Patents Examined by Tuongminh N Pham
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Patent number: 12157138Abstract: A fluid sprayer includes a spray gun that is configured to output a spray of fluid for application on a substrate. A trigger of the spray gun is operatively connected to a controller to control actuation of a pump that drives the spray fluid to the spray gun. A solenoid is connected to a spray valve of the spray gun to actuate the spray valve open to cause spraying by the fluid sprayer.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2024Date of Patent: December 3, 2024Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.Inventors: Robert W. Kinne, Christopher C. Hines, Diane L. Olson, Andrew J. Ericson, Sophia E. Drayna, Pamela J. Muetzel
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Patent number: 12150444Abstract: A sprayer vehicle includes a mobile frame, a boom, and a boom-positioning mechanism. The boom is spaced from the frame. The boom-positioning mechanism is configured to support the boom on the frame for selective movement between a raised boom position and a lowered boom position. The boom-positioning mechanism includes a positioning actuator, and a telescoping parallel linkage providing constant spacing between the boom and the frame in the raised boom position and lowered boom position. The positioning actuator is configured to raise the boom to the raised boom position upon elongation and to lower the boom to the lowered boom position upon retraction. The agricultural sprayer may further include a controller for positioning the boom relative to the frame, an underlying surface, or another reference.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2020Date of Patent: November 26, 2024Assignee: AGCO CorporationInventor: Evan Thomas Smith
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Patent number: 12128264Abstract: A fire protection sprinkler system includes a horizontal barrier that covers two adjacent racks, and the vertical flue space between the racks. The horizontal barrier is provided at a predetermined height, and has a width that is at least equal to a width of the rack, and a depth that is at least equal to a sum of a depth of the rack, a depth of the other rack, and a depth of the vertical flue space. In addition, the horizontal barrier is a sheet having one or more apertures. The system also includes a rack level fire protection sprinkler connected to a fluid supply conduit, and being disposed in the vertical flue space below the horizontal barrier. The rack level sprinkler has a K-factor of 11.2 gpm/(psi)1/2 or greater, and is vertically spaced from commodities stored on the rack and the other rack covered by the horizontal barrier.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2023Date of Patent: October 29, 2024Assignee: The Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co. Inc.Inventors: Thomas Multer, Oliver Pahila
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Patent number: 12128265Abstract: A fire protection sprinkler system includes a horizontal barrier that covers two adjacent racks, and the vertical flue space between the racks. The horizontal barrier is provided at a predetermined height, and has a width that is at least equal to a width of the rack, and a depth that is at least equal to a sum of a depth of the rack, a depth of the other rack, and a depth of the vertical flue space. In addition, the horizontal barrier is a sheet having one or more apertures. The system also includes a rack level fire protection sprinkler connected to a fluid supply conduit, and being disposed in the vertical flue space below the horizontal barrier. The rack level sprinkler has a K-factor of 11.2 gpm/(psi)1/2 or greater, and is vertically spaced from commodities stored on the rack and the other rack covered by the horizontal barrier.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2023Date of Patent: October 29, 2024Assignee: The Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co. Inc.Inventors: Thomas Multer, Oliver Pahila
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Patent number: 12127550Abstract: A vertical farming spraying system including a robotic mobile sprayer with a base and driving members. The robotic mobile sprayer includes a first cylindrical element connected to a first pump and a second cylindrical element connected to a second pump. A first mechanical support is mounted on the base, supporting a humidity sensor and a humidifier sprayer connected to the first pump; and a second mechanical support is mounted on the base, supporting a disinfection sensor and a disinfection sprayer connected to the second pump. A control unit controls operation of the driving members and mechanical supports, and of the pumps through the respective sensors via a flow control sensor. The vertical farming spraying system further includes a vertically oriented elongated cylindrical support encircled by a spiral path, designed to guide the robotic mobile sprayer from the base to the top for humidification and disinfection operations.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2024Date of Patent: October 29, 2024Assignee: Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd UniversityInventors: Feroz Shaik, Faramarz Djavanroodi
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Patent number: 12122350Abstract: An agricultural sprayer includes a purge tank, a nozzle configured to dispense an agricultural fluid onto an underlying field, and a downstream valve configured to selectively permit the air from the main fluid conduit to flow to the nozzle. A computing system is configured to initiate a purging operation to purge the agricultural fluid present within the nozzle and, upon receipt of the input, control an operation of a main valve such that the main valve is moved to an opened position to allow the air to flow through a main fluid conduit. In addition, the computing system is configured to monitor a first air pressure associated with the purge tank and a second air pressure associated with the nozzle. Furthermore, the computing system is configured to control an operation of the downstream valve during the purging operation based on the monitored first and second air pressures.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2021Date of Patent: October 22, 2024Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventor: Nathan Paul Brooks
