Patents by Inventor Grant J. Wonderlich

Grant J. Wonderlich 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).

  • Patent number: 11219154
    Abstract: A row unit for a seeding machine operable to plant seeds into soil. A frame supports a furrow opener, a gauge wheel, a seed dispenser, and a furrow closer. A row unit downforce actuator is operable to push the row unit frame toward the soil to adjustably control soil engagement forces for the furrow opener, the gauge wheel, and the furrow closer. An acceleration sensor is configured to detect accelerations of the row unit. A controller is in communication with the acceleration sensor and the row unit downforce actuator, and the controller is programmed with an algorithm to maintain a target downforce value during operation of the row unit. The controller is further programmed to abandon the target downforce value and relieve the row unit downforce actuator in response to a signal from the acceleration sensor indicative of acceleration of the row unit in excess of a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Grant J. Wonderlich, James R. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20210378165
    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: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: Cary S. HUBNER, Elijah B. GARNER, Grant J. WONDERLICH
  • Patent number: 11154891
    Abstract: An accumulator is added in-line with a valve on an agricultural machine and downstream of the valve. The valve is controlled to apply liquid material to a field over which the machine is traveling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Grant J. Wonderlich, Kenneth Herrmann
  • Publication number: 20210307229
    Abstract: A control system for controlling an implement that is movable between a work mode and a transport mode. The control system includes a source of hydraulic fluid, a first actuator and a second actuator. The first and second actuators are fluidly coupled to the source and disposed parallel to one another. A sensor detects movement of the first and second actuators between their retracted and fully extended positions, and a control valve is disposed in communication with the sensor and in fluid communication with the first and second actuators. As the implement moves to its transport mode, the sensor detects movement of the first and second actuators towards their fully extended positions. The control valve inhibits movement of the first and second actuators before either actuator reaches its fully extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Colter W. Kinney, Randall A. Maro, Grant J. Wonderlich, Nathan A. Mariman
  • Publication number: 20210289687
    Abstract: A seeding machine (32,100) includes a seeding mechanism (34,130,150) driven by a seeding motor (194,196). A motor command signal is compensated for accelerations based on a wheel based speed of a towing vehicle (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: Martin Heinold, Jason D. Walter, Christian Waibel, Ricardo Zamudio, II, Grant J. Wonderlich, Jacob W. Stohl, Michael C. Steele
  • Patent number: 11122731
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Cary S. Hubner, Grant J. Wonderlich, Elijah B. Garner
  • Publication number: 20210204466
    Abstract: A row unit for a work vehicle includes a row unit frame with a closer frame. The closer frame defines a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis. The closer frame is supported for rotational movement about a substantially vertical steering axis to vary a turning angle between the longitudinal axis the vehicle longitudinal axis. The row unit includes a closer implement assembly with first and second closer implements and a walking beam construction. The first and second closer implements are attached to opposite areas of the walking beam construction. The walking beam construction is rotationally attached to the closer frame to support rotation of the closer implement assembly about the transverse axis. The first and second closer implements are configured to move ground material into a ground opening from opposites sides as the work vehicle moves across the field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventors: Mark E. Barker, Cole L. Murray, Grant J. Wonderlich, Michael E. Frasier, Nathan A. Mariman
  • Publication number: 20210127562
    Abstract: An agricultural machine includes a seeding system having a seed meter configured to meter seed, a seed meter sensor configured to generate a sensor signal indicative of movement of the seed meter, and an assistive seed transport mechanism configured to receive the metered seed from the seed meter and to transport the metered seed along a delivery path. A control system is configured to determine a position of the seed in the assistive seed transport mechanism based on the sensor signal, and generate a control signal to control the agricultural machine based on the determined position of the seed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Grant J. WONDERLICH, Cary S. HUBNER
  • Publication number: 20210127549
    Abstract: An implement includes a frame having a main section and a wing section pivotally coupled to the main section. A row unit is mounted to the frame wing section to dispense a product to the ground surface. A weight transfer system transfers weight from the frame main section to the frame wing section to reduce the load carried by the main wheel assembly. A row unit downforce system applies a force on the row unit relative to the frame wing section. A pressure transducer measures the force applied by the row unit downforce system and generates a signal indicative of the applied force. A control system operates the weight transfer system in response to the signal from the pressure transducer to assist the row unit downforce system. The control system actuates the weight transfer system to apply an additional force on the frame wing section in response to the signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Colter W. Kinney, Grant J. Wonderlich, Michael C. Steele
  • Publication number: 20210127552
    Abstract: An agricultural row unit adapted to be moved over soil by an agricultural planter to clear crop residue includes a residue clearing disk or brush. The row unit may include a motor to drive rotation of a crop residue disk or brush. The agriculture row unit may also include a controller configured to adjust the operating speed of the motor in response to factors internal and/or external to the agricultural row unit. The factors may include at least one of a speed of the agricultural planter along the row, a height of crop residue disk or brush the relative to a surface of the soil, a height of the crop residue disk or brush relative to a surface of the soil, amount of crop residue in the row, and a downforce pressure on the row unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Cary S. Hubner, Grant J. Wonderlich, Mark E. Barker
  • Publication number: 20210112698
