Patents by Inventor Richard A. Humpal

Richard A. Humpal 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: 10994297
    Abstract: Embodiments include individual physical spray nozzles that have passageways inside to combine fluids that flow out of the spray nozzles. The nozzles have at least two valves that are opened and closed in an interleaved manner. The nozzles have multiple outlets. Such nozzles are mounted on a variety of implements including agricultural or industrial spray booms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Travis G. Funseth, Stacy L. Bullock, Richard A. Humpal
  • Patent number: 10980170
    Abstract: A mobile agricultural application machine includes a controllable valve and nozzle through which a substance is applied to an agricultural field. The controllable valve is a piezo-actuated valve. An application control system generates valve control signals to control a piezo actuator on the piezo-actuated valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: David S. Mercer, Richard A. Humpal
  • Patent number: 10913086
    Abstract: Wind speed, wind direction, and field boundary information are detected and used to identify a monitor area indicative of a likely overspray condition. Control signals are generated to obtain information from a sprayed substance sensor, in the monitor area. When an overspray condition is detected, an overspraying signal from the sprayed substance sensor indicating the detected overspray condition is received and overspray processing is performed, based upon the received overspray signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Mark E. Barker, Richard A. Humpal, Aaron A. Wells
  • Patent number: 10905057
    Abstract: Wind speed, wind direction, and field boundary information are detected and used to identify a monitor area indicative of a likely overspray condition. Control signals are generated to obtain information from a sprayed substance sensor, in the monitor area. When an overspray condition is detected, an overspraying signal from the sprayed substance sensor indicating the detected overspray condition is received and overspray processing is performed, based upon the received overspray signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Ashish Paralikar, Mark E. Barker, Richard A. Humpal, Jui Desai, Paresh Bharatiya, Aaron A. Wells
  • Publication number: 20210007344
    Abstract: An agricultural vehicle includes a frame, a first reservoir coupled to the frame with the first reservoir configured to hold a solvent, a second reservoir coupled to the frame with the second reservoir configured to hold a first solute, and a third reservoir coupled to the frame with the third reservoir configured to hold a second solute different than the first solute. The agricultural vehicle also includes a spray boom coupled to the frame. The spray boom includes a first spray nozzle and a second spray nozzle. The first spray nozzle is independently operable relative to the second spray nozzle such that the first spray nozzle is configured to dispense a first solution comprising the solvent and the first solute onto an agricultural surface and the second spray nozzle is configured to dispense a second solution comprising the solvent and the second solute onto the agricultural surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Patrick J. Fisher, Richard A. Humpal
  • Publication number: 20210008582
    Abstract: A method of equalizing a spray system for an agricultural sprayer includes measuring an output flow rate or fluid pressure for one or more nozzles on a boom assembly, determining an amount of tilt of the boom assembly with respect to a reference frame, and associating the amount of tilt with the output flow rate or fluid pressure for each of the one or more nozzles. The method also includes determining tilt-updated flow settings for the spray system based on the output flow rate or fluid pressure and storing the tilt-updated flow settings in a spray profile for later use during a spray operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Dennis J. Sullivan, Richard A. Humpal
  • Publication number: 20200406281
    Abstract: A sprayer system having dynamic pre-sets to control spray nozzles that each individually operates continuously or under a time-modulated or a frequency-modulated electronic signal control to release liquid droplets. Collectively, adjacent or near neighboring nozzles are also controlled by time-sequencing through different modes of operation or physical configurations on each spray nozzle. The spray nozzles are mounted on a variety of implements including agricultural or industrial spray booms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventors: Travis G. Funseth, Richard A. Humpal, Stacy L. Bullock
  • Patent number: 10842143
    Abstract: An agricultural multi-fluid spray system includes a plurality of working fluid sources and a plurality of lines carrying a plurality of working fluids from the plurality of working fluid sources. A first spray nozzle has a plurality of inlets coupled to the plurality of lines and has a plurality of outlets selectively coupled to the plurality of inlets. The first spray nozzle has at least one control valve operatively positioned between the plurality of inlets and the plurality of outlets. The first spray nozzle is configured to segregate the plurality of working fluids into a plurality of fluid paths within the first spray nozzle upstream of the at least one control valve. The at least one control valve is configured and controlled to selectively route the plurality of fluid paths to one or more of the plurality of outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Richard A. Humpal, Ryan P. Davis, Dennis J. Sullivan, Larry P. Ferguson
