Patents by Inventor Keith Wendte
Keith 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).
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Patent number: 9849909Abstract: A steering system for a towable implement includes a steering sensor, an implement steering controller, a steering control valve, a steering cylinder, and an implement steering mechanism that steers the implement. The steering sensor measures, directly or indirectly, the angular position of the steerable wheels of the implement. The implement steering controller processes feedback from the steering sensor and with a desired steering angle, outputs a steering control signal that is input to the steering control valve. The steering control valve controls the flow of hydraulic fluid to the steering cylinder, which, in turn, powers the implement steering mechanism to turn the wheels of the implement. The steering system may be operated in various control modes, such as, a transportation steering mode, a corner and 180 turn steering mode, a swath tracking steering mode, crab steering mode, and a manual steering mode, which allows manual control of the steering system.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2009Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Guoping Wang, Keith Wendte, Charles Johnson, Marvin Prickel, John Posselius
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Patent number: 9114832Abstract: A steering system for a towable implement includes a steering sensor, an implement steering controller, a steering control valve, a steering cylinder, and an implement steering mechanism that steers the implement. The steering sensor measures, directly or indirectly, the angular position of the steerable wheels of the implement. The implement steering controller processes feedback from the steering sensor and with a desired steering angle, outputs a steering control signal that is input to the steering control valve. The steering control valve controls the flow of hydraulic fluid to the steering cylinder, which, in turn, powers the implement steering mechanism to turn the wheels of the implement. The steering system may be operated in various control modes, such as, a transportation steering mode, a corner and 180 turn steering mode, a swath tracking steering mode, crab steering mode, and a manual steering mode, which allows manual control of the steering system.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2009Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Guoping Wang, Keith Wendte, Charles Johnson, John Posselius, Marvin Prickel
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Patent number: 8516969Abstract: A direct drive electric seed metering system is provided for use with a row crop planter or seed planter that intakes a volume of multiple seeds from a seed hopper, draws individual seeds from the volume of multiple seeds and discharges them into a seed furrow formed in an agricultural field. The direct drive electric seed metering system includes a meter assembly having a meter housing and a seek disk rotatably mounted concentrically in the housing for singulating the seeds. A direct drive mechanism is mounted to the meter assembly for interfacing and driving the seek disk at an angular velocity which corresponds to the travel velocity of the seed planter. A single seed planter can have multiple direct drive electric seed metering systems, and each of the multiple direct drive electric seed metering systems preferably has its own prime mover to effectuate driving the seek disk.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2012Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: CNH America LLCInventors: Keith Wendte, Brian Adams
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Publication number: 20120325132Abstract: A direct drive electric seed metering system is provided for use with a row crop planter or seed planter that intakes a volume of multiple seeds from a seed hopper, draws individual seeds from the volume of multiple seeds and discharges them into a seed furrow formed in an agricultural field. The direct drive electric seed metering system includes a meter assembly having a meter housing and a seek disk rotatably mounted concentrically in the housing for singulating the seeds. A direct drive mechanism is mounted to the meter assembly for interfacing and driving the seek disk at an angular velocity which corresponds to the travel velocity of the seed planter. A single seed planter can have multiple direct drive electric seed metering systems, and each of the multiple direct drive electric seed metering systems preferably has its own prime mover to effectuate driving the seek disk.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2012Publication date: December 27, 2012Inventors: Keith Wendte, Brian Adams
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Patent number: 8296052Abstract: A method for generating a swath pattern avoiding point rows for a work vehicle to be driven in a region of a field, which region can be described as having a first side boundary and an opposite second side boundary extending divergently between a first and an opposite second end boundary, the method generating a swath pattern including side by side swaths having centerlines that diverge uniformly between the end boundaries, the method also generating a plurality of swath patterns including options for disabling one or more individual rows of an implement for selection by an operator.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2009Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Inventors: Peter J. Dix, Keith Wendte
