By Programming Means Patents (Class 239/69)
  • Patent number: 11965606
    Abstract: An automatic valve actuation system includes an actuation device, one or more arms operatively coupled to and extending from the actuation device, and a stem adapter attached to a distal end of the one or more arms to operatively couple the one or more arms to a valve stem of a manually-operable valve. Operation of the actuation device rotates the one or more arms and correspondingly rotates the valve stem to open or close the manually-operable valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Jafar Ibrahim Al Bahrani, Emad Abbad M. Alabbad, Shaima Hussain Alshawaf
  • Patent number: 11960308
    Abstract: An entire fluid supply line or an entire fluid controller constituted by a plurality of fluid control devices is precisely monitored. A fluid controller G accumulating and having a plurality of fluid control devices A. The fluid control devices A include an operation information acquisition mechanism acquiring an operation information in the fluid control devices, an identification information storage 71 storing a self-identification information, and a communication processing unit 72 transmitting the operation information acquired by the operation information acquisition mechanism to an external terminal with the self-identification information stored in the identification information storage 71 at different timings for each of the fluid control devices A.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Fujikin, Incorporated
    Inventors: Ryutaro Tanno, Tsutomu Shinohara, Yuya Suzuki, Hidenori Kiso
  • Patent number: 11944048
    Abstract: A decision-making method for variable rate irrigation management includes the following steps: S1: sampling a soil from a root zone of a crop in an area controlled by an irrigation sprinkler, and measuring compositions of separates of the sampled soil; S2: managing and dividing the area controlled by the irrigation sprinkler according to an AWC of the soil in the root zone of the crop; S3: constructing an optimized soil moisture sensor network; S4: placing ground-fixed canopy temperature sensors; S5: constructing an optimized airborne canopy temperature sensor network centered on the center pivot; and S6: performing a variable rate irrigation by using the optimized soil moisture sensor network, the fixed canopy temperature sensors, the optimized airborne canopy temperature sensor network and an automatic weather station. The method optimizes the placement and quantity of the soil moisture sensor network and the canopy temperature sensor network to improve the measurement accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: CHINA INSTITUTE OF WATER RESOURCES AND HYDROPOWER RESEARCH
    Inventors: Weixia Zhao, Jiusheng Li, Yanfeng Li, Zhen Wang, Jun Wang
  • Patent number: 11937528
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for enhancing identification of crop conditions and execution of remedial actions in near real-time. An agricultural vehicle may include a crop analysis system having a computing device and an imaging array for capturing a set of images of a crop. The computing device analyzes images acquired by the imaging array to determine whether a crop experiences a particular condition. The computing device, when a condition is identified, can signal an agriculture machine to perform a remedial action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Inventors: Terence D. Pickett, Broughton C. Boydell, Richard A. Humpal, Steven Rees
  • Patent number: 11937558
    Abstract: An irrigation water amount measurement apparatus 10 includes: a sensor data obtaining unit 11 that obtains sensor data for specifying soil moisture contents of sections of an agricultural field, from moisture sensors installed in the respective sections; an irrigation water amount measurement unit 12 that measures a supply amount of irrigation water supplied from a drip irrigation system during a period from start to end of irrigation in the entire agricultural field; an irrigation time specifying unit 13 that specifies a period of time during which irrigation water was supplied to the section based on a change state of a soil moisture content of the section; and a calculation processing unit 14 that calculates a supply amount of irrigation water supplied to the section, based on a period of time specified for the section, a period from start to end of irrigation, and a measured supply amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kousuke Ishida
  • Patent number: 11932231
    Abstract: An agricultural sprayer includes a purge tank and first and second nozzles. Furthermore, the system includes a first valve fluidly configured to selectively permit air to flow to the first nozzle and a second valve fluidly configured to selectively permit the air to flow to the second nozzle. A computing system is configured to receive an input indicative of initiation of a purging operation and, upon receipt of the input, control an operation of a main valve to allow the air to flow through a main fluid conduit. Furthermore, the computing system is configured to monitor the air pressure associated with the purge tank and control the operation of the first and second valves during the purging operation based on the monitored air pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Mitchell Sandey, Scott Allen Long, Nathan Paul Brooks
