Patents by Inventor Jochen Pfrenger
Jochen Pfrenger 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).
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Publication number: 20160270309Abstract: A mobile irrigation system configured to receive water application amount and application pattern information from a user, automatically determine an irrigation plan using the amount information and the pattern information, and irrigate according to the irrigation plan. The mobile irrigation system is operated by applying water at progressively decreasing levels as the mobile irrigation system moves from a first position to a second position, and applying water at the same or similar progressively decreasing levels as the irrigation system is moved in a reverse direction from the second position back to the first position.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2016Publication date: September 22, 2016Applicant: LINDSAY CORPORATIONInventors: JOCHEN PFRENGER, REECE ANDREWS
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Publication number: 20160200143Abstract: A wheel assembly including a rigid wheel and a flexible tire. The rigid wheel includes a radially outer rim wall, a plurality of mounting elements, and a plurality of inflatable spacers between the mounting elements. The flexible tire may be mounted on the mounting elements of the rigid wheel such that portions of the flexible tire between the mounting elements are separated from the outer rim wall by spaces between the mounting elements and are configured to flex inwardly when subject to ground engaging pressure. The inflatable spacers limit the amount of inward flex of the inwardly flexible portions of the flexible tire.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2016Publication date: July 14, 2016Applicant: LINDSAY CORPORATIONInventors: THOMAS J. KORUS, JOCHEN PFRENGER
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Publication number: 20160159150Abstract: A wheel assembly includes a collapsible wheel and an airless flexible tire mounted on the wheel. The wheel includes a central portion and a plurality of circumferentially spaced mounting elements attached to the central portion. Each of the mounting elements is movable between a retracted position and an extended position, and may be pivotally attached to the central portion of the wheel and configured to pivot between the retracted position and the extended position. The tire may be positioned on the wheel when one or more of the mounting elements is in the retracted position, and the one or more mounting elements are moved to the extended position wherein the mounting elements engage and support the tire.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2016Publication date: June 9, 2016Applicant: LINDSAY CORPORATIONInventors: JOCHEN PFRENGER, THOMAS J. KORUS
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Patent number: 9302539Abstract: A wheel assembly including a rigid wheel having a radially outer rim wall presenting a polygonal shape with a plurality of outermost vertices connecting a plurality of planar faces, and a flexible tire mounted on the outer rim wall. The planar faces of the rigid wheel each have a spacer positioned thereon. The tire is supported by the vertices of the rim wall and is separated from the rim faces by a space, portions of the tire located between the vertices being configured to flex inwardly when subject to ground engaging pressure, the spacers configured to limit the amount of inward flex of the portions of the tire between the vertices.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2012Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: Lindsay CorporationInventors: Thomas J. Korus, Jochen Pfrenger
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Patent number: 9290054Abstract: A wheel assembly includes a collapsible wheel and an airless flexible tire mounted on the wheel. The wheel includes a central portion and a plurality of circumferentially spaced mounting elements attached to the central portion. Each of the mounting elements is movable between a retracted position and an extended position, and may be pivotally attached to the central portion of the wheel and configured to pivot between the retracted position and the extended position. The tire may be positioned on the wheel when one or more of the mounting elements is in the retracted position, and the one or more mounting elements are moved to the extended position wherein the mounting elements engage and support the tire.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Lindsay CorporationInventors: Jochen Pfrenger, Thomas J. Korus
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Patent number: 9266506Abstract: A wheel assembly is disclosed, the wheel assembly including a rigid wheel and an airless tire mounted on the wheel. A portion of the tire is separated radially from the wheel by a space and is configured to flex inwardly toward the wheel when subject to ground engaging pressure. A spacer is interposed between the wheel and the portion of the tire separated radially from the wheel by a space and is configured to limit the inward flexing of the tire. The spacer may be permanently affixed to the wheel assembly or may be removably attached to the wheel assembly. The spacer may be adjustable between a first size and a second size.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2012Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: Lindsay CorporationInventors: Thomas J. Korus, Jochen Pfrenger
