Patents by Inventor John D. Preheim

John D. Preheim 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: 20170348718
    Abstract: A system for controlling nozzle flow rate includes a master node having an expected overall flow rate module configured to generate an expected overall flow rate of an agricultural product based on one or more sprayer characteristics, and an adjustment module configured to generate an error correction based on a difference between the expected overall flow rate and an actual overall flow rate of the agricultural product. A plurality of smart nozzles are in communication with the master node, each of the smart nozzles includes an electronic control unit in communication with one or more control valves and one or more nozzle assemblies. Each of the smart nozzles includes a target smart nozzle flow rate module configured to generate a target smart nozzle flow rate of the agricultural product based on the one or more sprayer characteristics. The target smart nozzle flow rate is adjusted according to the error correction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: John D. Preheim, Brent A. Driesen, Nicholas O. Michael, Jared Ernest Kocer
  • Patent number: 9829364
    Abstract: A system for determining a volume of loose material within a container comprises a support arm mountable above the container, an array of one or more sensors mounted to the support arm, wherein each of the one or more sensors is configured to determine a discrete distance measurement between the array and a surface of the loose material or a surface of the container, and at least one processor in communication with the array of one or more sensors, the processor configured to estimate a volume of the loose material in the container from discrete distance measurements determined by the one or more sensors of the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Edwin Ernest Wilson, John D. Preheim, Robert Leonard Nelson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9781916
    Abstract: A system for nozzle control includes an overall system pressure valve, configured to adjust the pressure of an agricultural product within a boom. A master node is configured to receive an overall system flow rate measurement, an overall target flow rate, and an overall system pressure measurement, the master node configured to adjust the overall system pressure valve to control the pressure of the agricultural product. A plurality of smart nozzles are configured to dispense the agricultural product, the plurality of smart nozzles each having an electronic control unit (ECU) and one or more individual nozzles, the smart nozzle is configured to control a nozzle flow rate of the associated one or more individual nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Preheim, Brent A. Driesen, Jared Ernest Kocer
  • Publication number: 20160252384
    Abstract: A system for determining a volume of loose material within a container comprises a support arm mountable above the container, an array of one or more sensors mounted to the support arm, wherein each of the one or more sensors is configured to determine a discrete distance measurement between the array and a surface of the loose material or a surface of the container, and at least one processor in communication with the array of one or more sensors, the processor configured to estimate a volume of the loose material in the container from discrete distance measurements determined by the one or more sensors of the array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventors: Edwin Ernest Wilson, John D. Preheim, Robert Leonard Nelson, JR.
  • Publication number: 20160227755
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method for nozzle control. The system includes an overall system pressure valve, configured to adjust the pressure of an agricultural product within a boom. A master node is configured to receive an overall system flow rate measurement, an overall target flow rate, and an overall system pressure measurement, the master node configured to adjust the overall system pressure valve to control the pressure of the agricultural product. A plurality of smart nozzles are configured to dispense the agricultural product, the plurality of smart nozzles each associated with an electronic control unit (ECU) and one or more individual nozzle, the smart nozzle is configured to control a nozzle flow rate of the associated one or more individual nozzles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: John D. Preheim, Brent A. Driesen, Jared Ernest Kocer
  • Publication number: 20160061643
    Abstract: A system for determining a volume of loose material within a container comprises a support arm mountable above the container, an array of one or more sensors mounted to the support arm, wherein each of the one or more sensors is configured to determine a discrete distance measurement between the array and a surface of the loose material or a surface of the container, and at least one processor in communication with the array of one or more sensors, the processor configured to estimate a volume of the loose material in the container from discrete distance measurements determined by the one or more sensors of the array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Edwin Ernest Wilson, John D. Preheim, Robert Leonard Nelson, JR.