Patents by Inventor Mike Graham
Mike Graham 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: 11939244Abstract: Methods and systems for electrochemical treatment of fertigation water for use and for recycling in agricultural systems such as in controlled environment agricultural systems.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2019Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF GUELPHInventors: Serge Levesque, Thomas Graham, Dorin Bejan, Jamie Lawson, Mike Dixon, Ping Zhang
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Patent number: 9275265Abstract: A seed sorter system is operable to sort seeds based on one or more characteristics of the seeds. The system includes a seed loading station operable to isolate individual seeds from a plurality of seeds and load the isolated seeds into a seed tray, an imaging and analysis subsystem operable to collect image data of at least a top portion and a bottom portion of each of the seeds in the seed tray and determine one or more characteristics of each of the seeds, a seed off-load and sort station operable to remove the seeds from the seed tray and sort the seeds to desired receptacles based on the determined one or more characteristics of the seeds, and a seed transport operable to move the seed tray between the seed loading station, the imaging and analysis subsystem, and the seed off-load and sort station.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2015Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: MONSANTO TECHNOLOGY LLCInventors: Kevin L. Deppermann, James Crain, Sam R. Eathington, Mike Graham, Steven H. Modiano
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Publication number: 20150165484Abstract: A seed sorter system is operable to sort seeds based on one or more characteristics of the seeds. The system includes a seed loading station operable to isolate individual seeds from a plurality of seeds and load the isolated seeds into a seed tray, an imaging and analysis subsystem operable to collect image data of at least a top portion and a bottom portion of each of the seeds in the seed tray and determine one or more characteristics of each of the seeds, a seed off-load and sort station operable to remove the seeds from the seed tray and sort the seeds to desired receptacles based on the determined one or more characteristics of the seeds, and a seed transport operable to move the seed tray between the seed loading station, the imaging and analysis subsystem, and the seed off-load and sort station.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2015Publication date: June 18, 2015Inventors: Kevin L. Deppermann, James Crain, Sam R. Eathington, Mike Graham, Steven H. Modiano
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Patent number: 8965101Abstract: A seed sorter system is operable to sort seeds based on one or more characteristics of the seeds. The system includes a seed loading station operable to isolate individual seeds from a plurality of seeds and load the isolated seeds into a seed tray, an imaging and analysis subsystem operable to collect image data of at least a top portion and a bottom portion of each of the seeds in the seed tray and determine one or more characteristics of each of the seeds, a seed off-load and sort station operable to remove the seeds from the seed tray and sort the seeds to desired receptacles based on the determined one or more characteristics of the seeds, and a seed transport operable to move the seed tray between the seed loading station, the imaging and analysis subsystem, and the seed off-load and sort station.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2013Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLCInventors: Kevin L. Deppermann, James Crain, Sam R. Eathington, Mike Graham, Steven H. Modiano
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Publication number: 20140061104Abstract: A seed sorter system is operable to sort seeds based on one or more characteristics of the seeds. The system includes a seed loading station operable to isolate individual seeds from a plurality of seeds and load the isolated seeds into a seed tray, an imaging and analysis subsystem operable to collect image data of at least a top portion and a bottom portion of each of the seeds in the seed tray and determine one or more characteristics of each of the seeds, a seed off-load and sort station operable to remove the seeds from the seed tray and sort the seeds to desired receptacles based on the determined one or more characteristics of the seeds, and a seed transport operable to move the seed tray between the seed loading station, the imaging and analysis subsystem, and the seed off-load and sort station.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2013Publication date: March 6, 2014Applicant: Monsanto Technology LLCInventors: Kevin L. Deppermann, James Crain, Sam R. Eathington, Mike Graham, Steven H. Modiano
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Patent number: 8548222Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for evaluating and sorting seeds based on characteristics of the seeds. One method generally includes collecting image data from different parts of the seeds, and then analyzing the collected image data to determine if the seeds exhibit at least one or more characteristics. The seeds can then be sorted to desired seed repositories based on whether or not the seeds exhibit the at least one or more characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLCInventors: Kevin L. Deppermann, James Crain, Sam R. Eathington, Mike Graham, Steven H. Modiano
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Patent number: 8401271Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for evaluating and sorting seeds based on characteristics of the seeds. One system includes an imaging and analysis subsystem that collects image data from the seeds and analyzes the collected image data for characteristics of the seeds. This subsystem can include an imaging theater having mirrors that reflect image data from the seeds to an imaging device for collection. The system can also include an off-loading and sorting subsystem configured to sort the seeds based on their characteristics. And, one method includes illuminating the seeds and collecting image data from the seeds for determining their characteristics. The image data can be collected from at least three portions of the seeds at each of a plurality of sequentially changing spectral wavelengths. In addition (or alternatively), the image data can be collected from top and bottom portions of the seeds using a single imaging device.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2012Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLCInventors: Kevin L. Deppermann, James Crain, Sam R. Eathington, Mike Graham, Steven H. Modiano
