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).

  • Publication number: 20170050206
    Abstract: A spray nozzle body has an upper end provided with a clamp arrangement comprising upper and lower clamp halves tightly clamped onto a fluid supply tube having a preselected first diameter. A removable tubular fluid delivery stem is received in a receiver hole extending vertically into the nozzle body from a clamping surface of the lower clamp half and has an upper end portion tightly received in a fluid outlet hole, of preselected size, provided in the supply tube. The clamp arrangement may be reconfigured for being clamped onto a smaller fluid supply tube by providing a replacement upper clamp half and a pipe-size adapter, each having appropriately sized clamping surfaces, with the adapter being seated within the clamping surface of the lower clamp half The pipe-size adapter incorporates a suitably dimensioned fluid delivery stem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Stacy L. Bullock, Richard A. Humpal, Travis G. Funseth
  • Publication number: 20160368011
    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: June 21, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Johannes Feldhaus, Richard A. Humpal, Dolly Y. Wu
  • Publication number: 20160338335
    Abstract: An example embodiment includes an agricultural sprayer having a boom that supports many sections of fluid distribution pipes and an even larger number of spray nozzles. Various activities related to the spray nozzles are enabled or disabled using infinity switches or slide configurations that are mounted an operator seat armrests or on remote controllers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Curtis R. Hammer, Patrick J. Fisher, Richard A. Humpal, Dolly Y. Wu
  • Publication number: 20160178422
    Abstract: Embodiments of a sprayer system having spray nozzles; each nozzle includes a thermistor or resistor that provides an electronic current or voltage value correlated with a flow rate or a local temperature. A low flow rate indicates of a fluid flow clog or plug within the nozzle or conduit. The flow rate or temperature results among the different nozzles are compared to detect which nozzles are partially or entirely clogged or otherwise anomalous. In various embodiments, the thermistor electronics are integrated in each individual nozzle. In some embodiments, upon detection of a potential clog, the electronics create an alert and respond to the clogged condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Richard A. Humpal, Dolly Y. Wu
  • Publication number: 20160175869
    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: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Dennis J. Sullivan, Richard A. Humpal
  • Publication number: 20160074891
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method and a control system are described for controlling one or more operations of a sprayer vehicle with a tilt-detection mechanism, a tank, and a tank fill-volume sensor. The tilt-detection mechanism is utilized to determine a tilt indicator. A tilt value is determined based upon the tilt indicator. A tank fill-volume indicator is determined based upon information from the tank fill-volume sensor. A tilt-corrected fill-volume of the tank is determined based upon the tilt value and the tank fill-volume indicator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: DAVID A. HANSON, RICHARD A. HUMPAL, BRADLEY J. HITCHLER, MATTHEW T. MARTIN
  • Patent number: 9266124
    Abstract: A sprayer nozzle cartridge for a sprayer nozzle apparatus of an agricultural sprayer is disclosed. The sprayer nozzle cartridge is adapted for coupling to a nozzle connector of the sprayer nozzle apparatus and for receiving a fluid from the sprayer nozzle apparatus. The sprayer nozzle apparatus includes an apparatus housing for supporting the nozzle connector and a control element configured to control fluid flow. The sprayer nozzle cartridge includes a cartridge housing. A plurality of nozzle tips having a plurality of flow paths are coupled to the cartridge housing. The control element selectively communicates fluid to at least one of the plurality of flow paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Richard A. Humpal, Travis G. Funseth
  • Patent number: 9258989
    Abstract: A boom structure for a mobile agricultural implement. The boom structure includes a first transversely extending beam member having a first protrusion. The boom structure includes a second transversely extending beam member having a second protrusion. The second transversely extending beam member is spatially offset from the first transversely extending beam member. A plurality of first coupling members are connected to the first protrusion and a plurality of second coupling members connected to the second protrusion. A plurality of connecting members are connected to the first and second coupling members to connect the first and second transversely extending beam members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark E. Barker, Roger E. Daniels, Richard A. Humpal
  • Publication number: 20150375247
    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: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Travis G. Funseth, Richard A. Humpal, Stacy L. Bullock
  • Publication number: 20150367357
    Abstract: An individual spray nozzle contains two or more valves that are actuated by time or frequency modulated signals such as pulse width modulated (PWM) signals. The PWM signals are interleaved to open and close each of the respective valves that enable fluid to flow from an input to a combined output. The opening and closing positions of two or more different valves are interleaved to increase the range of performance, such as to increase the frequency of fluid flow from the input to the combined output. Additional embodiments are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Richard A. Humpal, Travis G. Funseth
  • Publication number: 20150367358
    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: October 3, 2014
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Travis G. Funseth, Stacy L. Bullock, Richard A. Humpal, Dolly Y. Wu
  • Patent number: 9073070
