Patents by Inventor James W. Henry

James W. Henry 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: 20210136990
    Abstract: A system for de-plugging ground engaging tools of an agricultural implement includes a ground engaging tool. A fluid nozzle is in fluid communication with a pressurized fluid source such that pressurized fluid from the pressurized fluid source is flowable to the fluid nozzle. The fluid nozzle is oriented towards the ground engaging tool. Thus, pressurized fluid from the fluid nozzle is flowable towards, next to and/or against the ground engaging tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventors: James W. Henry, Kevin M. Smith, Joshua David Harmon
  • Patent number: 11001380
    Abstract: A method for acquiring agricultural data using a UAV is provided. In several embodiments, the method includes receiving data associated with a data collection point located within a field and controlling an operation of the UAV such that the UAV is flown over the field and lands in the field at the data collection point. In such an embodiment, the method includes capturing field condition data associated with the field using a sensing device supported by the UAV. The field condition data is captured by the sensing device while the UAV is maintained in a landed condition at the data collection point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nicholas Nahuel-Andrejuk, James W. Henry
  • Publication number: 20210127547
    Abstract: A system for monitoring the levelness of an agricultural implement may include first and second tools rotatably supported on the agricultural implement, with the first and second tools being spaced apart from each other in at least one of a longitudinal direction or a lateral direction of the agricultural implement. The system may further include a first rotational speed sensor configured to detect a rotational speed of the first tool and a second rotational speed sensor configured to detect a rotational speed of the second tool. Additionally, the system may include a controller communicatively coupled to the first and second rotational speed sensors, with the controller being configured to identify a levelness state of at least a portion of the agricultural implement based at least in part on the rotational speeds of the first and second tools.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Kevin M. Smith, James W. Henry
  • Publication number: 20210127540
    Abstract: A system for managing material accumulation relative to ground engaging tools of an agricultural implement may include a ground engaging tool and an acoustic sensor configured to generate data indicative of an acoustic parameter of a sound produced as the ground engaging tool engages the ground when a ground engaging operation is performed within a field. Additionally, the system may include a controller communicatively coupled to the acoustic sensor. The controller may be configured to monitor the data received from the acoustic sensor and determine a presence of material accumulation relative to the ground engaging tool based at least in part on the acoustic parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Kevin M. Smith, James W. Henry
  • Publication number: 20210127553
    Abstract: In one aspect, a system for determining soil clod size or soil surface residue coverage of a field may include an agricultural implement configured to perform a non-soil-working operation on the field as the agricultural implement is towed across the field. Furthermore, the system may include a non-contact-based sensor installed on the agricultural implement, with the non-contact-based sensor configured to capture data indicative of at least one of a soil clod size of the field or a soil surface residue coverage of the field. Additionally, a controller of the disclosed system may be configured to receive data from the non-contact-based sensor as the agricultural implement is moved across the field. Moreover, the controller may be configured to determine at least one of the soil clod size of the field or the soil surface residue coverage of the field based on the received data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Trevor Stanhope, James W. Henry
  • Publication number: 20210131856
    Abstract: A system for identifying plugging within an agricultural implement is provided. The system includes a ground engaging tool configured to be supported by the agricultural implement. A weight sensor is operable to measure a weight of one or both of the ground engaging tool and the agricultural implement. A controller is communicatively coupled to the weight sensor. The controller is configured to receive, from the weight sensor, a signal that corresponds to the weight of one or both of the ground engaging tool and the agricultural implement. The controller is further configured to determine when the ground engaging tool is plugged based at least in part on the signal from the weight sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventor: James W. Henry
  • Publication number: 20210132028
    Abstract: A system for monitoring field conditions of a field includes a sensor supported on an agricultural implement, the sensor having a field of view directed towards an aft portion of the field disposed rearward of the agricultural implement relative to a direction of travel of the agricultural implement. The sensor generates data indicative of a field condition associated with the aft portion of the field. An actuator actuates the sensor back and forth relative to the agricultural implement along a sensor movement path. A controller receives data from the sensor indicative of the field condition as the actuator actuates the sensor such that the field of view of the sensor is oscillated across the aft portion of the field while the agricultural implement is being moved across the field. The controller monitors the field condition based at least in part on the data received from the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Christopher A. Foster, James W. Henry, John H. Posselius
  • Publication number: 20210120726