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Patent number: 12115397Abstract: The present invention relates to a deployable fire suppressive device designed for efficiently extinguishing fires, particularly suitable for campfires and kitchen stove fires. This innovative device features an extendable handle, transitioning from three feet in a collapsed state to six feet when extended, ensuring user safety from heat and flames. The core component is a fire-resistant fabric, arranged in a tubular formation, supported by a collapsible spring steel frame reminiscent of an oversized “Slinky.” This design enables quick deployment and effective coverage of the fire, robbing it of oxygen to extinguish it swiftly. The tubular fabric can be adapted to various shapes, including a square configuration, enhancing its versatility across different fire scenarios. The device is designed for user-friendly operation, easy storage, and reusability, making it a practical solution for quick fire suppression.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2023Date of Patent: October 15, 2024Inventor: Kiran Kumar Patel
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Patent number: 12108699Abstract: Described herein are implements and applicators for placement of fluid applications with respect to agricultural plants of agricultural fields. In one embodiment, a fluid applicator for applying fluid to plants in rows in a field includes at least one applicator arm that is actuated by an actuator to move the applicator arm from a position in the row between plants to a position adjacent to the plant.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2017Date of Patent: October 8, 2024Assignee: PRECISION PLANTING LLCInventors: Paul Wildermuth, Jason Stoller, Ian Radtke
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Patent number: 12103759Abstract: A remote operation spray device configured to depress-operate a spray nozzle of a spray device from a remote location. Device generates adequate pushing force required for depression and, by achieving weight reduction of the device proper, enables easy mounting on an aerial vehicle or other mobile unit. Device includes a main body fixedly attached to a mobile unit, a holder fixedly retaining a spray cartridge and a spray mechanism for jetting spray. The spray mechanism includes a base member, a depressing member pivotably attached to the base member for pressing down a spray nozzle, a pushed member provided at a distal end of the depressing member, and a pusher installed on the base member for pushing the pushed member to move horizontally. The horizontal pushing action of the pusher pushes and moves the pushed member to pivot the depressing member and press the spray nozzle vertically downward.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2018Date of Patent: October 1, 2024Assignee: DRONE NET CO., LTD.Inventor: Kazuyuki Murakami
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Patent number: 12102081Abstract: A vertical farming spraying system including a robotic mobile sprayer with a base and driving members. The robotic mobile sprayer includes a first cylindrical element connected to a first pump and a second cylindrical element connected to a second pump. A first mechanical support is mounted on the base, supporting a humidity sensor and a humidifier sprayer connected to the first pump; and a second mechanical support is mounted on the base, supporting a disinfection sensor and a disinfection sprayer connected to the second pump. A control unit controls operation of the driving members and mechanical supports, and of the pumps through the respective sensors via a flow control sensor. The vertical farming spraying system further includes a vertically oriented elongated cylindrical support encircled by a spiral path, designed to guide the robotic mobile sprayer from the base to the top for humidification and disinfection operations.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2024Date of Patent: October 1, 2024Assignee: Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd UniversityInventors: Feroz Shaik, Faramarz Djavanroodi
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Patent number: 12083368Abstract: An aircraft including a fuselage defining a cabin and baggage bay, engine compartments for receiving engines, an auxiliary power unit compartment for receiving an auxiliary power unit, and a fire suppression system including first and second reservoirs containing a fire suppressant. The reservoirs are each connected to all of the engine compartments for distribution of the fire suppressant thereto. The first reservoir is connected to only one of the auxiliary power unit compartment and baggage bay, and the second reservoir is connected to only the other of the auxiliary power unit compartment and baggage bay. A fire suppression system for an aircraft and a method of connecting a fire suppression system of an aircraft are also discussed.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2018Date of Patent: September 10, 2024Assignee: BOMBARDIER INC.Inventors: Grant Partridge, Andreas Gekeler, Boris Meislitzer, Vinodkumar G. Mistry, Julio Omar Checa Santamaria, Juan Carlos Restrepo, Zaharias Kripotos
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Patent number: 12075769Abstract: An agricultural applicator, that applies material to an agricultural field, includes an on-board, real-time image sensor that senses targets for the material to be applied. A controller controls applicators, such as nozzles or other applicators, to apply the material to the sensed targets.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2021Date of Patent: September 3, 2024Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Richard A. Humpal, Steven Rees, Broughton C. Boydell, Tarik Loukili, Travis J. Davis, Terence D. Pickett, Scott M. Buse, Mark M. Chaney