    Abstract: A sprayer nozzle apparatus of an agricultural sprayer is disclosed. The sprayer nozzle apparatus is adapted for receiving a fluid from a spray line of an agricultural sprayer. The sprayer nozzle apparatus includes an apparatus housing. A control element is rotatably coupled to the apparatus housing. A plurality of nozzle connectors having a plurality of supply paths are coupled to the apparatus housing. The control element is configured to receive fluid from the spray line and selectively communicate fluid to at least one of the plurality of supply paths of one of the plurality of nozzle connectors in a first position and to at least one of the plurality of supply paths of another of the plurality of nozzle connectors in a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Travis G. Funseth, Richard A. Humpal
  • Patent number: 8919676
    Abstract: An agricultural sprayer includes a spray boom equipped with a plurality of spray heads, with each head having a body defining a cavity located in fluid communication with a fluid inlet and an array of four outlets leading to four nozzles respectively having different flow rates. A nozzle-select control member is mounted for rotation in the cavity and includes a fluid passage arrangement for establishing fluid connections between the inlet and different ones or combinations of the four nozzles as the control member is rotated among preselected discrete positions by an electric stepper motor, with the stepper motor being controlled in response to vehicle speed so that the spray tip capacity decreases for effecting a constant application rate as the vehicle speed decreases from a maximum permitted speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Travis G. Funseth, David S. Mercer, Richard A. Humpal
  • Patent number: 8844838
    Abstract: An agricultural sprayer spray head is adapted for being mounted to a spray boom together with a plurality of like, equally spaced spray heads. Each spray head includes a body containing a flow control member mounted for rotation about an axis and including a fluid control passage arrangement located for effecting an intermittent connection between a fluid inlet leading to, and an outlet leading from the body as the control member is oscillated or rotated by a powered motor so as to effect a pulsing flow through said control passage arrangement. The powered motor operates at a speed controlled by various input parameters including vehicle speed and field and crop conditions so as to maintain a desired spray application rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Travis G. Funseth, David S. Mercer, Richard A. Humpal
  • Publication number: 20140231543
    Abstract: A boom structure for a mobile agricultural implement. The boom structure includes a first transversely extending beam member having a first protrusion. The boom structure includes a second transversely extending beam member having a second protrusion. The second transversely extending beam member is spatially offset from the first transversely extending beam member. A plurality of first coupling members are connected to the first protrusion and a plurality of second coupling members connected to the second protrusion. A plurality of connecting members are connected to the first and second coupling members to connect the first and second transversely extending beam members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: MARK E. BARKER, ROGER E. DANIELS, RICHARD A. HUMPAL
  • Patent number: 8746589
    Abstract: A boom structure for a mobile agricultural implement. The boom structure includes a first transversely extending beam member having a first protrusion. The boom structure includes a second transversely extending beam member having a second protrusion. The second transversely extending beam member is spatially offset from the first transversely extending beam member. A plurality of first coupling members are coupled to the first protrusion and a plurality of second coupling members coupled to the second protrusion. A plurality of connecting members are coupled to the first and second coupling members to connect the first and second transversely extending beam members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Mark E. Barker, Roger E. Daniels, Richard A. Humpal
  • Publication number: 20130284827
    Abstract: A sprayer nozzle cartridge for a sprayer nozzle apparatus of an agricultural sprayer is disclosed. The sprayer nozzle cartridge is adapted for coupling to a nozzle connector of the sprayer nozzle apparatus and for receiving a fluid from the sprayer nozzle apparatus. The sprayer nozzle apparatus includes an apparatus housing for supporting the nozzle connector and a control element configured to control fluid flow. The sprayer nozzle cartridge includes a cartridge housing. A plurality of nozzle tips having a plurality of flow paths are coupled to the cartridge housing. The control element selectively communicates fluid to at least one of the plurality of flow paths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: Richard A. Humpal, Travis G. Funseth
  • Publication number: 20130284826
    Abstract: A sprayer nozzle apparatus of an agricultural sprayer is disclosed. The sprayer nozzle apparatus is adapted for receiving a fluid from a spray line of an agricultural sprayer. The sprayer nozzle apparatus includes an apparatus housing. A control element is rotatably coupled to the apparatus housing. A plurality of nozzle connectors having a plurality of supply paths are coupled to the apparatus housing. The control element is configured to receive fluid from the spray line and selectively communicate fluid to at least one of the plurality of supply paths of one of the plurality of nozzle connectors in a first position and to at least one of the plurality of supply paths of another of the plurality of nozzle connectors in a second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: TRAVIS G. FUNSETH, RICHARD A. HUMPAL
  • Publication number: 20130161413
    Abstract: An agricultural sprayer spray head is adapted for being mounted to a spray boom together with a plurality of like, equally spaced spray heads. Each spray head includes a body containing a flow control member mounted for rotation about an axis and including a fluid control passage arrangement located for effecting an intermittent connection between a fluid inlet leading to, and an outlet leading from the body as the control member is oscillated or rotated by a powered motor so as to effect a pulsing flow through said control. passage arrangement. The powered motor operates at a speed controlled by various input parameters including vehicle speed and field and crop conditions so as to maintain a desired spray application rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Inventors: TRAVIS G. FUNSETH, David S. Mercer, Richard A. Humpal
  • Patent number: D766399
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Stacy L. Bullock, Richard A. Humpal, Travis G. Funseth