Patents Examined by Cody J Lieuwen
  • Patent number: 11963476
    Abstract: A sectional control funnel box (36) includes a box body having an upper receiving member (44) for receiving particulate matter, a lower manifold (46) configured to be mounted on a distribution plate (24), and a funnel mechanism (42) disposed between the upper receiving member and the lower manifold. The lower manifold includes a plurality of chutes (100) configured to direct the particulate matter to apertures (38) in the distribution plate. The funnel mechanism includes supply sections (54, 76) that include directing slots (56, 90) configured to provide the particulate matter from the upper receiving member to the chutes. An actuator (48) is attached to the funnel mechanism (42) and configured to drive the funnel mechanism between at least a first position, where a first one of the plurality of supply sections is aligned with the upper receiving member (44), and a second position, where a second one of the plurality of supply sections is aligned with the upper receiving member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Intelligent Agricultural Solutions LLC
    Inventor: Wyatt Dick
  • Patent number: 11963474
    Abstract: A spreader device includes a container to contain spread substance, a first spreader portion having a first rotor to spray the spread substance contained in the container, a second spreader portion having a second rotor to spray the spread substance contained in the container, a first driver source to drive the first rotor, a first shaft to transmit a driving force outputted from the first driver source, a second shaft to transmit a driving force outputted from a second driver source different from the first driver source, and a selection transmitter portion to selectively transmit the driving force form the first shaft and the driving force from the second shaft to the first rotor or the second rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sumio Yagyu, Takao Nakagawa, Masaru Kawane, Piet Jan Van Der Marel
  • Patent number: 11964289
    Abstract: A fire exposure protection sprinkler assembly includes a fluid supply line configured to provide fire exposure protection fluid and a fire exposure protection sprinkler. The fire exposure protection sprinkler includes a body coupled to the fluid supply line and configured to receive the fire exposure protection fluid, a sealing assembly configured to unseal in response to a fire such that fire exposure protection fluid may flow, a housing having a pair of legs arranged opposite the housing of each other and having an aperture, and a deflection assembly having a pair of guide pins coupled to a deflector and the housing and disposed within each of the apertures of the legs, wherein the deflection assembly is configured to extend from the housing, wherein the deflection assembly is configured to receive the flow of the fire exposure protection fluid while extending from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Tyco Fire Products LP
    Inventors: Robert Hackett, Sean E. Cutting, Narayana Rayapati
  • Patent number: 11951498
    Abstract: A spray gun system includes a spray gun, a pressure sensor, and a controller. The spray gun is configured to distribute a mixture of air and fluid onto a working surface. The pressure sensor is fluidly connected to the spray gun and is configured to measure fluid pressure within the spray gun system. The controller is electrically connected to the pressure sensor and is configured to calculate pressure error based on the measured pressure and a pressure set-point. The controller is further configured to increment a counter if the pressure error exceeds an error threshold, perform a flow control to adjust the pressure set-point to achieve a target flow rate in response to determining that the increment counter exceeds a count threshold, and perform a pressure control loop to adjust the fluid pressure within the spray gun system to achieve the pressure set-point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventor: Peter N Dufault
  • Patent number: 11951504
    Abstract: An electric blower is configured to blow air. The blower includes a body configured such that a sprayer attachment is attachable thereto. The body is configured to be carried integrally with the sprayer attachment with the sprayer attachment attached to the body. The sprayer attachment includes a container, a nozzle and a liquid supply passage. The container is configured to store a liquid. The nozzle has a discharge opening. The liquid supply passage is connected to the container and the nozzle to lead the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Fumitoshi Numata
  • Patent number: 11951499
    Abstract: A sprayer support including a housing for a high-voltage unit or plug, a guiding member for at least one coating product hose, a retention member for air hoses, a first fastening member for fastening to a robot, and a second fastening member for fastening to a sprayer. The housing, the guiding member, the retention member, the first fastening member, and the second fastening member are formed from a single part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: EXEL INDUSTRIES
    Inventors: Denis Vanzetto, Sylvain Perinet
  • Patent number: 11951509