    Abstract: A dispensing machine dispenses a material on a field. A blockage is detected, and an initial blockage location, where the blockage started, is identified. A blockage characterization system identifies characteristics of the blockage, and a control signal generator generates control signals based upon the detected blockage, and the characteristics of the blockage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: SANDEEP EKHE, MANDAR MHALSAKANT KALE, Sean A. MAHRT, William Douglas GRAHAM, Peter R. NEDVED, Grant J. WONDERLICH, Robert T. CASPER, Omkar JOSHI
  • Patent number: 10966364
    Abstract: A row unit for a work vehicle includes a row unit frame with a closer frame. The closer frame defines a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis. The closer frame is supported for rotational movement about a substantially vertical steering axis to vary a turning angle between the longitudinal axis the vehicle longitudinal axis. The row unit includes a closer implement assembly with first and second closer implements and a walking beam construction. The first and second closer implements are attached to opposite areas of the walking beam construction. The walking beam construction is rotationally attached to the closer frame to support rotation of the closer implement assembly about the transverse axis. The first and second closer implements are configured to move ground material into a ground opening from opposites sides as the work vehicle moves across the field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark E. Barker, Cole L. Murray, Grant J. Wonderlich, Michael E. Frasier, Nathan A. Mariman
  • Publication number: 20210059107
    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: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Elijah B. Garner, Todd N. SIGNER, Cary S. HUBNER, Grant J. WONDERLICH, Kenneth E. HERRMANN
  • Patent number: 10827740
    Abstract: An agricultural machine applies liquid material to a field. Valve control signals control valves to apply the liquid material. Row pressure on the agricultural machine is sensed to identify when the valve is opened to apply the liquid material. A flow meter senses a flow of liquid applied to the field. The valve control signals are generated, based on the row pressure, and the sensed flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Grant J. Wonderlich, Kenneth Herrmann, Michael C. Steele
  • Publication number: 20200344944
    Abstract: A row unit for a seeding machine operable to plant seeds into soil. A frame supports a furrow opener, a gauge wheel, a seed dispenser, and a furrow closer. A row unit downforce actuator is operable to push the row unit frame toward the soil to adjustably control soil engagement forces for the furrow opener, the gauge wheel, and the furrow closer. An acceleration sensor is configured to detect accelerations of the row unit. A controller is in communication with the acceleration sensor and the row unit downforce actuator, and the controller is programmed with an algorithm to maintain a target downforce value during operation of the row unit. The controller is further programmed to abandon the target downforce value and relieve the row unit downforce actuator in response to a signal from the acceleration sensor indicative of acceleration of the row unit in excess of a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Grant J. Wonderlich, James R. Peterson
  • Patent number: 10701857
    Abstract: A mobile agricultural machine has a valve controlled to apply liquid material to a field. An application assembly defines a conduit from the valve to a distal application tip. The application assembly includes a distal conduit section that has an inner diameter that is smaller than an inner diameter of a more proximal conduit section, that is closer to the valve, than the distal tip of the application assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Grant J. Wonderlich, Kenneth Herrmann
  • Patent number: 10694658
    Abstract: A row unit for a seeding machine. The row unit includes a frame, a ground following device coupled to the frame, a furrow following device coupled to the frame, and a position sensor assembly having a first position sensor configured to detect movement of the ground following device relative to the frame, and a second position sensor configured to detect movement of the furrow following device relative to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Grant J. Wonderlich, James R. Peterson
  • Patent number: 10660256
    Abstract: A towed agricultural machine includes a converter, configured to convert a first voltage potential generated by a generator to a second voltage potential. The second voltage potential powers a component of the towed agricultural machine. Further, the towed agricultural machine also includes a switch that senses the absence of the second voltage potential from the converter and switches to powering the subcomponent with a second voltage potential received from a source external to the towed agricultural machine. The second voltage potential output by the converter can also be combined, on a power bus, with the second voltage potential from the external source or another source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Eric R. Funk, Matt D. Bartelson, Quintin D. Rigert, Grant J. Wonderlich, Matthew L. Spencer, Pranay K. Bajjuri
  • Publication number: 20200068779
    Abstract: A row unit for a work vehicle includes a row unit frame with a closer frame. The closer frame defines a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis. The closer frame is supported for rotational movement about a substantially vertical steering axis to vary a turning angle between the longitudinal axis the vehicle longitudinal axis. The row unit includes a closer implement assembly with first and second closer implements and a walking beam construction. The first and second closer implements are attached to opposite areas of the walking beam construction. The walking beam construction is rotationally attached to the closer frame to support rotation of the closer implement assembly about the transverse axis. The first and second closer implements are configured to move ground material into a ground opening from opposites sides as the work vehicle moves across the field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Mark E. Barker, Cole L. Murray, Grant J. Wonderlich, Michael E. Frasier, Nathan A. Mariman
  • Publication number: 20200037598
    Abstract: An agricultural machine applies liquid material to a field. Valve control signals control valves to apply the liquid material. Row pressure on the agricultural machine is sensed to identify when the valve is opened to apply the liquid material. A flow meter senses a flow of liquid applied to the field. The valve control signals are generated, based on the row pressure, and the sensed flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Grant J. Wonderlich, Kenneth Herrmann, Michael C. Steele