Patents by Inventor Elijah B. Garner

Elijah B. Garner has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • SEED METER SINGULATOR
    Publication number: 20190364718
    Abstract: A seed meter includes a meter housing having a first chamber for seeds and a second chamber. A seed disk is rotatably supported within the meter housing and has a first side and a second side. The first side is exposed to the first chamber and the second side is exposed to the second chamber. The seed disk includes a plurality of seed openings that extend between the first and second sides at a predetermined radial position. A singulator is positioned against the first side of the seed disk and has at least one structure for removing excess seeds from the seed openings as the seed meter disk rotates relative to the singulator. A radial position of the singulator is controlled at least in part by a hub portion of the seed meter. A biasing spring is positioned to exert an axially-oriented bias force pressing the singulator against the first side of the seed meter disk.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Elijah B. Garner, Beth A. Wolfs, Stanley R. Borkgren, Dnyanesh Dhobale
  • SEED METER AND METHOD OF MOUNTING THE SAME
    Publication number: 20190364721
    Abstract: A seed meter for metering a plurality of seeds includes a seed disk housing having a seed inlet, a seed outlet, and a chamber therebetween, a seed disk mounted within the chamber of the seed disk housing, a motor having an output shaft and a gear mounted thereon, the gear being engageable with the seed disk and operable to rotate the seed disk relative to the seed disk housing, a mount fixed relative to the motor, the mount having a non-planar engagement surface, and a hook attached to the seed disk housing, the hook having a non-planar engagement surface engageable with the engagement surface of the mount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Elijah B. Garner, Stanley R. Borkgren
  • METHODS AND DEVICES FOR LIMITING RAIN INGRESS
    Publication number: 20190364722
    Abstract: A seed receptacle includes a housing defining a seed chamber within, a seed inlet formed in the housing, a seed outlet formed in the housing, and an air inlet separate from the seed inlet and mounted to the housing. The air inlet includes a first end attached to the housing and defining a first aperture, a second end, opposite the first end and defining a second aperture, and a channel defining an airflow path between the first end and the second end. The air inlet has an elasticity and a weight such that the second end sags relative to the first end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Elijah B. Garner, Stanley R. Borkgren, Dnyanesh Dhobale, Beth A. Wolfs
  • SEAL FOR A SEED METERING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20190364719
    Abstract: A seed metering system for metering a plurality of seeds includes a meter housing having a front side and a rear side opposite and attached to the front side, a seed inlet defined within the front side of the meter housing, and a seed disk positioned within and rotatable relative to the meter housing. The seed disk has a first side in facing relation to the front side of the meter housing and a second side in facing relation to the rear side of the meter housing. The seed metering system further includes a seal in contact with the front side of the meter housing and the first side of the seed disk.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Elijah B. Garner, Beth A. Wolfs, Dnyanesh Dhobale
  • METERING MEMBER AND METHOD OF MOUNTING THE SAME
    Publication number: 20190364717
    Abstract: A seed metering system for metering a plurality of seeds includes a meter housing having a first side and a second side. A seed inlet is positioned at the first side and an aperture is positioned at the second side. The seed metering system further includes a hub mounted within the aperture, a retaining member located at the hub, and a metering member positioned on the hub. The metering member compressively engages the retaining member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Elijah B. Garner, Stanley R. Borkgren
  • TOOL-FREE COUPLING STRUCTURE IN AGRICULTURAL MACHINES
    Publication number: 20190364725
    Abstract: An agricultural vehicle includes a coupling structure for making a tool-less attachment between a first connector piece and a second connector piece. The first connector piece has at least one pin, and the second connector piece has at least one slot adapted to receive the pin in a receiving pocket that is circumferentially spaced from an axially-open inlet portion of the slot. The slot includes an inlet ramp between the slot inlet portion and the receiving pocket, and the inlet ramp is less steeply angled than a second ramp surface that forms a portion of the receiving pocket adjacent the first ramp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Elijah B. Garner, Dnyanesh Dhobale
  • SEED SENSOR
    Publication number: 20190364720
    Abstract: A seed sensor includes a housing. An internal seed channel defines a path for seeds to flow along a central axis through the seed sensor. A sensor unit is positioned alongside the internal seed channel within the housing. An inlet end of the seed sensor includes a tapered inlet section. The housing includes a mounting loop having a pair of oppositely angled surfaces for mounting the seed sensor in a pair of oppositely angled configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Elijah B. Garner, Stanley R. Borkgren, Beth A. Wolfs
