Patents Examined by Tara Mayo
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Patent number: 11617297Abstract: An agricultural vehicle-trailer combination includes a traction module including a drive element for engaging in a ground, a working appliance coupled to the traction module by a coupling apparatus, and a folding axle supporting the working appliance relative to the ground at least during a transport mode. A slewing mechanism of the coupling apparatus provides a degree of freedom of rotation between the traction module and the working appliance along a longitudinal axis of the working appliance. A pivot joint provides a degree of freedom of pivoting between the traction module and the working appliance along a vertical axis of the traction module. The pivot joint is adjustable relative to its pivot angle by a steering actuator for influencing the direction of travel of the vehicle-trailer combination.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2020Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Simon Pfaffmann, Volker Kegel, Nicolai Tarasinski, Felipe De Moraes Boos
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Patent number: 11617296Abstract: An agricultural machine hitched to a tractor and includes two side units and a frame, which extends in a longitudinal direction, each side unit including an arm mounted so as to pivot relative to the frame around a respective folding axis oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction, each side unit including a tool unit connected to the frame through the respective arm and being able to occupy a work position in which it rests on the ground, each side unit including a connection allowing the respective tool unit in work position to move relative to the respective arm, the connection includes a lightening actuator enabling to exert an upward force on each tool unit in work position. The machine includes a tie-rod connected to each of the arms through a respective upper joint of an axis parallel to the respective folding axis.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2020Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignee: KUHN S.A.Inventor: Geoffroy Husson
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Patent number: 11612095Abstract: A system for installing continuous elongated tubular material (e.g. fiber optic cable) in the ground is provided. The system utilizes an agricultural tractor, preferably having rubber tires or tracks, to draw a plow for creating a trench in the ground in which to install the tubular material. The system is equipped with one or more of a specialized plow mount, an infinitely variable speed transmission on the tractor, a “power beyond” valve on the tractor and global positioning systems on the tractor and plow to more effectively install the tubular material in the ground.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2020Date of Patent: March 28, 2023Inventors: Robert W. H. Hall, David C. Princz, Wilfred H. M. Berg
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Patent number: 11606893Abstract: An agricultural implement includes a transversely extending frame forming a first, a second, and a third frame section. A first actuator is coupled to the first frame section, a second actuator coupled to the second frame section, and a third actuator coupled to the third frame section. Sensors are coupled to each frame section to detect a height of the respective frame section relative to an underlying surface. A control unit is disposed in electrical communication with the sensors and operably controls the actuators to adjust the height of each frame section.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2019Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Adam D. Sporrer, Anthony Sikora, Ricky B. Theilen
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Patent number: 11606894Abstract: An implement guidance module is provided for positioning a drawn implement as the implement is pulled by a vehicle traveling along a desired path of movement, the vehicle having a connection point for receiving a hitch. The module includes a module main frame having a first end configured for connection to the vehicle connection point, and a second end configured for connection to the implement, the main frame having a longitudinal axis, and having a pivot mount connected to the second end with an implement mounting plate pivoting relative to the module main frame about a pivot axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A vehicle mounting plate defines the first end of the module main frame, and the implement mounting plate defines the second end of the module main frame.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2020Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: COPPERHEAD PLANTER PRODUCTS, LLCInventor: Marlin Unruh
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Patent number: 11602094Abstract: A plough comprising: a plough body; an actuator mechanism that is configured to adjust a pitch angle of the plough body; and a controller. The controller is configured to: determine an actuator-control-signal for setting the pitch angle of the plough body based on control-data; and provide the actuator-control-signal to the actuator mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2020Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignee: CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLCInventors: Daniel Hertzog, Bengt Per-Inge Linderson, Per Dennis Wallin, Carl Ola Fredrik Nilsson, Robert Svensson, Rickard Karl Gustav Nåhdin
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Patent number: 11602093Abstract: In one aspect, a system for controlling the operation of a seed-planting implement may include a furrow-forming tool configured to form a furrow in soil present within a field. Furthermore, the system may include a sensor configured to capture data indicative of a topographical profile of the soil within the field. Additionally, a controller of the disclosed system may be configured to identify a topographical feature within the field based on the data received from the sensor. Furthermore, the controller may be configured to determine a position of the furrow-forming tool relative to the identified topographical feature. Additionally, the controller may be configured to initiate a control action to adjust the position of the furrow-forming tool when it is determined that the relative position between the furrow-forming tool and the identified topographical feature is offset from a predetermined positional relationship defined for the furrow-forming tool.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2019Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventor: Trevor Stanhope
