Patents by Inventor NILE T. ACKERMAN

NILE T. ACKERMAN 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: 11794198
    Abstract: Nozzles for an air duct arrangement of an air conveying system may include a first outlet nozzle that is divided into a plurality of chambers are disclosed. The plurality of chambers formed by the outlet provide for a more uniform flow of air exiting the outlet, which generates a greater induced air flow in an associated section of duct. An orientation of a second outlet relative to an inlet of the nozzle provides for a reduced head loss within the nozzle, thereby providing for reduced backpressure within the nozzle and, consequently, a reduced power consumption associated with generating a desired airflow through the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Mahesh S. Mate, Shrikant Sadavarte, Nile T. Ackerman, Daniel J. Johannsen, Shubham Dubey
  • Publication number: 20230082697
    Abstract: Nozzles for an air duct arrangement of an air conveying system may include a first outlet nozzle that is divided into a plurality of chambers are disclosed. The plurality of chambers formed by the outlet provide for a more uniform flow of air exiting the outlet, which generates a greater induced air flow in an associated section of duct. An orientation of a second outlet relative to an inlet of the nozzle provides for a reduced head loss within the nozzle, thereby providing for reduced backpressure within the nozzle and, consequently, a reduced power consumption associated with generating a desired airflow through the nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: MAHESH S. MATE, SHRIKANT SADAVARTE, NILE T. ACKERMAN, DANIEL J. JOHANNSEN, SHUBHAM DUBEY
  • Patent number: 11548014
    Abstract: Nozzles for an air duct arrangement of an air conveying system may include a first outlet nozzle that is divided into a plurality of chambers are disclosed. The plurality of chambers formed by the outlet provide for a more uniform flow of air exiting the outlet, which generates a greater induced air flow in an associated section of duct. An orientation of a second outlet relative to an inlet of the nozzle provides for a reduced head loss within the nozzle, thereby providing for reduced backpressure within the nozzle and, consequently, a reduced power consumption associated with generating a desired airflow through the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Mahesh S. Mate, Shrikant Sadavarte, Nile T. Ackerman, Daniel J. Johannsen, Shubham Dubey
  • Publication number: 20220288608
    Abstract: Nozzles for an air duct arrangement of an air conveying system may include a first outlet nozzle that is divided into a plurality of chambers are disclosed. The plurality of chambers formed by the outlet provide for a more uniform flow of air exiting the outlet, which generates a greater induced air flow in an associated section of duct. An orientation of a second outlet relative to an inlet of the nozzle provides for a reduced head loss within the nozzle, thereby providing for reduced backpressure within the nozzle and, consequently, a reduced power consumption associated with generating a desired airflow through the nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: MAHESH S. MATE, SHRIKANT SADAVARTE, NILE T. ACKERMAN, DANIEL J. JOHANNSEN, SHUBHAM DUBEY
  • Patent number: 11071254
    Abstract: A module builder of an agricultural vehicle includes a chamber operable to support and form a product. A wrap is feedable into the chamber through a pinch point, the pinch point partially defined by a rotatable roller. A belt at least partially defines a wrap path. The wrap is configured to move along the wrap path to surround the product in the chamber. A gas flow system and/or a reversing belt is operable to direct the wrap from the pinch point toward the wrap path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: James T. Noonan, Kevin J. Goering, Mark A. Cracraft, Nile T. Ackerman, Justin E. Hummel, Jeffrey S. Wigdahl, Robert C. Blad
  • Publication number: 20180020620
    Abstract: A module builder of an agricultural vehicle includes a chamber operable to support and form a product. A wrap is feedable into the chamber through a pinch point, the pinch point partially defined by a rotatable roller. A belt at least partially defines a wrap path. The wrap is configured to move along the wrap path to surround the product in the chamber. A gas flow system and/or a reversing belt is operable to direct the wrap from the pinch point toward the wrap path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: James T. Noonan, Kevin J. Goering, Mark A. Cracraft, Nile T. Ackerman, Justin E. Hummel, Jeffrey S. Wigdahl, Robert C. Blad
