Patents Examined by Tuongminh N Pham
  • Patent number: 12157138
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2024
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2024
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Kinne, Christopher C. Hines, Diane L. Olson, Andrew J. Ericson, Sophia E. Drayna, Pamela J. Muetzel
  • Patent number: 12150444
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventor: Evan Thomas Smith
  • Patent number: 12128264
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: The Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co. Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Multer, Oliver Pahila
  • Patent number: 12128265
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: The Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co. Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Multer, Oliver Pahila
  • Patent number: 12127550
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2024
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University
    Inventors: Feroz Shaik, Faramarz Djavanroodi
  • Patent number: 12122350
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Nathan Paul Brooks
  • Patent number: 12115397
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Inventor: Kiran Kumar Patel
  • Patent number: 12108699
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: PRECISION PLANTING LLC
    Inventors: Paul Wildermuth, Jason Stoller, Ian Radtke
  • Patent number: 12103759
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: DRONE NET CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kazuyuki Murakami
  • Patent number: 12102081
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2024
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University
    Inventors: Feroz Shaik, Faramarz Djavanroodi
  • Patent number: 12083368
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER INC.
    Inventors: Grant Partridge, Andreas Gekeler, Boris Meislitzer, Vinodkumar G. Mistry, Julio Omar Checa Santamaria, Juan Carlos Restrepo, Zaharias Kripotos
  • Patent number: 12075769
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Richard A. Humpal, Steven Rees, Broughton C. Boydell, Tarik Loukili, Travis J. Davis, Terence D. Pickett, Scott M. Buse, Mark M. Chaney
  • Patent number: 12076735
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Delta Faucet Company
    Inventors: Joshua Drew Wales, David Lee
  • Patent number: 12070762
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Bradley W. Van De Woestyne
  • Patent number: 12064779
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Christian Illemann, Karl Pilch, Herbert Priess
  • Patent number: 12058952
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Jason Stoller, Ian Radtke
  • Patent number: 12030073
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: Jiangsu University
    Inventors: Jinyang Li, Yunfei Chen
  • Patent number: 11998000
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Michelle Kwak, Barbra Cavanaugh, Tarik Loukili, Scott M. Buse
  • Patent number: 11980902
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Dennis J. Sullivan, Richard A. Humpal
  • Patent number: 11980181
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignees: Deere & Company, Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam D. Sporrer, Kyle R. Blaylock, Matthew J. Darr, Robert McNaull, Kevin L. Ehrecke