Patents by Inventor James Minnihan

James Minnihan 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: 8939828
    Abstract: A biomass conveying and distributing system for separating and distributing lighter biomass residue from heavier or denser biomass, utilizing available air flow from the cleaning system of the harvester. The harvester will discharge a flow of heavier or denser biomass with an airborne flow of lighter biomass residue. The system includes a conveyor for receiving and conveying the heavier or denser biomass, and residue distributing apparatus disposed above the conveyor in a path of at least a portion of the airborne flow of lighter residue, including at least one deflector configured and operable for redirecting the airborne flow sidewardly away from the conveyor, above a passage through which the conveyor passes carrying the heavier biomass away from the harvester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan E. Ricketts, John J. Borsdorf, James Minnihan
  • Patent number: 8801513
    Abstract: A cob conveying and cleaning system for use with a corn harvester, incorporating air induction in cooperation with an air flow from the harvester, for cleaning and separating lighter crop residue to be returned to the field from a mixed flow of the residue and cobs, such that the cleaned cobs can be collected, and the lighter residue optionally spread on the field. The air flow and induction are combined to cooperatively lift or draw the lighter residue from the mixed flow, and to optionally spread the removed lighter residue over a field. The induction apparatus can be located on the harvester, and used as a residue spreader when cobs are not collected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan E. Ricketts, John J. Borsdorf, James Minnihan
  • Publication number: 20120208607
    Abstract: A biomass conveying and distributing system for separating and distributing lighter biomass residue from heavier or denser biomass, utilizing available air flow from the cleaning system of the harvester. The harvester will discharge a flow of heavier or denser biomass with an airborne flow of lighter biomass residue. The system includes a conveyor for receiving and conveying the heavier or denser biomass, and residue distributing apparatus disposed above the conveyor in a path of at least a portion of the airborne flow of lighter residue, including at least one deflector configured and operable for redirecting the airborne flow sidewardly away from the conveyor, above a passage through which the conveyor passes carrying the heavier biomass away from the harvester.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventors: Jonathan E. Ricketts, John J. Borsdorf, James Minnihan
  • Publication number: 20120208608
    Abstract: A cob conveying and cleaning system for use with a corn harvester, incorporating air induction in cooperation with an air flow from the harvester, for cleaning and separating lighter crop residue to be returned to the field from a mixed flow of the residue and cobs, such that the cleaned cobs can be collected, and the lighter residue optionally spread on the field. The air flow and induction are combined to cooperatively lift or draw the lighter residue from the mixed flow, and to optionally spread the removed lighter residue over a field, if desired. The induction apparatus can be located on the harvester, and used as a residue spreader when cobs are not collected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventors: Jonathan E. Ricketts, John J. Borsdorf, James Minnihan
  • Publication number: 20050202860
    Abstract: A foldable extension for an unloading door of a cotton receiving receptacle of cotton harvester which, when in a deployed position, increases the overall length of the door and directs cotton conveyed over the extension in a downward direction so as to facilitate more precise placement in a receiving receptacle. The extension does not have to be folded to its stored position each time the unloading door is closed, and when folded into its stored positions, does not increase the overall height of the harvester or interfere with telescopic operation of upper and lower portions of the basket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Publication date: September 15, 2005
    Inventors: Kevin Richman, Lyle Mangen, James Minnihan