Patents Examined by Christopher J. Novosad
  • Patent number: 11464155
    Abstract: A purging system for a multiple variety seed meter of a multi-variety planter. The purging system includes seed return valves that may be arranged for receiving seed that was removed from the seed meter. The seed return valves return the removed seed into corresponding appropriate seed storage compartments to allow a new seed variety to be delivered to the seed meter while reducing seed variety mixing in the seed meter. A pipe with a purge passage may extend from the seed meter to a purging hose that delivers the removed seed to the seed return valve(s). Each seed return valve may be a vacuum-actuated piston airlock valve assembly with a valve plunger that reciprocates to define seed collecting and releasing states of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Schoeny, Chad M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11445659
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for selecting an agricultural input include and second seed meters that selectively meter seed from first and second sources, respectively, into a common planting trench. In some embodiments, the seed meters are selectively operated by electric motors controlled with reference to a seed type prescription. In some embodiments, the first and second seed meters deposit seeds along a common plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Dale Koch, Todd Swanson
  • Patent number: 11445658
    Abstract: Locations of seeds in a field can be identified using event-based processing or frequency-based processing. A material is applied to the field, based upon the seed locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Elijah B. Garner, Todd N. Signer, Cary S. Hubner, Grant J. Wonderlich, Kenneth E. Herrmann
  • Patent number: 11439055
    Abstract: A sowing element (1) for agricultural precision sowing machines (100) comprising a seed selection device (10) which includes a casing (10a) and a perforated disc (18) which is caused to rotate in the casing, a pressurization device associated with the casing in order to subject opposite faces (18a, b) of the disc to a pressure differential, an opening (16) in the casing which is for ventilating one of the faces of the disc and which is or can be pneumatically connected to a filtration system (42) or a remote intake system. In this manner, the introduction of sand and powder inside the seed selection device is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Maschio Gaspardo S.p.A.
    Inventors: Gianfranco Donadon, Luigi Giovanni Bot, Bruno Miolo
  • Patent number: 11432457
    Abstract: A multiple variety planter has a direct vacuum system that allows for planting multiple varieties of seed while reducing occurrences of mis-planting events or planting inconsistencies such as multiples and skips by providing highly controllable seed meter vacuum performance characteristics that are controllable on a row-by-row basis. The direct vacuum system may include a vacuum unit at each row unit of the planter to apply a vacuum pressure to a seed meter at the row unit. Each vacuum unit may be individually and variably controlled to apply different vacuum pressures based on which seed variety is being planted with the respective seed meter at a given time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Chad M. Johnson, Johnathon Dienst, Marvin A. Prickel, Grant MacDonald, Jason T. Czapka, Michael J. Connors, Christopher Schoeny
  • Patent number: 11432456
    Abstract: A precision pneumatic seed drill. The seed drill comprises at least one sowing element having a seed selector device housing a perforated selector disc which selects seed and has opposing faces subject to a pressure differential. A sowing duct is associated with the selector device. A system measures the speed of forward movement of the seed drill with reference to the ground being sown in order to vary the rotational speed of the selector disc according to the speed of forward movement measured by the measuring system. A pressurization device associated with the selector disc applies the pressure differential to the faces. An ejector along the sowing duct is fed by a compressed air dispenser for pneumatically accelerating the seeds singled out by the selector device. A device for varying the pressure of compressed air fed to the ejector is calibrated according to the typology of the seed to be sown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Maschio Gaspardo S.p.A
    Inventors: Gianfranco Donadon, Luigi Giovanni Bot, Bruno Miolo
  • Patent number: 11432459
    Abstract: A dual-disk seed meter for a planter may include a housing defining a first seed chamber configured to receive first seeds of a first seed type and a second seed chamber configured to receive second seeds of a second seed type. The seed meter may also include a first seed disk rotatable within the housing to convey the first seeds from the first seed chamber, a second seed disk rotatable within the housing to convey the second seeds from the second seed chamber, and a drive assembly configured to simultaneously rotate the first and second seed disks. In addition, the seed meter may include a seed deflector movable relative to the first seed disk and/or the second seed disk to control which of the seed types is discharged from the housing based on a selected seed type to be delivered by the seed meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Schoeny, Brian Anderson, Chad M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11432458