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Patent number: 12076735Abstract: A showerhead includes a water outlet and a deflector in axial spaced relation to the water outlet. Water discharged from the water outlet is configured to extend axially through a vertical opening and impact the deflector to form a sheet-like water layer.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2020Date of Patent: September 3, 2024Assignee: Delta Faucet CompanyInventors: Joshua Drew Wales, David Lee
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Patent number: 12070762Abstract: An agricultural sprayer includes a spraying system that sprays a substance on an agricultural surface and a crop characteristic sensor that senses a crop characteristic of a crop on the agricultural surface and generates a crop characteristic signal indicative of the crop characteristic. The agricultural sprayer further includes a sprayer control system that identifies a position of a component of a crop plant based on the crop characteristic sensor signal and an action signal generator that generates an action signal based on the identified position of the component of the crop plant.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2020Date of Patent: August 27, 2024Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventor: Bradley W. Van De Woestyne
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Patent number: 12064779Abstract: A liquid-dispensing system includes at least one nozzle configured to dispense a liquid. The liquid-dispensing system includes at least one sensor module, configured to provide a sensor signal comprising information related to whether liquid is dispensed by the at least one nozzle. At least a part of the at least one sensor is located in proximity of the nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2020Date of Patent: August 20, 2024Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Christian Illemann, Karl Pilch, Herbert Priess
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Patent number: 12058952Abstract: Described herein are implements and applicators for placement of fluid applications with respect to agricultural plants of agricultural fields. In one embodiment, a nozzle includes a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a rotatable member to rotate over the fluid outlet to selectively expose the fluid outlet to at least one opening to provide fluid flow from the fluid outlet through the opening. Upon the rotatable member rotating over the fluid outlet, a different number of openings is in fluid communication with the fluid outlet.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2017Date of Patent: August 13, 2024Assignee: Precision Planting LLCInventors: Jason Stoller, Ian Radtke
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Patent number: 12030073Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for real-time monitoring of an above-ground height of a boom based on multi-source information fusion. The system includes a boom, an information acquisition unit, and a control unit. The method includes: step 1: establishing a relationship between an above-ground height s of the boom and an output current y of a pull-wire cylinder displacement sensor; step 2: calibrating ultrasonic ranging sensors; step 3: acquiring above-ground heights of the boom; step 4: performing anti-interference processing on the acquired height data; step 5: calculating an above-ground height H0 of the boom by multi-source data fusion; step 6: calculating a distance Hcanno between the boom and a crop canopy; step 7: acquiring an inclination angle ?b of the boom; and step 8: calculating heights Hend of two ends of the boom relative to ground.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2021Date of Patent: July 9, 2024Assignee: Jiangsu UniversityInventors: Jinyang Li, Yunfei Chen
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Patent number: 11998000Abstract: An agricultural machine includes a product application system comprising a plurality of actuatable applicator mechanisms, each actuatable applicator mechanism configured to apply a substance on an agricultural surface, an imaging system configured to obtain image data indicative of an image of plant matter on the agricultural surface, and a control system configured to determine a characteristic of the plant matter in an image region defined within the image, control one or more of the actuatable applicator mechanisms to apply the substance on the agricultural surface based on the determined characteristic, and generate a user interface display that displays the image and includes a display element that visually represents the image region within the image.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2021Date of Patent: June 4, 2024Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Michelle Kwak, Barbra Cavanaugh, Tarik Loukili, Scott M. Buse
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Patent number: 11980902Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 28, 2020Date of Patent: May 14, 2024Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Dennis J. Sullivan, Richard A. Humpal
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Patent number: 11980181Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a center frame positioning method for an agricultural sprayer. The method comprises activating a center frame positioning system and collecting and processing position data related to a position of a suspended center frame in the center frame positioning system. The method further comprises evaluating the position data to determine whether any adjustment to the position of the suspended center frame is needed and controlling actuator force in at least one actuator to adjust the position of the suspended center frame based on the evaluating the position data.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2021Date of Patent: May 14, 2024Assignees: Deere & Company, Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Adam D. Sporrer, Kyle R. Blaylock, Matthew J. Darr, Robert McNaull, Kevin L. Ehrecke