    Abstract: An applicator head for a vacuum coating system includes a manifold shell having opposing shell plates, each including a conduit attachment coupled to a shell aperture. An applicator manifold is affixed to each shell plate. Each applicator manifold includes two coupled manifold plates, with one including a manifold aperture, and each is affixed to the respective shell plate so that each manifold aperture aligns with the respective shell aperture. An applicator channel is formed between the manifold plates of each applicator manifold, and the applicator channel is fluidically coupled to the manifold aperture of each respective applicator manifold. Each applicator channel forms an applicator port at a leading edge of each respective applicator manifold, and each leading edge is configured to be complementary in shape to an edge of a workpiece to be coated. First and second face plates are disposed over the leading edges of the applicator manifolds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: AWI Licensing LLC
    Inventors: Sebastien G. Nalin, Scott L. Huntzinger, John J. Hartman, Jr., Lida Lu, Eric D. Kragness
  • Patent number: 11951340
    Abstract: A system and method for extinguishing wildfires with the assistance of soundwaves at a distance is provided. The system generally comprises a camera, output device, waveguide, processor, power supply, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that instruct the processor to perform operations of the system. In one preferred embodiment, a database may be operably connected to the processor and store any data associated with a combustion reaction therein. In some preferred embodiments, the system may comprise a computing device having a user interface, which may present, to a user, data that may inform the user about a particular combustion reaction and/or allow the user to control the system remotely. The system and method are designed to safely stop wildfires without a resource that must be spent and subsequently replenished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Inventor: John T Wade
  • Patent number: 11938356
    Abstract: Wildfires release enormous quantities of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in addition to devastating animal habitats, destroying homes, and causing fatalities. Drones equipped with artificial intelligence to navigate through wooded locations, fire-detection hardware, and firefighting hardware can protect the environment by preventing wildfires. Methods can use a drone system that includes one or more drones to prevent wildfires. Each drone can include an infrared camera configured to detect fires. Each drone can fly in view of areas that might have a fire. After detecting a fire, the drone system can put out the fire if the fire is small. The drone system can also notify systems and people who can put out the fire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Inventor: Owen Charles Wengreen
  • Patent number: 11931765
    Abstract: A spray gun adapter establishes fluid communication between a fluid pump of a handheld airless spray gun and an applicator accessory. The adapter comprises an adapter body, a head attached to the adapter body, and a protrusion. The adapter body comprises an upper portion, a lower portion, a radial inlet located in a sidewall of the adapter body between the upper and lower portions, and an adapter bore having a first diameter in fluid communication with the radial inlet. The head comprises a cavity in fluid communication with the adapter bore and having a second diameter larger than the first diameter, an adapter outlet located in the upper portion of the adapter body and in fluid communication with the cavity, and a handle extending radially from the head. The protrusion extends radially from the adapter body between the upper and lower portions of the adapter body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Diane L. Olson, Steven Dale Becker
  • Patent number: 11931610
    Abstract: Wildfires can quickly grow to enormous scales with devastating environmental impacts. Drone systems that provide early detection of wildfire risks can prevent wildfires before they grow out of control. Methods can use drones equipped with artificial intelligence to navigate through wooded locations and detect fire risks. Drones can include fire-detection hardware and fire-fighting hardware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Inventor: Owen Charles Wengreen
  • Patent number: 11903377
    Abstract: A boom for an agricultural machine includes at least two boom sections and a breakaway system. The first boom section connects to a vehicle and supports fluid delivery components. The second boom section connects to the first boom section in an extended position aligned with the first boom section. The breakaway system is coupled between the first boom section and the second boom section. The breakaway system moves the second boom section with respect to the first boom an initial amount in response to an external force exceeding an initial resistance of the breakaway system, and moves the first boom beyond the initial amount in response to the external force exceeding a second resistance of the breakaway system, wherein the initial resistance is greater than the second resistance. The breakaway system is further configured to return the second boom to the extended position upon removal of the external force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Exel Industries
    Inventor: Greg Long
  • Patent number: 11891174
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing repair operations using an unmanned aerial vehicle. The methods are enabled by equipping the UAV with tools for rapidly repairing a large structure or object (e.g., an aircraft or a wind turbine blade) that is not easily accessible to maintenance personnel. In accordance with various embodiments disclosed below, the unmanned aerial vehicle may be equipped with an easily attachable/removable module that includes an additive repair tool. The additive repair tool is configured to add material to a body of material. For example, the additive repair tool may be configured to apply a sealant or other coating material in liquid form to a damage site on a surface of a structure or object (e.g., by spraying liquid or launching liquid-filled capsules onto the surface). In alternative embodiments, the additive repair tool is configured to adhere a tape to the damage site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Gary E. Georgeson, Samuel R. Goertz