    Abstract: A system for detecting the levelness of ground engaging tools of a tillage implement including an agricultural implement including a frame and tool assemblies supported relative to the frame. The tool assemblies each include a toolbar coupled to the frame and one or more ground engaging tools coupled to the toolbar. The system further includes sensors coupled to two of the tool assemblies and configured to capture data indicative of a load acting on the one or more ground engaging tools of the tool assemblies. Additionally, the system includes a controller configured to monitor the data received from the sensors and compare at least one monitored value associated with the load acting on the ground engaging tool(s) of each of the tool assemblies. Moreover, the controller is further configured to identify the ground engaging tool(s) are not level when the monitored value(s) differ by a predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Inventors: Christopher Barrick, James W. Henry, Robert Zemenchik
  • Publication number: 20210112699
    Abstract: In one aspect, a system for detecting plugging of an agricultural implement includes include a frame member and a ground-engaging tool rotatably coupled to the frame member. The ground-engaging tool is configured to engage soil within a field as an agricultural implement is moved across the field. The system also includes a tool scraper positioned relative to the ground-engaging tool such that the tool scraper is configured to remove field materials from the tool as the tool engages the soil. Moreover, the system includes a sensor configured to detect a parameter indicative of a load on the tool scraper and a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor. The controller is configured to monitor the load on the tool scraper based on data received from the sensor and determine when the tool is experiencing a plugged condition based at least in part on the monitored load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: Trevor Stanhope, James W. Henry
  • Publication number: 20210105928
    Abstract: A system for managing material accumulation relative to agricultural implements may include a ground engaging tool supported on an agricultural implement and a field surface characteristic sensor. The field surface characteristic sensor may be configured generate data indicative of a field surface characteristic of an aft portion of the field located rearward of the ground engaging tool relative to a direction of travel of the agricultural implement. The system may further include a controller communicatively coupled to the field surface characteristic sensor. The controller may be configured to monitor the data received from the field surface characteristic sensor and determine a presence of material accumulation relative to the ground engaging tool based at least in part on the field surface characteristic of the aft portion of the field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Inventor: James W. Henry
  • Patent number: 10973162
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for adjusting fore/aft level trim of the frame of a towed agricultural tillage implement utilize an electronic control unit that receives an input signal indicative of a desired depth of penetration of tillage tools operatively attached to the front and rear of the implement frame, and automatically computes a desired for/aft trim angle as a function of the desired depth input, and then adjusts the fore/aft trim of the implement frame by titling the frame toward the front or rear of the frame in accordance with the desired fore/aft trim angle computed from the desired depth input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher Barrick, John Endsley, Timothy R. Blunier, James W. Henry, Tracey Meiners, Klint Peterson
  • Publication number: 20210100154
    Abstract: A system for adjusting the alignment of ground engaging tools of an agricultural implement may include a first toolbar configured to support a first plurality of tools aligned along a first tool axis, and a second toolbar configured to support a second plurality of tools aligned along a second tool axis. The second toolbar may be movable relative to the first toolbar between a first toolbar position and a second toolbar position such that the second tool axis is movable relative to the first tool axis. The system may additionally include an actuator configured to actuate the second toolbar between the first toolbar position, where the first and second tool axes are substantially coincident, and the second toolbar position, where the second tool axis is substantially spaced apart from the first tool axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Inventor: James W. Henry
  • Patent number: 10963751
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods that measure crop residue in a field from imagery of the field. In particular, the present subject matter is directed to systems and methods that include or otherwise leverage a machine-learned crop residue classification model to determine a crop residue parameter value for a portion of a field based at least in part on imagery of such portion of the field captured by an imaging device. For example, the imaging device can be a camera positioned in a downward-facing direction and physically coupled to a work vehicle or an implement towed by the work vehicle through the field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignees: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd., Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Luca Ferrari, John H. Posselius, James W. Henry, Taylor C. Bybee
  • Publication number: 20210088780
    Abstract: A system for removing debris from a vision-based sensor of an agricultural machine includes an agricultural machine and a vision-based sensor supported on the agricultural machine. The vision-based sensor is configured to generate vision data. The system further includes a vibration source configured to be a separate component frons the vision-based sensor. The vibration source is supported on the agricultural machine. Moreover, the vibration source is configured to oscillate the vision-based sensor to remove debris from the vision-based sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventor: James W. Henry
