Patents Assigned to Norac Systems International, Inc.
  • Patent number: 10178863
    Abstract: A positioning system, for a boom having right and left boom arms, comprises: a first actuator for moving the right boom arm relative to a support frame; a second actuator for moving the left boom arm relative to a support frame; a first hydraulic link between the first and second actuators; and a hydraulic control device for controlling movement of hydraulic fluid within the first hydraulic link, thereby controlling extension and/or retraction of the first and second actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: NORAC Systems International Inc.
    Inventors: James Schnaider, Jeff Cunningham
  • Patent number: 9763437
    Abstract: A control system for a suspended boom sprayer of a vehicle comprises: first and second sensors each configured to be disposed on respective first and second boom wings of the suspended boom sprayer and to provide an output responsive to a rotation of the first and second wings caused by a disturbance torque; a processor, configured to determine a differential acceleration between the first and second wings based on the outputs of the respective sensors, and to determine the disturbance torque corresponding to the differential acceleration; and at least one actuator, controllable to move one or both of the first and second wings in order to counter the disturbance torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: NORAC Systems International Inc.
    Inventors: James Schnaider, Nolan Garrecht
  • Publication number: 20160330948
    Abstract: A control system for a suspended boom sprayer of a vehicle comprises: first and second sensors each configured to be disposed on respective first and second boom wings of the suspended boom sprayer and to provide an output responsive to a rotation of the first and second wings caused by a disturbance torque; a processor, configured to determine a differential acceleration between the first and second wings based on the outputs of the respective sensors, and to determine the disturbance torque corresponding to the differential acceleration; and at least one actuator, controllable to move one or both of the first and second wings in order to counter the disturbance torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Applicant: NORAC Systems International Inc.
    Inventors: James Schnaider, Nolan Garrecht
  • Publication number: 20160081321
    Abstract: A positioning system, for a boom having right and left boom arms, comprises: a first actuator for moving the right boom arm relative to a support frame; a second actuator for moving the left boom arm relative to a support frame; a first hydraulic link between the first and second actuators; and a hydraulic control device for controlling movement of hydraulic fluid within the first hydraulic link, thereby controlling extension and/or retraction of the first and second actuators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Applicant: NORAC SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: James Schnaider, Jeff Cunningham
  • Patent number: 8843283
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a height of an agricultural equipment component is provided. An average crop height is determined. In one embodiment, the agricultural equipment component is controlled to maintain a predetermined distance from a current top of crop level. If a current top of crop level cannot be determined, a virtual top of crop level is calculated using the average crop height value. The agricultural equipment component is controlled to maintain a predetermined distance from the virtual top of crop level. In another embodiment, the agricultural equipment component is controlled to maintain a predetermined distance from current ground level. If a current ground level cannot be determined, a virtual ground level is calculated using the average crop height value. The agricultural equipment component is controlled to maintain a predetermined distance from said virtual ground level. An ultrasonic sensor is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Norac Systems International Inc.
    Inventors: William Strelioff, Jason Griffith, James Schnaider, Gordon Lee, Dean Hockley
  • Publication number: 20130345937
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a height of an agricultural equipment component is provided. An average crop height is determined. In one embodiment, the agricultural equipment component is controlled to maintain a predetermined distance from a current top of crop level. If a current top of crop level cannot be determined, a virtual top of crop level is calculated using the average crop height value. The agricultural equipment component is controlled to maintain a predetermined distance from the virtual top of crop level. In another embodiment, the agricultural equipment component is controlled to maintain a predetermined distance from current ground level. If a current ground level cannot be determined, a virtual ground level is calculated using the average crop height value. The agricultural equipment component is controlled to maintain a predetermined distance from said virtual ground level. An ultrasonic sensor is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: NORAC Systems International Inc.
    Inventors: William Strelioff, Jason Griffith, James Schnaider, Gordon Lee, Dean Hockley
  • Patent number: 6834223
    Abstract: A roll control system is provided for controlling a roll position of a boom rotatably coupled to a support frame, the boom comprising left and right wing sections (where the roll of the boom refers to a clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of said boom relative to the support frame). A roll control mechanism is configured for rotating the boom relative to the support frame in response to a roll control signal. Wing section position measuring apparatus is configured for producing a right wing signal correlatable to a distance between the right wing section and a rightwing reference position and a left wing signal correlatable to a distance between the left wing section and a left wing reference position. Boom roll position measuring apparatus is configured for producing a boom roll signal correlatable to a roll position of the boom relative to a boom roll reference position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Norac Systems International, Inc.
    Inventors: WIlliam Strelioff, Dean Hockley, Gordon Lee