Patents Examined by Christopher J. Novosad
  • Seed variety changer for a planter
    Patent number: 11382257
    Abstract: A planting system and method for planting multiple seed varieties includes a planter having a plurality of tanks and a plurality of row units. A plurality of seed meters are included in of the plurality of the row units. The seed meters are selectively operated at a time to plant a seed variety associated with the meter being operated. The determination of the seed meter used is based, in part, upon the location of the planter in the field. A cleanout system removes any unplanted seed before a different variety of seed is to be planted based upon an updated location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Straeter
  • Modular toolbar with internal vacuum
    Patent number: 11382256
    Abstract: A planting implement including a first hollow support frame member having a first end and a first end plate connected to the first end. The first end plate has a first hole disposed therein. The planting implement also includes a second hollow support frame member configured for coupling to the first hollow support frame member. The second hollow support frame member has a second end and a second end plate connected to the second end. The second end plate has a second hole disposed therein. The planting implement further includes at least one spacer and at least one seal having an aperture. The at least one seal is configured to seal a connection between the first hollow support frame member and the second hollow support frame member such that a pneumatic pathway is established between the first hollow support frame member and the second hollow support frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Connors, Brian J. Anderson, Marvin A. Prickel
  • System and method for visual confirmation of planter performance
    Patent number: 11381785
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically capturing visual data of a seed placed by a seed planting machine (e.g., a crop row planter). An electronic controller is configured to receive a signal indicative of a seed being dispensed by the seed planting machine and to trigger a camera to capture an image of the dispensed seed in response to a determination, based on the signal, that the seed has been dispensed by the seed planting machine. In some implementations, the system includes a seed sensor configured to detect a seed moving through a seed tube that dispensed seeds from the seed planting machine. In other implementations, the system is configured to detect a new seed being dispensed by the seed planting machine by analyzing image data captured by a camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Matthew Mentzer
  • System and method for dispensing agricultural products into a field using an agricultural machine based on cover crop density
    Patent number: 11375655
    Abstract: In one aspect, a system for dispensing agricultural products into a field using an agricultural machine may include a metering device configured to control a rate at which an agricultural product is dispensed into the field. Furthermore, the system may include a controller configured to determine a density of a cover crop present within the field as the agricultural machine is moved across the field. Moreover, the controller may be configured to determine an adjustment to be made to the rate at which the agricultural product is being dispensed for use in growing a primary crop within the field based on the determined density. Additionally, the controller may be configured to control the operation of the metering device to execute the adjustment of the rate at which the agricultural product is being dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Schoeny, Chad M. Johnson, Trevor Stanhope, Darian Landolt
  • Smart sensor system for seeding implement
    Patent number: 11369054
    Abstract: An agricultural planting or seeding implement that includes a ground engaging tool that forms a trench in a field. The ground engaging tool includes a blade that forms the trench. A first conduit couples to the blade. The first conduit deposits agricultural product in the field. A sensor couples to the ground engaging tool. The sensor generates a signal indicative of a soil property of the field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Trevor Lawrence Kowalchuk, Dennis George Thompson
  • Multiple variety seed meter of a planter for planting multiple seed varieties
    Patent number: 11357164
    Abstract: A multiple variety seed meter for multi-variety row crop planting a segmented feed pipe system that may include a feed pipe with multiple passages that can be rotated to present one of multiple variety openings toward a seed pool in the seed meter to deliver a specific seed variety into the seed meter. The feed pipe may be an inner selector pipe concentrically nested for rotation in an outer sleeve that extends into the seed meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Schoeny, Chad Johnson
  • Control system for air seeder venting system
    Patent number: 11357163
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an air seeder tower includes a valve with an actuator, and a closed loop feedback control with a sensor to control actuation of the valve to control air flow out of the air seeder vent tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: William Frank, Chad E. Plattner, Trenton Noreen
  • Air flow distribution control for curve compensation on air-seeding carts and tools
    Patent number: 11343959
    Abstract: An air distribution system for a seed cart provides for improved air flow distribution upon identification of a turning event. The seed cart may have a fan operable to create an air stream. A set of primary tubes coupled to the fan may receive separate portions of the air stream from the fan. A distribution manifold may have a first plurality of passages therethrough and a second plurality of passages therethrough. A restrictor assembly may comprise a first end, a second end oppositely disposed from the first end, and a plurality of inlets and a plurality of outlets disposed therebetween. The restrictor assembly may have a plurality of restriction components. Restriction of air flow proximate the first end is different than the restriction of air flow proximate the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: William D. Graham
  • Hydraulic system for an air cart
    Patent number: 11330760
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for an air cart includes a primary hydraulic assembly and a secondary hydraulic assembly. The hydraulic system also includes a first valve configured to block a flow of a hydraulic fluid flowing in a first direction from the primary hydraulic assembly and a second valve configured to block a flow of the hydraulic fluid flowing in a second direction from the secondary hydraulic assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventor: Stewart Joseph Millie
  • Systems and methods for assessing the performance of an agricultural implement
    Patent number: 11330754
    Abstract: A system for assessing the performance of an agricultural implement may include a ground engaging tool configured to engage soil within a field as the agricultural implement is moved across the field such that the ground engaging tool creates a field material cloud aft of the ground engaging tool in a direction of travel of the agricultural implement. The system may further include a sensor configured to detect a cloud characteristic of the field material cloud and a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor. The controller may be configured to monitor data received from the sensor and assess the agricultural operation being performed based at least in part on the cloud characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Christopher A. Foster, Trevor Stanhope, Christopher Barrick
  • Row unit with tracks
    Patent number: 11324161
    Abstract: A planting unit includes a seed meter for singulating and dispensing seed. Opening wheels or discs are included to create an opening in the field, such as a furrow. The unit includes one or more continuous tracks for supporting the row unit as it moves through the field. The tracks can be positioned on opposite sides. The tracks reduce compaction around the created furrow and provide better control of seed depth placement. One or more motors are included to operate the tracks to move the planting unit through a field for planting independent of a tow vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Dustan Hahn, Matthew J. Wilhelmi, Susanne Veatch, Rhett Schildroth, Robert Blackwell, Michael J. Myers
  • Tillage apparatuses and related methods
    Patent number: 11324153
    Abstract: An apparatus, which may be a tillage apparatus, has 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 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: HONEY BEE MANUFACTURING LTD.