    Abstract: A dual-disk seed meter for a planter may include a housing defining a first seed chamber configured to receive first seeds of a first seed type and a second seed chamber configured to receive second seeds of a second seed type. The seed meter may also include a first seed disk rotatable within the housing to convey the first seeds from the first seed chamber, a second seed disk rotatable within the housing to convey the second seeds from the second seed chamber, and a drive assembly configured to simultaneously rotate the first and second seed disks. In addition, the seed meter may include a seed deflector movable relative to the first seed disk and/or the second seed disk to control which of the seed types is discharged from the housing based on a selected seed type to be delivered by the seed meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Schoeny, Brian Anderson, Chad M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11425854
    Abstract: A multiple variety planter has a direct vacuum system that allows for planting multiple varieties of seed while reducing occurrences of mis-planting events or planting inconsistencies such as multiples and skips by providing highly controllable seed meter vacuum performance characteristics that are controllable on a row-by-row basis. The direct vacuum system may include a vacuum unit at each row unit of the planter to apply a vacuum pressure to a seed meter at the row unit. Each vacuum unit may be individually and variably controlled to apply different vacuum pressures based on which seed variety is being planted with the respective seed meter at a given time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Chad M. Johnson, Johnathon Dienst, Marvin A. Prickel, Grant MacDonald, Jason T. Czapka, Michael J. Connors, Christopher Schoeny
  • Patent number: 11425855
    Abstract: An agricultural machine includes a seeding system comprising a plurality of planting units, each planting unit configured to meter and deliver seed and a control system configured to obtain a seed planting model that identifies a plurality of seed planting locations on a worksite, identify a machine path on the worksite, identify, based on the machine path, a set of the seed planting locations for each of the planting units, and control each planting unit to deliver seeds to the set of seed planting locations identified for the planting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Cary S. Hubner, Jeffrey A. Nelson
  • Patent number: 11425896
    Abstract: An open-loop or closed-loop control system for an agricultural utility vehicle includes a distributor linkage for dispensing fertilizer, plant protection agent, or seed, and has a center part and two lateral extension arms connected by joints to the center part with a plurality of linkage sections (4) which can be folded relative to one another in a transport position and folded out relative to each other in a working position. The control system also has at least one sensor and a data processing unit configured such that signals of the sensor are processed so as to generate a control signal for the hydraulic device, and the hydraulic device can be controlled in order to set damping of vibrations occurring on the distributor linkage in a direction of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Inventors: Timo Kiefer, Georg Komma, Patrick Krupp, Frank Grosse Prues, Anna-Gret Borchert
  • Patent number: 11419253
    Abstract: An apparatus, which may be a tillage apparatus, may have a flexible frame. The frame may be made from open members. The frame may support ground engagers and may be supported on wheel assemblies. The ground engagers may be connected to a spring trip mechanism. The ground engagers may be mounted to open members of the frame with a clamping style mechanism. The clamp mechanism may include wedge devices. The frame may be lowered and raised relative to wheels of the wheel assemblies with a lift mechanism. One row of ground engagers may be raised or lowered relative to the frame independent of another row of ground engagers. An anti-skid or skew control system may be employed in association with the independent height adjustment of one row of ground engagers. A system may be provided to maintain and control the height of a tow hitch forming part of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: HONEY BEE MANUFACTURING LTD.
    Inventors: Glenn Raymond Honey, Lee Glenn Harper, Scott Douglas Smith
  • Patent number: 11422123
    Abstract: A field condition-based experimental apparatus for an ecological indicator of vegetation includes a plurality of isolation units arranged at intervals and an auxiliary mechanism detachably connected to the isolation unit. The isolation units include a plurality of isolation boxes arranged at intervals and respectively having a hollow structure, and a support frame respectively disposed at four corners of the isolation box. The auxiliary mechanism is detachably connected to the support frame. A soil layer is disposed in the isolation box. The experimental apparatus has a reliable structure and is easy to use. An appropriate number of isolation units are buried under field conditions based on experimental needs. Auxiliary mechanisms of different structures are mounted based on experimental conditions. This implements reliable detection of an ecological indicator of vegetation under the field conditions and effectively improves authenticity and reliability of detection results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignees: China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Beijing Water Science and Technology Institute, YELLOW RIVER CONSERVANCY COMMISSION OF THE MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES
    Inventors: Yifan Song, Yajing Lu, Yu Wang, Denghua Yan, Tiejun Liu, Jianying Guo, Tianling Qin, Baisha Weng
  • Patent number: 11419257