  • Patent number: 11925719
    Abstract: The self-sanitizing door knob system is configured for use with a door. The door further comprises a door knob. The door knob is a manually operated mechanism that latches the door in a closed position. The door knob is a rotating structure that releases the latch to allow the door to rotate to an open position. The self-sanitizing door knob system is incorporated into the door knob. The self-sanitizing door knob system comprises a housing, a spray structure, and a control circuit. The housing contains the spray structure and the control circuit. The spray structure disinfects the door knob by discharging a spray disinfecting solution onto the door knob. The control circuit controls the operation of the spray structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Inventor: Raheem Martin
  • Patent number: 11910760
    Abstract: A watering system (100) includes a watering robot (102). The watering robot (102) further includes an irrigation controller (110) configured to operate within a region (114). A connector portion (106) is coupled to the body (104), and is adapted to couple with the one or more water supplying units (116) to receive water therefrom. The watering system (100) is characterized in that a sensor (130) of the watering robot (102) detects the one more water supplying units (116) to selectively integrates therewith. An actuator (140) of the watering robot (102) at least partially lifts up the watering robot (102) with respect to a ground surface (120) of the region (114). The watering robot (102) automatically couples with the one or more water supplying units (116) through the connector portion (106), and the actuator (140) at least partially lifts up the watering robot (102) with respect to the ground surface (120).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: HUSQVARNA AB
    Inventors: Christoph Schenk, Rainer Kaupp, Rudolf Pfau, Florian Soor
  • Patent number: 11896002
    Abstract: Systems and methods for scheduling and coordinating applications of fertilizers, pesticides, and water to fields while avoiding interferences between vehicles and other equipment may be implemented with a mobile irrigation system, a fertilizer applicator, a pesticide applicator, and a processing system. The processing system schedules and coordinates applications of fertilizers, pesticides, and water and prevents interferences between the machines primarily with data received from an irrigation schedule implemented by the irrigation system and data received from the fertilizer and pesticide applicators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Lindsay Corporation
    Inventor: Mark William Miller
  • Patent number: 11897754
    Abstract: A dispensing system includes a container, a holder, and a signal processing module. The container includes a body configured to store a liquid and a conductive strip coupled to an outer surface of the body. The holder is configured to receive the container. The holder includes an electrical contact configured to contact the conductive strip when the container is received in the holder. The signal processing module is in electrical communication with the electrical contact. The signal processing module is configured to receive signals from the electrical contact to determine a level of liquid within the container body based on the signals when the container is received in the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Henkel AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Elif Affan, Dirck Seynaeve, Nadezda Chakrova, Karel Pauwels, Edward Gilchrest, Andrew Bell Krystinik, Elana Rae Abrams, Alexander Borgestedt, Stanley Maurice Katz, Michael Cong Tao, Mark Craig Brannan
  • Patent number: 11889796
    Abstract: A monitoring system for an irrigation system that includes a nozzle and a product source that supports a product for mixing with water from a water source to which the irrigation system is operably coupled. The monitoring system includes: a sensor configured to generate a first electrical signal indicative of a travel speed and/or a travel direction of the irrigation system; a fluid pressure sensor configured to generate a second electrical signal indicative of a flow rate, a processor, a memory, and a variable speed pump or a valve. The memory includes instructions, which when executed by the processor cause the monitoring system to: receive the first and second generated electrical signals, determine an applied rate of the irrigation fluid over a predetermined irrigation area based on the first and second electrical signals, and adjust the flow rate of the irrigation fluid through the at least one nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: HEARTLAND AG TECH, INC.