  • Patent number: 9681605
    Abstract: A harvester having a harvesting structure, an accumulator, and a module builder having a throat. A plurality of meter rollers are positioned to receive crop and transfer crop at a feed rate in cooperation with a beater roller. A feeder belt receives crop from the meter rollers and the beater roller and transfers the crop to the throat. A feed rate control system comprises at least one crop mass flow feedback device providing a crop mass flow feedback signal indicative of crop mass flow. A controller is provided that is in communication with the at least one crop mass flow feedback device and configured to operate in a first mode by lowering the feed rate when the crop mass flow feedback signal indicates a threshold has been reached and by raising the feed rate when the crop mass flow feedback signal indicates the threshold has not been reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: James T. Noonan, Kevin J. Goering, Steven D. Wallestad, Mark A. Cracraft, Jerry B. Hall, Nile T. Ackerman
  • Publication number: 20170112060
    Abstract: A harvester having a harvesting structure, an accumulator, and a module builder having a throat. A plurality of meter rollers are positioned to receive crop and transfer crop at a feed rate in cooperation with a beater roller. A feeder belt receives crop from the meter rollers and the beater roller and transfers the crop to the throat. A feed rate control system comprises at least one crop mass flow feedback device providing a crop mass flow feedback signal indicative of crop mass flow. A controller is provided that is in communication with the at least one crop mass flow feedback device and configured to operate in a first mode by lowering the feed rate when the crop mass flow feedback signal indicates a threshold has been reached and by raising the feed rate when the crop mass flow feedback signal indicates the threshold has not been reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: James T. Noonan, Kevin J. Goering, Steven D. Wallestad, Mark A. Cracraft, Jerry B. Hall, Nile T. Ackerman
  • Publication number: 20140290202
    Abstract: A round module builder for forming a round module. The round module builder comprising a first module-forming portion configured to receive a crop. A second module-forming portion is pivotally coupleable to the first module-forming portion. The first module-forming portion and the second module-forming portion are configured to rotate the crop into the round module. A wrapping device is coupleable to at least one of the first module-forming portion and the second module-forming portion. The wrapping device is configured to position a wrap onto the round module. A wrap indication device is coupleable to at least one of the first module-forming portion and the second module-forming portion. The wrap indication device is configured to measure an indication of the wrap on the round module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Deere & Company
    Inventors: JEFFREY S. WIGDAHL, MARK A. CRACRAFT, SCOTT D. WEBER, NICHOLAS W. VANLANINGHAM, NILE T. ACKERMAN
  • Patent number: 8844251
    Abstract: A cotton accumulator system for a cotton harvester. The cotton accumulator system includes a cotton storage structure having an upper inlet and a lower outlet. A paddle shaft is coupleable to the cotton storage structure and configured to rotate about an axis. A plurality of paddles is coupleable to the paddle shaft. The plurality of paddles is configured to rotate with the paddle shaft to disperse cotton substantially evenly in the cotton storage structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: John O. Rumohr, Dan L. Heggen, Donald B. Brooks, Nile T. Ackerman, Jeffrey R. Fox, Scott D. Weber, Justin E. Hummel, Tom R. Walmsley, Mark A. Cracraft, Jeffrey S. Wigdahl, Daniel A. Krieg
  • Publication number: 20140157745
    Abstract: A cotton accumulator system for a cotton harvester is disclosed. The cotton accumulator system includes a cotton storage structure having an upper inlet and a lower outlet. A paddle shaft is coupleable to the cotton storage structure and configured to rotate about an axis. A plurality of paddles is coupleable to the paddle shaft. The plurality of paddles is configured to rotate with the paddle shaft to disperse cotton substantially evenly in the cotton storage structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Deere & Company
    Inventors: JOHN O. RUMOHR, DAN L. HEGGEN, DONALD B. BROOKS, NILE T. ACKERMAN, JEFFREY R. FOX, SCOTT D. WEBER, JUSTIN E. HUMMEL, TOM R. WALMSLEY, MARK A. CRACRAFT, JEFFREY S. WIGDAHL, DANIEL A. KRIEG