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Method for detecting inadmissible operating conditions of work hydraulics of an agricultural tractor
Patent number: 11589493Abstract: A method is provided for detecting inadmissible operating states of a work hydraulics of an agricultural tractor. The method includes providing at least one electrically actuated control valve, a branch allocated to the at least one control valve, and an operating unit for the manual actuation of the work hydraulics of a front linkage. The method also includes connecting the at least one electrically actuated control valve to a hydraulic consumer via a hydraulic coupling, supplying hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic lifting device of the front linkage, detecting a state variable indicative of a connection state of the hydraulic coupling by a sensor unit and communicated to a control unit, and deactivating the operating unit if the control unit identifies by way of the evaluation of the state variable that a hydraulic consumer is connected to the hydraulic coupling.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2020Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Felix P. Greif, Marc Schäfer -
Patent number: 11589495Abstract: A system for determining material accumulation relative to ground engaging tools of an agricultural implement may include a frame member, and first and second ground engaging tools coupled to the frame member. The first and second ground engaging tools are configured to engage soil within a field as the agricultural implement is moved across the field. The first and second ground engaging tools are electrically isolated from each other. The system may further include a power source configured to apply a voltage across the first and second ground engaging tools, a sensor configured to measure a capacitance across the first and second ground engaging tools, and a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor. The controller may be configured to determine a presence of material accumulation between the first and second ground engaging tools based at least in part on the measured capacitance.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2019Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventor: Scott Glovier
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Patent number: 11585070Abstract: De-trenching apparatus (100) for extracting a buried line, such as a cable or pipeline, is disclosed. The de-trenching apparatus comprises a channel (112) configured to receive a buried line to be extracted, the channel comprising a first flared opening (114) at a front end of the de-trenching apparatus and a second flared opening (115) at the rear end of the de-trenching apparatus, the first and second flared openings each having a curved surface (111) configured to support the line during extraction, and material removal means for removing material from around the buried line ahead of the de-trenching apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2018Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Inventor: Antony Zymelka
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Patent number: 11582894Abstract: A tillage implement includes an implement frame having a first lengthwise frame member, a second lengthwise frame member, and a lateral frame member connected to and extending between the first and second lengthwise frame members. A hitch assembly is rotatably connected to the implement frame. A wheel assembly is connected to the implement frame and moveable between a raised position and a lowered position. A rockshaft is rotatably connected to the implement frame and connected to the wheel assembly. A leveling assembly is connected to the implement frame, the rockshaft, and the hitch assembly. The leveling assembly is configured to adjust the position of the hitch assembly based on movement of the rockshaft. The leveling assembly includes an actuator connected to and aligned with a leveling link.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2020Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Shawn J. Becker, Mark D. Beeck, Andrew J. Peterson, Jarrod R. Ruckle
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Patent number: 11576294Abstract: An agricultural work system has an agricultural work machine to which at least one mounted implement can be fitted via at least one implement interface. A work machine configuration is associated with the work machine, and a mounted implement configuration is associated with the mounted implement. A drive unit is provided which acts via a drivetrain on ground engaging elements, particularly on tires. A system control and a control/display unit associated with the work machine are provided. It is proposed that the system control is adapted to determine the mounted implement configuration, to calculate the implement interface load transmitted via the implement interface based on the determined mounted implement configuration, and to evaluate and/or optimize the work machine configuration based on the calculated implement interface load.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2019Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: CLAAS Tractor SASInventors: Jan Carsten Wieckhorst, Christian Ehlert, Lennart Meyer
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Patent number: 11576292Abstract: A seeder assembly for placing a commodity in underlying soil that has a frame member having at least one ground engaging mechanism configured to contact an underlying surface, a rockshaft pivotally coupled to the frame member and pivotal between a lowered position and a raised position, a plurality of disk opener assemblies coupled to the rockshaft, the disk opener assemblies each having a single disk opener configured to cut into the underlying soil to provide an opening for the commodity, a plurality of row cleaner assemblies pivotally coupled to the frame member and each having a row cleaner configured to move residue on the underlying surface, and a plurality of linkages each coupling the rockshaft to a corresponding one of the plurality of row cleaner assemblies. When the rockshaft is in the raised position, the plurality of linkages maintain the corresponding plurality of row cleaner assemblies in a raised position.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2019Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventor: Kevin J. Goering
