Patents by Inventor Adam D. Sporrer
Adam D. Sporrer has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
-
Publication number: 20240130262Abstract: An agricultural implement includes a plurality of ground-engaging tools configured to modify a surface configuration of an agricultural field and a hydraulically-controlled subsystem configured to modify an operating angle of the plurality of ground-engaging tools. The agricultural implement also includes a sensor coupled to the hydraulically-controlled subsystem configured to generate sensor signals indicative of a current operating angle of the plurality of ground-engaging tools. The agricultural implement also includes an implement control system configured to receive the sensor signals from the sensor to determine the current operating angle of the plurality of ground-engaging tools, and, upon determining the current operating angle is to be changed to a new operating angle, generate control signals for the hydraulically-controlled subsystem to modify the operating angle of the plurality of ground-engaging tools from the current operating angle to the new operating angle.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2023Publication date: April 25, 2024Inventors: Adam D. SPORRER, Shawn J. BECKER, Lucas B. LARSEN, Ricky B. THEILEN
-
Publication number: 20240130267Abstract: Work machines, control systems for work machines, and methods of operating work machines are disclosed herein. A work machine includes a frame structure, a work implement, and a control system. The work implement is coupled to the frame structure and includes at least one ground engagement tool that is configured for movement in response to interaction with an underlying surface in use of the use work machine. The control system is coupled to the frame structure and includes a sensor mounted to the at least one ground engagement tool and a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2023Publication date: April 25, 2024Inventors: Adam D. Sporrer, Ricky B. Theilen, Jeremy D. Krantz, Lucas B. Larsen
-
Patent number: 11930729Abstract: An agricultural implement includes a frame forming a plurality of sections. A plurality of tools is operatively coupled to the frame for penetrating an underlying surface upon which the implement travels. A controller is coupled to the frame. A plurality of control valves is operably controllable between an open and a closed position. A sensor for detecting a depth of penetration of at least one tool of the plurality of tools is coupled to the frame wherein the sensor is coupled to the controller for communicating the detected depth, and wherein the controller compares the detected depth to a target depth and operably controls the position of each of the plurality of control valves until the depth of the at least one tool on the frame is at the target depth.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2021Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Adam D. Sporrer, Jarrod R. Ruckle
-
Patent number: 11805721Abstract: Work machines, control systems for work machines, and methods of operating work machines are disclosed. A work machine includes a frame structure, a work implement, and a control system. The work implement is coupled to the frame structure and includes at least one ground engagement tool that is configured for movement in response to interaction with an underlying surface in use of the use work machine. The control system is coupled to the frame structure and includes a sensor mounted to the at least one ground engagement tool and a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2020Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Adam D. Sporrer, Ricky B. Theilen, Jeremy D. Krantz, Lucas B. Larsen
-
Publication number: 20230329139Abstract: An agricultural machine includes a set of ground engaging elements that perform a ground engaging operation. The agricultural machine includes a rearward sensor mounted to the agricultural machine to sense an area of ground behind the agricultural machine and generate a rearward sensor signal. The agricultural machine includes rearward zone generator logic that determines a first zone and a second zone, wherein the first zone and the second zone represent portions of the area of ground behind the agricultural machine. The agricultural machine includes rearward residue generator logic configured to receive the rearward sensor signal and determine a first residue metric indicative of the amount of residue in the first zone. The agricultural machine includes control logic that controls one or more aspects of the ground engaging operation on the area of ground based on the first residue metric.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2023Publication date: October 19, 2023Inventors: Adam D. SPORRER, Ricky B. THEILEN, Lucas B. LARSEN, Kyle J. TROST
-
Patent number: 11751496Abstract: An agricultural implement includes a plurality of ground-engaging tools configured to modify a surface configuration of an agricultural field and a hydraulically-controlled subsystem configured to modify an operating angle of the plurality of ground-engaging tools. The agricultural implement also includes a sensor coupled to the hydraulically-controlled subsystem configured to generate sensor signals indicative of a current operating angle of the plurality of ground-engaging tools. The agricultural implement also includes an implement control system configured to receive the sensor signals from the sensor to determine the current operating angle of the plurality of ground-engaging tools, and, upon determining the current operating angle is to be changed to a new operating angle, generate control signals for the hydraulically-controlled subsystem to modify the operating angle of the plurality of ground-engaging tools from the current operating angle to the new operating angle.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2021Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Adam D. Sporrer, Shawn J. Becker, Lucas B. Larsen, Ricky B. Theilen
-
