Patents by Inventor Keith W. Wendte

Keith W. Wendte 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: 10149428
    Abstract: A method for planting multiple types of seed and rapidly switching between the types being planted in a single planting pass of a planting session of row-crop planting that includes a seed meter. The seed meter has a split seed meter reservoir with a pair of seed meter chambers flanked by or next to a pair of seed disks. Activation and deactivation of the seed disks within the seed meter are synchronized to selectively deliver one type of seed from one of the seed meter chambers for delivery out of a single seed tube of the seed meter, which may provide absolute and instantaneous on-the-go seed switching within a single row from each seed meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Keith W. Wendte, Brian T. Adams, Jason T. Czapka
  • Patent number: 10111375
    Abstract: A seed meter allows for planting multiple types of seed and rapidly switching between the types being planted in a single planting pass of a planting session of row-crop planting. The seed meter has a split seed meter reservoir with a pair of seed meter chambers flanked by or next to a pair of seed disks. Activation and deactivation of the seed disks within the seed meter are synchronized to selectively deliver one type of seed from one of the seed meter chambers for delivery out of a single seed tube of the seed meter, which may provide absolute and instantaneous on-the-go seed switching within a single row from each seed meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Keith W. Wendte, Brian T. Adams, Jason T. Czapka
  • Publication number: 20180208058
    Abstract: In one aspect, a system for providing implement-based speed control for a work vehicle may include a planter controller provided in operative association with a planter towed by the work vehicle and a vehicle controller provided in operative association with the work vehicle. The planter controller may be configured to access an input associated with at least one predetermined threshold value for an operating parameter of the planter and monitor the operating parameter relative to the predetermined threshold value(s) as the planter is being towed at a current ground speed of the work vehicle. In addition, when the operating parameter differs from the predetermined threshold value(s), the planter controller may be configured to adjust a speed control request transmitted to the vehicle controller to cause the current ground speed of the work vehicle to be automatically increased or decreased between predetermined maximum and minimum speed values set for the work vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Inventors: Jason T. Czapka, Kevin D. McKee, Kevin M. Smith, Robert J. Longua, Keith W. Wendte, Marvin A. Prickel
  • Publication number: 20180199498
    Abstract: A fertilizer row unit including a toolbar coupling, first and second suspension members, a pressure applying device, a tensioned wheel assembly, a knife assembly and a depth control system. The first suspension member has a first end pivotally coupled to the toolbar coupling. The second suspension member is generally parallel to the first suspension member. The pressure applying device is coupled to the first or second suspension member. The tensioned wheel assembly has at least one wheel. The knife assembly is pivotally coupled to both the first and second suspension members. The depth control system is coupled to the knife assembly for controlling the depth of penetration of the knife into the soil. The depth control system includes a sensor that provides a measured depth signal representative of a depth of the knife. The depth control system controls the pressure applying device dependent upon the measured depth signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Applicant: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Brian T. Adams, Keith W. Wendte
  • Publication number: 20180199499
    Abstract: A fertilizer row unit including a toolbar coupling, first and second suspension members, a pressure applying device, a wheel assembly, a knife assembly and a wheel down pressure system. The first suspension member has a first end pivotally coupled to the toolbar coupling. The second suspension member is generally parallel to the first suspension member. The pressure applying device is coupled to the first or second suspension member. The wheel assembly has at least one wheel. The knife assembly is pivotally coupled to both the first and second suspension members. The wheel down pressure system is coupled to the wheel assembly, the wheel down pressure system substantially maintaining a selected pressure on the wheel assembly while the pressure applying device applies varying pressure to at least the first suspension member and the second suspension member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Applicant: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Brian T. Adams, Keith W. Wendte
  • Publication number: 20180184579
    Abstract: A system for planting multiple types of seed and automatically switching between the varieties during planting in a single planting pass of a planting session of row-crop planting of an agricultural field while controlling seed delivery speed to mitigate seed bounce and/or provide desired seed spacing distances. The system may include a bulk storage system, an on-row storage system, and a charging system that selectively delivers seeds of different varieties from the bulk storage system to the on-row storage system and a seed delivery speed control system that regulates seed delivery speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: Keith W. Wendte, Monte Gene Weller, Brian T. Adams