  • Publication number: 20200353494
    Abstract: Embodiments include individual physical spray nozzles that have passageways inside to combine fluids that flow out of the spray nozzles. The nozzles have at least two valves that are opened and closed in an interleaved manner. The nozzles have multiple outlets. Such nozzles are mounted on a variety of implements including agricultural or industrial spray booms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: Travis G. Funseth, Stacy L. Bullock, Richard A. Humpal
  • Patent number: 10827693
    Abstract: A mobile agricultural sprayer includes at least one sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a temperature inversion at a worksite. The mobile agricultural sprayer also includes an inversion detection system configured to detect a presence of the temperature inversion at the worksite based on the sensor signal, and, based on the detected presence, generate a temperature inversion output indicative of the presence of the temperature inversion. The mobile agricultural sprayer also includes an action signal generator configured to receive the temperature inversion output from the inversion detection system, and, based on the received temperature inversion output, generate an action signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Noel W. Anderson, Richard A. Humpal, Terence D. Pickett, Travis G. Funseth
  • Patent number: 10828655
    Abstract: A mobile agricultural sprayer includes a chemical tank that holds a chemical fluid to be sprayed at a worksite and a rinse fluid tank that holds rinse fluid. The mobile agricultural sprayer also includes a first sensor coupled to the rinse fluid tank configured to detect a characteristic of the rinse fluid within the rinse fluid tank, and, generate a first sensor signal indicative of the characteristic of the rinse fluid. The sprayer also includes a distribution system, including a fluidic pathway and a nozzle, configured to pump the rinse fluid from the rinse fluid tank along the fluidic pathway through the nozzle of the sprayer. The sprayer also includes a second sensor coupled to the fluidic pathway configured to detect a characteristic of the fluid within the fluidic pathway, and generate a second sensor signal indicative of the characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Kathryn L. Dunkel, Richard A. Humpal
  • Patent number: 10820585
    Abstract: The sprayer system associated with a work vehicle having a boom and a fluid source may include a spray device configured to selectively apply a fluid from the fluid source on the work vehicle to an agricultural crop. The sprayer system may further include a drop apparatus having a linkage assembly with a top portion coupled to the boom and a bottom portion coupled to the spray device. The linkage assembly may be selectively repositionable between a retracted position and an extended position to raise and lower the spray device relative to the boom along an upright reference axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark E. Barker, Richard A. Humpal
  • Patent number: 10786826
    Abstract: Embodiments of an equalization system include a spray system with a spray boom and a plurality of nozzles that have fluid flow measurement sensors to measure flow rate from each nozzle or each section of nozzles for different boom configurations. Based on a comparison of the flow indicators to the average value, target value or reference value, a deviation from a target nozzle outflow rate is determined. The deviation is proportionally applied to adjust pulse width modulated nozzle control to equalize the performance of the nozzles or sections of nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Dennis J. Sullivan, Richard A. Humpal
  • Patent number: 10773271
    Abstract: Embodiments include a sprayer system having dynamic pre-sets to control spray nozzles that each individually operates continuously or under a time-modulated or a frequency-modulated electronic signal control to release the liquid droplets. Collectively, adjacent or near neighboring nozzles are also controlled by time-sequencing through different modes of operation or physical configurations on each spray nozzle. The spray nozzles are mounted on a variety of implements including agricultural or industrial spray booms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Travis G. Funseth, Richard A. Humpal, Stacy L. Bullock
  • Patent number: 10730065
    Abstract: Embodiments include individual physical spray nozzles that have passageways inside to combine fluids that flow out of the spray nozzles. The nozzles have at least two valves that are opened and closed in an interleaved manner. The nozzles have multiple outlets. Such nozzles are mounted on a variety of implements including agricultural or industrial spray booms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Travis G. Funseth, Stacy L. Bullock, Richard A. Humpal