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Publication number: 20150345234Abstract: A tubular handling tool is taught for use as an elevator, comprising one or more slips movably retained by one or more upper and lower rings, wherein the upper and lower rings provide constraint against radial expansion forces. A frame is taught for an elevator comprising one or more upper and lower rings and one or more removable means for connecting the upper and lower rings and attaching the frame to a top drive. A tubular handling tool is taught for use as a top mount spider comprising one or more slips movably retained by one or more upper and lower rings, wherein the upper and lower rings provide constraint against radial expansion forces. A tubular handling tool is taught for use as a flush mount spider comprising one or more slips movably retained on an upper ring and a lower ring. A slip is taught comprising a movable sliphead.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2013Publication date: December 3, 2015Applicant: MCCOY GLOBAL INC.Inventors: Anandraj DAIRIAM, Ronaldus R.M. ROLING, Jochen PFRENGER, Paul MCLAUGHLIN
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Publication number: 20150336425Abstract: A wheel assembly is disclosed, the wheel assembly including a rigid wheel including a radially outer rim wall presenting a polygonal shape with a plurality of outermost vertices connecting a plurality of planar faces, and a flexible tire mounted on the outer rim wall. The tire is supported by the vertices of the rim wall and is separated from the rim faces by a space, portions of the tire located between the vertices being configured to flex inwardly when subject to ground engaging pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2015Publication date: November 26, 2015Inventors: THOMAS J. KORUS, JOCHEN PFRENGER
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Publication number: 20150283856Abstract: A wheel assembly includes a collapsible wheel and an airless flexible tire mounted on the wheel. The wheel includes a central portion and a plurality of circumferentially spaced mounting elements attached to the central portion. Each of the mounting elements is movable between a retracted position and an extended position, and may be pivotally attached to the central portion of the wheel and configured to pivot between the retracted position and the extended position. The tire may be positioned on the wheel when one or more of the mounting elements is in the retracted position, and the one or more mounting elements are moved to the extended position wherein the mounting elements engage and support the tire.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2015Publication date: October 8, 2015Inventors: Jochen Pfrenger, Thomas J. Korus
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Patent number: 9090121Abstract: A wheel assembly includes a rigid wheel with a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially outermost mounting elements and a flexible tire mounted on the wheel. The tire engages the mounting elements such that portions of the tire not engaging the mounting elements are separated radially from the wheel by a space, the portions of the tire not engaging the mounting elements being configured to flex inwardly toward the wheel when subject to ground engaging pressure.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2012Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: Lindsey CorporationInventors: Thomas J. Korus, Jochen Pfrenger
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Publication number: 20150191157Abstract: A wheel assembly is disclosed, the wheel assembly including a rigid wheel and an airless tire mounted on the wheel. A portion of the tire is separated radially from the wheel by a space and is configured to flex inwardly toward the wheel when subject to ground engaging pressure. A spacer is interposed between the wheel and the portion of the tire separated radially from the wheel by a space and is configured to limit the inward flexing of the tire. The spacer may be permanently affixed to the wheel assembly or may be removably attached to the wheel assembly. The spacer may be adjustable between a first size and a second size.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2015Publication date: July 9, 2015Inventors: Thomas J. Korus, Jochen Pfrenger
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Publication number: 20150158337Abstract: A wheel assembly includes a rigid wheel with a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially outermost mounting elements and a flexible tire mounted on the wheel. The tire engages the mounting elements such that portions of the tire not engaging the mounting elements are separated radially from the wheel by a space, the portions of the tire not engaging the mounting elements being configured to flex inwardly toward the wheel when subject to ground engaging pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2015Publication date: June 11, 2015Inventors: Thomas J. Korus, Jochen Pfrenger
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Publication number: 20150081120Abstract: An irrigation system includes a central pivot and a series of mobile towers connected to the central pivot and to one another by support structure. Each mobile tower has wheels and a motor for driving at least one of the wheels. A control system operates the motors to maintain alignment of the mobile towers and the central pivot while preventing power usage of the system from exceeding a maximum power threshold. The control system determines in which sequence to operate the motors to maintain alignment of the mobile towers while operating no more than a selected number of the motors simultaneously.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2014Publication date: March 19, 2015Inventor: Jochen Pfrenger