  • Publication number: 20180146610
    Abstract: An agricultural implement system includes a down force cylinder configured to apply a downward force to a row unit, and a depth control cylinder configured to vary a penetration depth of a ground engaging tool of the row unit. The agricultural implement system also includes a valve assembly in fluid communication with the down force cylinder and the depth control cylinder. The valve assembly is configured to automatically adjust the downward force by varying fluid pressure within the down force cylinder based on fluid pressure within the depth control cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Brian T. Adams, Keith W. Wendte
  • Patent number: 9936625
    Abstract: A system for planting multiple types of seed and automatically switching between the varieties during planting in a single planting pass of a planting session of row-crop planting of an agricultural field while controlling seed delivery speed to mitigate seed bounce and/or provide desired seed spacing distances. The system may include a bulk storage system, an on-row storage system, and a charging system that selectively delivers seeds of different varieties from the bulk storage system to the on-row storage system and a seed delivery speed control system that regulates seed delivery speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Keith W. Wendte, Monte Gene Weller, Brian T. Adams
  • Publication number: 20180070525
    Abstract: An agricultural implement system is provided that includes a down force cylinder configured to apply a downward force to a row unit, and a depth control cylinder configured to vary a penetration depth of a ground engaging tool of the row unit. The agricultural implement system also includes a valve assembly in fluid communication with the down force cylinder and the depth control cylinder. The valve assembly is configured to automatically adjust the downward force by varying fluid pressure within the down force cylinder based on fluid pressure within the depth control cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: Brian T. Adams, Keith W. Wendte
  • Patent number: 9907222
    Abstract: An agricultural implement system includes a down force cylinder configured to apply a downward force to a row unit, and a depth control cylinder configured to vary a penetration depth of a ground engaging tool of the row unit. The agricultural implement system also includes a valve assembly in fluid communication with the down force cylinder and the depth control cylinder. The valve assembly is configured to automatically adjust the downward force by varying fluid pressure within the down force cylinder based on fluid pressure within the depth control cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Brian T. Adams, Keith W. Wendte
  • Patent number: 9894831
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a twin-row planter with tandem driven seed meters at a pair of row units at each row segment of a twin-row planter. A tandem drive system drives the seed meters in a tandem manner, which may include a single transmission assembly simultaneously rotating a pair of seed discs in the pair of seed meters at each row segment. An indexing system allows for quickly changing an amount of relative rotational or angular indexing of seed disks inside of the pair of seed meters at the pair of row units of each row segment to adjust longitudinal spacing between delivery locations of seeds from the seed disks at planted row segments of a planted twin-row. Adjustments can be made at disk hubs, between shaft segments linking the seed disks, or with multiple sets of mounting holds on the seed disks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Keith W. Wendte, Brian t. Adams
  • Patent number: 9867329
    Abstract: An agricultural implement includes a first storage container mounted on a frame of the agricultural implement and configured to store a solid particulate agricultural product and a second storage container mounted on the frame and configured to store a liquid. The agricultural implement also includes at least one arm configured to extend laterally outward from the frame, and each of the at least one arms has at least one first nozzle for distributing the solid particulate agricultural product and at least one second nozzle for distributing the liquid. An air metering system includes an auger assembly configured to meter the solid particulate agricultural product from the first storage container into a pneumatic distribution hose, and an air flow in the pneumatic distribution hose is configured to transfer the solid particulate agricultural product toward the at least one first nozzle as the agricultural implement travels across a field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Keith W. Wendte, John H. Posselius
  • Patent number: 9854724
    Abstract: An agricultural implement system includes a down force cylinder configured to apply a downward force to a row unit, and a depth control cylinder configured to vary a penetration depth of a ground engaging tool of the row unit. The agricultural implement system also includes a valve assembly in fluid communication with the down force cylinder and the depth control cylinder. The valve assembly is configured to automatically adjust the downward force by varying fluid pressure within the down force cylinder based on fluid pressure within the depth control cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Brian T. Adams, Keith W. Wendte
