Patents by Inventor Graham Douglas Stuart

Graham Douglas Stuart 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).

  • Publication number: 20200245534
    Abstract: A particulate material sensing and agitation control system of an agricultural system having a drive system configured to operate an agitating system, and a controller having a memory and a processor. The controller is configured to receive at least one sensor signal indicative of a profile of a particulate material within the agricultural system, and output a control signal to instruct the drive system to operate the agitating system in a selected operating mode of a plurality of operating modes based on the profile of the particulate material. The agitating system is configured to interact with the particulate material in each operating mode of the plurality of operating modes, and the plurality of operating modes includes an agitation mode and a leveling mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Jesse Blair Pidwerbesky, Graham Douglas Stuart, Nicholas George Alfred Ryder, Paul David Minto
  • Publication number: 20200245541
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include an agitating system of an agricultural system having a drive system configured to operate an agitator and a controller comprising a memory and a processor. The controller is configured to alternatingly instruct the drive system to operate the agitator in an active operation for an active time and instruct the drive system to suspend operation of the agitator for a dwell time after the active time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Graham Douglas Stuart, Nicholas George Alfred Ryder
  • Publication number: 20200246769
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an agitating system having a sub-hopper configured to receive particulate material, an agitator disposed within the sub-hopper and configured to promote movement of the particulate material through the sub-hopper, and a deflector configured to block a portion of the particulate material from exerting a force onto the agitator as the particulate material flows through the sub-hopper. The deflector is positioned such that the agitator extends beyond a first distal edge and a second distal edge of the deflector along a lateral axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Jesse Blair Pidwerbesky, Graham Douglas Stuart, Paul David Minto, Jared Steven Wright
  • Publication number: 20200245542
    Abstract: The controller that receives at least one sensor signal indicative of a measured profile of a particulate material within a storage tank of an agricultural system. The controller also determines whether a variation between the measured profile and a target profile is greater than a threshold value. The controller outputs a first output signal to a user interface indicative of instructions to inform an operator of a profile variation, outputs a second output signal to an agitator indicative of activation of the agitator, or a combination thereof, in response to determining that the variation between the measured profile and the target profile is greater than the threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventor: Graham Douglas Stuart
  • Publication number: 20200245539
    Abstract: A particulate material sensing and agitation control system of an agricultural system includes a drive system configured to operate an agitating system, a plurality of sensors, in which each sensor of the plurality of sensors may detect presence of particulate material at the sensor, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine a functional status of each sensor of the plurality of sensors, and, in response to determining the functional status of a respective sensor of the plurality of sensor is functioning, determine a detection status of the respective sensor. The controller is further configured to output a control signal to instruct the drive system to operate the agitating system in a selected operating mode of a plurality of operating modes based on a position within the agricultural system, the functional status, and the detection status of each sensor of the plurality of sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Graham Douglas Stuart, Gregory Jacob Erker
  • Patent number: 10662003
    Abstract: An exhaust system of an agricultural product container includes a first media screen configured to be coupled to the agricultural product container. The first media screen includes a first plurality of apertures. The first media screen is configured to block a granular product from entering the exhaust system and enabling an air flow into the exhaust system. The exhaust system includes a diffuser having a first diffuser aperture configured to diffuse the air flow in a downward direction. The exhaust system further includes a passage fluidly coupled between the first media screen and the diffuser. The passage is configured to selectively guide the air flow from the first media screen toward the diffuser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Robin Bruno Schilling, Graham Douglas Stuart, Martin J. Roberge
  • Publication number: 20190307053
    Abstract: A depth adjustment assembly for seed planting unit of an agricultural implement may include a cam member rotatable to adjust a vertical position of a wheel of the unit relative to a ground engaging tool of the unit. The cam member may include a first engagement element. The depth adjustment assembly may also include a locking member having a second engagement element and a biasing member configured to bias the cam and locking members together to engage the first and second engagement elements and maintain a rotational position of the cam member relative to the locking member. When the first and second engagement elements are disengaged, the cam member is rotatable relative to the locking member to vary the penetration depth setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Inventors: GRAHAM DOUGLAS STUART, TREVOR L. KOWALCHUK, NICHOLAS GEORGE ALFRED RYDER
  • Patent number: 10407256