Patent number: 11737385Abstract: A method of controlling tilt of an agricultural implement being towed by a tow vehicle along a field includes providing a controller, a first sensor, a second sensor, and an actuator coupled to the implement. The method includes detecting a baseline level of the tow vehicle with the first sensor at a first location in the field, wherein the implement is located at a second location in the field spaced rearward of the first location. The controller determines when the implement will be at the first location in the field, and an implement level of the implement is measured with the second sensor once the implement is at the first location. The implement level is compared to the baseline level with the controller. The controller determines if the difference between the implement level and baseline level is within a tolerance range, and further controls the actuator as needed.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2019Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Adam D. Sporrer, Ricky B. Theilen, Lucas B. Larsen
-
Patent number: 11632895Abstract: An agricultural machine includes a set of ground engaging elements that perform a ground engaging operation. The agricultural machine includes a rearward sensor mounted to the agricultural machine to sense an area of ground behind the agricultural machine and generate a rearward sensor signal. The agricultural machine includes rearward zone generator logic that determines a first zone and a second zone, wherein the first zone and the second zone represent portions of the area of ground behind the agricultural machine. The agricultural machine includes rearward residue generator logic configured to receive the rearward sensor signal and determine a first residue metric indicative of the amount of residue in the first zone. The agricultural machine includes control logic that controls one or more aspects of the ground engaging operation on the area of ground based on the first residue metric.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2019Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Adam D. Sporrer, Ricky B. Theilen, Lucas B. Larsen, Kyle J. Trost
-
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
-
Patent number: 11576297Abstract: Systems and methods provide automatic assignment of control of a plurality of hydraulic circuits of an associated work vehicle to a plurality of operation systems of an implement. A hydraulic circuit assignment control unit includes a processor, a memory device, logic stored in the memory device, and a communication circuit operatively coupled with the processor. The processor executes the logic to associate an activation of a first hydraulic circuit of the plurality of hydraulic circuits of the associated work vehicle with a physical exercise of an operation system of the plurality of operation systems of the associated implement, and generates pairing assignment data representative of the association of the activated first hydraulic circuit with the physical exercise of the operation system of the implement. The logic generates directionality confirmation and calibration data that is communicated to the plurality of operation systems with the pairing assignment data.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2020Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Mandar M. Kale, Sandeep Ekhe, Shoebreza Shaikh, Adam D. Sporrer, Ricky B. Theilen, Lucas B. Larsen
-
Patent number: 11397415Abstract: A metric priority is accessed, which identifies a priority of a plurality of different control metrics that are used in controlling an agricultural implement. Control signals are generated to control the implement to bring the metrics within corresponding predefined ranges in descending order of priority.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2021Date of Patent: July 26, 2022Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Adam D. Sporrer, Ricky B. Theilen, Lucas B. Larsen, Jeremy D. Krantz
-
Publication number: 20220183206Abstract: A residue detection and implement control system and method are disclosed for an agricultural implement. The system includes a source of environment data and image data of an imaged area of a crop field containing residue. The system includes a data store containing a plurality of image processing methods and at least one controller that processes the image data according to one or more image processing instruction sets. The controller selects one or more of the image processing methods based on the environment data, and processes the image data using the selected image processing instruction(s) to determine a value corresponding to residue coverage in the imaged area of the field. The controller adjusts the configuration of the agricultural implement to respond to the amount and type of residue detected.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2022Publication date: June 16, 2022Inventors: Ranjit Nair, Adam D. Sporrer, Kirti Balani, Ricky B. Theilen, Lucas B. Larsen, Vishal Rane, David L. Steinlage, Robert T. Casper, John M. Schweitzer, Jeremy D. Krantz
-
Patent number: 11266056Abstract: A residue detection and implement control system and method are disclosed for an agricultural implement. The system includes a source of environment data and image data of an imaged area of a crop field containing residue. The system includes a data store containing a plurality of image processing methods and at least one controller that processes the image data according to one or more image processing instruction sets. The controller selects one or more of the image processing methods based on the environment data, and processes the image data using the selected image processing instruction(s) to determine a value corresponding to residue coverage in the imaged area of the field. The controller adjusts the configuration of the agricultural implement to respond to the amount and type of residue detected.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2015Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Ranjit Nair, Adam D. Sporrer, Kirti Balani, Ricky B. Theilen, Lucas B. Larsen, Vishal Rane, David L. Steinlage, Robert T. Casper, John M. Schweitzer, Jeremy D. Krantz
-