  • Patent number: 11872572
    Abstract: A device to move and control a water shooter is described. The device may contain features that allow the device to travel along the surface of a reservoir with a water shooter attached. The device may be free from a physical connection to the bottom or the sides of the reservoir so that unique water effects may be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: WET
    Inventors: Mark W. Fuller, James W. Doyle
  • Patent number: 11872582
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrostatic atomizer for liquids, in particular, cosmetics, the atomizer comprising a housing, an electrical energy source, an activation mechanism, control electronics, a high-voltage source, a liquid tank, a delivery device and atomizer nozzles. The delivery device is arranged here between the liquid tank and the atomizer nozzles, the delivery device being connected to the liquid tank by a first line and the delivery device being connected to the atomizer nozzles by a second line, so that the delivery device sucks liquid out of the liquid tank and delivers it to the atomizer nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: J. Wagner GmbH
    Inventors: Jan Barthelmes, Alfred Göhring, Thomas Jeltsch, Holger Stohl
  • Patent number: 11850459
    Abstract: Various aspects of the invention are directed to a triggering device for a quickly triggering extinguishing system for explosion suppression. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the triggering device may include a pawl body having a pawl flank, a catch, at least one electromagnet to transmit an electromagnetic field, and a sliding pin. The sliding pin triggers an extinguishing system for explosion suppression by movement from a blocking position into a release position. In the blocking position, the sliding pin is pushed against the pawl flank of the pawl body by means of the catch and is held in the blocking position by said pawl flank. The pawl body releases the engagement of the catch and the pawl flank, and thereby releases the sliding pin, in response to the at least one electromagnet exerting the electromagnetic field on the pawl body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: HOERBIGER WIEN GMBH
    Inventors: Bernhard Spiegl, Christian Kernbichler, Matthias Kornfeld, Thomas Schragl
  • Patent number: 11850609
    Abstract: A spray head has an inlet in fluid communication with a plurality of nozzles. The nozzles are adapted to produce, in use, a jet of fluid which is directed toward a respective impingement surface portion. The jet of fluid impacts on the respective impingement surface portion and breaks into a stream of droplets. The stream of droplets has an elongate transverse cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: METHVEN LIMITED
    Inventor: Stephen McLay McCutcheon
  • Patent number: 11845226
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing nozzles includes a header (41) extending in a width direction of the chamber and which is configured to be supplied with inert gas from the outside, and a nozzle body (43) connecting with the header (41) in the width direction and is configured to horizontally blow out the inert gas, which is supplied from the header, to a molding area. The nozzle body has a honeycomb part (52) which defines an inside of the nozzle body into flow channels through which the inert gas flows, a blowout part (55) disposed downstream of the honeycomb part and which is connected with the honeycomb part in the width direction. The inert gas passed through the plurality of flow channels is led from the honeycomb part to the blowout part, and a porous part (54), which has openings, is disposed between the honeycomb part and the blowout part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Kei Higashi, Kazuhiro Yoshida, Yoshinao Komatsu, Takanao Komaki
  • Patent number: 11839891
    Abstract: An aerosol delivery system has an aerosol generator with a vibrating aperture plate (10) and an actuator (11, 16, 17, 19), a controller (18, 19). The controller in real time monitors (201) the aerosol generator as it is driven for vibration of the aperture plate, and detects (202) a change in an electrical characteristic in response to a transition from a wet state to a dry state of the aperture plate. It automatically modifies (203, 205, 206), during the transition, operation of the aerosol generator in response to the detected change. The modification includes reducing applied power (203). The controller continues (204) to monitor during the transition, including monitoring the aperture plate for presence of residual liquid on the aperture plate first surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Stamford Devices Limited
    Inventors: Joseph Grehan, Noel Coyle, Russell Greaney, Stephen Thornton
  • Patent number: 11825834
    Abstract: A variable width agricultural applicator is provided. The variable width agricultural applicator is attachable to a boom to apply a liquid to a crop in rows. The variable width agricultural sprayer includes a drop tube and a splitter downstream of the drop tube. The splitter is fluidly connected to the drop tube. A pair of flexible delivery tubes is fluidly connected to the splitter. Each one of the pair of flexible delivery tubes has a predetermined bend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: WGF LLC
    Inventors: Jeffery W. Heinsohn, Andrew James Blackmer