
  • Patent number: 10588309
    Abstract: The application is generally directed towards an airfoil for a fluid delivery tube. The airfoil includes a securing member operably connecting the airfoil to the tube, a fin extending downward and outward from the securing member and terminating in a tip, a shield extending inward and downward from the tip of the fin, and an air guide extending from a first end of the shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: WINFIELD SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Joe V. Gednalske, William Thomas Hambleton, Eric P. Spandl, Lillian C. Magidow, Gregory Dahl, Laura J. Hennemann
  • Patent number: 10533922
    Abstract: A wind tunnel device may include a waste disposal unit configured to collect fluid from a droplet extractor positioned in a wind tunnel. The waste disposal unit may include a drain line and a liquid trap integrated in the drain line. The liquid trap may be adjustable during operation of the wind tunnel to accommodate different tunnel operating conditions (e.g., wind speeds) such that liquid waste does not backflow into the wind tunnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: WINFIELD SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: William Hambleton, Daniel C. Bissell
  • Patent number: 10499560
    Abstract: A method to reduce bag rupture in an agricultural spray dispensed from a nozzle is disclosed. The method includes dispensing the agricultural spray from the nozzle. The agricultural spray includes water, at least one polymer, and at least one perforation-aid type adjuvant. The agricultural spray exhibits fewer fine droplets exhibiting a diameter less than about 150 ?m formed via the bag rupture approach to droplet formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: WINFIELD SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Bissell, Lee Boles, Andrea Clark
  • Patent number: 10497285
    Abstract: The present application relates generally to a demonstration kit for various nozzles. The demonstration kit may include a spray assembly and a control assembly. The spray assembly may include a case having a base and a cover rotatably coupled to the base, a plurality of back wall panels configured to be secured to a sidewall of the base, a boom connected to an interior surface of the case, and one or more nozzles connected to the boom and repositionable along a length of the boom. The control assembly includes at least one pump that when in an operating orientation is fluidly connected to the one or more nozzles and a portable power supply in electrical communication with the at least one pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: WINFIELD SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Eric P. Spandl, Mark Ledebuhr, Ryan Wolf
  • Patent number: 10488331
    Abstract: The nitrate-nitrogen concentration in soil is estimated based on the nitrate-nitrogen 200 nm absorption peak. In one embodiment, a device measures the attenuation spectrum of a soil-extractor mixture over a wavelength range that includes wavelengths in the vicinity of the 200 nm absorption peak (the spectral operating range) and then determines the nitrate-nitrogen concentration based on the attenuation spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: WinField Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Michael John Preiner, Nicholas Carleton Koshnick, Justin Stewart White, John Paul Strachan
  • Patent number: 10464856
    Abstract: An agricultural spray may be produced by admixing citric acid and glutamic acid with a metal salt and a pesticide or other agricultural chemical containing components capable of precipitating with the metal salt in the admixture. The citric acid and the glutamic acid chelate with the metal salt to provide a stability and compatibility-enhancing composition, thereby preventing the metal salt from forming an insoluble solid within the admixture. Such a composition may be produced by admixing citric acid and glutamic acid at a molar ratio of about 6.8:0.5 to about 1:0.29. The composition may include a metal sat, citric acid and glutamic acid in a molar ratio of about 1:6.8:0.5 to about 1:1:0.29 and a pesticide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Winfield Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Danny Brown, Jessica Drangeid
  • Patent number: 10359337
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a test section comprises at least one surface defining an at least partially enclosed space. The at least partially enclosed space defines an airflow path for air to flow. The test section also comprises a nozzle disposed in the at least partially enclosed space. The nozzle is configured to spray an agricultural spray and is positioned to emit the agricultural spray such that at least a section of the agricultural spray exhibits a non-parallel angle relative to the airflow path defined by the at least partially enclosed space. The test section further comprises at least one stimulus source positioned to illuminate at least a portion of the agricultural spray adjacent to the nozzle. Additionally, the test section comprises at least one detector positioned to image at least the portion of the agricultural spray adjacent to the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Winfield Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Bissel, Lee Boles, Andrea Clark