  • SEED METER DISK
    Publication number: 20190364723
    Abstract: A seed meter disk includes a body defining a plane of rotation. A circumferential array of seed openings are provided for seed adherence. A circumferential array of seed agitator pockets are formed as depressions in the first side of the body, each one of the array of seed agitator pockets having a radially inner end, a radially outer end, and a trailing edge extending from the radially inner end to the radially outer end. At least a portion of the trailing edge of one or more of the seed agitator pockets is backswept so that a circumferential-direction offset from a radial reference line rotationally ahead of the trailing edge, with respect to rotation of the seed meter disk in an operational direction, increases toward the radially outer end. The backswept portion is non-linear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Elijah B. Garner, Beth A. Wolfs
  • Seeding system
    Patent number: 10492359
    Abstract: A product distribution system includes a product on demand pick-up assembly including a hopper. The hopper is configured such that an air stream flowing into the pick-up assembly entrains product therein and conveys product downstream through a plurality of conduits. The product distribution system further includes a container for storing product prior to delivery of product to the pick-up assembly and a meter and conveyor assembly configured to move product from the container to the pick-up assembly hopper such that an amount of product greater than a predetermined quantity is maintained in the pick-up assembly hopper during operation of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Stanley R. Borkgren, William D. Graham, Terry L. Snipes, Elijah B. Garner, Robert T. Casper, Scott C. McCartney, Michael E. Frasier
  • PLANTING UNIT FOR A SEEDING MACHINE HAVING A SEED METER AND SEED DELIVERY SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20190254224
    Abstract: A planting unit for a seeding machine having a frame member and a seed meter mounted thereto. The seed meter has a housing and a metering member rotatably mounted therein. The metering member has a sidewall with an inner surface and an outer surface with a rim portion of the sidewall adjacent an outer edge of the sidewall. The inner surface of the side wall and the housing form a trough at a bottom portion of the metering member to hold a seed pool. A mechanical seed delivery system takes seed from the metering member and moves seed to a discharge location adjacent a seed furrow formed in soil beneath the seeding machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventors: Elijah B. Garner, Lee E. Zumdome, Nathan A. Mariman, Michael E. Friestad
  • Soil characteristic sensors on ground-engaging elements of a planting machine
    Patent number: 10375879
    Abstract: A soil characteristic sensor is mounted on a soil engaging element of a planting machine. It can be mounted, for instance, on an element that engages the soil before a trench is opened, or after a trench is opened, but before it is closed. It can be mounted on an element that engages the soil in a region of the soil trench, but after the trench is closed. It can be mounted on a scraping element that scrapes a disc, and it can be mounted on wedges or other items that run through the soil, and are carried by shanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Elijah B. Garner, Nikolai Tevs, Michael L. Rhodes, Jeffrey S. Puhalla
  • ROW UNIT FOR A SEEDING MACHINE WITH PNEUMATIC SEED LOADING
    Publication number: 20190239425
    Abstract: A row unit for a seeding machine includes a seed reservoir and a seed meter having a metering member with a seed side facing the seed reservoir, a non-seed side opposite the seed side, and a plurality of apertures. The seed meter is operable by pressure differential between the non-seed side and the seed side to adhere seeds to the seed side and move seeds from the seed reservoir. A conduit has a venturi with a throat disposed adjacent the metering member. The throat presents an opening directed toward the seed side and the plurality of apertures. The opening is configured to receive a seed adhered to one aperture of the plurality of apertures. An air pressure source is configured to provide greater than atmospheric air pressure on the non-seed side such that during operation of the row unit an air stream passes through the one aperture toward the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Elijah B. Garner, Stanley R. Borkgren, Cary S. Hubner, Beth A. Wolfs, Michael E. Frasier, Joseph W. Migliorini
  • ROW UNIT FOR A SEEDING MACHINE WITH PNEUMATIC SEED LOADING
    Publication number: 20190239426
    Abstract: A row unit for a seeding machine includes a seed reservoir and a seed meter having a metering member configured to rotate about an axis. The metering member has a seed side facing the seed reservoir, a non-seed side opposite the seed side, and a plurality of apertures. The axis is normal to a surface of the seed side. The seed meter is operable by pressure differential between the non-seed side and the seed side to adhere seeds to the seed side and move seeds from the seed reservoir. The row unit also includes a positive pressure air source and an air outlet fluidly coupled to the positive pressure air source. The air outlet is disposed on the seed side and aimed to discharge an air stream towards one aperture of the plurality of apertures. The dischargeable air stream has a directional component parallel to the axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Elijah B. Garner, Stanley R. Borkgren, Cary S. Hubner, Beth A. Wolfs, Michael E. Frasier, Joseph W. Migliorini