    Abstract: A soil apparatus (e.g., seed firmer) having a base portion for engaging in soil of an agricultural field, and the base portion is adapted for connection to an agricultural implement; a window in the base portion; a wear resistant insert disposed in or on the base portion in one or more locations selected from the group consisting of i) ahead of the window in a direction of travel of the soil apparatus through soil and disposed on the base portion, ii) ahead of the window in a direction of travel of the soil apparatus through soil and disposed in the base portion, wherein the base portion has a ground engaging portion, the ground engaging portion has a greater wear resistance than the base portion, iii) above the window, and iv) below the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Michael Strnad, Timothy Kater
  • Patent number: 11412654
    Abstract: An agricultural planting machine includes a frame, a row unit supported by the frame, the row unit comprising a disk opener configured to create a furrow for planting agricultural material in a first row and a row cleaner disposed in a path of the disk opener and configured to move residue from the path. A residue shield is configured to shield a second row from the residue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Kevin J. Goering, Steven C. Young, Mark E. Barker, Elijah B. Garner, Dennis W. Bode, Susan G. Gray, Chris W. Foster
  • Patent number: 11406054
    Abstract: A meter roller for an agricultural metering system includes a flute and a recess positioned adjacent to one another along a circumferential axis of the meter roller. The flute and the recess are configured to meter flowable particulate material from a storage tank to a material distribution system via rotation of the meter roller. In addition, a first circumferential extent of the flute is at least 1.5 times greater than a second circumferential extent of the recess along an entire longitudinal extent of the flute and the recess, and the entire longitudinal extent of the flute and the recess is greater than the first circumferential extent of the flute and the second circumferential extent of the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Guillaume Cloutier Boily, Ethan Curtis Stephen Bent
  • Patent number: 11406055
    Abstract: An agricultural implement for applying fertilizer beneath the surface of the soil. The implement has a main frame for connecting the agricultural implement to agricultural equipment. A swing arm is pivotally connected to the main frame. An adjustable actuator interconnects the swing arm to the main frame to control the movement of the swing arm with respect to the main frame. A pair of discs are mounted to the free end of the swing arm for rotation with respect to the swing arm. The discs are offset mounted with respect to one another and are angled outwardly with respect to the direction of travel of the implement. The discs form grooves for receipt of fertilizer. Fertilizer tubes are mounted to the swing arms adjacent the discs. The fertilizer tubes deposit fertilizer in the grooves formed by the discs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: AG FOCUS LLC
    Inventors: Bruce W. Freed, Brian E. Freed
  • Patent number: 11406052
    Abstract: Systems and methods for computer vision and automation to autonomously identify and deliver for application a treatment to an object among other objects, data science and data analysis, including machine learning, deep learning, and other disciplines of computer-based artificial intelligence to facilitate identification and treatment of objects, and robotics and mobility technologies to navigate a delivery system, more specifically, to an agricultural delivery system configured to identify and apply, for example, an agricultural treatment to an identified agricultural object. In some examples, a method may include identifying a subset of payloads to provide one or more actions based on data representing a policy for one or more subsets of agricultural objects, causing one or more cartridges to be charged based on the subset of payloads, and, and implementing one or more cartridges at an agricultural projectile delivery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Verdant Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Gabriel Thurston Sibley, Curtis Dale Garner, Andre Robert Daniel Michelin, Lorenzo Ibarria, Patrick Christopher Leger, Benjamin Rewis, Shi Yan
  • Patent number: 11390471
    Abstract: An agricultural product delivery applicator for delivering particulate product to a field. The applicator includes a bin having a first chamber to hold a first product, a second chamber to hold a second product, and a third chamber to hold a third product. The applicator further includes a pneumatic conveying system having an airflow source to provide an airflow, a delivery line operably connected to the airflow source and to the bin, and an outlet coupled to the delivery line. A metering system is operably connected between the supply compartment and the pneumatic conveying system. The metering system meters product with the airflow to result in a mixed flow of airflow and product. The metering system includes a novel hydraulic circuit for helping to meter the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: David Hafvenstein
  • Patent number: 11388855
    Abstract: A meter roller for an agricultural metering system includes a flute and a recess positioned adjacent to one another along a circumferential axis of the meter roller. The flute and the recess are configured to meter flowable particulate material from a storage tank to a material distribution system via rotation of the meter roller. In addition, a first circumferential extent of the flute is at least 1.5 times greater than a second circumferential extent of the recess along an entire longitudinal extent of the flute and the recess, and the entire longitudinal extent of the flute and the recess is greater than the first circumferential extent of the flute and the second circumferential extent of the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Guillaume Cloutier Boily, Ethan Curtis Stephen Bent