    Inventors: Russell Sanders, Jeremie Pavelski, Robert Buchberger
  • Patent number: 11894943
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting remote network devices. In one embodiment, the method comprises detecting an event and a) transmitting a message requesting a response from one or more remote network devices, the message comprising a first network identification code, and b) determining whether a response to the message has been received, the response transmitted by a remote network device after receiving the message and determining that the first network identification code matches a second network identification code stored within the remote network device, the response comprising identification information of the remote network device. If c) a response has not been received, terminating the method for detecting remote network devices if a pre-determined time period has elapsed since transmitting the message. If d) a response has been received, storing identification information associated with the responding remote network device and repeating steps a-d until no further responses are received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Ecolink Intelligent Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: George Seelman, Michael Lamb, Michael Bailey, Jay Stone
  • Patent number: 11868100
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method which includes a machine learning module which analyzes data collected from one or more sources such as UAVs, satellites, span mounted crop sensors, direct soil sensors and climate sensors. According to a further preferred embodiment, the machine learning module preferably creates sets of field objects from within a given field and uses the received data to create a predictive model for each defined field object based on detected characteristics from each field object within the field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Inventors: Jacob L LaRue, Andrew Carritt, Joshua M. Dixon
  • Patent number: 11849680
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method to increase drought tolerance for grass is disclosed. The method includes estimating by a server a root depth of grass watered by an irrigation system based on one or more of historical watering data of the grass, grass type characteristics, or soil characteristics of soil in which the grass is growing; determining by the server a target water depletion threshold of the grass based on the root depth; generating by the server an irrigation schedule based on the target water depletion threshold and weather information; and transmitting by the server the irrigation schedule to an irrigation controller to selectively activate the irrigation system based on the irrigation schedule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: RACHIO, INC.
    Inventors: Emil Motycka, Christopher M. Klein
  • Patent number: 11842194
    Abstract: Systems and methods for illumination power, management and control can include lighting fixtures, lighting controllers, databases, and gateways. The lighting controllers can power the lighting fixtures, control the lighting fixtures, and store fixture state data and controller state data. The lighting controllers can be connected to building mains power (e.g., 240 VAC) and provide DC power to the lighting fixtures. The lighting controllers can read state data from and control the fixtures via a digital interface. The Database server can store user profiles, site profiles, fixture property data, and controller property data. The gateway can read and modify the state data stored by the lighting controllers, and can query the database server for the property data. The gateway can also provide a user interface through which users, based on authorization, can read and write the state data (e.g., fixture on/off) and the property data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: NICOR, INC.
    Inventors: David Brown, Lucas Jackson
  • Patent number: 11822339
    Abstract: A device detects a trigger to dispense a product at a using a tool operably coupled to a tractor. The device determines whether the tractor is in an automated mode, the automated mode enabling autonomous speed and direction navigation of the tractor. Responsive to determining that the tractor is not in the automated mode, the device determines whether the tool is in a ready state, and responsive to determining that the tool is in the ready state, commands the tool to dispense the product, wherein the tool is not commanded to dispense the product until the tool is in the ready state. Responsive to determining that the tractor is in the automated mode, the device commands the tool to dispense the product without determining whether the tool is in the ready state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Solomon J. Sawlaw, Ryan C. Burnley, Ray M. Scheufler, Curtis A. Maeder, Sean A. Mahrt
  • Patent number: 11761886
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a detection system for detecting matter and distinguishing specific matter from other matter. The detection system comprises at least one light source arranged to emit one or more light beams having a known wavelength or wavelength range. Further, the detection system comprises at least one optical element configured to direct the one or more light beams onto a plurality of locations within an area of interest including the matter. The detection system also comprises a detector for detecting intensities of the one or more light beams reflected at the plurality of locations within the area of interest including the matter. In addition, the detection system comprises an outcome determination system. The system is arranged to obtain information indicative of at least a portion of a shape of at least some of the matter based on detected light intensities of the one or more light beams reflected at the plurality of locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Photonic Detection Systems Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kamal Alameh, Selam Ahderom
  • Patent number: 11738361