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Patent number: 11566997Abstract: A system for monitoring soil composition within a field may have a ground-engaging tool configured to engage soil within a field as an implement moves across the field. The system may further have a sensor configured to generate data indicative of a soil composition within the field, where the sensor is movable relative to the ground-engaging tool while the implement moves across the field such that the sensor generates data indicative of the soil composition at different depths within the field. Additionally, the system may have a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor, with the controller being configured to determine the soil composition at the different depths within the field based at least in part on the data received from the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2020Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.Inventor: James W. Henry
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Patent number: 11558990Abstract: A system for detecting the operational status of a ground engaging tool of a tillage implement including an agricultural implement including a frame and a tool assembly supported relative to the frame. The ganged tool assembly includes a toolbar coupled to the frame and one or more ground engaging tools coupled to the toolbar. The system further includes a sensor coupled to the tool assembly and configured to capture data indicative of a load acting on the one or more ground engaging tools. Additionally, the system includes a controller configured to monitor the data received from the sensor and compare at least one monitored value associated with the load acting on the ground engaging tool(s). Moreover, the controller is further configured to identify the ground engaging tool(s) as being plugged when the monitored value(s) differs from the predetermined threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2019Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.Inventor: James W. Henry
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Patent number: 11540434Abstract: A cultivating disc for a tillage implement includes an attachment portion positioned at a radial center of the cultivating disc. The attachment portion includes one or more attachment features configured to couple the cultivating disc to the tillage implement about an axis of rotation of the cultivating disc. The attachment portion extends along a first plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the cultivating disc. The cultivating disc also includes a cutting edge portion positioned at a distal end of the cultivating disc relative to the axis of rotation. The cutting edge portion extends along a second plane parallel to the first plane. The cultivating disc further includes a curved connecting portion positioned between and connecting the attachment portion to the cutting edge portion. The curved connecting portion further defines one or more radii of curvature.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2019Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventor: Timothy R. Blunier
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Patent number: 11533836Abstract: An articulated tractor comprises a front frame, a rear frame articulated to the front frame by a central articulation, and a pivotable hitch carried by one of the front frame and the rear frame. The hitch is pivoted during steering. Front wheels are offset from the rear part of the tractor.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2019Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Alessandro Benevelli, Francesco Paolini
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Patent number: 11530521Abstract: A method for constructing a seawall section includes coupling an end of a substantially-waterproof barrier member to a footing. A concrete form is mounted to the footing such that a top end of the form is higher than an exposed upper surface of the footing. The concrete form defines at least part of a fill volume. Another end of the barrier member is coupled to the concrete form such that the barrier member extends over a side of the concrete form opposite the fill volume. Concrete is then poured into the fill volume and cured to form the seawall section. Prior to the curing, a body of water at the footing may be higher than the upper surface of the footing. However, the barrier member prevents water from entering the fill volume through the concrete form.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2020Date of Patent: December 20, 2022Assignee: Beech Contractors, LLCInventor: Joshua Earl Beech
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Patent number: 11528835Abstract: A tillage machine includes a main frame, a gang rotatably coupled to the main frame, and an arcuately-shaped adjustment rail coupled to the main frame. At least a portion of the adjustment rail is spaced from the main frame. The adjustment rail includes a plurality of apertures each configured to receive a locking structure, and the adjustment rail defines an open space adjacent the main frame.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2020Date of Patent: December 20, 2022Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Shawn J. Becker, Jarrod R. Ruckle, David L. Steinlage, Mark D. Beeck, Andrew J. Peterson, Greg T. Buse
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Patent number: 11519153Abstract: A boring machine for producing a trench in the ground including a chassis that extends in a longitudinal direction, the chassis having a lower end, the machine including a boring device mounted at the lower end of the chassis, the boring device including a first boring member which is rotary about a first axis of rotation, and a second boring member which is rotary about a second axis of rotation, the second axis of rotation and the first axis of rotation extending in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, wherein the first axis of rotation is inclined with respect to the second axis of rotation.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2018Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Inventor: Michel Coudry