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Publication number: 20150048186Abstract: A wheel assembly includes a collapsible wheel and an airless flexible tire mounted on the wheel. The wheel includes a central portion and a plurality of circumferentially spaced mounting elements attached to the central portion. Each of the mounting elements is movable between a retracted position and an extended position, and may be pivotally attached to the central portion of the wheel and configured to pivot between the retracted position and the extended position. The tire may be positioned on the wheel when one or more of the mounting elements is in the retracted position, and the one or more mounting elements are moved to the extended position wherein the mounting elements engage and support the tire.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2013Publication date: February 19, 2015Applicant: Lindsay CorporationInventors: Jochen Pfrenger, Thomas J. Korus
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Patent number: 8936208Abstract: An irrigation system includes a central pivot and a series of mobile towers connected to the central pivot and to one another by support structure. Each mobile tower has wheels and a motor for driving at least one of the wheels. A control system operates the motors to maintain alignment of the mobile towers and the central pivot while preventing power usage of the system from exceeding a maximum power threshold. The control system determines in which sequence to operate the motors to maintain alignment of the mobile towers while operating no more than a selected number of the motors simultaneously.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2011Date of Patent: January 20, 2015Assignee: Lindsay CorporationInventor: Jochen Pfrenger
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Patent number: 8876026Abstract: An irrigation system includes a central pivot; a main section pivotally connected to the central pivot; and at least one solar panel supported on the main section. A control system positions the main section relative to the central pivot so that the solar panel faces the sun.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2011Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Lindsay CorporationInventor: Jochen Pfrenger
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Patent number: 8777133Abstract: An irrigation system and method for irrigating a field including a plurality of towers linked together by at least one rotatable torque tube. Each of the towers may comprise a frame, one or more wheels on which the frame may travel, a rotatable reel, and a line configured to be spooled onto the reel. A motor may be configured to rotate the torque tube, which may in turn actuate each of the reels to rotate simultaneously. One end of each of the lines may be anchored at a first location and the towers may be located at a second location. Rotation of the reels spools the lines onto the reels and thereby actuates the towers to travel from the second location to the first location. The irrigation system also comprises hoses to link one or more fluid-emitting devices positioned on each of the towers with a water source.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2010Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Lindsay CorporationInventors: Tom Korus, Luke Pare, Jochen Pfrenger
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Patent number: 8763937Abstract: An irrigation system includes a central pivot and a series of mobile towers connected to the central pivot and to one another by support structure. Each mobile tower has wheels and a motor for driving at least one of the wheels. A control system for maintaining alignment of the mobile towers includes a location-determining component for determining a position or orientation of each of the mobile towers and a computing device operable to detect mis-alignment of the mobile towers based on the position or orientation of each of the mobile towers, determine a control sequence to re-align the mobile towers, and send commands to at least one of the motors for implementing the control sequence.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2011Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Inventors: Jochen Pfrenger, Mark Miller, Reece Andrews
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Patent number: 8757302Abstract: A track assembly for a mobile tower of an irrigation system includes a mounting bracket; a gearbox assembly and a rotatable drive wheel hub attached to the mounting bracket; a drive wheel attached to the drive wheel hub; a rotatable tension wheel hub attached to the mounting bracket and spaced from the drive wheel hub; a tension wheel attached to the tension wheel hub; a track belt trained over the drive wheel and the tension wheel and driven by the drive wheel to propel the mobile tower; and structure for pivotally mounting the mounting bracket to the mobile tower.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2013Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: Lindsay CorporationInventors: Thomas J. Korus, Jochen Pfrenger
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Patent number: 8757301Abstract: A track assembly for a mobile tower of an irrigation system includes a mounting bracket; a gearbox assembly and rotatable drive wheel hub attached to the mounting bracket; a drive wheel attached to the drive wheel hub; a rotatable tension wheel hub attached to the mounting bracket and spaced from the drive wheel hub; a tension wheel attached to the tension wheel hub; a track belt trained over the drive wheel and the tension wheel and driven by the drive wheel to propel the mobile tower; and structure for pivotally mounting the mounting bracket to the mobile tower.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2011Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: Lindsay CorporationInventors: Thomas J. Korus, Jochen Pfrenger