Patents by Inventor Pieter J. P. Willem

Pieter J. P. Willem 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: 10257984
    Abstract: An agricultural harvester (10) defining a longitudinal axis (LI) includes a chassis; at least one ground engaging traction member carried by the chassis (12); a cleaning system (26) carried by the chassis that is configured to clean crop material; and a generally vertical crop material elevator (60) carried by the chassis. The crop material elevator (60) includes a housing (78) having an inlet (76) formed therethrough; a driving loop (88) held within the housing; a plurality of paddles (90) connected to the driving loop; and a rotating element (92) configured to rotate the plurality of paddles about an axis of rotation that is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis. The agricultural harvester (10) also includes a crop material conveyor (70) configured to supply cleaned crop material to the inlet of the crop material elevator from the cleaning system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Jason R. Coppinger, Pieter Vandevelde, Eric E. Veikle, Pieter J. P. Willem, Cale N. Boriack
  • Patent number: 10076079
    Abstract: An agricultural harvester is described, the harvester comprising a processor for receiving a flow of harvested crop and processing the harvested crop, an on-board tank for storing the processed crop, and a loading arrangement for transporting the flow of processed crop from the feeder to the on-board tank. The loading arrangement comprises an auger, the auger comprising a lower section with an inlet for receiving the flow of processed crop and an upper section with an outlet. The auger further comprises a tubular housing and an auger fighting mounted inside the tubular housing for, during use, transporting the flow of processed crop from the lower section to the upper section and outputting the processed crop via the outlet of the upper section. A clearance between the housing and the auger fighting is larger in the lower section of the auger compared to the upper section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Stefaan Ballegeer, Frank R. G. Duquesne, Eric E. Veikle, Pieter J. P. Willem
  • Patent number: 9907228
    Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes a chassis and a grain tank carried by the chassis. The grain tank includes a frame having an opening formed therethrough; a pair of tank cover sections movably associated with the frame such that the tank cover sections can switch between an open position and a covering position relative to the opening of the frame; and at least one actuator linked to at least one of the tank cover sections and configured to selectively provide a switching force. The agricultural harvester further includes a force assistor or a brake linked to one of the pair of tank cover sections and configured to apply an assist force or a braking force, respectively, to one of the pair of tank cover sections but not the other of the pair of tank cover sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Pieter Vandevelde, Pieter J. P. Willem
  • Publication number: 20170339833
    Abstract: An agricultural harvester (10) defining a longitudinal axis (LI) includes a chassis; at least one ground engaging traction member carried by the chassis (12); a cleaning system (26) carried by the chassis that is configured to clean crop material; and a generally vertical crop material elevator (60) carried by the chassis. The crop material elevator (60) includes a housing (78) having an inlet (76) formed therethrough; a driving loop (88) held within the housing; a plurality of paddles (90) connected to the driving loop; and a rotating element (92) configured to rotate the plurality of paddles about an axis of rotation that is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis. The agricultural harvester (10) also includes a crop material conveyor (70) configured to supply cleaned crop material to the inlet of the crop material elevator from the cleaning system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Jason R. Coppinger, Pieter Vandevelde, Eric E. Veikle, Pieter J.P. Willem, Cale N. Boriack
  • Publication number: 20160360696
    Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes a chassis and a grain tank carried by the chassis. The grain tank includes a frame having an opening formed therethrough; a pair of tank cover sections movably associated with the frame such that the tank cover sections can switch between an open position and a covering position relative to the opening of the frame; and at least one actuator linked to at least one of the tank cover sections and configured to selectively provide a switching force. The agricultural harvester further includes a force assistor or a brake linked to one of the pair of tank cover sections and configured to apply an assist force or a braking force, respectively, to one of the pair of tank cover sections but not the other of the pair of tank cover sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventors: Pieter Vandevelde, Pieter J.P. Willem
  • Publication number: 20160345502
    Abstract: An agricultural harvester is described, the harvester comprising a processor for receiving a flow of harvested crop and processing the harvested crop, an on-board tank for storing the processed crop, and a loading arrangement for transporting the flow of processed crop from the feeder to the on-board tank. The loading arrangement comprises an auger, the auger comprising a lower section with an inlet for receiving the flow of processed crop and an upper section with an outlet. The auger further comprises a tubular housing and an auger fighting mounted inside the tubular housing for, during use, transporting the flow of processed crop from the lower section to the upper section and outputting the processed crop via the outlet of the upper section. A clearance between the housing and the auger fighting is larger in the lower section of the auger compared to the upper section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Stefaan Ballegeer, Frank R.G. Duquesne, Eric E. Veikle, Pieter J.P. Willem
  • Publication number: 20130196725
    Abstract: A cover for the grain tank of a combine harvester is disclosed that, when raised, is capable of acting as a tank extension to increase the storage capacity of the grain tank. The cover comprises side panels (10, 12) and end panels (14, 16) of which the edges interlock when the cover is raised. In the invention, each of the side and end panels (10, 12, 14, 16) is formed of a plurality of hollow extrusions (50). Each extrusion is of box section construction with parallel inner and outer walls (52, 54) separated from one another by two or more transversely extending webs (56, 57, 58). Formations (60, 62) on the side edges of the extrusions (50) permit each pair of adjacent extrusions to be interlocked with one another along their length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventors: Johnny Bossuyt, Pieter J.P. Willem
  • Patent number: 7380392
    Abstract: In a header having a movably mounted knife and a guard for shielding the moving and rotating components operating the knife, the guard preferably comprising two interconnected parts of which the first part is mounted on the header so as not to move with the knife and the second part is coupled for movement with the knife. In this way, the area shielded by the guard automatically expands and contracts with movement of the knife.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Pieter J. P. Willem, Eric A. H. Maertens, Geert P. Mortier, Rudy P. A. Vandewalle