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a system for controlling irrigation comprises an irrigation control unit comprising: an input configured to receive a user entered number of watering passes for a rotary sprinkler configured to repetitively rotate about an arc and irrigate an area of an irrigation site, wherein each rotation about the arc comprises a watering pass; a memory to store the number of watering passes and arc rotation data for the rotary sprinkler corresponding to a time duration for the rotary sprinkler to make the watering pass about the arc; and a control circuit configured to: receive the number of watering passes; receive the arc rotation data; determine a run time that will result in irrigation by the rotary sprinkler about the arc for the user entered number of passes; and store the run time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: RAIN BIRD CORPORATION
    Inventors: Patrick V. Loper, Stuart Hackwell, David E. Colombo
  • Patent number: 11690311
    Abstract: Systems and methods for managing spreading of particulate material over a surface by a spreader. One step of the method includes receiving a selection of a type of the spreader. An additional step includes receiving a selection of a type of the particulate material to be spread by the spreader. An additional step includes obtaining data indicative of a travel speed of the spreader, with the data being received from a sensor associated with the spreader. An additional step includes determining an operational attribute of the spreader. The determination is based on (i) the type of the spreader, (ii) the type of the particulate material, and (ii) the travel speed of the spreader. A further step includes presenting the operational attribute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Earthway Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Sevrey, Justin B. Parizek, Casey Martin, John Marshall, Tim Jones
  • Patent number: 11685343
    Abstract: A product metering system for accurately dispensing one or more products. The product metering system generally includes a vehicle wash product supply fluidly connected to an electronic control valve and a control unit in communication with the electronic control valve. The electronic control valve operates at an open/close ratio that dispenses the product supply at a desired flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Cleaning Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Krause, Donald J. Pansier, Daniel J. Mathys
  • Patent number: 11681285
    Abstract: A predictive maintenance system for an irrigation system includes one or more sensors configured to generate a signal indicative of abnormal operation within the irrigation system, the sensors electrically coupled to a drive system, a processor, and a memory. The memory includes instructions stored thereon, which when executed by the processor cause the predictive maintenance system to receive the generated signal, determine abnormal operation of the drive system based on the generated signal, and predict, by a machine learning model, a maintenance requirement of the drive system based on the determined abnormal operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: HEARTLAND AG TECH, INC.
    Inventors: Russell Sanders, Jeremie Pavelski
  • Patent number: 11659828
    Abstract: A system for applying fluid to an agricultural field includes a fluid source, a plurality of nozzles connected in fluid communication with the fluid source, and a plurality of electrically actuated valves configured to control fluid flow through the plurality of nozzles. The plurality of electrically actuated valves are divided into a plurality of groups. The system also includes a plurality of section control valves. Each section control valve is connected in fluid communication between the fluid source and a corresponding one of the groups of electrically actuated valves. Each section control valve is positionable to adjust a flow coefficient of the section control valve. The system further includes a controller configured to control the position of each section control valve to provide a predetermined flow coefficient for each section control valve based on a predetermined fluid pressure for the corresponding group of electrically actuated valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Capstan Ag Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey John Grimm, Duane Needham
  • Patent number: 11656640
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for optimizing downstream processes for a plurality of flow controllers includes determining a water budget for the plurality of flow controllers based on utility information and a water amount used by the flow devices controlled by the plurality of flow controllers; determining, by a processing element, a run time water amount used by the flow devices controlled by the plurality of flow controllers during a watering run time of the flow devices; modifying, by the processing element, watering schedules for the flow devices controlled by the plurality of flow controllers when the water amount used deviates from the water budget; and transmitting, by the processing element, the modified watering schedules to the plurality of flow controllers to vary the operation of the flow devices controlled by the plurality of flow controllers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: RACHIO, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Klein, Bradley W. Alcorn
  • Patent number: 11647685
    Abstract: An automated implement control system includes one or more distance sensors configured for coupling with an agricultural implement. The one or more distance sensors are configured to measure a ground distance and a canopy distance from the one or more sensors to the ground and crop canopy, respectively. An implement control module is in communication with the one or more distance sensors. The implement control module controls movement of the agricultural implement. The implement control module includes a confidence module configured to determine a ground confidence value based on the measured ground distance and a canopy confidence value based on the measured canopy distance. A target selection module of the implement control module is configured to select one of the measured ground or canopy distances as a control basis for controlling movement of the agricultural implement based on the comparison of confidence values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Weidenbach, John D. Preheim