  • Patent number: 9820425
    Abstract: One row unit for an agricultural implement includes a ground engaging tool configured to penetrate soil and to form a furrow in the soil. The row unit also includes gauge wheels disposed adjacent to the ground engaging tool and configured to enable the ground engaging tool to penetrate the soil at a selectable penetration depth. Each of the gauge wheels extends substantially parallel to a direction of travel of the row unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Keith W. Wendte, Monte G. Weller
  • Publication number: 20170311537
    Abstract: A seed meter is provided for planting multiple types of seed and rapidly switching between the types being planted in a single planting pass of a planting session of row-crop planting. The seed meter has a split seed meter reservoir with a pair of seed meter chambers flanked by or next to a pair of seed disks. Activation and deactivation of the seed disks within the seed meter are synchronized to selectively deliver one type of seed from one of the seed meter chambers for delivery out of a single seed tube of the seed meter, which may provide absolute and instantaneous on-the-go seed switching within a single row from each seed meter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Keith W. Wendte, Brian T. Adams, Jason T. Czapka
  • Publication number: 20170311538
    Abstract: A seed meter is provided for planting multiple types of seed and rapidly switching between the types being planted in a single planting pass of a planting session of row-crop planting. The seed meter has a split seed meter reservoir with a pair of seed meter chambers flanked by or next to a pair of seed disks. Activation and deactivation of the seed disks within the seed meter are synchronized to selectively deliver one type of seed from one of the seed meter chambers for delivery out of a single seed tube of the seed meter, which may provide absolute and instantaneous on-the-go seed switching within a single row from each seed meter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Keith W. Wendte, Brian T. Adams, Jason T. Czapka
  • Patent number: 9730379
    Abstract: A seed meter is provided for planting multiple types of seed and rapidly switching between the types being planted in a single planting pass of a planting session of row-crop planting. The seed meter has a split seed meter reservoir with a pair of seed meter chambers flanked by or next to a pair of seed disks. Activation and deactivation of the seed disks within the seed meter are synchronized to selectively deliver one type of seed from one of the seed meter chambers for delivery out of a single seed tube of the seed meter, which may provide absolute and instantaneous on-the-go seed switching within a single row from each seed meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Keith W. Wendte, Brian T. Adams, Jason T. Czapka
  • Patent number: 9723779
    Abstract: A seed meter is provided for planting multiple types of seed and rapidly switching between the types being planted in a single planting pass of a planting session of row-crop planting. The seed meter has a segmented seed meter reservoir with multiple seed meter chambers arranged between two pairs of seed disks that may be better parallel to each other or angled with respect to each other to define an X-shaped arrangement of the seed disks in the seed meter. Activation and deactivation of the seed disks within the seed meter are synchronized to selectively deliver a single one of the multiple types of seed from the respective seed meter chamber for delivery out of a single seed tube of the seed meter, which may provide absolute and instantaneous on-the-go seed switching within a single row from each seed meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Keith W. Wendte, Brian T. Adams
  • Patent number: 9706702
    Abstract: A planter includes seed meters with accelerator wheel systems. Each accelerator wheel system receives singulated seeds from a respective seed meter and spaces the seeds with respect to each other to correct timing and thus spacing anomalies of seeds being released from seed disks of the seed meters at incorrect seed disk release events. Each accelerator wheel system adjusts and to adjust the velocity of the seeds to correspond to planter travel speed for releasing the seeds to drop straight down onto the field, without a horizontal velocity. Seeds are rotationally redirected from a generally downward delivery direction from a seed disk to a generally horizontal delivery direction out of the accelerator wheel system, opposite the tractor and implement travel direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Keith W. Wendte, Brian T. Adams
  • Patent number: 9699947
    Abstract: A tool system is provided for resisting abrasive wear of a ground-engaging tool of an agricultural implement during a crop production procedure. The tool system may include a tool for engaging an agricultural field while performing crop production procedure and that defines a main segment and a cutting segment having a working edge covered by a nanostructure coating. The cutting segment may include multiple wear zones with multiple working edges, respectively, covered by nanostructure coatings which may have different thicknesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Keith W. Wendte, Tracey D. Meiners, Robert A. Zemenchik