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Patent number: 8281725Abstract: A direct drive electric seed metering system is provided for use with a row crop planter or seed planter that intakes a volume of multiple seeds from a seed hopper, draws individual seeds from the volume of multiple seeds and discharges them into a seed furrow formed in an agricultural field. The direct drive electric seed metering system includes a meter assembly having a meter housing and a seek disk rotatably mounted concentrically in the housing for singulating the seeds. A direct drive mechanism is mounted to the meter assembly for interfacing and driving the seek disk at an angular velocity which corresponds to the travel velocity of the seed planter. A single seed planter can have multiple direct drive electric seed metering systems, and each of the multiple direct drive electric seed metering systems preferably has its own prime mover to effectuate driving the seek disk.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2009Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: CNH America LLCInventors: Keith Wendte, Brian Adams
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Publication number: 20110120356Abstract: A direct drive electric seed metering system is provided for use with a row crop planter or seed planter that intakes a volume of multiple seeds from a seed hopper, draws individual seeds from the volume of multiple seeds and discharges them into a seed furrow formed in an agricultural field. The direct drive electric seed metering system includes a meter assembly having a meter housing and a seek disk rotatably mounted concentrically in the housing for singulating the seeds. A direct drive mechanism is mounted to the meter assembly for interfacing and driving the seek disk at an angular velocity which corresponds to the travel velocity of the seed planter. A single seed planter can have multiple direct drive electric seed metering systems, and each of the multiple direct drive electric seed metering systems preferably has its own prime mover to effectuate driving the seek disk.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2009Publication date: May 26, 2011Inventors: Keith Wendte, Brian Adams
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Publication number: 20110125371Abstract: A steering system for a towable implement includes a steering sensor, an implement steering controller, a steering control valve, a steering cylinder, and an implement steering mechanism that steers the implement. The steering sensor measures, directly or indirectly, the angular position of the steerable wheels of the implement. The implement steering controller processes feedback from the steering sensor and with a desired steering angle, outputs a steering control signal that is input to the steering control valve. The steering control valve controls the flow of hydraulic fluid to the steering cylinder, which, in turn, powers the implement steering mechanism to turn the wheels of the implement. The steering system may be operated in various control modes, such as, a transportation steering mode, a corner and 180 turn steering mode, a swath tracking steering mode, crab steering mode, and a manual steering mode, which allows manual control of the steering system.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2009Publication date: May 26, 2011Inventors: Guoping Wang, Keith Wendte, Charles Johnson, John Posselius, Marvin Prickel
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Publication number: 20110112721Abstract: A steering system for a towable implement includes a steering sensor, an implement steering controller, a steering control valve, a steering cylinder, and an implement steering mechanism that steers the implement. The steering sensor measures, directly or indirectly, the angular position of the steerable wheels of the implement. The implement steering controller processes feedback from the steering sensor and with a desired steering angle, outputs a steering control signal that is input to the steering control valve. The steering control valve controls the flow of hydraulic fluid to the steering cylinder, which, in turn, powers the implement steering mechanism to turn the wheels of the implement. The steering system may be operated in various control modes, such as, a transportation steering mode, a corner and 180 turn steering mode, a swath tracking steering mode, crab steering mode, and a manual steering mode, which allows manual control of the steering system.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2009Publication date: May 12, 2011Inventors: Guoping Wang, Keith Wendte, Charles Johnson, Marvin Prickel, John Posselius
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Publication number: 20100262342Abstract: A method for generating a swath pattern avoiding point rows for a work vehicle to be driven in a region of a field, which region can be described as having a first side boundary and an opposite second side boundary extending divergently between a first and an opposite second end boundary, the method generating a swath pattern including side by side swaths having centerlines that diverge uniformly between the end boundaries, the method also generating a plurality of swath patterns including options for disabling one or more individual rows of an implement for selection by an operator.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2009Publication date: October 14, 2010Inventors: Peter J. Dix, Keith Wendte