    Inventors: Glenn Raymond Honey, Lee Glenn Harper, Scott Douglas Smith
  • Slurry applicator with independent opening and closing units
    Patent number: 11310956
    Abstract: A first biasing element is positioned between an opening unit and a first frame for urging the opening unit downward. A lateral pivot combines the first biasing element to the first frame to allow for lateral movement in a horizontal plane of the opening unit. A first resilient device is positioned between the closing unit and the first frame to allow for lateral movement about a vertical axis of the closing unit and to urge the closing unit back to a neutral position. A second resilient device is positioned between the closing unit and the first frame to allow for vertical movement about a horizontal axis and to urge the closing unit back to a neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: VTI, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Phil Reed
  • Dampening system for a manure injection system
    Patent number: 11304364
    Abstract: A swivel bar is operatively connected by a bracket assembly to a toolbar, such that the swivel bar pivots back and forth in the horizontal plane about a pivot. A resilient device is positioned inside the swivel bar where the pivot is combined to the bracket assembly and extends through the swivel bar. At least one agricultural implement and preferably two agricultural implements are connected to the swivel bar on opposite sides of the pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: VTI, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Phil Reed
  • Map based seed vacuum control
    Patent number: 11304361
    Abstract: A method including adjusting a changeable component of a seed planting machine when switching from a first variety of seed to a second variety of seed during planting, wherein the adjusting is based on a location of the planting machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: David J. Rylander
  • Remote adjustment of a row unit of an agricultural device
    Patent number: 11297753
    Abstract: Agricultural devices, row unit adjustment systems, and methods of adjusting a depth of a furrow. In some aspects, an agricultural device is adapted to plant seeds and includes a frame, a furrow opener coupled to the frame and adapted to cut a furrow including a depth, a sensor adapted to sense a characteristic associated with planting seeds and generate a signal associated with the sensed characteristic, and a processing unit receiving the signal associated with the sensed characteristic. The depth of the furrow is adjustable based on the signal associated with the sensed characteristic. Such characteristic may be a characteristic of the soil, a force applied to the agricultural device, or a position of a portion of the agricultural device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Courtney N. Achen, Marvin Bachman, Vaughan G. Stevenson
  • Seed meter assembly and metering member for small grains
    Patent number: 11297761
    Abstract: A seed meter assembly includes a motor, a seed reservoir, and a metering member having a seed side facing the seed reservoir and a non-seed side. The motor is configured to drive the metering member in a rotational direction moving from upstream towards downstream. The metering member includes a plurality of apertures for picking up seeds from the seed reservoir under the influence of a pressure differential. A cell diverges from an aperture of the plurality of apertures towards the seed side to define a surface recessed therefrom. The cell is configured to receive one of the seeds and is elongated between a first end defining a furthest extent of the cell in an upstream direction and a second end defining a furthest extent of the cell in a downstream direction. The aperture of the plurality of apertures is disposed closer to the second end than to the first end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Elijah B. Garner, Beth A. Wolfs, Jerry Samuelson
  • Seed level detection in a seed meter
    Patent number: 11297759
    Abstract: A vacuum seed meter includes a vacuum channel and a seed disc having seed cells defined as openings through a perimeter region of the seed disc, which rotates through the vacuum channel. The seed meter includes a sensor that addresses the seed cells in a way that enables prediction of imminent seed starvation of the seed meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Schoeny, Chad M. Johnson
  • Detecting plugging of ground-engaging tools of an agricultural implement from imagery of a field using a machine-learned classification model
    Patent number: 11301694
    Abstract: In one aspect, a computing system may be configured to perform operations including obtaining image data that depicts a portion of a field positioned aft of a ground-engaging tool of an agricultural implement relative to a direction of travel of the agricultural implement. The operations may also include inputting the image data into a machine-learned classification configured to receive imagery and process the imagery to output one or more visual appearance classifications for the imagery. Furthermore, the operations may include receiving a visual appearance classification of the image data as an output of the machine-learned classification model. Additionally, the operations may include determining when the ground-engaging tool is plugged based on the visual appearance classification of the image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Trevor Stanhope
  • Single particulate metering system with variable rate controls
    Patent number: 11291156
    Abstract: A particulate metering system includes an air flow origin and a plurality of particulate accelerators. A single particulate source is in communication with the particulate accelerators. Each of a plurality of operated conveyances can be in operable communication with the single particulate source and one of the particulate accelerators. The system includes a confluence of the air flow and the particulate within the mixing area of each of the particulate accelerators. Each of a plurality of discharges can be associated with the particulate accelerators. The operated conveyances can operate at different rates. The system can include one or more gearboxes adapted to be inverted and controlled by a second drive system. The system and controls provide variable application rates of particulate across rows in a field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Montag Investments, LLC
    Inventors: Roger A. Montag, Isaac Mogler, Jason Fehr