    Abstract: An air system for supplying product to the product tank of an agricultural implement has an air supply and at least one elongated conduit for delivering air entrained product to the tank. There is at least one outlet in the tank formed as a hollow elbow having a generally downwardly directed outlet, a generally upwardly directed outlet and a transverse inlet coupled to the conduit. The elbow includes an upper generally cylindrical region comprising a cyclone chamber for swirling the incoming air entrained product directing at least a portion of the air flow upwardly toward the upwardly directed outlet while allowing the product to fall in a generally helical pattern through a generally frusto-conical region, whereby material migrates downwardly and air upwardly releasing the material to fall in a gentle spiral and air to exit from the upper region of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Martin J. Roberge, Graham Douglas Stuart
  • Patent number: 10390480
    Abstract: An air cart system includes a container assembly mounted on wheels and including a primary product container and an air distribution network including a product conduit that delivers a first agricultural product and a second agricultural product to an agricultural implement. The air cart system includes a first metering device to meter the first agricultural product from the primary product container to the product conduit. A fill hopper mounts on a side of the container assembly, and a secondary product container mounts beneath a portion of the primary product container. The secondary product container receives the second agricultural product from the fill hopper, which receives the second agricultural product at an opening and conveys the second agricultural product to the secondary product container. The air cart system includes a second metering device to meter the second agricultural product from the secondary product container to the product conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Dennis George Thompson, Martin J. Roberge, Graham Douglas Stuart, Cory Adrian Yuen, Robin Bruno Schilling, Darwin L. Zacharias
  • Patent number: 10380811
    Abstract: An equipment notification system for a component of an agricultural vehicle, including a processor configured to receive a first signal indicative of an operational parameter of the agricultural vehicle, determine an absence of the operational parameter based at least in part on the first signal, compare a period of time of the absence of the operational parameter to a threshold period of time associated with the operational parameter, and output, in response to determining that the period of time of the absence of the operational parameter exceeds the threshold period of time, a second signal indicative of an instruction to provide a notification regarding a position of the component of the agricultural vehicle via a user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Graham Douglas Stuart, Dennis William Chahley
  • Publication number: 20190063653
    Abstract: A hose receiver includes a housing having a longitudinal conduit and a radial aperture extending through the longitudinal conduit. The longitudinal conduit is configured to receive a hose, and the radial aperture is positioned to align with the hose while the hose is disposed within the longitudinal conduit. The hose receiver also includes a retention system having a retaining feature. The retaining feature is movably coupled to the longitudinal conduit and configured to move within the radial aperture, the retaining feature is configured to engage the hose in response to a radially inward force applied to the retaining feature, and the retaining feature is configured to block movement of the hose relative to the housing while engaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventor: Graham Douglas Stuart
  • Patent number: 10058022
    Abstract: A flow control assembly for an agricultural metering system includes a first gate control shaft configured to drive a first gate of a seed meter to transition between an open position and a closed position. The flow control assembly also includes a handle configured to drive the first gate control shaft to rotate via rotation of the handle between a first position that corresponds to the open position of the first gate and a second position that corresponds to the closed position of the first gate. In addition, the flow control assembly includes a locking assembly configured to secure the handle to the first gate control shaft at least while the handle is in the first position, and to enable the handle to be released from the first gate control shaft at least while the handle is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Darwin Lloyd Zacharias, Graham Douglas Stuart
  • Publication number: 20180208413
    Abstract: An air system for supplying product to the product tank of an agricultural implement has an air supply and at least one elongated conduit for delivering air entrained product to the tank. There is at least one outlet in the tank formed as a hollow elbow having a generally downwardly directed outlet, a generally upwardly directed outlet and a transverse inlet coupled to the conduit. The elbow includes an upper generally cylindrical region comprising a cyclone chamber for swirling the incoming air entrained product directing at least a portion of the air flow upwardly toward the upwardly directed outlet while allowing the product to fall in a generally helical pattern through a generally frusto-conical region, whereby material migrates downwardly and air upwardly releasing the material to fall in a gentle spiral and air to exit from the upper region of the tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Applicant: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Martin J. Roberge, Graham Douglas Stuart
  • Patent number: 9994402
    Abstract: A system for replenishing the supply of a particulate agricultural product in the tank of an air cart. A mixture of air and product comes out of a venturi delivery system and enters in a multiplicity of inlet hoses. Then the product enters into inlet tubes of various lengths and release angles from which product particles are gently spread strategically forming a pile that is more or less horizontal to ensure even feeding of meters during dispensing operations. Then the air exits through one or more fine screens to avoid product escaping as well and is conveyed through the exhaust hoses until reaching an air diffuser. The air diffuser has a series of varying size holes or louvers at the bottom so the air can come out at a uniform low velocity which minimizes any discomfort to nearby operators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Martin J. Roberge, Graham Douglas Stuart