  • Publication number: 20210045278
    Abstract: A system for detecting the operational status of a ground engaging tool of a tillage implement including an agricultural implement including a frame and a tool assembly supported relative to the frame. The ganged tool assembly includes a toolbar coupled to the frame and one or more ground engaging tools coupled to the toolbar. The system further includes a sensor coupled to the tool assembly and configured to capture data indicative of a load acting on the one or more ground engaging tools. Additionally, the system includes a controller configured to monitor the data received from the sensor and compare at least one monitored value associated with the load acting on the ground engaging tool(s). Moreover, the controller is further configured to identify the ground engaging tool(s) as being plugged when the monitored value(s) differs from the predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventor: James W. Henry
  • Publication number: 20210045276
    Abstract: A system for de-plugging rotating ground engaging tools of an agricultural implement includes first and second ground engaging tools spaced apart from each other such that a flow gap is defined between the tools, a rotational actuator configured to rotationally drive the tools about a rotational axis, a sensor configured to capture data indicative of material accumulation within the flow gap defined between the tools, and a controller configured to determine when the tools are experiencing a plugged condition based on the data received from the sensor. Additionally, in response to the determination that the tools are experiencing the plugged condition, the controller is further configured to control an operation of the rotational actuator such that the tools are rotationally driven while such tools are disposed at a working position relative to a soil surface of a field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventor: James W. Henry
  • Publication number: 20210048290
    Abstract: A system for determining field surface conditions may include a frame member and a ground engaging tool coupled thereto. The ground engaging tool may be configured to engage soil within a field as an agricultural implement is moved across the field. The system may further include a vision sensor having a field of view directed towards a portion of a surface of the field and being configured to capture vision-based data indicative of a field surface condition of the field. The system may also include a secondary sensor coupled to the ground engaging tool and configured to capture secondary data indicative of the field surface condition. Additionally, the system may include a controller configured to determine an initial surface condition as a function of the vision-based data and to adjust the initial surface condition based at least in part on the secondary data received from the secondary sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventor: James W. Henry
  • Patent number: 10907998
    Abstract: In one aspect, a system for adjusting a sampling rate of a sensor mounted on an agricultural machine may include an agricultural machine and a sensor mounted on the agricultural machine, with the sensor being configured to capture data at a sampling rate. The system may also include a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor. The controller may be configured to receive an input indicative of an operational parameter of the agricultural machine and adjust the sampling rate at which the sensor captures data based on the received input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignees: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd., Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Luca Ferrari, John H. Posselius, James W. Henry, Taylor C. Bybee, Bret T. Turpin, Jeffrey L. Ferrin
  • Publication number: 20200404829
    Abstract: In one aspect, a system for de-plugging an agricultural implement may include an actuator coupled between a ground-engaging tool of the implement and a frame of the implement. The actuator maybe configured to move the ground-engaging tool relative to the frame between a first position in which the tool penetrates the soil and a second position in which the tool is lifted out of the soil. Furthermore, the system may include a sensor configured to capture data indicative of plugging of the ground-engaging tool. Additionally, a controller of the disclosed system may be configured to determine when the ground-engaging tool is plugged based on the data received from the sensor. Moreover, the controller may be further configured to control an operation of the actuator such that the ground-engaging tool is moved from the first position to the second position when it is determined that the tool is plugged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventors: Dean A. Knobloch, Trevor Stanhope, James W. Henry
  • Patent number: 10838432
    Abstract: A system for monitoring frame levelness of an agricultural implement may include first and second sensors configured to detect first and second parameters indicative of forces exerted on first and second ground engaging tools of the implement by the ground, respectively. The system may also include a controller configured to monitor a parameter differential between the first and second parameters based on measurement signals received from the first and second sensors, with the monitored parameter differential being indicative of at least one of pitch or roll of a frame of the implement. The controller may be further configured initiate a control action associated with adjusting the pitch and/or the roll of the frame based on a magnitude of the monitored parameter differential to adjust an orientation of the frame relative to the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher Barrick, James W. Henry, Yong Deng