  • Patent number: 11617313
    Abstract: An irrigation system for an area receives wide-area meteorological prediction data and sensors deployed within the area collect local-area sensor data. A processor stores received data as historical wide-area meteorological prediction data and data from the sensors as historical local-area sensor data. The processor determines a relationship between the historical wide-area meteorological prediction data and the historical local-area sensor data based on the historical wide-area meteorological prediction data and the historical local-area sensor data, and calculates a prediction on a local-area parameter for a future point in time based on current wide-area meteorological prediction data, and the calculated relationship. The area is then controlled based on the prediction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: THE YIELD TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS PTY LTD
    Inventors: Simon Allen, Peter Love, Nicolene Abrie, Elizabeth Graham
  • Patent number: 11596139
    Abstract: A method for weeding crops includes, at an autonomous machine: recording an image at the front of the autonomous machine; detecting a target plant and calculating an opening location for the target plant longitudinally offset and laterally aligned with the location of the first target plant; driving a weeding module to laterally align with the opening location; tracking the opening location relative to a longitudinal reference position of the weeding module; when the weeding module longitudinally aligns with the first opening location, actuating the blades of the first weeding module to an open position; recording an image proximal to the weeding module; and in response to detecting the blades of the weeding module in the open position: calculating an offset between the opening location and a reference position of the weeding module, based on the image; and updating successive opening locations calculated by the autonomous machine based on the offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: FarmWise Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Palomares, Sébastien Boyer, Arthur Flajolet, Eric Stahl-David
  • Patent number: 11583881
    Abstract: An automated system for identifying a watering zone malfunction includes a sensor and a controller. The watering zone includes a valve that couples an input conduit to an output conduit. The output conduit terminates at one or more water distributors. The sensor is for capturing mechanical perturbations of the watering zone. The controller is configured to: store a profile defining at least one profile parameter based upon a transient operation of the zone in an intact state, receive the signal from the sensor during a watering operation when the zone is in an unknown state, compute a operation parameter based upon the signal for at least one time window of receiving the signal, determining a malfunction exists, and determine whether to take further action based upon the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Inventors: Dan Kuehler, Jose Doval, Kirt Winter
  • Patent number: 11553656
    Abstract: A gardening apparatus includes one or more of a base, a fluid reservoir, and a plant tray or support disposed on the reservoir. The support is adapted for receiving one or more modular plant inserts, and can define a flow structure for channeling fluid to each insert. A pump supplies fluid from the reservoir to the plant tray or support, with a light assembly adapted to generate a spectrum of light for growth of plants from the inserts. A processor is configured for controlling fluid flow from the pump, the light spectrum generated by the lighting elements, or both. For example, the processor can use a dynamic recipe, algorithm or control schedule to modulate the fluid flow or spectrum based the plant type, growth stage, height, plant health data, digital phenotyping data, or ambient conditions, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: AVA Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Yo Wen Song, Chase Arihiro Ando, Michael Reza Nasseri, Darshil Panagar, Chiragh Dewan
  • Patent number: 11547068
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide methods and systems of controlling irrigation. Some of these systems comprise: a connector of a controller interface (CI) coupled with an irrigation controller, wherein the connector is configured to receive a valve activation signal activated by the irrigation controller; a user interface of the CI; a processor of the CI configured to obtain valve transceiver (VT) programming with VT programming being received from inputs through the user interface, determine a station identifier, and identify as defined in the VT programming a remote valve associated with the station identifier and controlled by a remote VT; and a wireless transceiver configured to wirelessly transmit a wireless activation signal configured to be wirelessly received by the VT controlling the valve associated by the VT programming with the station identifier such that the VT is configured to control an actuator to actuate the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Michael James Tennyson, Angel Reyes Archundia, Frank Torre, Robert H. Jenkins, Brian Jeffrey Mueller
  • Patent number: 11543278
    Abstract: A system for remotely measuring the characteristics of water passing through a plumbing control device (PCD) includes a sensor within the interior of the PCD. The sensor is configured to measure characteristics of the water to obtain measured data. The sensor is also linked to a microcontroller of the PCD. An antenna board is linked, and configured to transmit power, to both the microcontroller and the sensor. A mobile device is configured to locate the antenna board. The mobile device transmits power to the antenna board which, in turn, transmits power to the microcontroller and the sensor. When power is not being transmitted from the antenna board, the microcontroller and the sensor are powered off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Watts Regulator Co.