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Publication number: 20120228199Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for evaluating and sorting seeds based on characteristics of the seeds. One system includes an imaging and analysis subsystem that collects image data from the seeds and analyzes the collected image data for characteristics of the seeds. This subsystem can include an imaging theater having minors that reflect image data from the seeds to an imaging device for collection. The system can also include an off-loading and sorting subsystem configured to sort the seeds based on their characteristics. And, one method includes illuminating the seeds and collecting image data from the seeds for determining their characteristics. The image data can be collected from at least three portions of the seeds at each of a plurality of sequentially changing spectral wavelengths. In addition (or alternatively), the image data can be collected from top and bottom portions of the seeds using a single imaging device.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2012Publication date: September 13, 2012Applicant: MONSANTO TECHNOLOGY LLCInventors: Steven H. Modiano, Kevin L. Deppermann, James Crain, Sam R. Eathington, Mike Graham
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Patent number: 8189901Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for sorting seeds based on identified phenotypes of the seeds. In various embodiments, the system includes an optics and controller station structured and operable to collect image data of a top portion, a bottom portion and a plurality of side portions of each respective seed in a set of seeds, and to analyze the collected image data to determine whether each seed exhibits a desired phenotype. The system further includes a seed loading, transporting and sorting station structured and operable to singulate each seed of the set of seeds from a plurality of seeds in a bulk seed hopper, transport the set of seeds to the optics and controller station, and selectively sort each seed to a respective one of a plurality of seed repositories based on whether each respective seed exhibits the desired phenotype.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2008Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLCInventors: Steven H. Modiano, Kevin L. Deppermann, James Crain, Sam R Eathington, Mike Graham
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Patent number: 8186745Abstract: A device for reducing vehicle aerodynamic resistance for vehicles having a generally rectangular body disposed above rear wheels, comprising a plurality of flexible opposing flat sheets and a plurality flexible load bearing struts attached to the bottom of the rectangular body, that bend to resist damage when struck by the ground, and guide airflow around the rear wheels of the vehicle to reduce its aerodynamic resistance when moving.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2009Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: Freight Wing Inc.Inventors: Sean C Graham, Mike Graham, Coty T Hollifield
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Publication number: 20110062749Abstract: A device for reducing vehicle aerodynamic resistance for vehicles having a generally rectangular body disposed above rear wheels, comprising a plurality of flexible opposing flat sheets and a plurality flexible load bearing struts attached to the bottom of the rectangular body, that bend to resist damage when struck by the ground, and guide airflow around the rear wheels of the vehicle to reduce its aerodynamic resistance when moving.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2009Publication date: March 17, 2011Applicant: FREIGHT WING INCInventors: Sean Graham, Mike Graham, Coty Hollifield
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Publication number: 20080310674Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for sorting seeds based on identified phenotypes of the seeds. In various embodiments, the system includes an optics and controller station structured and operable to collect image data of a top portion, a bottom portion and a plurality of side portions of each respective seed in a set of seeds, and to analyze the collected image data to determine whether each seed exhibits a desired phenotype. The system further includes a seed loading, transporting and sorting station structured and operable to singulate each seed of the set of seeds from a plurality of seeds in a bulk seed hopper, transport the set of seeds to the optics and controller station, and selectively sort each seed to a respective one of a plurality of seed repositories based on whether each respective seed exhibits the desired phenotype.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2008Publication date: December 18, 2008Applicant: MONSANTO TECHNOLOGY LLCInventors: Steven H. Modiano, Kevin L. Deppermann, James Crain, Sam R. Eathington, Mike Graham
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Patent number: 6553778Abstract: A multi-stage cooling system is disclosed. The multi-stage cooling system is capable of providing a plurality of cooling capacities. The cooling system has a plurality of independently operable compressors. A control system operates the compressors to provide a cooling capacity corresponding to the heat load of a space to be cooled. A condenser structure of the cooling system has a plurality of individual condenser coils. Each condenser coil has an independent refrigerant path receiving compressed refrigerant from one of the compressors. An evaporator structure of the cooling system has a plurality of individual evaporator coils. Each evaporator coil has an independent refrigerant path receiving condensed refrigerant from a corresponding condenser coil via an expansion mechanism and returning refrigerant to an input of a corresponding compressor.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.Inventors: Russ Tipton, Terry Bush, Mike Graham, Jack Saunders
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Publication number: 20020092318Abstract: A multi-stage cooling system is disclosed. The multi-stage cooling system is capable of providing a plurality of cooling capacities. The cooling system has a plurality of independently operable compressors. A control system operates the compressors to provide a cooling capacity corresponding to the heat load of a space to be cooled. A condenser structure of the cooling system has a plurality of individual condenser coils. Each condenser coil has an independent refrigerant path receiving compressed refrigerant from one of the compressors. An evaporator structure of the cooling system has a plurality of individual evaporator coils. Each evaporator coil has an independent refrigerant path receiving condensed refrigerant from a corresponding condenser coil via an expansion mechanism and returning refrigerant to an input of a corresponding compressor.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2001Publication date: July 18, 2002Inventors: Russ Tipton, Terry Bush, Mike Graham, Jack Saunders