  • System and method for measuring a bin level via an electromagnetic signal
    Patent number: 10371558
    Abstract: A data processor retrieves or accesses a reference bin level versus reference phase for a determined seed type. A measurement device, receiver, or phase measurement module measures an observed phase of a primary received signal. The data processor is adapted to determine an estimated bin level of seeds, where the estimated bin level is established as the reference bin level that corresponds to a respective reference phase that is closest in value to the observed phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Nikolai R. Tevs, Terry L. Snipes, Elijah B. Garner
  • METHOD OF MANAGING PLANTER ROW UNIT DOWNFORCE
    Publication number: 20190124824
    Abstract: A row unit for a seeding machine includes a depth sensor coupled to the frame. The depth sensor is configured to generate signals corresponding to a depth of a furrow. The row unit also includes a controller configured to receive the signals, and a downforce adjustment mechanism coupled to the frame and to the controller. The controller is configured to activate the downforce adjustment mechanism to adjust a downforce on the frame based on the signals received by the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Cary S. Hubner, Grant J. Wonderlich, Elijah B. Garner
  • ACTUATED SEED DEPTH SETTING FOR A PLANTER ROW UNIT
    Publication number: 20190110392
    Abstract: An agricultural planter row unit has a gauge wheel supported by a gauge wheel arm, to control planting depth. An actuator drives movement of a mechanical stop that bears against a gauge wheel support arm to position the gauge wheel support arm to obtain a desired planting depth. A seed depth control system generates a force estimate indicative of a force to make a planting depth adjustment. The control system automatically controls actuation of the seed depth actuator to exert the estimated force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: Valentin Stefan Gresch, Cary S. Hubner, Elijah B. Garner, Christian Waibel
  • Row planter unit with sensor-mounted furrow shaper
    Patent number: 10257973
    Abstract: A planter row unit comprises a frame, a furrow opener mounted to the frame to open a furrow, a seed delivery mechanism mounted to the frame to deposit seed into the furrow, a furrow shaper, and a sensor configured to detect a parameter related to seed planting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Cary S. Hubner, Elijah B. Garner, Kamalakannan Natarajan
  • COMMODITY METERING SYSTEM WITH SPEED COMPENSATION BASED ON MACHINE TILT AND METHODS FOR OPERATING THE SAME
    Publication number: 20190082585
    Abstract: A method of operating a volumetric metering system for a work vehicle includes detecting, with a sensor as the work vehicle moves, a tilt condition of the volumetric metering system relative to a reference horizontal plane. The method also includes generating, by a processor, a control command for a metering element based, at least partly, on the detected tilt condition. Furthermore, the method includes varying an actuation speed of the metering element according to the control command. A system for this method is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Inventors: Keith L. Felton, Elijah B. Garner, Stanley R. Borkgren
  • COMMODITY METERING SYSTEM FOR WORK VEHICLE AND CALIBRATION METHOD FOR SAME
    Publication number: 20190082583
    Abstract: A method includes performing a plurality of calibration routines in which a metering element operates at different speeds. The method also includes receiving a respective plurality of measurements of commodity amounts metered out during the calibration routines. The method further includes generating a calibration factor for operating the metering element based on data generated from the measurements taken from the calibration routines. Also, the method includes generating a control command for the metering element according to the calibration factor. The method additionally includes operating, by the control system, the metering element according to the control command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Inventors: Elijah B. Garner, Jonathan T. Miller, Stanley R. Borkgren
  • Planting unit for a seeding machine having a seed meter and seed delivery system
    Patent number: 10206326
    Abstract: A planting unit for a seeding machine having a frame member and a seed meter mounted thereto. The seed meter has a housing and a metering member rotatably mounted therein. The metering member has a sidewall with an inner surface and an outer surface with a rim portion of the sidewall adjacent an outer edge of the sidewall. The inner surface of the side wall and the housing form a trough at a bottom portion of the metering member to hold a seed pool. A mechanical seed delivery system takes seed from the metering member and moves seed to a discharge location adjacent a seed furrow formed in soil beneath the seeding machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Elijah B. Garner, Lee E. Zumdome, Nathan A. Mariman, Michael E. Friestad