Publication number: 20220000003Abstract: An agricultural implement includes a plurality of ground-engaging tools configured to modify a surface configuration of an agricultural field and a hydraulically-controlled subsystem configured to modify an operating angle of the plurality of ground-engaging tools. The agricultural implement also includes a sensor coupled to the hydraulically-controlled subsystem configured to generate sensor signals indicative of a current operating angle of the plurality of ground-engaging tools. The agricultural implement also includes an implement control system configured to receive the sensor signals from the sensor to determine the current operating angle of the plurality of ground-engaging tools, and, upon determining the current operating angle is to be changed to a new operating angle, generate control signals for the hydraulically-controlled subsystem to modify the operating angle of the plurality of ground-engaging tools from the current operating angle to the new operating angle.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2021Publication date: January 6, 2022Inventors: ADAM D. SPORRER, Shawn J. Becker, Lucas B. Larsen, Ricky B. Theilen
-
Publication number: 20210372441Abstract: Systems and methods provide automatic assignment of control of a plurality of hydraulic circuits of an associated work vehicle to a plurality of operation systems of an implement. A hydraulic circuit assignment control unit includes a processor, a memory device, logic stored in the memory device, and a communication circuit operatively coupled with the processor. The processor executes the logic to associate an activation of a first hydraulic circuit of the plurality of hydraulic circuits of the associated work vehicle with a physical exercise of an operation system of the plurality of operation systems of the associated implement, and generates pairing assignment data representative of the association of the activated first hydraulic circuit with the physical exercise of the operation system of the implement. The logic generates directionality confirmation and calibration data that is communicated to the plurality of operation systems with the pairing assignment data.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2020Publication date: December 2, 2021Applicant: Deere & CompanyInventors: MANDAR M. KALE, SANDEEP EKHE, SHOEBREZA SHAIKH, ADAM D. SPORRER, RICKY B. THEILEN, LUCAS B. LARSEN
-
Patent number: 11122754Abstract: An implement adjusting system having an implement with a plurality of adjustable components, a plurality of input values, at least one controlled system configured to adjust at least one of the plurality of adjustable components, and a controller that receives the plurality of input values, the controller configured to reposition the plurality of adjustable components based on the plurality of input values. Wherein, the plurality of adjustable components are repositionable by the controller based on the input values.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2019Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Adam D. Sporrer, Shawn J. Becker, Jacob W. Cross
-
Publication number: 20210274773Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2021Publication date: September 9, 2021Applicants: Deere & Company, Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Adam D. Sporrer, Kyle R. Blaylock, Matthew J. Darr, Robert McNaull, Kevin L. Ehrecke
-
Publication number: 20210243935Abstract: An agricultural implement includes a transversely extending frame forming a first, a second, and a third frame section. A hydraulic control system controls a raising or lowering movement of each frame section. A first actuator and a second actuator are coupled to the first frame section, a third actuator is coupled to the second frame section, and a fourth actuator is coupled to the third frame section. A first control valve is fluidly coupled between a fluid source and the first and second actuators. A second control valve is fluidly coupled to the third actuator and a third control valve is fluidly coupled to the fourth actuator. A first flow path fluidly couples the first actuator, the second actuator, the third actuator, and the fourth actuator in series and a second flow path fluidly couples at least the third and fourth actuators in parallel with one another.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2021Publication date: August 12, 2021Inventors: Adam D. Sporrer, Jarrod R. Ruckle
-
Publication number: 20210227742Abstract: A mobile machine includes a frame, and a set of wheels supporting the frame. The mobile machine also includes a set of ground-engaging tools mounted to the frame that are movable relative to the wheels to change a depth of engagement of the ground engaging-tools with ground over which the mobile machine travels. A first sensor senses a position of the frame relative to the ground surface over which the mobile machine is traveling. A second sensor senses a position of the frame relative to the wheels. The sensor signals from both sensors are used to control the frame height.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2021Publication date: July 29, 2021Inventors: Adam D. SPORRER, Ricky B. THEILEN, Lucas B. LARSEN
-
Patent number: 11064643Abstract: An agricultural implement includes a plurality of ground-engaging tools configured to modify a surface configuration of an agricultural field and a hydraulically-controlled subsystem configured to modify an operating angle of the plurality of ground-engaging tools. The agricultural implement also includes a sensor coupled to the hydraulically-controlled subsystem configured to generate sensor signals indicative of a current operating angle of the plurality of ground-engaging tools. The agricultural implement also includes an implement control system configured to receive the sensor signals from the sensor to determine the current operating angle of the plurality of ground-engaging tools, and, upon determining the current operating angle is to be changed to a new operating angle, generate control signals for the hydraulically-controlled subsystem to modify the operating angle of the plurality of ground-engaging tools from the current operating angle to the new operating angle.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2018Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Adam D. Sporrer, Shawn J. Becker, Lucas B. Larsen, Ricky B. Theilen