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Burke, Kyle McGurn, Evan Joseph Sultana
  • Patent number: 11540458
    Abstract: Several embodiments provide wireless irrigation system and related methods. In one implementation, an irrigation system includes a plurality of valves; a plurality of solenoids; a plurality of circuits, at least one circuit in a circuit housing attached at least partially to a dedicated solenoid housing of a respective one of the plurality of solenoids; a plurality of wireless transceivers, at least one wireless transceiver in the circuit housing attached at least partially to the dedicated solenoid housing of the respective one of the plurality of solenoids and configured to wirelessly communicate via a communication network; and the communication network comprising the plurality of wireless transceivers for communication with the plurality of solenoids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Mark M. Ensworth, Barbara E. Booth, Dean C. Thornton, Randall A. Hern, Malcolm N. Napier
  • Patent number: 11538233
    Abstract: A spray pattern imaging apparatus, and method of operation, is described herein. The method is carried out by the spray pattern imaging apparatus that includes a frame having a set of known aspects corresponding to a first dimension and a second dimension within a first plane. The spray pattern imaging apparatus also includes a light source generating a planar light pattern within a substantially same plane as the first plane of the frame. The set of known aspects facilitate both correcting an image distortion and a scaling of a spray pattern image generated by an image acquisition device during a spray application by a nozzle positioned in a physical relationship with the planar light pattern such that spray particles emitted from the spray nozzle pass through the planar light pattern while an initial image is acquired by the image acquisition device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Spraying Systems, Co.
    Inventors: Kyle M. Bade, Rudolf J. Schick
  • Patent number: 11533901
    Abstract: A traveling vehicle includes a controller to control a posture of a work machine via a connector. The controller observes whether a farm field surface on which the traveling vehicle travels and the work machine maintain a predetermined positional relationship therebetween, and controls the posture of the work machine when a positional relationship between the farm field surface and the work machine changes from the predetermined positional relationship, so that the positional relationship thus changed is reset to the predetermined positional relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinnosuke Ishikawa, Komei Yamawaki, Ryo Kurata
  • Patent number: 11504728
    Abstract: An active substance supply system for an agricultural sprayer has a main liquid circuit which includes a reservoir for a main liquid and permits circulation of the main liquid, where the main liquid circuit includes one or more distribution sections which are each configured to distribute to several dispensing elements a spray liquid to be dispensed, and a feed system which is connected to the main liquid circuit and in which the main liquid is mixed with at least one separately supplied active substance to form a liquid active substance mixture, where the active substance supply system is configured to introduce the active substance mixture into the one or more distribution sections at several places.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Inventors: Timo Klemann, Christoph Kühn, Achim Dembeck, Johannes Feldhaus, Helmke Kalkmann, Mathias Stiegemeyer, Stefan Austermann
  • Patent number: 11457577
    Abstract: A modular aeroponic grow system utilizing circulated reservoirs of temperature-regulated liquid nutrient solution to maintain temperature stability of plant roots within a grow system includes a control unit, one or more grow units, a liquid nutrient solution reservoir circulation conduit system, and a liquid nutrient solution mist delivery conduit system independent of, and isolated from, the reservoir circulation system, wherein air temperature stability with a grow unit interior chamber is maintained by regulating the temperature of liquid nutrient solution flowing through the mist delivery conduit system, and wherein the temperature of liquid nutrient solution flowing through the mist delivery conduit system is maintained by regulating the temperature of liquid nutrient solution flowing through the reservoir circulation conduit system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Inventor: Wanjun Gao
  • Patent number: 11423426
    Abstract: Systems and methods for allocating cells within a virtual grid to content providers according to various priority and selection schemes are used to target content delivery to information playback devices in a geographically and/or application selective manner. The priority schemes, geographical selectivity, and application selectivity of the system and methods of the invention allow a content provider to specifically target a desired demographic with high cost efficiency and flexibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: MOASIS GLOBAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven Golden, Ryan Golden, Jason Mascari
  • Patent number: 11402741
    Abstract: A system for automated detection and removal of visual obstructions such as debris, fumes, or mist from the view zone of an imaging device. An autodetection algorithm runs on incoming visual data from a data acquisition (DAQ) system to determine if a visual obstruction is present. A controller initiates a dry-cleaning dual cycle (DCDC) run including a wet clean cycle and a dry clean cycle. During the wet clean cycle, a base fluid mist is distributed onto the view zone. Subsequently during the dry clean cycle, compressed air is distributed onto the view zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Gillies Alexander MacDonald, Prashant Shekhar, Abhijit Kulkarni