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Publication number: 20080087205Abstract: A planting unit is provided having a seed trench opener that forms a seed trench in a ground surface as the planting unit travels along the ground. A depth regulating member is provided that has a predetermined vertical position relative to the opener. The depth regulating member is operable to ride along the ground and thus predetermined the seed trench depth. A suspension assembly is provided to reduce the shock forces on the planting unit when obstacles are encountered. Furthermore, a suspension system is provided to the seed trench opener, in addition to the depth regulating member.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2007Publication date: April 17, 2008Applicant: CNH AMERICA LLCInventors: Keith Wendte, Brian Adams
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Publication number: 20070089652Abstract: A seed planting assembly is provided having a plurality of planting units supported by a tool bar, each of which being operable to form a seed trench in soil, plant seeds in the seed trench, and close the seed trench. The seed trench defines a depth that is achieved via a pair of gauge wheels. A press wheel assembly packs the trench after it has been seeded and closed. The planting assembly links the forward gauge wheels with the rear press wheel assembly for reciprocal motion to reduce the trench depth displacement when either a gauge wheel or a press wheel travels over an obstacle.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2006Publication date: April 26, 2007Applicant: CNH America LLCInventors: Keith Wendte, Brian Adams
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Publication number: 20070089653Abstract: A seed planting assembly is provided having a plurality of planting units supported by a tool bar, each of which being operable to form a seed trench in soil, plant seeds in the seed trench, and close the seed trench. The seed trench defines a depth that is achieved via a pair of gauge wheels. A press wheel assembly packs the trench after it has been seeded and closed. The planting assembly links the forward gauge wheels with the rear press wheel assembly for reciprocal motion to reduce the trench depth displacement when either a gauge wheel or a press wheel travels over an obstacle.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2006Publication date: April 26, 2007Applicant: CNH America LLCInventors: Keith Wendte, Brian Adams
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Publication number: 20070068238Abstract: A central tire inflation system for an agricultural implement that is linked to a work vehicle for movement in a field. The central tire inflation system includes a database of soil conditions corresponding to location, an implement load sensor, a location determiner, a processor, and tire inflation controller. The processor determines the proper inflation of implement tires based on factors including the soil conditions and implement load.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2005Publication date: March 29, 2007Inventor: Keith Wendte
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Publication number: 20060090680Abstract: A planting unit is provided having a seed trench opener that forms a seed trench in a ground surface as the planting unit travels along the ground. A depth regulating member is provided that has a predetermined vertical position relative to the opener. The depth regulating member is operable to ride along the ground and thus predetermined the seed trench depth. A suspension assembly is provided to reduce the shock forces on the planting unit when obstacles are encountered. Furthermore, a suspension system is provided to the seed trench opener, in addition to the depth regulating member.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2004Publication date: May 4, 2006Inventors: Keith Wendte, Brian Adams
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Publication number: 20050155536Abstract: A seed planting assembly is provided having a plurality of planting units supported by a tool bar, each of which being operable to form a seed trench in soil, plant seeds in the seed trench, and close the seed trench. The seed trench defines a depth that is achieved via a pair of gauge wheels. A press wheel assembly packs the trench after it has been seeded and closed. The planting assembly links the forward gauge wheels with the rear press wheel assembly for reciprocal motion to reduce the trench depth displacement when either a gauge wheel or a press wheel travels over an obstacle.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2004Publication date: July 21, 2005Inventors: Keith Wendte, Brian Adams
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Patent number: 6070539Abstract: One or more agricultural products, such as seed, fertilizer, herbicide and pesticide, may be dispensed at each of a plurality of row locations on an agricultural implement toolbar. A local bus connects each local metering device to a local controller at the row location, which may also have actual product application rate and soil characteristic sensors. The local controllers are connected through a system bus to a central processor mounted on the tractor, which is connected to a memory for storing product prescription and actual application maps, and also to a GPS receiver for determining current location in the field. Each local controller controls the agricultural product metering device(s) at the row location as a function of the last commanded rate received from the processor and the actual rate as sensed at the row location.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 1998Date of Patent: June 6, 2000Assignee: Case CorporationInventors: David D. Flamme, Paul Haack, Abe Orbach, Keith Wendte