  • Publication number: 20200113171
    Abstract: A method of spraying multiple fluids from an agricultural machine includes supplying a first working fluid from a first source to a first spray nozzle, and supplying a second working fluid from a second source to the first spray nozzle. The method also includes operating at least one valve in the first spray nozzle to control flow of the first working fluid from the first source to one or more outlets of the first spray nozzle, and operating the at least one valve in the first spray nozzle to control flow of the second working fluid from the second source to the one or more outlets of the first spray nozzle. The method further includes selectively spraying the first working fluid through the one or more outlets of the first spray nozzle, and selectively spraying the second working fluid through the one or more outlets of the first spray nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventors: Ryan P. Davis, Richard A. Humpal, Dennis J. Sullivan, Larry P. Ferguson
  • Publication number: 20200113170
    Abstract: An agricultural multi-fluid spray system includes a plurality of working fluid sources and a plurality of lines carrying a plurality of working fluids from the plurality of working fluid sources. A first spray nozzle has a plurality of inlets coupled to the plurality of lines and has a plurality of outlets selectively coupled to the plurality of inlets. The first spray nozzle has at least one control valve operatively positioned between the plurality of inlets and the plurality of outlets. The first spray nozzle is configured to segregate the plurality of working fluids into a plurality of fluid paths within the first spray nozzle upstream of the at least one control valve. The at least one control valve is configured and controlled to selectively route the plurality of fluid paths to one or more of the plurality of outlets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventors: Ryan P. Davis, Richard A. Humpal, Dennis J. Sullivan, Larry P. Ferguson
  • Publication number: 20200047206
    Abstract: A mobile agricultural sprayer includes a chemical tank that holds a chemical fluid to be sprayed at a worksite and a rinse fluid tank that holds rinse fluid. The mobile agricultural sprayer also includes a first sensor coupled to the rinse fluid tank configured to detect a characteristic of the rinse fluid within the rinse fluid tank, and, generate a first sensor signal indicative of the characteristic of the rinse fluid. The sprayer also includes a distribution system, including a fluidic pathway and a nozzle, configured to pump the rinse fluid from the rinse fluid tank along the fluidic pathway through the nozzle of the sprayer. The sprayer also includes a second sensor coupled to the fluidic pathway configured to detect a characteristic of the fluid within the fluidic pathway, and generate a second sensor signal indicative of the characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Kathryn L. Dunkel, Richard A. Humpal
  • Publication number: 20200023398
    Abstract: A system and method for dispersing fluids from an agricultural vehicle includes a sprayer that dispenses the fluids and a controller cooperative with a plurality of sensors to sense vehicle travel speed, vehicle travel direction, wind speed, wind direction, and the heights of first and second nozzles from the ground surface. The controller includes a memory storing a look-up table having fan angles of the first and second nozzles, and a processor that computes first and second spray pattern on the ground surface based on the fluid dispensed through the respective first and second nozzles. The processor determines an overlap region between the first and second spray patterns, compares the determined overlap region with a pre-determined overlap, and takes corrective action automatically by changing travel speed of the vehicle or changing a duration of time the fluids are dispensed from the first and second nozzles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: Johannes Feldhaus, Richard A. Humpal, Dolly Y. Wu
  • Publication number: 20190357426
    Abstract: An agricultural machine system for performing agricultural tasks in a in a field on which plants are planted or will be planted in a pattern, the system comprising: a prime mover; a tool bar connected to the prime mover; a plurality of units attached to the tool bar, the units configured to perform at least one agricultural tasks and wherein at least two of the units are disposed in an offset relationship from each other with respect to a forward direction of travel of the agricultural machine about the tool bar; and a control unit in communication with the prime mover and the plurality of units, the control unit configured to determine a selective location corresponding to the pattern in which plants are planted or will be planted and activate the units at the selective location to perform the at least one agricultural task as the agricultural machine system travels along a plurality of rows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Kilian Wolff, Roland Werner, Richard A. Humpal, Wolfram Haiges