  • Patent number: 9975710
    Abstract: A system for replenishing the supply of a particulate agricultural product in the tank of an air cart. A mixture of air and product comes out of a venturi delivery system and enters in a multiplicity of inlet hoses. Then the product enters into inlet tubes of various lengths and release angles from which product particles are gently spread strategically forming a pile that is more or less horizontal to ensure even feeding of meters during dispensing operations. Then the air exits through one or more fine screens to avoid product escaping as well and is conveyed through the exhaust hoses until reaching an air diffuser. The air diffuser has a series of varying size holes or louvers at the bottom so the air can come out at a uniform low velocity which minimizes any discomfort to nearby operators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Martin J. Roberge, Graham Douglas Stuart
  • Publication number: 20180118474
    Abstract: An exhaust system of an agricultural product container includes a first media screen configured to be coupled to the agricultural product container. The first media screen includes a first plurality of apertures. The first media screen is configured to block a granular product from entering the exhaust system and enabling an air flow into the exhaust system. The exhaust system includes a diffuser having a first diffuser aperture configured to diffuse the air flow in a downward direction. The exhaust system further includes a passage fluidly coupled between the first media screen and the diffuser. The passage is configured to selectively guide the air flow from the first media screen toward the diffuser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Robin Bruno Schilling, Graham Douglas Stuart, Martin J. Roberge
  • Patent number: 9956899
    Abstract: An air cart for distributing air entrained particulate material from a chamber or tank to a plurality of distribution lines for application to an agricultural field has a tank refilling feature utilizing air flow from the cart distribution system or from a dedicated pneumatic source. The cart conveying system air flow is diverted and passed through an assembly containing multiple venturis which also receives particulate material from a supply source. The air entrained material from the source is conveyed to and gently deposited in the cart tank. Exhaust air from the tank may be directed back into the cart conveying system or vented through an air diffuser located beneath the cart. Exhaust air which is directed back to the cart conveying system may return to a location closely adjacent that from which it was originally diverted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Martin J. Roberge, Graham Douglas Stuart, Ka Po Catherine Hui
  • Patent number: 9950876
    Abstract: An air system for supplying product to the product tank of an agricultural implement has an air supply and at least one elongated conduit for delivering air entrained product to the tank. There is at least one outlet in the tank formed as a hollow elbow having a generally downwardly directed outlet, a generally upwardly directed outlet and a transverse inlet coupled to the conduit. The elbow includes an upper generally cylindrical region comprising a cyclone chamber for swirling the incoming air entrained product directing at least a portion of the air flow upwardly toward the upwardly directed outlet while allowing the product to fall in a generally helical pattern through a generally frusto-conical region, whereby material migrates downwardly and air upwardly releasing the material to fall in a gentle spiral and air to exit from the upper region of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Martin J. Roberge, Graham Douglas Stuart
  • Publication number: 20180103577
    Abstract: An air cart system includes a container assembly mounted on wheels and including a primary product container and an air distribution network including a product conduit that delivers a first agricultural product and a second agricultural product to an agricultural implement. The air cart system includes a first metering device to meter the first agricultural product from the primary product container to the product conduit. A fill hopper mounts on a side of the container assembly, and a secondary product container mounts beneath a portion of the primary product container. The secondary product container receives the second agricultural product from the fill hopper, which receives the second agricultural product at an opening and conveys the second agricultural product to the secondary product container. The air cart system includes a second metering device to meter the second agricultural product from the secondary product container to the product conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: Dennis George Thompson, Martin J. Roberge, Graham Douglas Stuart, Cory Adrian Yuen, Robin Bruno Schilling, Darwin L. Zacharias
  • Patent number: 9919636
    Abstract: An air cart for distributing air entrained particulate material from a chamber or tank to a plurality of distribution lines for application to an agricultural field has a tank refilling feature utilizing air flow from the cart distribution system or from a dedicated pneumatic source. The cart conveying system air flow is diverted and passed through an assembly containing multiple venturis which also receives particulate material from a supply source. The air entrained material from the source is conveyed to and gently deposited in the cart tank. Exhaust air from the tank may be directed back into the cart conveying system or vented through an air diffuser located beneath the cart. Exhaust air which is directed back to the cart conveying system may return to a location closely adjacent that from which it was originally diverted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Martin J. Roberge, Graham Douglas Stuart, Ka Po Catherine Hui