  • Patent number: 11388868
    Abstract: The present invention provides an irrigation system that includes a control system for determining whether to apply an applicant to an agricultural field. In an implementation, the control system includes memory operable to store one or more modules and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor is operable to execute the one or more modules to cause the processor to receive one or more signals representing a microbe characteristic from a soil sensor. The processor is also operable to determine whether to apply an applicant (i.e., water having a concentration of a biological or a microbe therein) to a soil based upon the microbe characteristics and to initiate operation of the irrigation assembly to apply the applicant to the soil in response when the soil requires the applicant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Valmont Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Jacob L. LaRue
  • Patent number: 11376622
    Abstract: A waterfall or fountain that has the capacity of printing images with water and a method for printing images by said water. The water inside such fountain is released out of nozzles in the form of parallel and regular lines of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Inventor: Khaled Sulaiman Al Harbi
  • Patent number: 11375677
    Abstract: A system and associated method are disclosed for dynamically and automatically optimizing fluid usage and preventing waste in an at least one pipe system, such as an irrigation system. In at least one embodiment, an at least one fluid sensor is positioned and configured for monitoring a flow of fluid through a pipe of an at least one zone of the pipe system. At least one control valve is positioned in-line with the pipe and configured for being selectively actuated for controlling the flow of fluid therethrough. At least one controller is positioned and configured for being in communication with each of the fluid sensor and control valve. At least one central computing system is in selective communication with the controller and configured for receiving and processing data related to at least one of the fluid sensor, controller and control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Inventor: Max Safai
  • Patent number: 11369067
    Abstract: A method and system for irrigating a field adjacent a watercourse is disclosed comprising a plurality of pumps along the watercourse and measuring from time to time at a plurality of measuring locations the salinity, the pH, the temperature and the turbidity of the water. The measuring locations are different from the pumping locations. A real time salinity, pH, temperature and turbidity at the pumping locations is predicted from the measured values and the pumps selectively disabled or enabled on the predicted salinity, pH, temperature and/or the turbidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: RYNAN TECHNOLOGIES PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: My T. Nguyen, Cuong Q. Hong, Luong V. Truong, Toan Q. Tran, Trieu T. Le, Bien T. Mai, An Trinh, Thong A. Nguyen, Khang M. Duong
  • Patent number: 11363766
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for maintaining desired pressure levels in an irrigation system when the flow rate available to the irrigation system is reduced below the system's required flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Valmont Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry Gerdes, John Kastl
  • Patent number: 11346662
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for predicting a volume median diameter (VMD) in an overlapped spray area of twin nozzles. Placing a single nozzle at different heights to determine a spray area; measuring all VMDs in the spray area to obtain first true measured values; dividing the first true measured values to construct a first calibration set and a first prediction set; establishing a polynomial fitting formula by a REGRESS function; placing twin nozzles at different heights and different nozzle spacing, and measuring VMDs in the overlapped spray area to obtain second true measured values; determining simulated values of the VMDs of first and second nozzles; dividing the simulated values of the VMDs and the second true measured values to construct a second calibration set and a second prediction set; quantitatively calibrating by using a radial basis function neural network (RBFNN) to obtain a prediction model; determining a VMD in the overlapped spray area of twin nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Fei Liu, Wenwen Kong, Yufei Liu, Lei Feng, Hui Fang, Han Guo, Jun Zhou, Jiangang Shen
  • Patent number: 11317572
    Abstract: A monitoring system for an irrigation system is presented. The irrigation system includes a movable end gun operatively associated with a portion of the irrigation system. The monitoring system includes a sensor configured to generate an electrical signal indicative of movement and/or positioning of the movable end gun relative to the portion of the irrigation system over time, a processor, and a memory. The memory includes instructions stored thereon, which when executed by the processor cause the system to: receive the generated electrical signal, determine whether the movable end gun, or one or more components thereof, requires maintenance based on the electrical signal, and determine when the moveable end gun is in an on and/or off trigger state based on the electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: HEARTLAND AG TECH, INC.
    Inventors: Russell Sanders, Jeremie Pavelski, Robert Buchburger
  • Patent number: 11285717
    Abstract: In some examples, a control apparatus for a fluid ejection device includes a plurality of selectors controllable by an input control signal to produce signals for selecting respective nozzles of the fluid ejection device, where a first selector is responsive to the input control signal propagated over a first signal path to turn on a device in the first selector, and a second selector is responsive to the input control signal to perform a different task. A memory encoder is to select a memory location in the memory, the memory encoder responsive to the input control signal propagated over a second signal path to turn on a device in the memory encoder, where signal loading of the second signal path is isolated from signal loading of the first signal path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Boon Bing Ng, Hang Ru Goy
  • Patent number: 11277973
    Abstract: Several embodiments provide cycle and soak irrigation control units, comprising: a housing; a plurality of pairs of actuation line connectors comprising input connectors to couple with output actuation lines of a separate irrigation controller, and output connectors to couple with actuatable devices; a plurality of electrical pathways each coupling a respective input connector to a corresponding output connector and allowing an activation signal to be passed; at least one switch configured to selectively allow or interrupt activation signals to pass to a corresponding output connector; and a timing control circuit controlling the switch, based on an application of an activation signal on an input connector, a duration of a series of cycle-on timings during which the activation signal is emitted from the output connector to activate an actuatable device and soak-off timings during which the activation signal is prevented from being emitted deactivating the actuatable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Randy R. Montgomery, John E. Price, Chong Wang Kwak, Samuel C. Walker, David Charles Belongia
  • Patent number: 11246258
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and vehicles for separately applying a solid fertilizer and a liquid fertilizer additive to a working area of a field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Wolfram Zerulla, Markus Schmid, Gregor Pasda
  • Patent number: 11203848
    Abstract: A system for controlling water distribution from a water distribution vehicle includes spray heads for spraying water from the vehicle and an actuator system for turning the spray heads on and off. A computer processor is programmed to control the actuator system in response to a sensor input. The system can include means for measuring the ground speed of the vehicle, such as a GPS, and the sensor input signal can be associated with the ground speed of the vehicle. Using a pulse width modulated signal, the processor can adjust water flow from the spray heads based on the vehicle ground speed. The processor also can be programmed to prevent water flow from one or more spray heads when the vehicle speed is below a minimum speed or as the vehicle speed is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: MEGA CORP, INC.
    Inventors: James F Kunz, Jeffery Linn, Christopher Barry, Norman J Redenshek, Randall Raymond Harris, Robert Gaetz, Scott R Wilson, Timothy M Hoover, Richard J Bando, Joseph Michael Davis
  • Patent number: 11178830
    Abstract: An irrigation controller comprises actuable controls, a memory to store the watering program, and one or more displays. The actuable controls and display are incorporated into a removable face pack that is mounted to an interior door of the irrigation controller. The face pack can be easily moved from a first position on the front side of the interior door to a second position on the back side of the interior door and the face pack automatically senses its position. When the face pack is in the first position, the actuable controls and display are configured for operating information. When the face pack is in the second position, the wiring hook up area of the irrigation controller is exposed and the actuable controls and display are configured for diagnostics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: HUNTER INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Richard C. Stange, Thomas C. Kadien, Steven B. Cook, Kok Huat Chong
  • Patent number: 11178831
    Abstract: A system (10) may include sensor equipment (30) including one or more sensors (140, 142) disposed on a parcel of land, watering equipment (20) disposed on the parcel and configured to selectively apply water to the parcel, and a gateway (40) configured to provide for communication with the sensor equipment (30) and the watering equipment (20). The watering equipment (20) may include a watering pump (120), the watering pump (120) being operably coupled to a water source (100) and a water line (110) to alternately couple the water source (100) to and isolate the water source (100) from the water line (110), and processing circuitry (160). The processing circuitry (160) may be configured to determine an operational mode of the watering pump (120) and direct the watering pump (120) to operate in accordance with the operational mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Husqvarna AB
    Inventors: Johannes Gungl, Florian Soor, Horst Schnürle, Philipp Bolliger